EPOMAKER TH108PRO Mechanical Keyboard Evaluation

I just lately reviewed the 98% PIIFOX LUNA Grid98 Mechanical Keyboard, which I believed was wonderful.

Whereas I respect that full-sized keyboards have fallen out of vogue, I’m old style and like a quantity pad and customarily as many keys as potential.

If, like me, you’re a fan of absolutely sized keyboards, then the EPOMAKER TH108PRO is properly price your consideration. It’s a well-specced keyboard contemplating the value of £100 from Amazon.

This mechanical keyboard has hot-swappable switches, 5-layer sound optimisation and tri-mode connectivity, in addition to a sensible show and a quantity knob.

Associated Critiques

Specification

Change Choices

The 2 swap choices are the EPOMAKER Creamy Jade and the Sea Salt Silent V2. Each are factory-lubricated linear switches, and there’s little or no value distinction between them.

My keyboard got here with the Creamy Jade switches. These have a 45gf actuation pressure, 50gf bottom-out pressure, 2.0 mm pre-travel and three.6 mm whole journey. They’re easy, with no noticeable scratchiness or spring ping.

The product web page is barely complicated right here. It lists the Creamy Jade as linear, but additionally describes it as “tactile and crisp” with a “satisfying bump”. In use, it’s a linear swap with no tactile bump, so ignore that a part of the outline.

The Sea Salt Silent V2 is a silent linear swap with a 45gf actuation pressure, 51gf bottom-out pressure, 1.8 mm pre-travel and three.5 mm whole journey. The texture is comparable on paper, however the swap is dampened to scale back noise. If you’re shopping for for a shared workplace or for typing late at night time, that is the one I’d select.

The PCB is hot-swappable and accepts each 3-pin and 5-pin switches, and EPOMAKER consists of two spare switches and a 2-in-1 keycap and swap puller within the field. epomaker.com additionally sells a variety of other switches you could possibly swap to, together with tactile, silent and linear choices.

EPOMAKER sells magnetic switches too, however these are designed for Corridor Impact keyboards. They won’t work within the TH108 PRO, which makes use of commonplace mechanical swap sockets.

Design & Construct

The TH108 PRO is a full-size 104 key keyboard in an ABS plastic case, measuring 445 x 140 x 42 mm and weighing 1.12 kg. A lot of that weight comes from the ten,000mAh battery and the 5 layers of froth and silicone inside, and it means the keyboard stays placed on the desk. A plastic case is regular at this value, and the Keychron V5 Max takes the identical strategy. The shell feels properly put collectively, however it lacks the dense, chilly really feel of an aluminium board.

I’ve the black model, which pairs gray alphas with black modifiers and provides a number of accent keys. There’s a pink Esc, yellow Enter keys on the primary block and the numpad, and a pastel arrow cluster the place every secret’s a distinct color. The result’s a retro look that avoids being too loud, though the multi-coloured arrows won’t swimsuit everybody.

The keycaps are double-shot PBT in Cherry profile. They’ve a frivolously textured end that ought to resist shine for a very long time, and Cherry profile sits decrease than OEM, which I discover extra comfy for lengthy typing classes. The legends usually are not shine-through, so the south-facing RGB works as underglow across the keys fairly than lighting up the characters. For those who sort at midnight, that could be a disadvantage. Personally, I desire the underglow because it is a little more delicate. The modifiers carry each Home windows and macOS labels to match the Mac/Win toggle on the again.

I used to be despatched two samples. One makes use of the US ANSI structure, so there’s a lengthy left Shift, a single-height Enter, and the @ and ” symbols are swapped in contrast with a UK keyboard. So far as I can inform, there is no such thing as a UK ISO model, which can put some patrons off.

The second pattern was ISO-DE, which is sort of completely different from the UK structure as it’s QWERTZ and has varied accented keys. Nevertheless, if you actually need a UK structure, this can be the higher alternative, as there are much more keycap choices for ISO-UK than ANSI-UK, that are fairly exhausting to get. The ISO-DE board has the identical bodily key shapes as a UK keyboard, together with the tall Enter and brief left Shift, so a normal UK ISO keycap set will match.

EPOMAKER has rearranged the highest proper nook. The 4 standing LEDs for Num Lock, Caps Lock, Scroll Lock and Win lock now sit within the hole between Esc and F1. That frees the area above the numpad for a small TFT show flanked by two illuminated rings, with a metallic quantity knob set into the nook of the case. The knob is aluminium, feels strong and has weight to it. I cowl the show in additional element beneath.

On the rear edge, a recessed panel holds a Mac/Win slider, the USB-C port and a 2.4G/USB/BT slider. I desire bodily switches to key mixtures as a result of you’ll be able to see what mode the keyboard is in at a look.

Beneath, there are rubber pads and two-stage flip-out toes with rubber suggestions, giving typing angles of 6°, 8° and 10.5°. There are additionally translucent gentle bars alongside each side, and the two.4 GHz dongle is saved beneath the left kickstand, which is helpful if you happen to transfer the keyboard between machines.

The entrance edge is 28 mm tall with keycaps fitted, which is pretty excessive, so some individuals might desire a wrist relaxation for lengthy classes, although I’ve not had any points with it thus far. The width is the opposite factor to think about. For those who use a mouse so much, a 96% or 98% structure just like the PIIFOX LUNA Grid98 or Ajazz AK980 saves a number of centimetres of attain whereas preserving a numpad.

Good Show

The show is a small 23.3 x 14 mm color TFT panel above the numpad. By default, it reveals the date, time and battery stage, together with a row of icons for Home windows or Mac mode, the present connection (wired, 2.4 GHz or Bluetooth 1, 2 or 3), Win lock, Caps Lock and Num Lock.

As a standing show, it really works properly. A fast look tells you which of them system the keyboard is linked to and whether or not Caps Lock is on, which saves some guesswork when switching between machines. The battery icon can be extra helpful than a single LED that solely adjustments color when the battery is sort of empty.

You may exchange the house display with a customized picture or animated GIF utilizing EPOMAKER’s software program, which I cowl beneath. Importing a GIF took a few minutes even when linked by cable, which is longer than I anticipated. Display screen adjustments can solely be made in wired mode, not over 2.4 GHz.

The clock additionally must be synced by means of the software program. There isn’t a solution to set it from the keyboard, so if you happen to solely ever use Bluetooth, you’ll need to plug it in no less than as soon as to get the proper time.

Urgent Fn and the knob switches the knob from quantity management to display management. Rotating the knob then strikes by means of menus to alter the lighting impact, color, brightness and velocity, swap the display language between English and Chinese language, or present the splash display. Urgent the knob confirms a range. The keyboard flashes once you swap modes, so it’s apparent which mode you’re in. It’s a cheap solution to alter lighting with out software program or memorising shortcuts, however navigating a small menu with a rotary knob is slower than utilizing the Fn shortcuts.

In quantity mode, turning the knob adjusts the quantity and urgent it mutes. That is the perform I exploit most, and it’s faster than reaching for the Fn and F-key media shortcuts.

The panel itself is fundamental. Viewing angles usually are not nice, so it seems to be washed out out of your regular typing place until you lean over it, and it’s too small to indicate a lot element in a GIF. I couldn’t discover any choice to indicate system data similar to CPU temperature, and the display can not act as a shortcut panel. A clock and standing icons are good to have, however it’s not a function I’d purchase the keyboard for. The Ajazz AK980 gives the same display, so it’s not a singular promoting level both.

Connectivity and Battery Life

The TH108 PRO helps USB-C wired, 2.4 GHz wi-fi by way of the included dongle, and Bluetooth with as much as three paired gadgets. You choose the mode with the slider on the again, then pair Bluetooth gadgets by holding Fn with Q, W or E. Switching between paired gadgets is a brief press of the identical mixture. In 2.4 GHz mode, holding Fn and R re-pairs the dongle.

Polling is 1,000 Hz in wired and a couple of.4 GHz modes, dropping to 125 Hz over Bluetooth. EPOMAKER quotes latency of two ms wired, 5 ms over 2.4 GHz and 11 ms over Bluetooth. Bluetooth is okay for typing on a laptop computer or pill, however I’d use the dongle or a cable for gaming.

I’ve principally used the keyboard wired at my desk, because it offers probably the most steady connection and retains the battery topped up. The two.4 GHz connection has additionally been dependable when I’ve used it, and the keyboard wakes shortly from sleep with a single keypress.

The ten,000mAh battery is way bigger than most wi-fi keyboards. The Keychron V5 Max, for instance, makes use of a 4,000mAh battery. EPOMAKER claims round 42 hours with the lighting and display on, and over 200 hours with them off.

The 42-hour determine sounds modest, however it’s steady use. In apply, I went by means of a full week of blended use with the lighting on and nonetheless had cost left. For those who swap the lighting off and use the keyboard for regular workplace hours, charging each few weeks must be reasonable.

There may be one oddity. The guide features a charging security warning that it’s best to at all times cost from a pc USB port, and that utilizing an influence adapter straight might harm the battery. That is uncommon for a keyboard with such a big battery. It’s not an issue if you happen to cost whereas linked to your PC, however it does imply you shouldn’t go away it on a telephone charger in a single day.

RGB Lighting

Maybe it’s as a result of I get outdated, however I’m detached to RGB. Having some backlighting is sweet, however I don’t want an enormous gentle present to make use of my keyboard.

Relying in your preferences, the RGB will not be nice on this keyboard. The ANSI mannequin makes use of south-facing LEDs, and not one of the gentle shines by means of the keycaps, so that you get a glow across the keys fairly than illuminated legends. That offers the lighting a extra delicate look, which some individuals might not like in the event that they recreation or work at midnight. The ISO-DE mannequin makes use of north-facing LEDs, which is regular for ISO keyboards.

The white polycarbonate plate helps unfold the sunshine, and the gray alphas replicate it fairly properly. In a darkish room, you’ll be able to see the glow between the keys and a slight reflection on the desk, however you can not learn the legends. The LEDs are brilliant sufficient to be noticeable with out being distracting.

There are three lighting zones. The primary backlight covers the keys, the sunshine bars run alongside each side of the case, and the rings both facet of the show have their very own results. You may alter all of them from the keyboard. Fn and Insert cycles by means of the backlight results, together with off, whereas Fn and Delete adjustments the color in single color mode. Fn and the arrow keys alter brightness and velocity, Fn and House cycles the facet lights, and Fn and Finish adjustments the impact across the show.

The facet gentle bars add some ambient lighting with out making the keyboard appear to be a toy. My solely criticism is that every zone must be switched off individually. A single shortcut to show all lighting off can be helpful for saving battery.

The software program provides round 20 preset results, per-key customized colors and a music mode that reacts to audio. The results are typical for such a keyboard, with the standard respiratory, ripple, wave and reactive choices.

Driver / Internet UI Customisation

EPOMAKER gives two methods to configure the TH108 PRO: a web-based driver by way of epomaker.driveall.cn and the browser-based EPOMAKER HUB. Each cowl remapping, lighting, macros and the display, however they appear and work otherwise. Each additionally want a wired or 2.4 GHz connection. The web driver warns that it doesn’t work over Bluetooth, which is widespread with such a keyboard however nonetheless price figuring out if you happen to primarily pair it with a laptop computer.

On-line driver

The web driver (model 1.10 on my pattern) has six sections: Customized Keys, Lighting Settings, shortcut command, Superior Keys, TFT Display screen and Settings. Remapping works throughout a standard layer and an Fn layer, and also you choose substitute keys from tabs for fundamental characters, prolonged characters, particular characters and performance keys. Settings save to profiles, so you’ll be able to hold separate setups for work and gaming.

Lighting has round 20 preset results plus a customized per-key mode, a monochrome or RGB color mode, 5 brightness ranges, velocity and path controls, and a color wheel with hex and RGB entry. There may be additionally a Musical Rhythm tab that makes the lighting react to audio.

“Shortcut command” is EPOMAKER’s title for the macro editor. It will probably document keyboard and mouse enter, both capturing the actual delay between actions or making use of a hard and fast interval in milliseconds. You may then edit the motion checklist line by line, which is extra versatile than many price range keyboard drivers.

Superior Keys permits as much as 40 bindings per profile. Choices embrace Twin Impact Click on, the place tapping and holding a key set off completely different capabilities, a toggle mode that repeats a key till pressed once more, and key mixtures that ship a number of modifiers and a key in a single press. These options are often related to QMK, so it’s good to see them right here.

The TFT Display screen part is probably the most full a part of the motive force. You may import footage or video, trim and edit particular person frames, and apply crop, rotate, textual content, drawing instruments and a protracted checklist of filters earlier than importing to the keyboard. There may be additionally a time correction button to sync the clock.

Settings consists of firmware updates, a full reset, and a Key Response Time choice. That is successfully a debounce setting with 5 ranges, however EPOMAKER doesn’t say what every stage means in milliseconds. A warning explains that low settings may cause key chatter with some switches, so most individuals will go away it alone.

EPOMAKER HUB

The online-based HUB runs within the browser, so there’s nothing to put in. As with most internet configurators, you’ll need a Chromium-based browser similar to Chrome or Edge. It reveals the connection mode and battery stage on the high of the web page, which the net driver doesn’t.

Key Remap has tabs for regular keys, perform keys, macros and disabling keys, and modified or disabled keys are marked on the structure. The important thing checklist consists of ISO and JIS keys, so you’ll be able to work round a number of the ANSI limitations by means of remapping, though the keycap legends won’t match. I additionally remapped the pipe key (the place the hash secret’s on a UK keyboard) to backslash, as I exploit it so much working in IT help. It’s a good function, and having a full-size keyboard offers you extra flexibility over the keys you map.

The lighting web page gives 19 results with velocity, brightness and path sliders, a multicolour or single color mode, and per-key customized colors. The macro web page lists no less than 18 slots, and the Display screen web page has an easier editor than the net driver. You may import a photograph or GIF, draw body by body with a brush and eraser, set a body delay, and write as much as 250 frames to the show. There’s a Sync Time button for the clock, too.

Total, the software program is succesful and simple to make use of, however having two instruments with overlapping options and completely different names for a similar issues is complicated. The interpretation can be tough in locations, with labels like “shortcut command” and “2Level”. For those who desire open firmware, the Keychron V5 Max with VIA help is the higher route.

Efficiency

My keyboard got here with the Creamy Jade switches, and the general day-to-day efficiency is much like the LUNA Grid98 I beforehand used, which had Jade Peak switches.

I truly thought they had been the identical switches, however once I began utilizing the keyboard, it felt barely completely different. The actuation pressure is a bit over 10% larger (45±5gf vs 40±5gf), with a fractionally longer whole journey.

The general expertise could be very related, however you’ll be able to inform that the keys require a bit extra pressure.

The stabilisers are pre-lubed and well-tuned, so the spacebar, Enter and Shift keys really feel in line with the remainder of the keyboard. The gasket mount and flex-cut plate give a barely softer bottom-out than a tray-mounted board, and I’ve used the TH108 PRO for lengthy writing classes with none discomfort.

The case does flex if you happen to search for it. Urgent exhausting in the course of the keyboard, particularly with the toes prolonged, makes the deck transfer, and twisting the case reveals some give. It’s important to press a lot more durable than you’d when typing to note it, and with the keyboard flat, it’s even much less apparent. For a plastic keyboard at this value, I feel it’s acceptable.

For gaming, the TH108 PRO is okay for informal use. It has N-key rollover, a Win lock and 1,000 Hz polling over wired and a couple of.4 GHz connections. Nevertheless, there is no such thing as a fast set off, no adjustable actuation and no excessive polling price choice. Many gaming keyboards now use Corridor Impact switches and help polling charges of as much as 8,000 Hz, so if you happen to play aggressive shooters, EPOMAKER’s personal HE collection can be a greater match. For blended work and gaming, most individuals won’t discover the distinction.

Typing Sound and Acoustics

The typing sound is nice and comparatively office-friendly due to the “creamy thock” switches. That appeared like an odd time period once I learn it, however it does appear correct to the general sound of those. The thock is subdued with a low tone compared to many keyboards.

The 5 layers of dampening, made up of PORON sandwich foam, an IXPE swap pad, a PET sound-enhancement layer, EPDM swap socket foam and silicone within the base, take away many of the hole sound you get from cheaper plastic keyboards. There isn’t a noticeable ping from the springs or the case, and the stabilisers don’t rattle.

The spacebar, Enter and Shift keys have a barely completely different pitch from the alphas, which is regular, however they sound clear. EPOMAKER lists the Creamy Jade as its louder choice, and it’s audible in a quiet room. For those who share an workplace or usually sort on video calls, the Sea Salt Silent V2 model would be the better option.

Value and Different Choices

The EPOMAKER TH108 PRO is out there from Amazon for £100, or if you happen to purchase straight from epomaker.com, it’s out there for $101.04, which works out to round £76.50. That’s across the identical value because the PIIFOX LUNA Grid98, which I reviewed a number of weeks in the past, and I’m inclined to say that I desire the EPOMAKER.

There are two issues to think about earlier than shopping for direct. Customary delivery takes two to 3 weeks, and EPOMAKER’s one-year guarantee solely applies to keyboards purchased from its personal retailer. For those who purchase from Amazon or one other retailer, guarantee claims undergo that vendor as an alternative.

One thing just like the Keychron V5 Max makes use of the QMK driver and has the same total specification with tri-mode connectivity, RGB and hot-swappable keys, however it would set you again £114.99. It does have the benefit of coming with a correct UK ISO structure, three Gateron Jupiter swap choices, official VIA help and a UK warehouse for guarantee claims. The battery is smaller at 4000mAh, and there’s no display, however for lots of UK patrons the ISO structure alone justifies the additional £23.

The Ajazz AK980 is the nearer match on options, with a 98 key structure, a TFT show, a knob and a significantly bigger battery, and it turns up on UK marketplaces at roughly related cash to the PIIFOX. Construct high quality is a step beneath, and the software program is proprietary fairly than QMK-based, so which you favor will depend on whether or not you worth the configuration route or the battery determine extra.

Total

Total, I feel the EPOMAKER TH108 PRO is an outstanding keyboard for anybody who likes a 100% keyboard.

The primary difficulty is that there aren’t any UK structure choices. The ANSI choice is the simplest to get together with in case you are not going to switch the keycaps, as there are only some minor variations, so if you happen to can semi-touch sort, you in all probability won’t have any points.

The ISO-DE choice has lots of variations from the UK structure, so it’s more durable to make use of if you happen to can not contact sort. I’d say I’m fairly good, and even I received a number of mix-ups with symbols. Nevertheless, that is the preferable alternative if you happen to plan to swap the keycaps, as UK ISO units are simpler to seek out and cheaper.

UK ANSI keycaps are potential to seek out, with some sellers doing units with each layouts. If you’re proud of all one color, this Etsy vendor has UK ANSI keycaps for £29.

Most reasonably priced mechanical keyboards on Amazon are US ANSI, since that could be a a lot bigger market, so the truth that you have got a alternative of ANSI and ISO is sweet.

I additionally desire the Jade Peak switches on the LUNA Grid98, however it’s a fractional distinction I’d not have seen if I had not come straight from that keyboard. The recent-swappable switches make this a straightforward repair, and switches are surprisingly reasonably priced.

The sensible show is a pleasant additional fairly than a purpose to purchase, and the recommendation to solely cost from a pc USB port is just a little odd. Lastly, whereas it didn’t hassle me within the slightest, some individuals might desire a distinct design for the RGB.

Whereas the above does seem to be lots of criticism, I feel it’s minor, and the structure difficulty is widespread within the UK, with most reasonably priced manufacturers having the identical downside.

All the opposite points of this keyboard are nice; the general construct high quality and have set are excellent for the value level. I just like the look; it’s fairly utilitarian, and the 100% measurement enhances it.

Total, I like this keyboard sufficient that it has now change into my full-time keyboard.

I’m James, a UK-based tech fanatic and the Editor and Proprietor of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Captivated with all issues expertise, my experience spans from computer systems and networking to cell, wearables, and sensible dwelling gadgets.

As a health fanatic who loves working and biking, I even have a eager curiosity in fitness-related expertise, and I take each alternative to cowl this area of interest on my weblog. My numerous pursuits enable me to deliver a singular perspective to tech running a blog, merging way of life, health, and the newest tech developments.

In my educational pursuits, I earned a BSc in Data Programs Design from UCLAN, earlier than advancing my studying with a Grasp’s Diploma in Computing.

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