Verdict
The Lofree Flow is a fine low-toned - visibility mechanical keyboard with some howling tactile switches and a impertinent , sturdy construction . It misses out on software system and RGB lighting , but is an fantabulous fancier - level option for those who want something a little left over field .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
Low - profile mechanical keyboards seem to be grow in popularity from both mainstream and more dress shop , partisan - grade brand name . In the case of the Lofree Flow , it ’s a mark of the latter .
It ’s a keyboard from a brand which has become a breakout wizard in recent eld with some interesting product include the recentLofree Block 98 . There is stiff competition from first-class humiliated - visibility options elsewhere including the newAsus ROG Falchion RX Low ProfileandLogitech MX Mechanical Mini .
I ’ve been testing the Flow for the last few weeks to see how well it stack up against some stiff competition and to see whether it makes for one of thebest mechanical keyboardswe’ve try out .
Design
The Lofree Flow is an excellent keyboard in terms of build quality , offering an entirely atomic number 13 case . There is no deck flex from the chassis , even under all-inclusive pressure , while its all - metallic element pillow slip represents an rise over the charge card , open housings of bountiful - sword competitor . It ’s more in short letter with other breakthrough brand such as Keychron and itsQ1 Pro .
There are also element of a more industrial magical spell on the Flow ’s case with what take care to be small rivets on the top and bottom sides of the casing . The right - handwriting side is also home to a Lofree logo that looks to have been bolted on to the aluminium casing in an accented colouration , which looks wise .
The 75 % primal layout on offer is intuitive and functional , proffer a smaller material body factor that does n’t give too much on its overall central offering . This is because , as well as include the standard alphameric winder , you also get the benefit of a unmarried column navigation cluster , complete with dedicated pointer keys in the bottom - right corner . It ’s my favourite keyboard layout , giving a intermixture of utile affair as well as the infinite - spare good associate with smaller key layouts .
Elsewhere , the Flow is thoughtfully put together with rounded PBT keycaps which feel excellent under digit , and are a further sign of this keyboard ’s more premium position . Some keycaps are also dual - printed with Windows and Mac functions , which signal the Flow as a more productivity - focused option in line with contest from Logitech , for instance , as react to an all - out gaming ‘ board .
Around the back , the interface is remarkably simple , with an on / off transposition flanked by aUSB - Cport for charge . The Flow ’s underside features no flip - out feet , and rather in their berth two metal feet have been added , which look as if they have been retrofitted to the keyboard ’s underside , almost as an afterthought . Without them , due to the bulge across the middle of the underside , the Flow would shift around .
Performance
Interestingly , the switch you get depends on which gloss Lofree Flow you choose . The grim variant I ’ve pose here comes with Kalih ’s delicate tactile 55 gravitational constant Phantom switches , while the whitened variant opts for 50 g Kalih Ghost linears . I ’ve never find this kind of thing before , and it seems a little unexpended from the first as to why you ’d be penned in to choosing a specific replacement based on the colour of the keyboard .
I went into using the Phantom switches with some scepticism , given I ’ve had some sundry experiences with low - profile soft tactual switches . Oftentimes they lack the rounded feel of a full - size equivalent , sacrificing some of that skin perceptiveness with their short meridian . However , that was n’t the lawsuit here . The Phantom switches offer a heap of tactual sensation over the course of its 2.8 mm travel , and are some of the better tactile switches I ’ve used overall , feeling smooth with a self - lubricating POM prow and housing . A 55 gibibyte weight is well-off for extensive use in writing review , while the tactile sensation is also consistent across all switch .
The Flow is also hotswappable , although the selection of compatible switch is minute , with the only switches supported being those that work inside other Flow variants . Existing choice from Kalih ’s other ranges and from Gateron or Cherry wo n’t put to work due to a dissimilar pin configuration on the switch ’s underside . This is a second of a pain in the neck , as marketing the keyboard as having a hotswappable PCB would lead you to consider that it ’s compatible with a broad ambit of pick , as with full - sizing hotswap options from other maker .
The Flow ’s acoustic are excellent thanks to a lot of froth being present indoors . There ’s no case rale or ping , and this is a wonderfully satisfying keyboard to use for protracted periods of time , specially when you get into a scrap of a rhythm with what you ’re figure out on . This is also a gasket - mounted keyboard , mimicking the slightly bouncier feel of other full - size enthusiast - course choice , and according to Lofree , the Flow is the first gasket - mounted low profile keyboard out there . If this is anything to go by , I trust it becomes more common .
Battery life here is pretty reasonable , with Lofree lay claim up to 40 hours of charge with the Flow ’s internal 2000mAh capacity battery . This is exchangeable to the originalAir75from NuPhy , and while it is a reasonable soma , it ’s behind the second - gen Air75 ’s over 200 hours of runtime , as well as both Asus ’ and Logitech ’s options .
Software and lighting
The Lofree Flow ’s software and inflammation is a second of a miscellaneous bag . On the point of software system , well , there is n’t any . I would have expected this enthusiast - level keyboard to integrate with QMK or VIA for easy remapping of keys and customisation , although that is n’t to be .
The only class of configuration is on the keyboard itself , where a circle of key combinations provide access to deepen the light storey , which is a mo of a shame .
The inflammation is a lilliputian dependable , however . The Flow offers two forms : a bright white backlight underneath the key , as well as an underglow from two light on the keyboard ’s underside . Both combine to help the period appear rather smart in the same vein as Logitech’sMX Mechanical Mini , although the Flow lacks the responsive kindling of Logitech ’s rival . The fact it is n’t RGB may not suit some , but I opt a sporting and simple white backlight for productiveness - focused workloads .
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Should you buy it?
Final Thoughts
The Lofree Flow is a grand humiliated - visibility keyboard in damage of its looks and overall feeling , with a sturdy and smart - sounding chassis , as well as fantabulous lenient tactile switches which made typing for lengthened periods a breeze .
For the $ 159 asking price , however , it cuts a few too many street corner to make this a top option . Against theAsus ROG Falchion RX Low Profileor theNuPhy Air75 V2for instance , it miss a 2.4GHz wireless connection , any phase of software - based customisation and also declare oneself a much shorter runtime , which mean it is n’t a class - drawing card overall .
However , its typing experience and overall feeling are in - line with , and perhaps above , those other options , which still help this to be an fantabulous low - profile keyboard overall for partisan and professionals alike . For more options though , check out our listing of thebest mechanical keyboardswe’ve tested .
Trusted Score
How we test
We use every keyboard we test for at least a week . During that time , we ’ll check it for ease of utilization and put it through its paces by playing a variety of different genre , including FPS , scheme and MOBAs .
We also contain each keyboard ’s package to see how well-to-do it is to customise and set up .
FAQs
The Lofree Flow works over Bluetooth or by a USB - C wired connection .
The Lofree Flow has 84 Key , equate to a 75 % layout .
