ProtoArc EK01 Plus Backlit Bluetooth Ergonomic Keyboard, White Silver

First Impression – The keyboard came in a professional, protective box with product specifications and customer support contact details prominently displayed. I immediately appreciated the feel of the split ergonomic layout and the backlight features. Comfort – I have used a split keyboard before, so it was easy to adjust to. I feel that the cushioned wrist rest is a little flatter and a bit less supportive than I was hoping for. Backlighting – Brightness toggles smoothly with three levels, but the 1-minute auto-off timer feels restrictive. While I understand this preserves battery life, I'd prefer 2–5 minute options, especially if leaving the keyboard plugged in. Multi-device connectivity – I haven't tested pairing with my second laptop yet, but based on how well my wireless mouse switches between devices, I expect seamless toggling. Bonus – Mine arrived with a silicone keyboard cover, an unexpected accessory I didn't know I needed. Summary – Overall, it's a solid ergonomic keyboard that I could recommend to office workers, long-session typists, and multi-device users. To take this product to the next level, it could use a more substantial wrist rest and more flexibility in the backlighting timer.

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...

This is my first venture into using a split keys keyboard. I have taken a different job that requires me to type a significant amount of my day. I quickly developed a repetitive motion problem with my left picky from using the shift and CTRL keys to capitalize and copy paste. Using an ergonomic keyboard has changed the location of those keys so I didn't have to strain that finger to type. Additionally, the new position of my hands makes typing a good part of the day much easier on my hands and body. What makes this ergonomic keyboard stand out? The keys near the center remain near standard size. The space in the middle is allowed to naturally be there. The rest of the keyboard layout is similar to all the other 101 key keyboards so you do not have to adapt to a different key placement of special function keys. The media controls are in the space between the keys. I didn't have much of an opinion either way until I started using them to control the volume on the podcasts I listen to. The placement keeps me from having to find the correct controls on the function keys, It is back lit. I am not a trained touch typist and find myself looking at the keys fairly often to reset my fingers on the keys. It is rechargeable. I charge it at the end of the week and have not had a problem with it dying during my work week. If it did all you need to do is connect it to a USB C charging cable and it gets a full charge in about the same time as it does tour cell phone. You can use it while it is charging. The feel is great the keys have a good resistance and a comfortable travel distance when you push them. You might even find yourself pressing a little less. Maybe the most surprising thing is the heft of the unit itself. It weighs a significant amount. Much more than my Logitech I replaced it with. The advantage of this is it stays in place on my desk . I don't feel it sliding as I type. This is a problem, as I do have a lot of hand movement when I type, and I do not find myself having to reposition the keyboard before homing my fingers. When you type it feels solid on every key press. It has the ability to connect to multiple Bluetooth devices and still use the receiver provided to communicate with another without having to do anything beside pick the device on the orange keys. The wrist rest is padded and is something I didn't have on any other keyboard before this one. It definitely adds to the overall comfort of the unit.

I LOVED this keyboard for a year. At about a year it started misbehaving. I'd have to push a key or two harder than others. My 1 on the 10 key has popped off and it will not re-attach. At least I cannot get it to. I did not realize until now that I use that 1 very, very often. Ergonomically it is pretty good. Personally, a little more angling would be nice, but I have no wrist issues. The charge lasts quite a long time. Maybe I move it around too often, but the little feet tend to collapse on me and that's annoying. It is very quiet.

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.

Very comfortably to type on. I will say I had to get used to the longer keyboard. I was using the Logitech wave previously. I love that it came with a keyboard protector. I’ll use it when I’m eating and typing to keep crumbs from getting in there. I have long nails so it’ll click regardless of how quiet I try to be but over all it’s not super loud. Very easy to connect and like that it has different Bluetooth options.

This is the best keyboard I have owned. It’s very sleek, modern and the keys are soft and low profile. Not clunky at all. Looks amazing on your desk as well.

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!

O único mal é não ter a tecla "< >"

Me encanta tiene buena conexion el tamaño esta bien sensación agradable en las teclas, trae un protector antipolvo que es mas facil de limpiar, me gusta el soporte en las muñecas

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.

One of my most loveliest of purchaser. Been using almost 20 months now. I hope it lasts long.

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.