New low-profile ergo wireless keyboard packs a touch pad and super efficient components for travellers with comfort in mind
A good ergonomic keyboard can really elevate your workstation or even gaming setup, as we noted in our Keychron Q13 Max review, however, the aforementioned Alice-layout mechanical keyboard is chunky and heavy, making it impossible to use on the go. Beekeeb, a small keyboard designer an online keyboard seller, has just released the Toucan, a new wireless low-profile split ergonomic keyboard that is a fraction of the size and weight of a regular mechanical keyboard and promises all of the ergonomic benefits of something like the Q13 Max (curr. $249.99 on Amazon) and then some.
Toucan wireless split ergonomic keyboard highlights and features
The Toucan is based on a previous design, the Piantor, which itself was a design based on the open-source Cantor split ergonomic keyboard, however, the Toucan makes a number of upgrades to the design that turn it into a solid option for anyone looking for a portable ergonomic keyboard.
The Toucan is a 42-key split keyboard with a columnar stagger, meaning columns of keys are offset vertically as opposed to the standard horizontal offset seen on most standard keyboards. This design isn't all that uncommon in the split ergo keyboard world, but the Toucan switches things up by attaching a 40mm circular Cirque GlidePoint trackpad to the right half of the keyboard to handle mousing duties. This allows you to keep your hands on the keyboard while using the mouse, but it also shrinks down all the essential input devices for a productivity setup into a tiny, portable package.
The left side of the Toucan wireless keyboard houses a memory-in-pixel display, which is a power-efficient display tech typically found in devices like smartwatches. That low-power display is used in conjunction with ZMK firmware — infamous for its power savings that can result in feats like 4,000-hour battery life on as little as 1,500 mAh. For comparison, in our review of the Epomaker Galaxy100, it managed 580 hours on 8,000 mAh with QMK firmware.
The actual keyboard case is made of a mix of an aluminium plate and a 3D-printed bottom case, which is meant to strike a balance between weight and durability.
Toucan wireless ergonomic keyboard availability
At the time of writing, the Toucan is available for pre-order, with a 12% launch discount, and shipments should start in December. There are two options for the Toucan: DIY ($189) or pre-soldered ($298), although neither ships with keycaps and switches by default. If you opt for a pre-soldered version, though, and also add keycaps and switches to the shopping cart, Beekeeb will pre-assemble the keyboard for you. The cheapest option with keycaps and switches comes in at a pricey $352, but it's worth noting that similar keyboards, like the ZSA Voyager, which doesn't feature wireless connectivity or a pointing device by default, come in at $365. It's also worth noting, due to shipping limitations, Beekeeb doesn't ship the Toucan with a battery, although you should be able to pop in a standard $9.99 3.7 V Li-ion or Lipo battery from a hobby shop or Amazon.
The Toucan is available with a variety of low-profile Kailh Choc V1 switches, including tactile, linear, and clicky options, and although it is compatible with Choc V2 switches, it uses Choc spacing, which is tighter than standard MX spacing, meaning you will have to be careful when selecting aftermarket keycaps.
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