ProtoArc EK01 Plus Backlit Bluetooth Ergonomic Keyboard, White Silver

After almost 20 years, my Microsoft Natural Keyboard 4000 started to break down on me. I've had to learn to touch type because the letters have worn off over the years. I have been in development/IT/cybersecurity for many years and have carpel tunnel/RSI/whatever-its-called-these-days and a natural keyboard with a split key design is a necessity. But I'm quite picky with my keyboard and wanted to find something that would suit me. This unit fits the bill perfectly. I don't like really loud mechanical keyboards. Some people do but I do not. This keyboard has a good tactile feel to the keystrokes so that I can tell if my presses registered without me having to look at the screen, but it's not so loud that people on my zoom calls ask me to mute my microphone because of the noisy keys. Another feature I like about this one is that it is similar (not identical) to my old unit regarding the wrist rest. It is some type of faux leather with some texture to it, but is also slightly padded. Not so much that it makes it awkward, but just enough to keep it from being too firm. Very comfortable. The keys are spaced appropriately and I had no trouble adjusting to this new keyboard even though the keys are significantly different from my last one. Some of the nice features about this keyboard are that it has volume up/down controls in the center of the keyboard, along with play/back/forward keys too. There are some handy keys available for use with this unit as well, but I'm a pretty simple user. While my last keyboard was usb, this one is wireless, but I had a requirement of not wanting a bluetooth keyboard. I have a KVM switch on my desk for my home laptop and my work laptop, as well as other "mad scientist" computer experiments, and this keyboard allows me to plug in an RF USB receiver into the KVM instead of being forced to use bluetooth. It does have bluetooth and an easy to use switching system for multiple computers (separate buttons included above the numeric keypad), but because I'm sometimes installing operating systems, etc., it is a must for the keyboard to appear as a native USB HID on the target computer. This ProtoArc device works perfectly in that regard and I've had no problems with any computer I've worked on so far, and I've tried at least 7 various units. It works great with my KVM, or plugged directly into the computers. Another feature I didn't think I would care about but has been very handy on quick trips into the office when I do not turn on the overhead light is the backlighting of the keys. I thought this would be very over-rated but has turned out to be the "surprise" utility function for me. overall the feel is great, functionality is superb. I hope to be posting about a new model in about 20 years when the keys are so worn off that I can't tell what key is what anymore. I'll definitely see what ProtoArc has to offer for human input devices at that time as well...

Excellent Ergonomics and Thoughtful Design! I recently picked up the ProtoArc EK01 Plus, and I’m thoroughly impressed with the quality and attention to detail. Right out of the box, you can tell this company prioritizes the customer experience. It even includes a personal note from the keyboard designer and a handy sticker you can put on the bottom of the device with their customer service contact information(if you want) I personally love these kind of small touches they go a long way. The typing experience itself is good. The split ergonomic layout combined with the wrist support creates a very comfortable typing experience; the wrist padding is very comfortable and feels like it has memory foam in it. The keys have a great tactile feel, and the adjustable backlighting is perfect for staying productive in low-light or dark environments. As a nice bonus, it even comes with a silicone keyboard protector to keep everything clean. My favorite feature is the connectivity. It is incredibly easy to switch between the 2.4 GHz connection on my work computer and Bluetooth for my tablet. If you’re looking for a comfortable, versatile keyboard that handles multiple devices seamlessly, I highly recommend the EK01 Plus!

Bought as a replacement for a different brand with space bar issues. Like the feel of the keys. Fits perfectly and was reasonably priced. One downside, I’ve noticed as it does not give me any warning when the battery is getting low. It will just stop working, but I’m not subtracting for that since you can plug it in as well. And I really like the keyboard

UPDATED REVIEW: 4/21/2026 - I've knocked my rating down from a 5 star to 4 star and here's why - I've had this keyboard about a year now. The battery life has significantly dwindled and recharging it take about 24 hours. The charge lasts about a week or so before the battery needs recharging again. Despite this flaw, I still love this keyboard. I just hope I won't need to replace it often because they aren't cheap. UPDATED REVIEW: 5/19/25 - I've had this keyboard for a month now and I am so pleased with it. I functions perfectly, love the way the keys sound (not too loud but people know my fingers are flying), the backlighting is so nice in a darker office, which is how I prefer it. I hate fluorescent lighting so never turn the overhead lights on. I have naturally long nails that I spend a nice coin on to keep looking professionally manicured and the keys on this keyboard seem to be customized for just that purpose - long or short fingernails, your fingers won't slip off the keys. I think that's probably really important for some of the ladies reading these reviews. I've owned and used a myriad of wireless keyboards. This one tops them all. I will only ever buy and use ProtoArc. And no, this is not a paid ad. This is a genuine review. I paid for my keyboard myself. First and foremost, I’m a keyboard snob. Truly. I’ve been a paralegal for nearly 20 years and spend my whole day in front of a computer. Prior to that I worked in medical billing again spending my whole day on a computer. You could say I’ve spent my career typing. As such, I am VERY particular when it comes to keyboards. When I find one I really like, I hold onto to it until its demise. By then, that model has usually been replaced by something else. I was reluctant to try this keyboard. I’ve hesitated buying anything new for more than a year eking out the last bit of life from my old one. I’ve read many, many reviews about many, many ergonomic keyboards. I originally purchased an ergonomic Lenovo Go but you had to buy the number pad separately and it just was a hassle to not have an integrated number pad. The keyboard itself was nice but had its quirks. I found myself searching again and coming back to this keyboard. After reading reviews from people who didn’t receive the item in exchange for their review, I felt confident that I should at least give it a go. I am glad I did. This is just my initial assessment but the keys are smooth strokes, the ergonomic alignment is perfection, and the leather wrist pad allows for smooth transition while moving across the board while typing. This keyboard has the feel of a super high end piece of technology. If you are hesitant I understand your reluctance. But I would highly suggest you try it out. Worst thing that happens is you return it. Good luck and best wishes for your keyboard search!

Great keyboard, just what I was looking for. The pad is not intrusive, but helps. Keystrokes are soft. I love that it came with a silicone-like cover to protect the keys!! Battery lasts fairly well, charges overnight.

This keyboard is a delight to use. I wasn't sure if I would be happy with this type of keyboard as I am a fast touch-typist (over 100 wpm) and had read that the type of keys like this keyboard uses weren't that good for fast typing. But I've found exactly the opposite to be true. I'm actually typing faster now on this keyboard! The ergonomic design is perfect for maintaining a healthy posture for your wrists while typing. I like the cushioned palm rest, it really takes the fatigue out of typing for long periods of time. It's a full-size keyboard as well, which is great as I use all of the function and additional keys every day. I like the quietness of the 'clickiness' of the keys. Not overly loud, just a nice responsive sound as I type. The backlighting is truly a plus! I've never had a keyboard with backlighting before and now I wonder how I ever got along with it! Especially for typing in dimly lit areas or at night. It's really versatile as well. It has three ways to connect devices, one WiFi which requires use of the provided dongle, and two Bluetooth connections. I've set mine up to use one Bluetooth for my PC and the other one for my Android phone. I also have the Wifi connector enabled for my PC as a backup. UPDATE: About two months after purchasing, I had some problems with intermittent repeating keys. It didn't happen very often, but often enough that it became annoying to me. The keyboard comes with a two-year factory warranty, so I contacted Protoarc directly. They were so kind and understanding. They helped me troubleshoot the problem and when those steps failed to resolve the issue, they then offered to replace the keyboard free of charge, which I did. Within a week my new keyboard arrived, and it's been rock solid with no repeating keys. I was really impressed with their assistance and quick action to resolve this for me. I highly recommend the Protoarck EK01 Plus keyboard.

I really like this keyboard. I do a lot of typing and prefer an ergonomic keyboard to prevent wrist pain. I really like the mechanical keys. They feel solid and have good push-back. I was using a Logitech Wave keyboard, so it's taking a bit of getting used to the way the keys are positioned. But, it keeps my hands straight and I can type really well with it. No sticky keys and relatively quiet keystrokes. The blue keyboard is beautiful and the adjustable back-lighting is a plus. The wrist pad is soft and comfortable. I have this keyboard hooked up to a Linux machine via USB dongle. It made the connection instantly. The only thing that bothers me a tiny bit is that the light is a bit brighter above the F1 key. This is not a big problem, but it does bug me a tad. Also, the Back and Forward media keys don't seem to work when using Spotify, but this could be a compatibility issue with Linux.

I absolutely loved this Keyboard for the first year. It has a great feel, very comfortable. But like many others who have left reviews, after about a year I started having power issues, connection issues. Some times random letters would fill up my screen, I'd have to turn the keyboard off to get it to stop. It would be great if this keyboard also has a wired version if the power and connection issues can't be resolved.

Les van mis comentario, uso bastante el teclado, vengo de un Logitech mx keys muy bueno por cierto pero nada ergonómico, este teclado me ha ayudado bastante con el tema del dolor de muñecas, es bastante buena la iluminación y el famoso retraso de reconexión no me lo ha hecho, las teclas son suaves al tacto y no necesitas hacer mucha presión para escribir, la batería me dura una semana mas o menos, sí le doy bastante uso, el cambio entre mac y windows no me ha afectado ya que el teclado cuenta con la iconografía de ambas plataformas, el único pero que le pongo es el lenguaje que solo es en inglés, bueno eso vi cuando lo compre, como escribo sin ver las teclas no me afecta pero las persona que buscan los signos ortográficos si tendrán problema por que no son los que deberían ser hay que buscarlos picando uno por uno hasta que salga el que deseas, !tómenlo en cuenta!, el teclado cuenta con un cubre polvo transparente de latex, eso me gusta pero sinceramente no lo uso me dificulta escribir rápido, se lo pongo cuando no lo uso.

O único mal é não ter a tecla "< >"

This keyboard is absolutely great for ergonomics. Its got some really fantastic features. I'm going to nitpick a bit but overall its a really great keyboard from a functional standpoint. Its got the usual ergonomic layout, which is great for your wrists. The buttons are responsive and have subtle wells in them which really increases comfort. I find that some similar ergonomic keyboards I've tried will make the tips of some of my finger hurt after a long time typing, but this one feels a lot gentler on my fingertips. The split spacebar also makes sure that its easy to press with either thumb and it will actually work, even if you only pushed it at one end. Its got 3 levels of brightness which are easy to switch between. Just white though, no RGB lighting. Speaking of which, I've also not had any problems gaming on this keyboard, it works great, and I find some of the keys that usually give me trouble because of my small hands, like the shift and cntrl are actually a lot more comfortable. Its also got some really nice function keys, like one that instantly brings up the settings window or takes you to the login screen which is great for security. The wrist rest is comfortable, soft enough. I don't love the material, its that synthetic faux leather and I find for some reason it tends to make my hands sweat, I actually prefer the usual untextured synthetic rubbery stuff. Its mostly fine though, its got a very soft surface feel. One of the best features of this keyboard are the legs. Its got the usual 2 at the back, but its also got 2 more at the front, which is fantastic if you just want to add a tad of height without introducing any tilt. Its got several wireless modes for connection, ironically it doesn't work wired though. You can plug a USB C wire into it and plug it into your computer and it will charge, but it wont work. I'm not a huge fan of wireless stuff for my stationary desktop, since all it means is an extra charging headache. I ended up just keeping it wired to my computer for charging and using the wireless dongle at the same time, its a bit annoying though that it ends up using up 2 USB slots though when they could just have made it work wired. Overall its a great keyboard with a ton of features that really add up to the comfort of the entire thing. Its just really great to reduce wrist pain if you spend a lot of time at the computer.

Quiet. Backlight is useful. Nice to type on. The included kb cover is useful when eating near kb. Built in battery that lasts six months plus. Pls consider adding a sleep and PC power off button. With those this would be best keyboard I've used.

Game changer - I only got this last night and it is amazing. I have always used wireless keyboards and was always nervous about ergonomic as they looked hard to use. The built in wrist rest is amazing and the split key pad is a lot easier to use and after a bit of practice I believe it will improve my typing the correct way as well as the speed. Also the keyboard protector is amazing. i also got the same brand mouse and key and although I had a mouse support this is levels above. The mouse still takes a bit f getting used to but I'm sure after practice it will be more natural. it feels so good in the hand which is the main thing.Just takes getting used to that the left and right clicks are on the side. All up it was around $200 for everything and seeing as I WFH one day a week and spend time on this all day I really think the investment is worth it.