Source One Premium Keyboard Tilt Riser Review

How did we get back here?

It took decades for computer keyboard manufacturers to acknowledge the droning complaints of ergonomists and finally stop putting those little pop-up tabs along the back edge of their keyboards. These tabs put the keyboard at positive tilt, putting more strain on wrists and forearm muscles. Instead, manufacturers like Microsoft, Kinesis and Perixx built up the correct “negative tilt” along the front edge of their keyboards.

Read the full explanation of why positive tilt is bad and negative tilt is good here, but it’s only by placing the keyboard at a negative tilt that wrist flexion—and consequent squeezing of the carpal bones that surround the nerves and blood vessels that pass through them—can be neutralized. We’ve never been able to figure out how the computer industry started down this path of tilting keyboards in exactly the opposite direction as is ergonomically correct; the myth has persisted for decades and millions of computer users are still unaware.

Unfortunately, some just can’t shake the desire to have their keyboards raised with a positive tilt and the Source One tilted keyboard stand is here to provide it.

Usability

The stand is made entirely of clear acrylic, so it seems impossible that it wouldn’t slide all over a desktop, especially a smooth desktop. Many reviewers vociferously complained about this issue.

Cracking in the acrylic is also a problem. Many reviews said the product arrived with small cracks that quickly spread after use. Some also said wiping the stand with cleaning wipes caused cracking.

The bottom lip that holds the keyboard in place is very tall, meaning it will cut into your hands and make typing along the bottom row of your keyboard difficult or impossible, depending on the thickness of your keyboard. This was an issue many users found and called out in their reviews.

All of these issues are problematic, but this one in particular highlights the bare-bones approach to design and manufacturing with this product. Such an obvious flaw should have been discovered within moments of testing the product.

To top it all off, many users said customer service didn’t respond to complaints.

This is an apt time to remind you that Amazon reviews are not always authentic or reliable, as the Source One tilted keyboard stand sits at an average rating of 4.6 out of 5.

Credentials

A word of warning on the Amazon product page. Source One indicates this product was designed “in the USA by a team of world-class ergonomists” and that Source One is a “premium supplier of all ergonomic office needs.”

A quick search shows the full company name is Source One Displays and the first thing listed under “Office & Facilities” on their website is sneeze guards. The company makes signage, literature holders, display boxes, store displays, etc.

We’re going to go out on a limb and suggest this company does not employ a team of world-class ergonomists and is not the best place to go for your ergonomic office needs. Source One makes a large amount of products using acrylic and the tilted keyboard stand is just another one they conjured up with little effort.

The Takeaway

Horrible ergonomics aside, this product is not well made or designed. The front lip is too tall, which is a deal-breaking flaw. The acrylic often cracks under normal use. Topping the whole mess, Source One wildly exaggerates their credentials when it comes to ergonomics, and doesn’t appear to respond to customer service complaints.

We highly recommend going to our roundup of ergonomic keyboard trays for a more in-depth discussion on what makes for actual good ergonomics with keyboard trays, as well as the best keyboard trays we’ve reviewed.

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