Glove80 Keyboard

By Xah Lee. Date: . Last updated: .

Glove80 Keyboard is announced in 2022-02, on kickstarter. From a startup company MoErgo. First batch of actual keyboards came out in 2022-12.

2023-01-19 got it today. First impression, fantastic, super light, elegant.

glove80 keyboard 20230126 599-s35
glove80 keyboard.
glove80 keyboard 20230122 bgwqR-s35
press the lower left button (the magic key). The 2 green rows shows battery status.
glove80 20230129 wPNhG-s1100
glove80 battle station 20230129 wPNhG 4032×3024

Video Review

Xah Talk Show 2023-01-29 Glove80 Keyboard Review

Contoured keywell (Bowl-Shaped Surface)

The keys form a overall concave bowl-shaped surface, so that your fingers dip onto the keys. No bending up the wrist, and the contoured keywell fits the different lengths of fingers.

glove80 kbd 20230119 left 182-s70
Contoured keywell, fits different finger lengths. 20230119 left 182
glove80 kbd 20230119 896-s70
glove80 kbd 20230119 896

Thumb keys

The thumb keys, fixed many problems of traditional keyboard. Thumbs are powerful, and all the modifier keys such as Ctrl Alt ❖ Window ⌘ command are now right under your thumbs. Also, the Backspace is right there, one of the most frequently used key. No more twisting your right wrist or moving hand to hit the top right of keyboard.

In comparison to the Kinesis Advantage2 Keyboard, the glove80 is a better design of the thumb keys. Better physical design, and better default functions on them.

In particular, Shift is placed on the thumbs, available for both hands. (instead of the pinky on traditional position) Also, you have Ctrl Alt for both hands.

For Mac users, the keyboard comes with extra keycaps labeled and Option , and you can program them via firmware or easily set it up via MacOS. [see Mac: Swap CapsLock Control Option Command Keys]

glove80 kbd 20230119 l thumbs 308-s67
glove80 kbd 20230119 l thumbs 308
glove80 kbd 20230119 right thumbs 694-s67
glove80 kbd 20230119 right thumbs 694

Low Profile

This keyboard is engineered to be very low profile, so that the keyboard base does not add much height to the keys.

glove80 kbd 20230119 thin profile 333-s67
Low profile of the keyboard. Note the height of key D.
glove80 vs kinesis adv2 2023
Glove80 vs Kinesis Advantage2 Keyboard , Height comparison

Removable Palm Rest

glove80 no palmrest 20230126-s999
glove80 no palmrest 20230126 4032×3024

To remove the palm rest, just unscrew it at the back. Those are thumb screws, you can twist it to screw. No need screwdriver. Very easy to remove and screw back on.

glove80 kbd back 202301 CDWhw
back 202301 CDWhw
glove80 palmrest 20230126 GfSVg
Palm Rest

Adjustable Feet for Tenting

To ajust tenting angle (rasing the middle of keyboard), just twist the feet. Excellent design. (by default, it's tented about 8 degrees.) It comes with extra long screw feet if you want it really slanted.

glove80 feet 20230127 9022-s1000
glove80 feet 20230127 9022

Keycaps

The keycaps are custom designed by MoErgo.

Changing Keycaps (Add Mac Command Option Keycaps)

WARNING: Be very careful when pulling the keycaps, you may pull out the key switch and damage it. Choc switch keycaps are very tight. When you pull a keycap, use the bundled wench to hold down the switch under it.

glove80 pull switch 2023-03-16-s350
glove80 pull switch

USB Port and Power

glove80 usb port 20230127
glove80 USB port

The MoErgo (Magic) Key

The lower left corner key with the MoErgo logo is the “magic” key. It is a key for selecting bluetooth device and show battery status, and other keyboard config.

glove80 magic key 20230127 FjkDc-s1000
glove80 magic key 4032×3024

Key Switch

key switch is Kailh Choc Switch.

Battery

Show Battery Status

To show battery levels, press the lower left key on left part.

glove80 status lights 20230127 4522-s1000
glove80 status lights 20230127 4522-s1000 4032×3024

Battery Life

Assuming lights off, and the device is switched on 24/7 the life is around 3 weeks on left hand and 3 months on right.

Charging Battery

Each hand has a battery.

To charge each part, just plugin the USB-C to USB-A cable.

According to the manual, charging time is 3 to 4 hours.

Backlight

Show Bluetooth Connection Status and Connecting to Bluetooth

Glove80 Keyboard Layout

Firmware and Programing the Keyboard (Create Custom Key Layouts and Key Macros)

Glove80 Unboxing

Glove80 Manual

Conclusion

At over $300, it's a bit expensive, however, you don't have much choice, if you want a bowl curved surface keyboard. They are all above $300. If you want bluetooth in addition, they are above $400.

Best points:

If you never had ergo keyboard, this is a major step up. It fixed all the baggage of the mechanical Typewriters we are inherited with. [see Keyboard Design Flaws]

If you already have ergo keyboard experience, here's the better parts:

Things that may not suitable for you:

Where to Buy

Glove80 Keyboard

Contoured Keywell Keyboards