Lite

Decide if you want column stagger or the more traditional row-stagger. Column staggers are typically have way fewer keys, almost never have a function row, the only popular one I can think of with a function row is Glove80. Maybe there are others, but honestly it might be worth a try with a keyboard

Maybe you'll get a bite or two but there aren't tons people going specifically from Voyager to Raise 2. Yeah there are some that go from column stagger split to row stagger split, not a lot here but there are some. The question of column stagger vs row stagger is just a preference, maybe your prefer

Going to a full split keyboard where you can adjust how far apart your hands are is the right way to go! NocFree Lite/&, Keychron Q11, Keeb.io's Sinc/Quefrency, Epomaker Split65/Split70, GMK70, Kinesis Freestyle Edge RGB+ (skip the Freestyle 2), Royal Kludge RKS70, UHK, Dygma Raise 2, and there are

If your goal is to get keyboard that provides some legit ergonomic value skip Alice layout boards and other one-piece keyboards like mWave, etc... just get a full split. Here are a couple row-staggered split options: NocFree Lite/&, Keychron Q11, Keeb.io's Sinc/Quefrency, Epomaker Split65/Split70, G

Nice review! You really cover everything, and I agree with you on the placement of the arrow keys being awkward. It's the main reason I wouldn't consider the QK Alice Duo or NocFree Lite. I also wonder why so many QMK keyboards continue to come with VIA instead of VIAL. I'd guess that someone has al

If your pain is killing you and you need something immediately and you are leaning NocFree you might also consider the NocFree Lite. It is a lot like the NocFree & but it has standard hotswappable mx switches (instead of the low profile ones) and it seems to be shipping now. Very good reviews for Q1

If you are thinking you need 5 rows then I don’t think you are ready for the column stagger ergo split keyboards that most of us in this subreddit are focused on. Instead go for a row stagger split option which provide 80% of the ergo benefit of the column stagger options and are very easy to adjust

Production issues kept delaying shipments for weeks/months. Coincidentally, the left half of my NocFree Lite stopped working after a month of use. It was at this moment that I cancelled my $375 preorder on the NocFree “&” suite…. I appreciate the effort they invested into their products, but overall

There are plenty that have tried ergo column stagger splits and decided they didn't like them. I highly recommend a row staggered split instead of Alice. NocFree Lite, NocFree &, Epomaker Split65 and Split70, Zuoya GMK70, Keeb.io's Quefrency and Sinc, Kinesis Freestyle Edge RGB+, UHK, and even more

I use a row-staggered Zuoya GMK70. Per my other comment, I really struggled to learn column stagger while staying proficient with row stagger, so this is a better solution for me. I'd be more concerned about ditching row stagger if I had issues with my fingers, but the split is more important to me