The Low-Key Marvel: Lofree Flow Keyboard Revolutionizes the Low-Profile Game
This is the keyboard that will convert you to the world of low-profile
The keyboard that will convert you to the low-profile life.
As a professional tech fanatic, I have always found low-profile mechanical keyboards to be a bit peculiar. On the surface, they promise a sleek and visually light design akin to membrane chiclet keyboards, while still delivering the satisfying tactility and superior typing experience of traditional mechanical keyboards. However, in my experience, they often end up as the worst of both worlds. They’re bulkier than membrane keyboards and lack a noticeable improvement in typing feel. Not to mention, their limited customization options make them a headache to modify. My stance has always been: if you’re not going for a full-height mechanical keyboard, why bother?
But hold your typing horses, folks! The $159 Lofree Flow keyboard I’ve been testing for the past few days might just shake up my opinion on low-profile keyboards. Sporting a jaw-dropping 10mm thickness, this bad boy still manages to deliver an exceptional typing experience. It’s not just about looks, though. The Flow flaunts classy keycaps, sharp legends, and works wirelessly with both Windows and Mac computers. With its aluminum frame and build quality that puts fancier mechanical keyboards to shame, this baby sounds and feels glorious right out of the box. Say goodbye to rattly stabilizers and pingy reverberations!
The Lofree Flow: Tech Heaven in a Slim Package
The Good
- Sleek design and small form factor.
- Very nice typing feel and sound.
- Solid build quality.
The Bad
- Very limited customizability.
- Wireless connectivity limited to just Bluetooth.
- Battery life not as long as the competition.
Check out the Lofree Flow for just $152 at Amazon (with coupon) or directly from Lofree for $159.
Lofree offers two Flow keyboard versions: white and silver with linear switches, and a black and dark gray model sporting tactile switches that take cues from Apple’s sleek space gray motif. (Though annoyingly, you can’t mix and match the color scheme and switch type.) Lofree seems to have its sights set on Mac users, and it shows in the stylish design and functionality of the Flow. Fear not, Windows users—there’s a Windows mode and dual legends on the modifier keys to keep you in the loop. Personally, I’ve got the dark gray model with black keycaps, and let me tell you, it looks smashing on my desk—taking up minimal space and exuding utter lean elegance.
The Flow features a 75 percent layout, packing essential keys like arrow keys, a function row, and a handful of cursor control keys. Unless you’re obsessed with a numpad, this compact layout provides you with all the necessary keys, closely resembling what you find on many laptops. Both iterations of the Flow allow for keycap and switch swaps, but don’t get too wild with your customization dreams. The Flow’s switches boast a different pin layout compared to other low-profile switches, effectively restricting you to Lofree’s stock Kailh switches—available in linear, tactile, or clicky variants. Furthermore, popular remapping tools like VIA won’t be your allies in customizing key functionality.
Now, here’s the kicker: none of these limitations hampered my Flow experience. The included keycaps and Phantom tactile switches on my unit thrilled me to no end. Plus, thanks to Karabiner Elements, I can remap keys on my Mac without a hitch—no VIA, no problem. The textured PBT material keycaps offer a nice resistance to shine and a pleasing touch under my fingertips. While the profile is slightly flatter than what I’m used to, it makes transitioning from a laptop or chiclet keyboard a breeze. (I admit, I attempted full-size MX-style keycaps on the Flow, but the travel distance was comically low, defeating the purpose of a low-profile keyboard.)
The switches themselves are smooth, self-lubricating, and boast a 2.8mm travel distance. Sure, it’s longer than the measly 1mm MacBook switches, but it falls short of the 4mm or more found in full-height mechanical switches. As a result, I tend to bottom out more when typing on the Flow. But fear not, my fellowship of keyboard enthusiasts! It still surpasses the Magic Keyboard and offers a dampened feel, courtesy of the foam and gaskets within. Harshness be gone!
But don’t just take my keyboard press for it; here’s what typing on the Lofree Flow with Phantom tactile switches sounds like: .
On top of everything, the Flow boasts some nifty features. RGB underglow lighting and white backlighting add that extra oomph. The function row allows seamless control of media, volume, and all the jazz on my Mac. You can connect up to three devices to the keyboard via Bluetooth and switch between them effortlessly. Alternatively, you can plug it in via USB-C for some reliable wired action. Granted, it lacks the 2.4GHz wireless option that other keyboards offer, making it slightly less suitable for hardcore wireless gaming sessions. According to Lofree, the 2,000mAh battery holds up for approximately 40 hours before needing a recharge. Fully charging the board takes around three hours—talk about power!
Some might bemoan the absence of adjustable feet to tweak the Flow’s 3.9-degree typing angle. But honestly, tilting my keyboard up has never been my thing, so I didn’t lose sleep over it. The multiple layers of foam and gaskets within the Flow give it a pleasant acoustics without requiring any tinkering. Speaking of acoustics, this keyboard truly impressed me. Its sound is a luxurious marble-like resonance, far from the cheap, clacky fare I’ve encountered with other pre-built low-profile keyboards. The typing experience is solid yet cushioned, thanks to its gasket mounting system—a groundbreaking feat for a low-profile keyboard. I daresay it can go head-to-head with some of my full-height custom boards.
Crafted from aluminum rather than plastic like many of its counterparts, the Flow might weigh you down a bit during travel. Clocking in at 1.25lb (568g), it’s got some heft, but worry not—it won’t go sliding around thanks to its trusty grippy rubber feet. Stability, thy name is Lofree Flow!
Now, I won’t fib, I haven’t been a low-profile keyboard convert, but this review has been quite the eye-opener. Of course, we must face some compromises in customizability, and the price tag does pack a punch: coming in at $160, this might just be the most expensive low-profile board in the realm. Keychron and Nuphy—both renowned for their low-profile keyboards—charge around $120 to $130 for comparable options. However, neither can quite match the Flow’s unparalleled build quality, stunning design, and typing nirvana.
Okay, confession time: I caved. I just ordered my very own Flow. Looks like this low-key marvel has me firmly in its grip. Will it conquer your keyboard-loving heart too? Let me know in the comments—let’s geek out together, fellow tech fanatics!
