Assembling your own keyboard can be a somewhat daunting task. Not only do you need to carefully select the desired parts, but you also need to ensure that each individual component meets the desired quality and characteristics. In addition to the effort required for assembly, the individual parts can potentially add up to a significantly higher cost than a pre-assembled keyboard. Fortunately, there are options where this entire process is an absolute no-brainer, with no room for doubt about the quality of the components. The Epomaker EK75 barebones keyboard kit is one such example that we decided to pair with other components from the manufacturer, and the results were impressive to say the least.
Epomaker EK75 Kit is available for for purchase over on Epomaker’s webshop. Amazon link will be added once available.
DESIGN
The EK75 keyboard kit, as its name suggests, is designed for those who want to assemble a relatively compact 75% keyboard on their own. First and foremost, you have two color options to choose from – black and white, which is the one we received for our review. However, while the official website refers to this color as white, it’s more of a retro ivory hue, which, in my opinion, can seamlessly blend into a wider range of setups.
The top side of the case is quite minimal, with only two notable details. The first is the small Epomaker logo in the upper right corner, which cleverly conceals a handy little compartment containing the USB receiver. On the left side, there is a small diffuser for the LED lighting, which adds some charm to the keyboard and also serves a practical purpose as a Caps Lock indicator.
Magnetic dongle compartment is a nice touch
The sides of the case feature engraved lines that run along the bottom edge, where you’ll find some additional details. In addition to even more engraved lines, there’s a copper-like round metal plate in the middle, which, along with its specific color, gives the entire keyboard a touch of cool retro-futurism. There are no adjustable feet for changing the keyboard’s angle, but the case itself is designed with a slight incline that is actually perfectly balanced to the point that I didn’t want to make any additional adjustments.
Before we delve into the interior of the case, I must mention that it’s entirely constructed from aluminum. As a result, the EK75 is one of the most robust cases I’ve had the opportunity to use. With its internal battery, it weighs nearly 2 kg, and I have the impression that in the event of a fall, it wouldn’t even get a scratch, and it might break the floor instead. So, completely forget about any uncomfortable creaking or bending of the case as this one is built as premium as they come.
Minimalistic, pretty and functional RGB strip
As if the external quality isn’t impressive enough, the internal aspects of the EK75 keyboard take things to an even higher level. The EK75 features a gasket-mounted system, which includes a polycarbonate switch plate and three different layers of Poron dampening material both above and below the PCB. Both the switch plate and the PCB are full of flex cuts that make them softly bend to create a unique, soft typing experience, whichever switches you ultimately decide to use.
Interestingly, the EK75 has something that many keyboards, even in higher price ranges, don’t have, and that’s the Force Break mod, which further enhances the unique sound profile by reducing the metallic ping of the housing’s metal components. Some might be bothered by the fact that the flex cuts on the PCB mean there’s no RGB backlighting, but personally, it didn’t bother me because I feel that the kit is intended for assembling a minimal, premium keyboard where RGB simply isn’t a critical factor.
The kit pairs beautifully with Rome keycaps from Epomaker
The final look and sound profile you ultimately achieve will depend on the keycaps and switches. For this kit, I decided to pair the EK75 with Epomaker’s linear Shadow Black switches and the Epomaker Rome keycap set, and I must say that the combination is spot on.
The Rome keycap set comes in a combination of black, white, and dark red colors, which complement the ivory color of the case beautifully. Although they are made of ABS plastic, I have to admit that, unlike many ABS keycaps I’ve used, they didn’t become greasy or develop unsightly marks even after 2 months of use. They have a fairly uniform Cherry profile and a smooth texture, making the typing experience precise and quite enjoyable.
One of the tankiest aluminum chassis for any keyboard
The Shadow Black switches from Epomaker are their 5-pin linear switches with a POM stem, 53g of actuation force, and a 2.2mm actuation travel distance. They come pre-lubed, so you don’t have to disassemble each one to lubricate them yourself. However, the same cannot be said for the screw-in stabilizers. While they are of high quality, the large keys that use them won’t have the same sound profile unless you apply lubrication before installing them.
Speaking of the keyboard’s sound profile, the components mentioned above deliver excellent results, especially if you appreciate a more subdued, creamy-sounding keyboard. It’s practically ASMR material and demonstrates that Epomaker has done an excellent job with the EK75, allowing you to achieve an amazing sound profile with minimal effort.
PERFORMANCE
The excellent design is further complemented by the keyboard’s outstanding performance. First and foremost, the linear switches, the excellent typing feel, and the sound profile make the keyboard ideal for both typing and gaming. Versatility doesn’t stop there, as the EK75 can be connected via a wired connection or wirelessly through a 2.4 GHz dongle and Bluetooth.Both connection modes work excellently, and I didn’t experience any noticeable lag, nor did the keyboard fail to register a key press at any point. Bluetooth offers the convenience of connecting to up to three devices, and switching between them is quick and easy with a simple keyboard shortcut.
Excellent sound profile no matter the switches you choose
I’ve already mentioned that the keyboard’s weight is partially due to the 3000 mAh battery which is more or less standard for most wireless keyboards. However, since the EK75 doesn’t have RGB lighting, the battery here is an absolute monolith of reliability and can last 3–4 weeks, depending on how much you use it over the course of the day. It’s convenient that the LED indicator on the top side also serves as a charge indicator, but it will happen so rarely that you’ll almost forget you’re using a wireless keyboard.
Like many other Epomaker keyboards, customization on the EK75 is done through the VIA software. Since this software supports a wide range of keyboards, there is an additional step before you can customize your own, but it ultimately offers an exceptionally robust software experience. It’s very easy to create profiles, map keys, set up macro combinations, and much more, as you would expect from similar configurators.
CONCLUSION
In the end, I can say that the EK75 kit is an absolute triumph for Epomaker. It truly ticks all the boxes for features sought after not only by the more casual audience but also by keyboard enthusiasts, which is truly remarkable for a price of $149.99. Not only is it an excellent choice if you want to simply build your first keyboard, but it’s also a potentially high-value kit that will satisfy even those with the most refined taste for premium keyboards.
