Since launching the Dygma Sonsei, you’ve sent us a lot of questions… including some pretty spicy ones 🌶️
Why isn’t the Sonsei fully split? Why don’t we use QMK or ZMK? Why is there no trackpad, trackball, or tenting? And why did we choose Gateron KS-33 2.0 switches?
We'll also cover battery life, repairability, third-party keycaps, switch compatibility, portability, dimensions, and much more.
How long does the Dygma Sonsei battery last?
Battery life depends heavily on your LED brightness and how much you're using the keyboard.
With no LEDs, it will last over 40 days.
With the LEDs at 100% brightness, no LED timeout, and continuous typing, you can get around 8 hours of use.
At 50% brightness, that increases to around 16 hours.
At 30% brightness, you can get approximately 24 hours of continuous typing.
And 30% brightness is still pretty bright.
Is the Sonsei battery replaceable?
We design our products to be easy to open and repair. The screws underneath the Sonsei are accessible without ripping off stickers or damaging the keyboard.
The battery is also connected rather than soldered, making it easy to unplug, remove, and replace.
Why doesn't Dygma use QMK or ZMK?
Dygma was founded in 2017, and the firmware landscape looked quite different then.
When we started evaluating firmware options, QMK already existed, Kaleidoscope was relatively new, and ZMK didn't exist yet.
After comparing the strengths and weaknesses of the available options, we chose Kaleidoscope because we believed it would let us create a better user experience.
One of our main goals was to build configuration software where you could modify a key, click save, and have that change automatically loaded onto the keyboard.
At the time, changing and loading configurations with other firmware options involved a much more complicated process.
Firmware has evolved considerably since then.
For example, we've been able to develop wireless keyboards, while QMK still doesn't support them in the same way, and when we started developing our wireless products, ZMK was only just beginning.
If we were starting from scratch today, ZMK might be an option.
However, our priority remains UX and simplicity: being able to easily make changes to your keyboard, save them, and have them work without needing to dive deeply into firmware configuration.
We're also working on bringing some of the advanced features found in ZMK to our keyboards.
For very advanced users who are comfortable coding and configuring firmware directly, QMK can offer a deeper range of options.
But for the vast majority of users, we believe a simpler experience works better.
Can I use third-party keycaps on the Sonsei?
This was actually a requested feature from users of the Defy and Raise 2, because regular keycaps don't fit their custom thumbkey shapes.
For the Sonsei, we slightly modified the thumbkeys and made them wider so you can use third-party low-profile keycaps.
You won't get the same ergonomic thumbkey shape, so the edge may feel less comfortable, but it lets you customize the keyboard.
As long as they're MX-stem low-profile keycaps, they should fit.
Will there be a white or silver Sonsei?
Not for now.
We like that aesthetic too, but for the moment we're keeping things simple with the black version.
If there's enough demand in the future, a silver version is something we could consider.
Why didn't you add more inner thumbkeys?
You might notice there is room for a fifth inner thumb key or a few extra keys toward the center of the Sonsei.
Technically, we could fit more keys there. But we deliberately chose not to.
When designing the Defy, we experimented extensively with the layout and eventually arrived at what we felt was the best compromise between key count and ergonomics.
Moving the thumb too far inward forces you to move your whole hand, which isn't comfortable.
Similarly, reaching downward with the pinky or moving your whole hand downward isn't ideal either.
We could physically add keys in those areas, but from an ergonomic standpoint, we don't want to encourage those movements.
There was also another constraint: the battery.
Adding more keys would mean relocating the battery, potentially making the keyboard thicker or larger, tilting it, or using a smaller battery.
Because the Sonsei was designed to be portable, keeping it as thin and compact as possible was more important than adding those extra keys.
Will you offer a barebones Sonsei?
We don't currently plan to sell a barebones version.
There are several reasons:
First, it complicates operations by requiring additional SKUs and separate product configurations.
Second, installing the switches at the factory is part of our board testing.
Without switches installed, we would need to develop a different testing process.
Finally, these particular low-profile switches and keycaps aren't as widespread as standard mechanical keyboard components.
At the moment, it's relatively uncommon for someone to already have compatible switches and keycaps ready to use.
Why isn't the Sonsei fully split?
This is one of the biggest questions we've received.
The main reason is that we wanted the Sonsei to work extremely well in as many environments as possible, especially while traveling and working on the go.
A fully split keyboard has advantages when you're working at a desk, but there are situations where two separate halves become less practical.
Take an airplane, for example.
The tray table is often too close and too high to use comfortably with both a laptop and a keyboard.
With the Sonsei, you can place the laptop higher and type directly on the keyboard on your lap.
We've used it this way on trains, in taxis, at airports, and on planes.
With two separate halves, this becomes significantly more awkward.
We actually built split prototypes and tested them.
They also created problems when placed on top of a laptop because both halves need to be angled slightly to align with your wrists.
Two separate halves would also make the product more expensive and complex, requiring components such as two PCBs, two batteries, and a more complicated connection system.
The goal with the Sonsei was to create something robust and simple that works on top of a laptop, on your lap, on a desk, over Bluetooth, and with our software and firmware.
Would a split low-profile keyboard be preferable in some scenarios? Yes.
At a permanent desk setup, you might prefer a fully split keyboard.
But on the go, the Sonsei's unibody design has a major advantage:
Pull it out. Turn it on. Start typing.
Can I use the Sonsei wired?
The Sonsei can be used both wired and wirelessly.
It has a three-position switch: Off, Bluetooth, and wired.
In wired mode, simply connect the keyboard to your computer using the cable.
Why doesn't the Sonsei have tenting or reverse tilting?
The main reason is space.
The Sonsei is extremely thin, and its internal components are packed very tightly.
There's less than a millimeter between the base and the PCB in some areas.
For reverse tilting, there simply isn't enough internal room for built-in legs.
We could use external or magnetic legs, but that would make the overall experience less robust and introduce additional parts to carry around.
Tenting presents another challenge.
To use tenting comfortably, your wrists need to remain at a similar height. That would likely require palm rests or palm pads.
It could work, but the keyboard would become thicker, and the base position would be less comfortable without those additional palm supports.
Since the Sonsei was designed to be easy to carry and use almost anywhere, we don't believe adding built-in tenting would improve the product overall.
What does the Sonsei sound like?
Some people have described it as mostly thocky, with a little bit of clacky character.
The exact sound also depends on your switches.
You can check out how the different low-profile switches sound by watching this video:
The Sonsei contains multiple layers of sound-dampening designed specifically to reduce reverberation inside the keyboard.
Does wired mode consume battery?
There is no battery consumption when the keyboard is switched off or used in wired mode.
You might wonder why wired mode and off are separate positions if neither consumes battery. The reason is reliability.
Having a clear physical switch between Bluetooth, wired, and off creates a complete cutoff between modes and makes switching more robust.
Our electronics engineer strongly preferred this three-position design because it provides a clear separation of power states.
It adds one extra position to the switch, but we felt the reliability trade-off was worth it.
What switches does the Sonsei use?
The Sonsei uses Gateron KS-33 2.0 low-profile switches, but getting there involved testing several alternatives.
Our first prototypes used Kailh Choc V1 switches.
They're one of the most popular low-profile options, and we already use them for the low-profile thumbkeys on the Defy and Raise 2.
However, we weren't happy enough with their sound profile.
There are relatively few options that produce the sound we wanted for the Sonsei, especially considering all the sound-absorbing work inside the keyboard.
Another limitation is keycap availability. Their two-prong stem has fewer compatible keycaps than an MX-style stem.
We've also experienced cases where those small keycap legs can break.
Together, those factors made us want to explore other options.
Then Kailh Choc V2 was the next obvious candidate.
They're only slightly taller, use an MX stem, and we preferred their sound.
The problem was the lighting.
We found that not enough light was directed upward through the legends, while too much escaped sideways, creating reflections.
From our perspective, the lighting quality wasn't good enough.
When we tested the Gateron switches, we found that the sound, lighting, and typing experience were all excellent.
We also worked with Gateron to improve them for the Sonsei.
Our version uses a completely transparent light pipe, whereas the stock version is translucent.
This lets more light through and makes the legends appear crisper.
There is one trade-off: The clipping area that secures the switch to the top panel is relatively small.
That originally meant pulling a keycap could sometimes pull the switch out with it.
To solve that, we made the switch openings slightly tighter. As a result, the switches now fit very firmly.
They're easier to remove by working them out sideways instead of pulling them straight up.
We consider that a reasonable trade-off because the improvements in sound, lighting, and available options mattered more.
How much does the Sonsei weigh?
The Sonsei weighs 399 g, just under 400 g.
With the Travel Sleeve, the total remains under 500 g.
In other words, keyboard and sleeve together weigh less than half a kilo.
Why didn't you add a trackpad, trackball, or TrackPoint?
This is another feature we actually experimented with.
Around June 2025, we had a prototype with an integrated touchpad.
Luis traveled with it for several months and used the touchpad extensively.
The concept is great: Having a pointing device directly on the keyboard means you don't need to reach for a mouse or move your hand back to the laptop.
But in practice, we ran into a physical limitation: The available tracking surface was simply too small.
Large touchpads, such as those found on MacBooks, provide much more room for precise finger movement.
When the surface becomes too small, you need to increase pointer sensitivity significantly, and precision suffers.
We even tested this by covering most of a laptop touchpad and leaving an opening equivalent to the space available on the Sonsei.
The experience still wasn't comfortable, especially when controlling a larger external display.
So we faced a decision: Should we include a feature with lots of potential if we couldn't deliver a great experience?
We decided the answer was no.
A trackball could work, but it would make the keyboard thicker.
That conflicts directly with our goal of keeping the Sonsei compact and travel-friendly.
TrackPoints have very dedicated fans, especially among longtime ThinkPad users.
But in our experience, they're not comfortable enough for most people.
Ultimately, we decided it was better to omit the pointing device entirely than include a feature that could disappoint users.
If the technology evolves and we can achieve precise control within such a small area, it's something we could potentially revisit in the future.
Will you offer Sonsei keycaps in other languages?
Not for now.
Because the Sonsei has fewer physical keys, many of the keys that differ between language layouts aren't present in the same way as on a conventional keyboard.
The keycaps also use a uniform profile, which means you can rearrange them to create layouts such as AZERTY or QWERTZ.
That solves many use cases.
If you still want legends in your language, you can use third-party keycaps as long as they're MX-stem low-profile.
Can I place the Sonsei on top of my laptop keyboard?
Yes. We tested the Sonsei on several laptop sizes.
13-inch laptop
On a 13-inch MacBook, the Sonsei rests on the upper and side edges of the laptop.
Its feet raise it slightly above the laptop keyboard, so the keys underneath aren't in contact.
14-inch laptop
On the tested 14-inch laptop, the Sonsei again rests on the edges without causing an issue.
15.6-inch laptop
On the larger 15.6-inch laptop we tested, the Sonsei rests directly above some of the laptop keys. However, during our testing, this wasn't a problem.
Typing on the Sonsei doesn't apply much downward force, and that force is distributed across the keyboard.
That makes accidentally pressing the laptop keyboard underneath very difficult.
If your laptop's design causes unwanted keypresses, you can also disable its built-in keyboard in Windows or macOS.
What are the Dygma Sonsei dimensions?
The Sonsei measures:
- 299 mm wide
- 140 mm deep
- 8 mm thick for the keyboard body
- 18 mm tall, including the switches and keycaps
That makes it a very compact and thin ergonomic keyboard.
Still have questions about the Sonsei?
Those are some of the most common—and spicy—questions we've received since launching the Dygma Sonsei.
If there's anything we haven't answered, join the discussion on Reddit or Discord and share your thoughts.
See you there 💜
