Lofree Unveils The Smoothest Compact Mechanical Keyboard Ever

The Flow keyboard from Lofree could teach Apple a thing or two about how a good keyboard should ... [+] feel.

Perhaps because I spend so many hours each day typing, I’ve developed a passion for keyboards. A well-designed keyboard makes my work much more pleasurable and for that reason, I take a close interest in keyboards and rarely pass up the opportunity to review a new model.

The latest keyboard to turn up on my desk is the Lofree Flow. This is the world's first low-profile keyboard featuring Kailh full POM (polyoxymethylene) switches and a superb gasket mount design, making this one of the most stable keyboards I’ve ever used. The Lofree Flow is a special compact keyboard that offers exceptionally smooth typing and is a genuine pleasure. The Flow is probably one of the best compact keyboards I’ve tested in a long while.

Polyoxymethylene is extraordinarily resilient and has a very low coefficient of friction. POM switches incredibly smooth and, when coupled with the Flow's multilayer gasket mount design, reduce vibrations and enhance each key's stability. The result is a keyboard that feels precise, satisfying and easy to type. If you spend hours each day typing, those features can make a huge difference.

The Lofree Flow is a premium mechanical keyboard with a compact 84-key layout. The switches are ... [+] hot-swappable and the keycaps are made from touch PBT.

The Lofree Flow is an all-aluminum design and looks contemporary and stylish. It has ultra-thin construction and feels incredibly well-made. The compact 84-key layout takes up very little desk space and can be used wired or wireless. The Flow can connect wirelessly with up to three devices using Bluetooth and can be switched between macOS and Windows.

Unusually for such a low-profile keyboard, the switches on the Lofree Flow can be hot-swapped so the switches can be changed without needing a soldering iron or any technical skills. Changing switches means the Flow can be customized with different switch types with varying levels of clickiness.

The Lofree Flow has RGB sidelights that gently illuminate the underside of the keyboard with a captivating choice of colored LEDs. The sidelights can be set to pulse at different light levels to create a soothing ambient style. The keycaps are also backlit for low-light situations and will adjust to the ambient light levels in a room.

The Kailh full POM (polyoxymethylene) switches used on the Lofree Flow keyboard are mounted on a ... [+] unique gasket design, making this one of the most stable keyboards I’ve ever used.

The keycaps used on the Lofree Flow have dual macOS and Windows legends. They are made from PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), which is incredibly durable even when used for long periods. There is also a row of 12 function keys which double as multimedia keys for adjusting display brightness, altering volume levels, plus a selection of other handy functions.

Verdict: The Lofree Flow is one of the best-made compact keyboards I’ve used in a long time. The keys are incredibly stable with no give or flex. The solid feeling and lovely click action make typing a joy. The overall look and feel of the Flow are sublime; it looks great and feels superb. Apple could learn a thing or two from the team at Lofree. If you’re a professional typist, writer or coder, the Lofree Flow is one of the best mechanical keyboards on the market. The Lowfree Flow is s currently available via a Kickstarter campaign. Get to the website and order a Flow because this is the best keyboard you’ll ever use.

Pricing & Availability: The Lofree Flow compact mechanical keyboard is available from Kickstarter with prices starting from $129.

More info: kickstarter.com and lofree.co.

Tech Specs:

The Flow keyboard from Flow is available with a range of keycaps.