Lofree Flow 2: Design and workmanship
At first glance, the Lofree Flow 2 is unmistakably a Lofree keyboard. It forgoes RGB lighting, flashy gaming elements, and overloaded features, opting instead for a modern, minimalist design with a mature feel. The keyboard is available in three sizes with 68, 84, or 100 keys, allowing Lofree to cover both compact and nearly full layouts.
The biggest difference to the Flow Lite is in the casing. Instead of plastic, Lofree uses a sturdy aluminum casing for the Flow 2, milled from a single block of aluminum. This makes the keyboard feel cool, solid, and high-quality; it sits firmly on the desk and barely flexes even under heavy pressure. Nothing creaks, nothing wobbles, and overall the Flow 2 delivers exactly the premium feel one would expect from a keyboard in this price range.
On the back are two fold-out metal feet that allow you to adjust the angle. The Flow 2 already sits comfortably flat on the table; with the feet extended, it adopts a more traditional writing position. A wrist rest isn't strictly necessary due to its low profile, but it can still be comfortable during longer writing sessions.
The placement of the USB-C port is less than ideal. It's not located at the back, but rather on the right side. This isn't noticeable when using a wireless connection. However, as soon as a cable is plugged in, the solution becomes impractical. The cable runs off to the side and can be bothersome depending on the desk setup, especially if the mouse is positioned to the right of the keyboard.
Directly below is a touch bar. It replaces the classic rotary dial and controls the volume by swiping across it, or the screen brightness by holding down the Fn key. Visually, it fits well with the slim design, but I rarely used it in everyday use. The operation is adequate, but not as direct and precise as with a real dial. In Windows, the volume only changes in increments of two. This is nice for those who prefer whole numbers, but less so for fine-tuning.
Lofree Flow 2: Setup, Use and Software
The Flow 2 connects via USB-C, Bluetooth 5.3, or 2,4 GHz wireless, allowing for flexible use with desktop PCs, laptops, tablets, or smartphones. It is compatible with macOS, Windows, iOS, iPadOS, and Android. In our tests, it was also recognized without any issues as a standard keyboard under Linux.
The switching between Mac and Windows is well implemented. Lofree includes suitable keycaps for both systems, ensuring that Command, Option, Alt, and Windows are correctly labeled. Users who regularly switch between operating systems won't have to deal with incorrect special keys. Switching modes is done directly via a keyboard shortcut.
As expected, the wireless connection proved to be the best option in testing. It reacts quickly and stably, and with a polling rate of up to 1000 Hz, there is virtually no noticeable delay. The keyboard also works reliably with a wired connection and is a good choice when the battery needs charging or when maximum stability is preferred at all times.
A third connection option is Bluetooth, which is particularly useful when using multiple devices simultaneously. The Flow 2 can switch between three different Bluetooth profiles using a key combination (Fn + 1, 2, or 3), allowing, for example, a notebook, tablet, and mini-PC to be connected at the same time.
On paper, the keyboard supports VIA, which allows for key remapping, layer adjustments, and macro creation. However, this didn't work with the keyboard in the German ISO layout. The problem apparently lies in missing configuration profiles, which Lofree hasn't yet provided for this version. Lofree's own Key Mapper didn't help either. Lofree offers it both as an online version, similar to VIA, and as a Windows program. In both cases, the keyboard wasn't recognized during testing. Therefore, the advertised customization options for the German layout remain theoretical for now.
Lofree Flow 2: Typing feel and everyday experience
Lofree has equipped the Flow 2 with its new Cloud Series switches, which come in three variants. Surfer is linear and designed for fast, unobtrusive input. Void is also linear, but quieter, making it suitable for quiet work environments. Our test unit was equipped with Pulse switches. These are tactile, low-profile switches that provide noticeable resistance when pressed. They are most comparable to Cherry MX Brown switches, only flatter and more direct.
The tactile feedback is clearly perceptible, but not scratchy or loud. This makes typing on the Flow 2 more controlled than with linear switches, while remaining significantly slimmer and faster than a standard mechanical keyboard with high keycaps. Each keystroke has a slight resistance, which helps with more deliberate keystrokes. Those who type a lot will likely appreciate this. For fast gaming inputs, linear switches like Cherry MX Red or Lofrees Surfer feel a bit more consistent, but the Pulse switches offer more feedback for text typing.
The Pulse switches are quieter than clicky switches and less bright than many classic Cherry MX Brown keyboards. The aluminum housing and damping of the Flow 2 give the keystroke a firm, satisfying feel. They aren't completely silent, though. Those who type late at night or want to be as unobtrusive as possible in a shared office should opt for the Void version.
The keycaps are made of PBT and PC using a double-shot molding process. Their surface has a slightly matte finish, offers sufficient grip, and appears more premium than simple ABS caps. The lettering is translucent, allowing the white backlighting to shine through clearly. The brightness can be adjusted in several steps, and various simple lighting effects are also available. The slightly larger key surface makes the keys easy to hit, which is particularly noticeable when typing longer texts.
Compared to the Flow Lite (here is our testThe Flow 2 feels firmer and more direct. The Lite has a softer, slightly springier typing feel, while the Flow 2 offers more stability. Those seeking a very smooth, almost floating typing experience might even prefer the Flow Lite. However, those who value precision, stability, and an overall more premium feel will be better served by the Flow 2.
Lofree Flow 2: Battery life
The battery life of the Lofree Flow 2 depends heavily on size, connection, and backlighting. The larger models with 84 and 100 keys have a 3.000 mAh battery, while the compact 68-key version comes with a 2.000 mAh battery. Without backlighting, Lofree claims up to 120 hours for the larger models and up to 90 hours for the smaller one. With backlighting enabled, battery life decreases significantly.
In everyday use, the battery easily lasts for several workdays. Those who only use the lighting occasionally or deactivate it completely will rarely need to plug it in. With the lighting permanently on, you should expect a few days rather than several weeks. Charging is done via USB-C, which works flawlessly from a technical standpoint, but the side-mounted port isn't the most elegant solution.
