ErgoDox EZ  Keyboard Review

Reviewed Mar 17, 2020 at 07:40am
Writing modified Apr 18, 2025 at 01:49pm
Tested using Methodology v1.3.1 
ErgoDox EZ

Track

0.0
Gaming 
0.0
Office 
0.0
Mobile/Tablet 
0.0
Programming 
0.0
Entertainment / HTPC 
0.0
Raw Performance 

Track

 2

The ErgoDox EZ is a very unique mechanical keyboard. It has a fully split ergonomic design that lets you position the two halves for maximum comfort. They can be set at nearly any incline thanks to their rotating feet, and there are wrist rests for both included in the box. It features blank keycaps so that you can program any command and create a layout that's best suited for you. You can also create up to 32 layers of keybinds in a single profile, which gives you amazing customization options. It's available in a wide variety of Cherry MX and Kailh switches, and the board allows you to swap the switches out without soldering, which is great.

Our Verdict

0.0
Gaming 

The ErgoDox EZ is great for gaming, although it's not necessarily aimed for this use. Its build quality is great, and it's available in many different switches to better suit your preference. You can also set many macros and have up to 32 layers as well. Unfortunately, it lacks RGB lighting, although there's a variant that does have it.

Pros
  • Tons of customization options.
  • Excellent ergonomic design.
  • Excellent typing experience.
  • Excellent build quality.
Cons
  • No backlighting.
0.0
Office 

The ErgoDox EZ is an amazing keyboard for the office. While its layout and customization options might be a bit hard to get used to, this keyboard has outstanding ergonomics and provide an excellent overall typing experience. Typing noise is minimal with Cherry MX Brown switches, so it shouldn't bother others around you, although this depends on the switch that you get.

Pros
  • Excellent ergonomic design.
  • Excellent typing experience.
  • Excellent build quality.
  • Fully compatible with Windows and macOS.
Cons
  • No backlighting.
0.0
Mobile/Tablet 

The ErgoDox EZ isn't designed to work with mobile devices and tablets.

0.0
Programming 

The ErgoDox EZ is great for programming. It's comfortable to type on for long periods, and it offers a great overall typing experience, although it'll take you some time to get used to the layout. Every key is programmable, and it's fully compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Pros
  • Tons of customization options.
  • Excellent ergonomic design.
  • Excellent typing experience.
  • Excellent build quality.
Cons
  • No backlighting.
  • No wireless connectivity.
0.0
Entertainment / HTPC 

The ErgoDox EZ is bad for use with a home theater PC. It's a wired-only keyboard, which means you might need to run a cable across the room. Also, it lacks a trackpad, so you need a separate mouse to navigate. While its split layout is remarkably ergonomic, it might be hard to use unless you have some sort of lapboard or have it set on the coffee table. Unfortunately, there's no backlighting, making it hard to see the keys when viewing or gaming in the dark.

Pros
  • Excellent ergonomic design.
  • Excellent typing experience.
Cons
  • No backlighting.
  • No wireless connectivity.
  • No trackpad.
0.0
Raw Performance 

Pros
  • Excellent ergonomic design.
  • Excellent typing experience.
Cons
  • No backlighting.
  • 0.0
    Gaming
  • 0.0
    Office
  • 0.0
    Mobile/Tablet
  • 0.0
    Programming
  • 0.0
    Entertainment / HTPC
  • 0.0
    Raw Performance
  • Changelog

    1.  Updated Apr 18, 2025: 

      We've added a link to the Dygma Raise 2 to the Dimensions section.

    2.  Updated Nov 29, 2023: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.3.1, which adds a new estimated PCB latency test to the Single-Key Latency section and a new Analog test to the Switches section of this review. You can see the full changelog here.
    3.  Updated Oct 27, 2023: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.3, which overhauls how key input is evaluated. We've added new tests for Single Key Latency, Multi Key Latency, Data Transmission, and Chord Split. We've also introduced a new Raw Performance usage and adjusted how the Gaming and Office usage scores are calculated. You can see the full changelog here.
    4.  Updated Jun 30, 2023: We've added a link to the MoErgo Glove80 in the Ergonomics section of this review.

    Check Price

    Differences Between Sizes And Variants

    The ErgoDox EZ is designed so you can create the keyboard that suits your needs. It's available in a very wide variety of switches, some models have RGB lighting, and you can even simply buy the board itself, without a lift kit or the wrist rests. You can get printed keycaps, blank keycaps, or even go without any keycaps and buy a different set on your own. This means that there are a lot of different variants of this keyboard available. While this review is only valid for our unit, most of it should still be valid for any configuration. However, the overall typing experience will greatly differ depending on the switches you choose.

    Popular Keyboard Comparisons

    This keyboard is unique and aims to be the ultimate professional mechanical ergonomic keyboard. It offers a few more features than similar fully split keyboards like the Kinesis Freestyle Pro or the Matias Ergo Pro and has columnar-staggered keys. You can have up to 32 layers of different keybindings, and each key can have two inputs. See our recommendations for the best ergonomic keyboards, the best keyboards for writers, and the best keyboards for programming.

    ZSA Moonlander

    Track

    The ErgoDox EZ and the ZSA Moonlander are both fully split mechanical keyboards. Built by the same maker, both boards are designed with ergonomics in mind. You can place each half in a position that feels most comfortable for you. There are also many different incline configurations thanks to the rotating incline feet. Also, both boards are hot-swappable, extremely customizable through their configurator software, and you can set macros to any key; however, the ZSA has a five-character limit, which may be annoying if you need longer strings. While our ErgoDox unit doesn't have RGB backlighting like the ZSA, there are variants that do. The biggest differences are that the ZSA's thumb clusters are moveable, which provides more incline options, and it has fewer keys. Also, the ZSA's latency is much higher, so it isn't as good of a choice for gaming.

    Dygma Raise 2

    Track

    The ErgoDox EZ and the Dygma Raise 2 are both split ergonomic mechanical keyboards. The ErgoDox EZ has a columnar layout while the Dygma has a more conventional staggered layout, similar to most 60% mechanical keyboards. The Dygma also supports wireless connectivity via an optional 2.4GHz/Bluetooth add-on, whereas the ErgoDox EZ is wired-only. Both support incline/tenting kits, though these are sold as add-ons. In terms of software, the ErgoDox relies on a web-based configurator and requires users to manually flash firmware updates, which can be intimidating for some. The Dygma, by contrast, uses locally installed software that's more intuitive and beginner-friendly.

    Kinesis Freestyle Pro

    Track

    The ErgoDox EZ is a better ergonomic keyboard than the Kinesis Freestyle Pro. It feels better built, has a wider switch variety, and has incredible ergonomics. However, it might be noticeably harder to get used to than the Kinesis.

    Matias Ergo Pro

    Track

    The ErgoDox EZ is a much better ergonomic keyboard than the Matias Ergo Pro. It's better built, has more incline positions, and overall simply offers more options. The Matias also completely lacks software, although it might be a bit easier to get used to typing on this keyboard than the ErgoDox.

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    Test Results

    perceptual testing image
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    RATINGS
    Category:
    All
    Design
    Dimensions
    Size
    LockedTenKeyLess (80%)
    Height
    LockedLock" (Lock cm)
    WidthLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    Depth
    LockedLock" (Lock cm)
    Depth With Wrist Rest
    LockedLock" (Lock cm)
    Weight
    LockedLock lbs (Lock kg)

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    0.0
    Build Quality
    Keycap MaterialLockedLocked

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    0.0
    Ergonomics
    Curved/Angled
    LockedLocked
    Split Keyboard
    LockedLocked
    Key Alignment
    LockedLocked
    Minimum Incline
    LockedLock°
    Medium Incline
    LockedLock°
    Maximum Incline
    LockedLock°
    Home Row Height
    LockedLock mm (Lock")

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    0.0
    Hardware Customizability
    Replaceable Cherry Stabilizers
    LockedLocked
    Stabilizer Fixation
    LockedLocked
    Spacebar Stabilizer Size
    LockedLocked
    Size Of Right Mod Keys
    LockedLocked
    Hot-Swappable Switches
    LockedYes
    Switch Stem Shape
    LockedLocked
    Switch PCB Socket
    LockedLocked
    North-Facing Cherry MX Interference
    LockedLocked
    0.0
    Backlight Features
    BacklightingLockedLocked
    RGB
    LockedLocked
    Per-Key Backlighting
    LockedLocked
    Effects
    LockedLocked
    Software Controllable
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Backlight Clarity
    Cable & Connector
    ConnectivityLockedWired
    Detachable
    LockedLocked
    LengthLockedLock ft (Lock m)
    Connector (Keyboard side)
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Wireless Versatility
    Bluetooth
    LockedLocked
    Bluetooth Multi-Device Pairing
    LockedLocked
    Proprietary Receiver
    LockedLocked
    Battery Type
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Macro Keys And Programming
    Dedicated Macro Keys CountLockedLock
    Onboard Macro Programming
    LockedLocked
    Macro Programming With Software
    LockedLocked
    Extra Features
    Media Keys
    LockedLocked
    Trackpad / TrackballLockedLocked
    Scroll Wheel
    LockedLocked
    Control Knob
    LockedLocked
    USB Passthrough
    LockedLocked
    NumpadLockedLocked
    Windows Key Lock
    LockedLocked
    Lock IndicatorLockedLocked

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    In The Box

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    Typing Experience
    0.0
    Typing Quality
    Key Spacing
    LockedLock mm (Lock")

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    0.0
    Typing Noise
    SAMPLE
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    ErgoDox EZ Typing Sample Sample
    Average Loudness
    LockedLock dBA
    High Pitch Clicks
    LockedLocked

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    Switches
    SAMPLE
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    for videos & test results

    ErgoDox EZ Wobble Video Sample
    Switch Name
    LockedLocked
    Switch Type
    LockedMechanical
    Feel
    LockedLocked
    Analog
    LockedLocked

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    Keystrokes
    Operating Force
    LockedLock gf
    Actuation Force
    LockedLock gf
    Pre-Travel
    LockedLock mm
    Total Travel
    LockedLock mm

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    Performance
    0.0
    Single-Key Latency
    Best Connection
    LockedLock ms
    Best Connection Std DevLocked±Lock ms
    Wired
    LockedLock ms
    Receiver
    LockedN/A
    Bluetooth
    LockedN/A
    PCB (Estimated)
    LockedLock ms

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    0.0
    Multi-Key Latency
    SAMPLE
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    ErgoDox EZ Latency Video Sample
    Connection EvaluatedLockedLocked
    Key Press
    LockedLock ms
    Key Release
    LockedLock ms
    0.0
    Data Transmission
    Connection EvaluatedLockedLocked
    USB Polling Rate
    LockedLock Hz
    Effective Update Rate
    LockedLock Hz
    N-Key Rollover (NKRO)
    LockedYes
    Multiple Keys Per USB Report
    LockedLocked
    0.0
    Chord Split
    4 Chord Split Delay
    LockedLock ms
    8 Chord Split Delay
    LockedLock ms
    Software and Operating System
    Configuration Software
    Software NameLockedLocked
    Software Windows Compatible
    LockedLocked
    Software macOS Compatible
    LockedLocked
    Onboard Memory
    LockedLocked
    Profiles
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Computer Compatibility
    Windows
    LockedLocked
    macOS
    LockedLocked
    Linux (Ubuntu 22)
    LockedLocked
    Media Key Compatibility
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Wireless Mobile Compatibility
    Android
    LockedLocked
    iOS
    LockedLocked
    iPadOS
    LockedLocked
    Media Key Compatibility
    LockedLocked