I Wanted to Love the Lofree Flow
Image of my Lofree Flow on my desk.
About three weeks ago, I purchased the Lofree Flow 84 in white with Ghost switches. I had been eyeing it for a while but held off because it wasn’t available in a Nordic layout. As soon as one of Sweden’s biggest tech retailers stocked it with the Nordic layout, I jumped at the chance to try it.
Interestingly, I was so confident I’d love it that, while waiting for it to arrive, I sold my previous keyboard—the Logitech MX Keys Mini. While the MX Keys Mini was a great little keyboard, its tiny arrow keys drove me crazy, especially while coding. So, I knew I needed something with full-sized arrow keys.
When the Lofree Flow finally arrived, I was immediately impressed. The feel, the tactile feedback, the creamy sound, and the overall design had me hooked. I’d tried other mechanical keyboards before, but nothing quite like this. The low-profile design didn’t compromise on quality, and the aluminum frame and keycaps felt premium. It was truly a work of art.
Though it was pricey—about 215 USD in Sweden compared to around 150 directly from Lofree—it seemed worth every penny at the time. I couldn’t stop typing on it, even when I didn’t have it connected to my computer. The switch from my MacBook and MX Keys Mini, both with low key travel, was noticeable, but I was excited to adjust.
The Turning Point
After about a week, however, I started to notice a problem. Despite my enthusiasm, I was making constant typos and mispresses. I wasn’t typing as fast or as confidently as I did on my previous keyboards. The amount of pressure required to press the keys was a bit too much, which led to even more mistakes.
But I didn’t want to give up. The typing experience was still so satisfying, and the sound of the keys was addictive. However, after two more weeks of trying to adjust, I realized I wasn’t getting any better. In fact, I started to find the sound slightly annoying at times. Don’t get me wrong—the sound was amazing, but sometimes you just want a quiet, distraction-free typing session.
I began to question if I actually preferred this keyboard over slimmer options like Apple’s Magic Keyboard. I found myself undocking my laptop more often just to type faster. My initial love for the Lofree Flow had faded, and while I adored it at first, I couldn’t live with the constant typos and the clunky feeling it gave me.
As of today, after three weeks of use, I’ve returned the keyboard. It wasn’t an easy decision, but it felt right. I’ve tried a few mechanical keyboards now, and I’ve come to the conclusion that they just aren’t for me. I’m too slow on them, and I prefer the slimmer profiles like Apple’s, where I feel quicker and more precise.
What’s Next?
I haven’t decided on my next keyboard yet, but the Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID is a strong contender. For now, I’m sticking with my laptop’s built-in keyboard, even when it’s docked to my external monitor. I plan to take my time researching the best alternatives and maybe wait to see if Apple releases an updated Magic Keyboard soon.
Conclusion
I completely understand the appeal of custom mechanical keyboards. They’re customizable and can make typing more enjoyable. But for me, the constant typos and slower typing speed were dealbreakers. Maybe I’ll try another one down the road, but for now, I’m more comfortable with regular, slimmer keyboards.
If anyone has suggestions for a great keyboard—besides the MX Keys Mini or Apple Magic Keyboard—I’d love to hear them. Hopefully, I can find one that will truly enhance my typing experience.