LoFree’s New Flow Lite Mechanical Keyboards With A Stylish Low Profile
by Mark Sparrow · ForbesLoFree scored a huge success with its original Flow keyboard and now the company is back with the new Flow Lite. Available in ivory, flamingo and marble colorways, the Flow Lite is one of the most compact low-profile keyboards and is available in a choice of an 84-key compact version or a 100-key full-size model with a numpad for entering figures.
With its stylishly low-profile design, the Flow Lite keyboards provide the benefits of mechanical switches with a style that wouldn’t look out of place next to an Apple Mac. The keyboard also features a knurled metal volume wheel complete with a mute function. The Flow Lite also has a full row of function and multimedia keys that work with macOS or Windows. Switching between the two OS layouts takes just a couple of keystrokes.
The LoFree Flow Lite has 2.4Ghz low-latency connectivity with a polling rate of 1,000Hz using a USB dongle that’s stored in the body of the keyboard if you don’t need it. There’s also Bluetooth connectivity for up to three devices, with easy switching between them. Finally, there’s a traditional USB-C wired connection which can also be used to charge the Flow Lite’s internal battery.
The battery life of the Flow Lite is excellent with up to 100 hours on the full-size version. That’s probably good for three or four weeks, maybe even longer if you don’t type all the time. With the backlights turned on, the battery life is reduced but the Flow Lite has superb shine-through keycaps which are ideal for working in low light. This is one of the best shine-through keyboards I’ve ever used because the legends are so well etched into the keycaps which makes it ideal for cutting video in a dark edit suite.
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The switches used on the Flow Lite are LoFree’s Specter. Like Ghost switches, these are full POM and have a low profile with a 40g typing force, making the Flow Lite a dream to type on. The travel distance is 2.8mm, which is more than many laptops but not quite as much as a regular-profile keyboard. The springs have a quoted life of 50 million activations which should keep most people going for years.
Like many keyboards from brands like Keychron and NuPhy, the LoFree Flow Lite can be remapped and customized using keymapper software which is currently available for Windows. However, LoFree says it is developing a browser-based keymapper that will be available for Mac users by the end of the year.
Both the Flow Lite keyboards come fitted with Specter switches as standard but an extra set of Hades switches can also be ordered. These are quieter and have a springy feel for a more energetic typing experience. Users can also buy different designs of keycaps for the keyboards.
The thing I like about the LoFree Flow Lite is it’s available in a choice of compact and full-size versions. The larger 100-key model has a numpad for typing figures into spreadsheets which is so much easier than typing lots of numbers on a conventional keyboard. If spreadsheets aren’t your thing, the Flow Lite Compact is ideal for freeing up desk space.
The LoFree Flow Lite keyboards will be available as part of a crowdfunding campaign from today. As with all crowdfunders, you need to do some due diligence but LoFree has a good track record of fulfilling orders and early-bird backers will benefit from some excellent discounts.
One small point I need to make is that there could be a small issue with the LoFree Lite if you are a Mac user and upgrade to macOS 15 Sequoia. The upgrade seems to clash with the LoFree Lite when it is connected via Bluetooth as it stops the Mac from sleeping. It’s not a huge issue and I am sure Apple or LoFree will issue a patch, but just be aware. Your Mac will sleep fine if you use a cable connection instead.
Verdict: The LoFree Flow Lite is a great keyboard. I enjoyed using the 100-key version because it has all the positives of a mechanical keyboard but with a low-profile design that looks sleek and stylish. There is a choice of ivory, flamingo and marble colorways, so there’s bound to be one to suit most people. The knurled volume dial is something you won’t be able to do without once you get used to it. There is a full row of function and multimedia keys that control music commands, keyboard brightness and other shortcuts. Gamers will appreciate the 2.4GHz dongle for ultra-low-latency performance without wires. All in all, this is an excellent keyboard for anyone who wants style, great tactile performance and Mac-friendly styling.
Pricing & Availability: The LoFree Flow Lite 84 and 100-key variants will be available to super early bird backers from $69 and $79 respectively against a regular price of $129 and $139.
Tech Specs:
- Models: 84-key Compact / 100-key Full.
- Materials: ABS Body, PBT and PC keycaps.
- Compatibility: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
- Backlight: White light.
- Charging port: USB Type-C.
- Multifunction keys: 16 /15
- Connectivity: Wired/Bluetooth/2.4GHz.
- Battery size: 2,000mAh (Compact) / 3,000mAh (Full).
- Battery life (without lights): Up to 80 hours / Up to 100 hours.
- Weight : 550g / 658g.
- Dimensions: 316.8 x 138 x 23.5mm / 374.5 x 138 x 23.5mm.
- Remappable keys: Yes.
- Shine-through keycaps: Yes.