ZSA Voyager Keyboard Review: A Compact Ergonomic Solution with Trade-offs

The ZSA Voyager is positioned as an exceptionally minimalist and portable ergonomic keyboard. It aims to cater to users who prioritize desk space or require a compact solution for travel. Despite its sleek design and the inclusion of helpful accessories, the keyboard's reduced key count and the performance of its optional Navigator trackball module present significant functional trade-offs. While it excels in typing comfort and efficiency, its utility for a broad range of gaming scenarios is constrained by its limited keys, suggesting a more specialized appeal.

ZSA Voyager: A Deep Dive into Design, Functionality, and User Experience

The ZSA Voyager keyboard emerges as a notable contender in the ergonomic peripheral market, emphasizing a minimalist and highly portable design. Priced at $365, this keyboard is a more compact iteration of its predecessor, the ZSA Moonlander, shedding excess bulk to achieve a remarkably thin profile of just 16 mm. This design choice, while enhancing portability, necessitates a streamlined 52-key layout. This key reduction means users must extensively utilize the keyboard's layer system to access a full suite of functions, including standard function keys.

A critical aspect of the Voyager's design is its wired-only connectivity, a deliberate decision to maintain its lightweight and slim form factor by eschewing internal batteries. The package generously includes multiple USB cables of varying lengths, though the single stiff TRRS cable connecting the two halves of the split keyboard is noted as a minor inconvenience. Users also receive an assortment of 34 additional keycaps and two spare thumb keys, offering ample customization opportunities without incurring extra costs. The inclusion of a soft carry case further underscores its travel-friendly ethos.

In terms of ergonomics, the Voyager features magnetic feet that provide a fixed five-degree tenting angle, a design choice that balances stability with its low profile. While this may suit many, those accustomed to the Moonlander's continuously adjustable tenting might find this limiting. After an initial adaptation period to its columnar key arrangement, the keyboard proves to be a highly comfortable and efficient tool for typing. The review unit, equipped with Kailh Choc White switches, delivered a responsive and pleasantly damped typing experience. The hot-swappable switches allow for personalized resistance and feedback, catering to individual preferences.

However, the Voyager's compact nature introduces challenges, particularly for gaming. The limited key count makes it difficult to create versatile game-specific profiles that cater to a wide array of genres. What might work for a fast-paced shooter could be impractical for a strategy game, highlighting the need for users to assess their primary use cases carefully.

The optional Navigator trackball module, priced at $169, presents its own set of concerns. Its integration with the Voyager is less than seamless, with alignment issues and a perceived lack of premium build quality compared to the main keyboard. The module's functionality also requires configuration through ZSA's Oryx software, and its lack of dedicated click keys necessitates using keys on the opposing keyboard half for mouse actions, a feature that may not appeal to all users. ZSA's future plans for a trackpad module suggest an ongoing evolution in their compact input solutions.

Ultimately, the ZSA Voyager is an excellent choice for coders, writers, or anyone prioritizing a highly compact and ergonomic typing experience. However, users seeking a versatile, all-in-one solution for both intensive work and diverse gaming may find its compromises significant. For such individuals, the ZSA Moonlander, with its additional keys and similar price point, might offer a more balanced experience.

The ZSA Voyager's development and market positioning reflect a growing trend in ergonomic peripherals towards hyper-specialization. This keyboard, with its laser focus on portability and minimal footprint, serves as an insightful case study for the industry. It prompts a re-evaluation of what users truly value in an input device: Is it uncompromising functionality across all applications, or is it a tailored experience that excels in specific, often niche, use cases? The mixed reception of the Navigator trackball also underscores the importance of seamless integration and intuitive design in accessory modules. As technology continues to miniaturize, the challenge for manufacturers will be to balance extreme compactness with uncompromised user experience, avoiding a scenario where portability inadvertently sacrifices essential functionality.