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The Epomaker HE80 is a budget-friendly gaming keyboard that aims to bring high-end features like Hall Effect magnetic switches to a wider audience. With a price tag of around $70, it enters a competitive market, but its specifications suggest it has the potential to be a standout product.
Read also: All Gaming Keyboard Reviews
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Specs
- Layout: 75% with 82 keys
- Switches: Epomaker MagneX Hall Effect Switches
- Hot-swappable: Yes, with other south-facing magnetic switches
- Polling Rate: 8,000Hz
- Scan Rate: 32,000Hz
- Actuation: Adjustable from 0.1mm to 4.0mm
- Mounting Style: Gasket-mount
- Case Material: Plastic
- Keycaps: PBT keycaps and an extra set of clear PC keycaps
- Connectivity: Wired via USB-C
- RGB: Per-key programmable backlighting
- Software: Web-based driver for customization
Positioning
The Epomaker HE80 is positioned as a direct competitor to more expensive Hall Effect keyboards, with some even calling it a “Wooting 80HE killer”. It targets gamers and keyboard enthusiasts who want the performance benefits of magnetic switches, such as customizable actuation and rapid trigger, without the premium price tag. The 75% layout is a popular choice, offering a compact form factor that saves desk space while retaining essential function and arrow keys.
Read also: EPOMAKER P65 review: The Gateway Drug to High-End Keyboards
Epomaker HE80 Design
The HE80 features a minimalist and clean design with a black plastic shell that feels surprisingly solid and well-built. The keyboard has a 75% layout with 82 keys, providing a good balance between compactness and functionality. It includes a detachable braided USB-C cable, a keycap and switch puller, and extra magnetic switches. A thoughtful inclusion is a set of all-black keycaps to replace the default purple accent keys, allowing for a more understated look.
The keyboard also comes with a set of clear keycaps, which are intended to enhance the RGB lighting. However, the texture of these clear keycaps, particularly the spacebar, can cause friction and feel “sticky” during use.
The HE80 uses a gasket-mount structure with multiple layers of sound-dampening materials, including Poron and silicone foams, which contributes to a more premium feel and sound profile.
Read also: Epomaker Galaxy65 review: Say Goodbye to Screws
Typing Feel
The typing experience on the Epomaker HE80 is one of its standout features, quite thocky right out of the box. The gasket-mount design and sound-dampening foams effectively minimize ping and hollowness, resulting in a satisfying sound profile that makes it one of the better-sounding Hall Effect keyboards available.
The MagneX switches are pre-lubricated and feel smooth, with minimal wobble, which enhances the typing experience. As Hall Effect switches, they are contactless and wear-free, ensuring durability and consistent performance. The ability to adjust the actuation point of each key is a major advantage for gamers, allowing for fine-tuning for either light, rapid taps or deeper, more deliberate presses. This customization is handled through a web-based driver, which means no software installation is required.
Verdict
The Epomaker HE80 is a compelling option for anyone looking to get into the world of Hall Effect keyboards without breaking the bank. It delivers high-end performance and features at an accessible price point, making it an excellent value proposition. The combination of a solid build, satisfying typing feel, and extensive customization options makes it a strong contender in the budget gaming keyboard market.
While the plastic construction and the texture of the clear keycaps might be minor drawbacks for some, the overall package is impressive for the price. The HE80 is a well-executed keyboard that offers a premium experience at a budget price, making it a highly recommended choice for gamers and keyboard enthusiasts alike.