| Form Factor: 100% | Switch: Epomaker Sea Salt | Connector: USB | 2.4GHz | Bluetooth | Keyboard Software: Epomaker Driver |
| Dimensions (cm) (W x H x D): |
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| Weight (Kg): |
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| Price: | £69.00 |
| RGB Lighting: | Yes |
| Hotswap: | Yes (5-pin, south facing LEDs) |
| Media Controls: | Yes |
| Macro Keys: | Yes (non-dedicated) |
| Removable Cable: | Yes |
| Windows Lock: | Yes |
| Keyboard Status: | Fully working |
| Other Features: |
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At just £69 (at the time of writing), the Epomaker TH108 is one of the most affordable custom keyboards on the market. It comes in either black or white, and can be configured with either the Epomaker Creamy Jade or the Epomaker Sea Salt Silent.
This review will focus on the white model with the Epomaker Sea Salt Silent switch.
DISCLAIMER | Please Read:
This keyboard was sent by Mechlands for review and testing purposes. I was NOT PAID in any way to write this review. Impartiality will always be a top priority here at KeebWorks, including this one.
TL;DR
The Epomaker TH108 is a certified Keychron killer!
It comes at a slightly lower price point and has almost the same features. The biggest downside to them in comparison is that Keychron keyboards are noticeably better built. Additionally, Keychron’s software works out of the box with minimal issues, whereas the Epomaker Driver is detected as a virus upon initial installation, so that’s not ideal.
Build Quality: 8/10
Both the top and bottom housing are made of thick ABS plastic, similar to what you would find in a K Series Keychron keyboard. Although, the plastic used on the TH108 feels noticeably cheaper.
The plate is made of polycarbonate (PC). The keycaps are Cherry profile double-shot PBT, which I didn’t even think was possible at this price point. And the cable is braided.
As a side note: Not too long ago, I damaged an Akko 5075B VIA keyboard while prying it open, as it didn’t have any external screws to internally modify the keyboard easily. The TH108 sits in the same boat; only this time, I didn’t even try opening it. Lesson learnt. So, unfortunately, you won’t be getting any internal insights on this keyboard. If Epomaker really wants to be anti-modification, then so be it. I’ll happily deduct points for it.
I also didn’t like the lock light LEDs spilling, and since it’s located on the top left corner, it also spills over neighbouring keys, which doesn’t look nice. Plus, this is exaggerated when the RGB lights are turned off.
Overall, you can feel that it’s a quality-built board, not just for its price, but as a whole. I do wish they made it with a higher quality plastic and easier to open to mod it.
Features: 9/10
It’s pretty incredible what £69 gets you these days! This keyboard is packed full of features that it’s easier to list what it doesn’t have.
So, what doesn’t it have? The biggest feature missing from this keyboard is the lack of QMK/VIA/VIAL support. This is a critical must-have to many, and is probably the main reason why this keyboard isn’t selling despite its other features.
I also find it weird that the PCB lacks support for screw-in stabilisers. Then again, it isn’t appealing to open the keyboard in the first place. So, this isn’t as big of a deal.
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Overall, it has all the other important stuff that you may look out for, such as south-facing hotswap sockets, a 2.4GHz/Bluetooth connection, RGB lighting and media controls. You have to give them credit here; Epomaker has done very well here.
Daily Performance: 8/10
If you’re someone who’s been thinking about getting into the custom scene, this is a rather decent place to start – you can experiment with different switches and keycap combinations. Though it would’ve been a lot better if the keyboard were easily accessible to swap out the stabilisers or the sound-dampening materials.
The gasket mount performance didn’t “wow” me at all. The board didn’t feel stiff, but I expected more bounciness from a gasket-mounted keyboard. I think softer gaskets would’ve been better here.
Now, what about the software experience? Well, I didn’t have one. It refused to open since Windows 11 detected it as a virus. So, I just left the keyboard in its default state. Very disappointing.
Additionally, I would’ve preferred a volume wheel/knob instead of dedicated keys to adjust volume, but I do appreciate the dedicated calculator key, as that is one of the very first macros I program onto any new keyboard.
On the plus side, the keyboard can be used in both 2.4GHz and Bluetooth, making it compatible with a wider range of devices. And it’s great to have a board with dual-stage flip-out feet.
The Epomaker Software’s main screen which failed to work.
Overall, I liked using this keyboard as I had no major issues with it. I can even see it as someone’s first custom keyboard for a few years. Plus, it would make for an affordable office keyboard if you go for the Epomaker Sea Salt Silent switch.
Reliability: 8/10
Epomaker is a relatively new brand, so they’ve yet to prove they can make reliable keyboards. Although, from what I have tested, they’ve made a very compelling keyboard that should last for many years to come.
For a modern keyboard like this, the usual suspects such as the battery, RGB LEDs and hotswap sockets will wear out over time. So, minimising the use of these components will increase the lifespan of this keyboard.
Overall, there isn’t much I can fault this keyboard on. It has a very solid build (keycaps included), which shouldn’t cause too many issues down the road. Plus, even if something were to go wrong, it’s at least somewhat repairable.
Value: 9/10
Let me just remind you once more that this keyboard only costs £69 – this would’ve screamed SCAM – Stay Away 10 years ago when I first entered the hobby, and that was for used prices. If a keyboard of this calibre had existed back then, it wouldn’t be surprising to see it north of £200. So, unless you were shopping for vintage keyboards, it was almost impossible to buy a modern keyboard for under £70 back then.
Additionally, finding a custom, 100% (full-size) keyboard back then was more difficult as enthusiasts opted for smaller builds. Even today, the options are still somewhat limited, with the Keychron K10 at $60 and the Epomaker x AULA F108 at $90 being the closest options to this keyboard. Of course, cheaper full-size mechanical keyboards exist, but I wouldn’t class many of those “custom”.
Overall, this keyboard offers an excellent value for money given its features, performance, and build quality. The only downside to them is that they aren’t QMK/VIA/VIAL compatible; it would be a perfect 10 if they were.
Final Score = 42/50 (84%)