ZSA Voyager keyboard and Navigator trackball review: for the tinkerers | The VergeSkip to main contentThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.The VergeThe Verge logo.TechReviewsScienceEntertainmentAIHamburger Navigation ButtonThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.Hamburger Navigation ButtonNavigation DrawerThe VergeThe Verge logo.Login / Sign UpcloseCloseSearchTechExpandAmazonAppleFacebookGoogleMicrosoftSamsungBusinessCreatorsMobilePolicySecurityTransportationReviewsExpandLaptopsPhonesHeadphonesTabletsSmart HomeSmartwatchesSpeakersDronesScienceExpandSpaceEnergyEnvironmentHealthEntertainmentExpandGamesTV ShowsMoviesAudioAIVerge ShoppingExpandBuying GuidesDealsGift GuidesSee All ShoppingCarsExpandElectric CarsAutonomous CarsRide-sharingScootersOther TransportationFeaturesVideosExpandYouTubeTikTokInstagramPodcastsExpandDecoderThe VergecastVersion HistoryNewslettersExpandThe Verge DailyInstallerVerge DealsNotepadOptimizerRegulatorThe StepbackArchivesStoreSubscribeFacebookThreadsInstagramYoutubeRSSThe VergeThe Verge logo.This keyboard and trackball combo are for the tinkerersComments DrawerCommentsLoading commentsGetting the conversation ready...TechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechKeyboardsCloseKeyboardsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All KeyboardsReviewsCloseReviewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All ReviewsThis keyboard and trackball combo are for the tinkerersZSA’s Voyager keyboard and Navigator trackball attachment are a lot of fun, if you’re willing to put in some effort.by Jay PetersCloseJay PetersSenior ReporterPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Jay PetersDec 3, 2025, 2:00 PM UTCLinkShareLook at that trackball! That’s ZSA’s Navigator, an accessory for its Voyager keyboard. | Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The VergeJay PetersCloseJay PetersPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Jay Peters is a senior reporter covering technology, gaming, and more. He joined The Verge in 2019 after nearly two years at Techmeme.Do you love to tinker with your keyboard layout? Do you love trackballs and think that one that attaches magnetically to your keyboard would be the coolest thing ever? Are you willing to completely blow up your setup in pursuit of possibly huge — or possibly marginal — gains in comfort or efficiency? Then I have a keyboard and trackball recommendation for you, with some caveats.In early September, I started dabbling with ZSA’s Voyager keyboard and new Navigator trackball attachment. The Voyager is a low-profile, wired, split mechanical keyboard with 52 hot-swappable keys in a columnar-staggered layout. When you buy it, you can pick from one of four types of Kailh Choc v1 switches. The one shipped to me has Pro Red linear switches, which feel a little mushy in comparison to the Cherry MX Brown switches I’m used to. The Voyager has RGB lights, too, if you want to add a little color to your days.7Verge ScoreZSA Voyager and Navigator$169$169The GoodSuper customizable, with hot-swappable keys and easy to use softwareThe trackball is a joy to use and so very redMagnetic keyboard base for attaching accessoriesIncluded tenting nubsThe BadExpensiveNot enough keys for me, personallyColumnar layout isn’t my jam$365 at ZSA (Voyager keyboard)$169 at ZSA (Navigator trackball)How we rate and review productsThe Voyager came out in 2023, but the interesting new thing is the Navigator trackball, which was announced in August. The trackball module snaps magnetically onto either the right or left half of your Voyager, just above the thumb cluster. (You pick which side at checkout.) The ball, which comes in a color that I might best describe as “trackball red,” feels really smooth to roll around. It’s nice having it right next to your typing fingers, because it means you barely have to move them from your keyboard.ZSA says the Voyager is “designed with a laptop in mind,” and I can see why: the keyboard is small enough to toss in a bag if you want to bring your laptop somewhere but would prefer to type on a more custom setup. (It even comes with a carrying case.) If you want to ever-so-slightly tent the two sides, the keyboard comes with four little nubs that attach magnetically to the bottom. I mostly used the Voyager flat and was fine with it, though I would have preferred if the included nubs were able to tent the keyboard at a steeper angle like other ergonomic keyboards that I’ve used.You can buy a tripod mount that lets you totally customize the tilt and pitch angle, or even mount the Voyager halves to your desk or the arms of your chair. But you can also make or buy other magnetic tenting accessories and attach them to the bottom of the keyboard yourself — you can even remove the magnets from the included nubs to use them in your own solution.The tenting nub. Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The VergeThe real magic of the Voyager and Navigator, as with ZSA’s Moonlander keyboard that I reviewed in 2021, is how much you can customize them using ZSA’s Oryx configurator software. The software lets you program any key to be any other key, or a macro, or a media playback button, or even a mouse click. Keys can have different functions when tapped, held, double-tapped, or tapped and held. You can even set different layers of keys that are activated by pressing another key. This type of customization is pretty standard for enthusiast keyboards, but I’ve found Oryx’s software to be particularly easy to use. Once you’ve decided on a layout, you can flash it to the keyboard using ZSA’s Keymapp app.I should say here that the Voyager and Navigator are not cheap. The Voyager is $365, while the Navigator is $169, so the total cost is $534. If you want the tripod mount, that costs an additional $89 — and the tripod itself isn’t included. These are accessories for people who have very specific typing needs or who really want to go deep on customizing their tools.ZSA’s Voyager keyboard without the wires. This is a wired keyboard; it has one cable to go to your computer and another connecting the two halves. Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The VergeUsually, I fit both of those criteria. My typical current setup is a split ergonomic keyboard, the 95-key Kinesis Freestyle Pro, and a vertical ergonomic mouse, the Contour Unimouse. I taught myself Colemak after spending my entire life on QWERTY. At one point I alternated between a regular mouse and a full-sized trackball. For a while I used a rollermouse as my daily driver. And I went really deep with the Moonlander, even making a layer dedicated to shortcuts for watching YouTube videos. I’m no stranger to the fun and suffering of switching up my computing input devices, or to going to great lengths for a more ergonomic setup.But with the 52-key Voyager, I just keep finding myself a few keys short of a layout that feels right to me. The thing I missed the most was a reliable set of arrow keys. I could use a layer or a fancy shortcut of some kind, but they’re so critical to my day-to-day work of futzing with text and cursors that I don’t want to trip over myself to get to them. And the trackball module doesn’t come with mouse keys. I put the left and right mouse click buttons under my thumb on the left side of the keyboard. But that took away two keys on the default layer I could use for something else.Look at that red! Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The VergeUnlike my Kinesis, which is essentially a standard staggered keyboard that’s chopped in half, the Voyager is a columnar keyboard, meaning the keys for each finger are in a straight line above and below each other, and my fingers sometimes got tangled up when I used it. The Moonlander is also a columnar keyboard, and that took a couple weeks to get comfortable with, too.I’m going to be honest: I got frustrated with the Voyager after a week and didn’t use it at all over a busy stretch of events like the iPhone 17 launch or my trip to Meta Connect. In my work, I have to be a very fast writer and communicator, and as fun as the Voyager and Navigator are to use, I was much slower with them than my usual setup. While I would love to spend hours after work or on a weekend perfecting my setup, as a father to a very busy toddler, I just don’t have the time or energy to make that happen.RelatedZSA’s Moonlander Mark I is the ultimate customizable ergonomic keyboardThis might just be a me thing. I think before my kid was born, I could have gone all-in on making the Voyager and the Navigator work. I did it with the Moonlander, after all, which has a similar columnar layout, and I only switched away from that because I realized that the Kinesis fit my hands better long-term. And to my great surprise while writing this draft, I settled back into the Voyager and Navigator really easily. I still have issues with my layout, but I thought coming back cold from a long break was going to be a lot more difficult.For the right person, I think the Voyager and Navigator could be an awesome desk upgrade to tinker with and customize. I’m not that person right now. But I want to be again — having a trackball attached directly to my keyboard is a whole lot of fun.Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.Jay PetersCloseJay PetersSenior ReporterPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Jay PetersAccessory ReviewsCloseAccessory ReviewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All Accessory ReviewsKeyboardsCloseKeyboardsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All KeyboardsReviewsCloseReviewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All ReviewsTechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechMost PopularMost PopularOpenAI declares ‘code red’ as Google catches up in AI raceSteam Machine today, Steam Phones tomorrowMKBHD is taking down his wallpaper appSilicon Valley is rallying behind a guy who sucksHBO Max’s Mad Men 4K release is the opposite of a remasterThe Verge DailyA free daily digest of the news that matters most.Email (required)Sign UpBy submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. 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ZSA’s Voyager keyboard and Navigator trackball are a fascinating, if somewhat frustrating, endeavor for the truly dedicated keyboard tinkerer. By Jay Peters.

The Voyager keyboard and its accompanying Navigator trackball attachment from ZSA represent a deep dive into customization. If you relish the idea of drastically altering your input setup, have a genuine passion for trackballs, and are willing to invest considerable time and effort – potentially leading to a marginal improvement in comfort or efficiency – then this combination might be worth exploring. However, be prepared for a challenging adjustment period and significant costs.

The Voyager itself is a low-profile, wired, split mechanical keyboard boasting 52 hot-swappable keys arranged in a columnar-staggered layout. It comes in one of four Kailh Choc v1 switch types, with the included Pro Red switches offering a somewhat mushy feel compared to the more traditional Cherry MX Brown switches. Beyond the core keyboard functionality, it includes RGB lighting and the ZSA Oryx configurator software, enabling a staggering level of customization. This software allows you to remap every key to any other function, create macros, assign media playback commands, and even build layers of functionality accessible with a single key press. The software’s ease of use is a notable strength.

The Navigator trackball, magnetically attaching to either side of the Voyager, is the key accessory. It feels remarkably smooth to operate and, unsurprisingly, it's “trackball red.” The magnetic attachment is a solid design, allowing for easy swapping between the left and right sides. The trackball itself offers a genuinely satisfying roll, but its proximity to the typing area – practically right next to your fingers – necessitates careful consideration.

ZSA’s philosophy, exemplified by the Voyager and Navigator, is echoed in their Moonlander keyboard, which I previously reviewed. The core of the appeal lies in the Oryx configurator, fostering deep customization options. This software is a powerful tool, but the potential for complexity is also present.

The Voyager and Navigator are not inexpensive. The keyboard alone costs $365, while the Navigator trackball is $169, totaling $534. The tripod mount, designed for adjustable tilt and pitch, adds another $89 to the cost. These accessories cater to a highly specific niche – individuals deeply invested in meticulous keyboard optimization and customization.

However, the Voyager’s 52-key layout, while intriguing, ultimately felt limiting for my use. I'm accustomed to a more standard setup, having previously employed a 95-key Kinesis Freestyle Pro and a vertical ergonomic mouse. I even experimented with rollermouses and a full-sized trackball. And, as a busy parent of a toddler, I simply don’t have the time to dedicate to mastering such a complex layout. The lack of dedicated arrow keys, which I rely on heavily for daily tasks, proved particularly frustrating. Although I could utilize layers or create shortcuts, the constant need to mentally switch between them created an extra layer of cognitive load.

Furthermore, the columnar layout of the Voyager, like the Moonlander, takes some getting used to. My fingers occasionally tangled, and the learning curve was steeper than anticipated.

Ultimately, the Voyager and Navigator are best suited for individuals who truly relish the process of keyboard customization and are willing to invest substantial time and effort. For those seeking a straightforward typing experience, they would likely prove to be a source of frustration. My experience, marked by a week of experimentation followed by abandonment, highlights the significant commitment required to unlock the potential of this unique combination. Despite the engaging nature of the trackball and the impressive customization options, the Voyager and Navigator didn’t quite fit my workflow, and the potential gains didn't justify the considerable investment.