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Between the QK and Neo series, QwertyKeys has built a strong reputation in the custom keyboard world over the past few years. Now they’re trying something a little different: the QK Alice Duo, a tented, split-case ergonomic keyboard with all the polish and customization we’ve come to expect from QK. It blends the design language of a premium custom board with the ergonomic benefits typically reserved for niche input devices.

Before we dive in I want to mention that QwertyKeys sent me the QK Alice Duo for the purpose of reviewing it. I was not paid and QwertyKeys has no input on my review. As always, I’ve included affiliate links below if you’d like to support the channel.

SPECS & FEATURES

• Layout: 65% Split Alice, ANSI only (no ISO), 68 keys + 2 function buttons
• Materials: CNC aluminum top and bottom case
• Dimensions: Each half: 188mm x 118mm | Front height: 19mm | Rear height: 34mm
• Weight: ~815g (left), ~800g (right)
• Typing Angle: 7° typing angle, 5° optional tenting via metal hinge
• PCB Options:
  • Hot-swappable
  • 1.2mm w/ flex cuts or 1.6mm w/o flex cuts
  • Pogo pin connectors (no wires)
• Mounting: Gasket mount with two gasket options (firm or flexible)
• Plate Options: Aluminum (no flex cuts), FR4 (with flex cuts), and PC (no flex cuts)
• Foam Layers Included: Switch pad, plate foam, case foam, anti-static sheet
• Stabilizers: PCB-mounted (clip-in included, screw-in compatible)
• Connectivity:
  • Wired: Via magnetic pogo-pin cables to external control module (USB-C)
  • Wireless: 2.4GHz via same control module
  • Note: Control module must remain connected to computer via USB cable
• Polling Rate: 8,000Hz wired and wireless, latency <1ms (can be reduced to 1K polling in VIA)
• Battery: 1800mAh per half; est. 3 weeks use with lights off
• RGB: Accent lighting only (no per-key backlighting)
• Customization: Custom VIA configurator (link)
• Knob: Encoder located on external control module, can be customized

PROS

• Premium Build Quality – The QK Alice Duo feels like a tank — in the best way. Aluminum construction, clean anodizing, tight tolerances, and thoughtful details like a metal hinge and color-matched accessories make this stand out even among high-end custom keyboards.
• Split + Tent Ergonomics – Unlike fixed alice keyboards like the Neo Ergo, the Duo splits the keyboard in two and allows you to tent each side independently. It’s a more natural typing posture and gives you more ergonomic flexibility.
• Customization with VIA – The Duo supports remapping via QwertyKeys’ custom VIA web configurator. You’ll want to use their provided link (not the stock VIA site) to access full functionality — including remapping the case buttons and the encoder knob. This level of control is essential for ergonomic boards.
• Wireless Option with Zero Latency Compromise – 2.4GHz wireless with the same 8,000Hz polling rate as wired? That’s rare — especially in an ergonomic board. It worked flawlessly for me, and surprisingly, I found the wireless connection more stable than wired in daily use (more on the wired connection in the cons). It also supports full N-key rollover.
• Tons of Configurability – Flex cut or not? Firm or soft gasket? PC, FR4, or aluminum plate? This kind of build-time flexibility is common in the custom keyboard world, but less so in ergonomic products. Here, you get the best of both.
• Aesthetic Variety – With 10 case colors and matching accessories, you’re not stuck with boring colors just because you want better posture.
• Great Sound and Feel – As expected from QK, the typing feel is clean and satisfying. No hollowness, no weird reverb or ping. Sound and feel will depend heavily on your plate, foam, switches, and gasket choice — but the foundation is solid and there are no negative sounds that need fixing.

NEUTRAL CONSIDERATIONS

• Layout & Appearance – Alice layouts aren’t for everyone, and the Duo adds a few quirks — like arrow keys placed near the spacebar and accent RGB lights in the center splits. Some will love it; others won’t. I personally turned the lights off most of the time. The 65% layout which lacks an F-row may also rule it out for some people.
• Keycap Compatibility – The split spacebar layout requires a keycap set with specific sizes — often available only in add-on kits. Not all sets include them, and it’s easy to miss if you’re not careful (I learned that the hard way…see the shift keys I had to use in the video).
• Wrist Rest – With a front height of 19mm, you’ll likely want a wrist rest and due to the shape of the case, only QK’s own wrist rest fits properly. At $45, it’s not cheap, but it does tent to match the keyboard.
• External Control Module Placement – The encoder knob lives on the control module. That means you need to keep the module within arm’s reach if you want to use the knob. If you were hoping to tuck it away for a clean wireless look, you might be a little annoyed by that.
• Mid-Range Ergonomics – This isn’t a hardcore ergo board like the Dactyl or Kinesis Advantage. It’s a comfortable and more natural typing experience vs a traditional keyboard — but if you’re looking for something uber-ergonomic, the Duo may not be as satisfying.

CONS

• Proprietary Magnetic Cables – This is easily my biggest gripe. The included magnetic cables are your only option for charging each side of the keyboard. Lose one? Damage one? You’re stuck unless QK sells replacements. They also are a little finicky – you have to finesse the connector and the cable just right so that everything is seated properly or you could have a faulty connection. Honestly I used wireless mode exclusively after testing the cables for a day, and I wish they went with good old USB-C instead.
• Control Module Lighting & Battery Meter – The module lights are bright and there’s no button or key command to control the brightness. Thankfully, there is a brightness control in the VIA configurator for the control module, but it’s annoying that you have to use that to adjust the brightness vs. using a key command. And I checked, there’s no custom function in VIA that you can assign to a key for that. Also, the battery meter seems off — mine stayed “full” for days, then suddenly dropped multiple segments (there are 5 separate LEDs). It then jumped back up after being connected for less than a minute.
• Awkward Arrow Key Placement – Unfortunately, QK went with a modified 65% layout here (same as the Neo Ergo) that places the arrow keys in the corner of the alpha key area (as opposed to being outside and to the right). The up-arrow is directly between the question mark and right shift keys, meaning it’s right where your pinky is used to pressing right shift. I constantly hit the arrow when aiming for shift in my week of testing. This layout choice drove me a little nuts, and I never fully adapted to it. Even if you get used to it, I consider it a con that it takes a lot of getting used to (if you don’t currently use this layout).

CONCLUSION

At $289 without the wrist rest (well over $300 with a wrist rest and shipping to the US), the QK Alice Duo isn’t cheap. But it also doesn’t have many direct competitors. It’s a rare combination of:

• Premium custom build quality
• Ergonomic adjustability beyond a fixed alice layout
• Customization with VIA
• Wireless performance that’s actually good (enough for gaming)

That said, I only recommend it to a specific audience: someone who wants an ergonomic experience without losing the premium feel and customization options of a high-end mechanical keyboard. If that’s you — and you’re okay with a few quirks like proprietary charging cables and the right shift placement — the QK Alice Duo is worth a serious look.