Epomaker Lite Review: ‘Budget keyboards don’t have to be bad’

EPOMAKER LITE KEYBOARD REVIEW FOR PC, PS5, PS4, XBOX SERIES X|S, AND XBOX ONE.

With its Lite keyboard, Epomaker is looking to offer a 60% mechanical keyboard that checks the boxes for current trends. The latest “must-have features” include gasket mounting system for a softer typing feel, hotswappable PCB for easily swapping out keyswitches, tuned stabilizers, and wireless functionality. This product attempts to impress on a number of levels, all without breaking the bank. Does it deliver? This is my Epomaker Lite review.

“Lite” in name alone

Though it might have “lite” in its name, don’t go thinking that is related to the board’s weight. The solid mass of the board and impressive CNC aluminum body on this higher-end variant are the first things that hit me as I took the Epomaker Lite out of the box. The next thing I noticed was the keycaps, which come in a variety of styles.

The first big hurdle for prebuilt boards is the stabilizers. A loud rattle from the stabilizers can be an immediate death sentence for keyboards, especially the pesky space bar. With the Epomaker Lite, lubed stabilizers have been combined with a heavier “Rose Brown” keyswitch to reduce any element of rattle. The other keys use a lighter red switch, so the overall typing experience is still light and non-fatiguing. Using different switches for the modifiers is pretty genius, really.

Out-of-the-box winner

The out-of-the-box typing experience is super solid and many buyers will be happy with this “entry level” unit. It sounds and feels good with no tuning, though further tweaking would definitely make it even better.

With the Lite keyboard, Epomaker is implementing a “patented shallow gasket design.” Initially, I didn’t notice the kind of flex that is expected from a gasket-mount setup. However, after loosening the screws on the board a few rotations each, the movement became apparent. It seems like the screws are just too tight from the factory, essentially removing the impact of the “shallow gasket” that Epomaker uses here. An O-ring mod on the screws may enhance the flex even more.

60% is great for gamers

The 60% layout is now much more common, with even mainstream keyboard producers embracing the much smaller form factor. The number pad gets chopped, along with the F-row, and dedicated arrow keys. This reduction in size not only makes for a more portable keyboard, but it also takes up less space on the desk. This is great for gamers, as it allows more room to swing a mouse.

After receiving a number of keyboards that required some level of tuning to sound and feel their best, the Epomaker Lite was a pleasant surprise. While yes, there is room for improvement in tuning with additional lube and higher-quality foam, the Epomaker Lite provides one of the best out-of-the-box custom keyboard experiences out there. How can a prebuilt feel “custom?” Well, it includes foam, a silicon layer, tuned (to an extent) stabilizers, the option for lubed switches, and some unique keycap choices.

Epomaker Lite Review: The final verdict

Starting at $99 (though currently cheaper to Kickstarter backers), the Epomaker Lite is well worth considering by anyone looking to get a solid starter board that can easily be built upon in the future. It does a hell of a lot right, incorporating the major keyboard feature trends of the moment, and comes in at a competitive price. The proper MacOS compatibility, as well as Windows, also earns it bonus points.

It might have “Lite” in its name, but there’s little in the way of compromises here. At this price, it’s tough to find a complete package of great parts and, with very minor tweaks, this very good keyboard can easily become fantastic. However, even when it’s kept completely stock, the Epomaker Lite feels and sounds brilliant for the price. Budget doesn’t have to mean bad!

Epomaker Lite keyboard review unit provided by Epomaker.