Cloud Nine is a relative newcomer to the keyboard world, having only been founded in 2019. Its portfolio is also very small, with only two variations of the same C959 Ergo model, one tenkeyless (subject to review) and the other full-sized.

This is an ergonomic keyboard, with the main elements needed to alleviate shoulder tension and wrist problems: it is split in half, it is tent-shaped, and it is tilted. the first keyboard has a traditional keyboard cut off in the middle and completely separated from the The first keyboard should remind you of a traditional keyboard cut off in the middle and completely separated from the rest of the keyboard.

The two halves are connected by an included cable, nicely braided but not particularly long; Cloud Nine sells a longer 21" version, but don't be fooled by looks, as I was initially. It uses a USB Type-C connector, but the socket pinout is different, so a standard USB cable will never work with it.

Fortunately, only the link cable is like this, as the keyboard uses a regular Type-C to Type-A cable for connection to the host PC.

I have used semi-split keyboards in the past and found the C959 to fit right in. If you've never used a layout like this before, it may take a little time to get used to it, but considering that you can place it anywhere (it can be clipped on with magnets), it won't take long to get used to it.

The tent helps keep the wrist from rotating unnaturally, and the C959 ergo has a 7-degree fixed tent The C959 ergo has a 7-degree fixed tent, which helps keep the wrist from rotating unnaturally. What can be done is to raise the wrist an additional 4 or 7 degrees to change the tilt.

This is done by flicking a set of plastic legs, with the 4 degree option set inside the 7 degree legs. The keyboard portion does not feel as firmly anchored when using the smaller tilt, but is firmly anchored in the full set.

The mechanical keyboard survives on the quality of its keys, and Cloud Nine uses a decent Kailh Box one; when ordering the C959, you have to choose which of three options you want: red, brown, or white; the first is nearly silent; the second second (on my review model) is light with a slight clicking sound, and the last one provides the classic machine gun firing sound.

I found the Brown keys on the Kailh Box to be smooth and quick to use, but noticed that the sound was not consistent throughout the keyboard. Some keys have an audible "spring" sound, while others only have a "click" sound. There is no obvious damping effect on the keys or the sound, and heavy typers may find it a bit "boomy."

Wrist support is provided in the form of a large fixed rest, with an optional cushion pad that can be purchased and attached. They are held in place with adhesive, but the main part of the pad is attached with Velcro so it can be removed for cleaning.

And speaking of cleaning, I have no idea what material Cloud Nine actually chose for the upper plastic, but it picks up sweat, sebum, and other everyday dirt rather easily. I find myself cleaning them regularly.

There is a row of macro-only keys, preconfigured for tasks such as "select all," "copy," and "paste." These can be easily changed in the app (more on this later), and a set of spare keycaps are included in the box if you want a more generic look.

To appeal to gaming fans, there is a dedicated key that disables the Windows key (to prevent the Start menu from accidentally launching during gaming). However, they are not particularly bright, so if you want your keyboard to really stand out, they may not be the best choice.

What stands out is the large control wheel on the left side. By default, it adjusts the PC's sound volume, but if you hold down the function key and pump the wheel, you can set it to scroll vertically, switch tasks, or adjust the RGB brightness. Like the

macro keys, they can be programmed to be used for other functions, but the standard options were more than sufficient for my use. The feel is really solid and smooth. As you can see above, there is an LED underneath that changes color depending on which mode it is set to.

Unfortunately, while the keys can be dimmed or disabled altogether, the control wheel glows permanently and there is no way to change the output. It is a bit puzzling that Cloud Nine didn't think to include an option to adjust it, as it is very distracting at night.

Maybe a small oversight, but after 10 days of non-stop use, it really started to grate and I started looking for a way to block the LED ring without affecting the wheel's movement.

Well, perhaps there is a way to control the lighting of the wheel, but there was certainly no such option within the app used to set the macro keys and RGB lighting. As control software, though, Cloud Nine's efforts are more than adequate.

It has a modern look, is very clean, especially on high DPI monitors, and is easy to use, although it does not have a full tutorial or guide. Not a full tutorial or guide, but easy to use.

It didn't take me long to set up the new macros, but I eventually reverted to the default ones. In my work, I found it really convenient to select everything with one key and copy and paste with the other keys, and I genuinely missed it when I went back to my regular keyboard.

Despite the fact that it is prone to finger and palm marks, the control wheel is shaped like a lighthouse, and the whole thing is very large, the C959 ErgoTKL is a really nice ergonomic gaming keyboard.

The feel is smooth and quick, with a reasonable amount of permanent tent and wrist support. Once you get used to a fully split keyboard, you may never go back to another. And if you're a heavy PC user, your shoulders will thank you for the switch.

The price is also very competitive, with prices at Cloud Nine's own stores often lower than Amazon or other retailers. If you buy a C959 ErgoTKL (or a full-size ErgoFS model) in the U.S., shipping is free; the TKL is $179.99 and the FS is $10 more.

EU customers are currently charged €157.64 for the TKL and €176,19 for the FS, but since Cloud Nine is based in Boulder, Colorado, shipping costs are extra. As for UK shoppers, ErgoTKL charges £135.69 (£151.66 for FS), plus shipping.

Even the optional long braided cable and wrist pad are conscientiously priced, and one can't help but be impressed with Cloud Nine's prices, considering this is a small company and not one that mass-produces millions of keyboards every year. [The C959 ErgoTKL is an ideal entry into the world of ergonomic keyboards. As long as you have a big mitt, that is.