65% CNC-aluminum board with double-gasket mount, hot-swappable sockets, and QMK/VIA so you can tailor every layer for coding.

I’ve daily-driven the Keychron Q2 for two years now, and the 2025 batches are even better out of the box. The double-gasket mount plus pre-lubed screw-in stabilizers give the board a soft bottom-out without the ping older runs needed tape mods to tame. I swapped the stock Gateron G Pro Browns for Haimu linear switches in seconds thanks to the south-facing hot-swap sockets, then flashed a custom QMK layout with VIA so layer tap keys handle Vim macros and window snapping. Keychron’s OSA PBT caps still feel great, but I appreciate the standard ANSI plate so I can drop my own GMK sets when I want variety. Weight-wise the solid aluminum case anchors the board while I hammer away, and the USB-C daughterboard plus coiled cable keep my desk tidy. My only gripes: there’s still no wireless option, and at 3.6 lb it’s not a travel board. For a wired, programmable workhorse that feels enthusiast-grade without endless modding, the Q2 remains my top recommendation.

Keychron Q2 65% Mechanical Keyboard with QMK/VIA Firmware

Keychron Q2 Mechanical Keyboard

Wireless 2.7 GHz split mechanical keyboard with integrated tenting, walnut wrist rests, hot-swappable switches, and Vial programming for ergonomic builders and coders.

I finally replaced my aging Kinesis with the NocFree Lite and the difference is immediate. The 2.7 GHz link keeps both halves perfectly in sync even when I stretch them shoulder width apart, and the integrated tenting plus walnut rests melted away the forearm tightness I get on flat boards. Out of the box the factory lubed linear switches feel crisp, but the Kailh hot-swap sockets make it trivial to drop in tactiles when I want more feedback. Programming layers in Vial works exactly the way I like—no drivers, no vendor cloud, just tweak the layout in a browser and flash over USB-C. The board is surprisingly portable for a split: 11.84 x 4.42 inches, roughly 550 g, and that 3,600 mAh battery has lasted me six weeks of daily coding before I even thought about charging. I do wish NocFree added Bluetooth for travel and the $229 price tag stings when competitors undercut it, yet the combination of ergonomics, wireless reliability, and easy customization has earned the Lite a permanent spot on my desk.

Wireless 2.7 GHz split mechanical keyboard with integrated tenting, walnut wrist rests, hot-swappable switches, and Vial programming for ergonomic coders.

NocFree Lite Wireless Split Keyboard with Tenting Vial

NocFree Lite Wireless Split Mechanical Keyboard

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Keyboard Gift Products

Keychron Q2 Mechanical Keyboard

NocFree Lite Wireless Split Mechanical Keyboard