When I was looking for a keyboard - in my history having used mechanical keyboards for a long long time now and having had countless experience on every typing website imaginable - this keyboard has already became my new favorite. When I was looking for a new keyboard I was looking for one that would mitigate my wrist strain by being lighter (this one easily checks this box for sure) - and let me be able to really take off while typing. And so far I have already had immediately noticeable improvments with my bursting speed, and being able to take a load off of my wrists as well. Because of this it has allowed for easier coordination that furthermore and has allowed me to adapt better on this board, while at the same time being able to move from key to key more freely since I am not having to fight raw force just to move onto the next key.
For comparison I have about every major keyboard brand out there - from brown, to blue, optical-mechanical, etc. and this 35g "budget topre" experience easily takes the cake. I don't really feel any mushiness or anything, honestly. If you had to come from a membrane keyboard you would immediately notice how well defined the typing experience is and how much more you can really do with this.
All the reviews about how people have typed faster about it left me a bit skeptical - since that could be attributed to really any time you get a mechanical keyboard for the first time - but for something like this here this is no joke, and if you combine it with great typing form and really pursue your speed - I think you'll have an amazing time with this board for sure. And I have used speed switches - and while this could be interpreted as sensitive to some - I highly doubt this will be an issue for most powerful - granted if you are at least used to any tactile or linear switch. And if accuracy is an issue - there is an actuation point changer which easily remedies a lot of those concerns. But personally I keep mine on the mid setting as I like that touch-input to really sync up with my typing.
I've never used a quiet keyboard this like before - but as many reviewers have put it; yes, this keyboard is actually a very quiet non-clicky experience that rivals even modded boards. Which is where you are hearing the switch. And unlike some other gaming brand keyboards, this keyboard is a lot more sturdier due to some of its weight (the base of the board not the actual keys or switches) which means you won't have problems balancing it on certain surfaces.
The keycap experience is really nice and is something I wish more boards, even though it is PBT you can still slide your fingers around if you wish to do so when typing and you have an actuation point changer that is only only seen in $300+ foreign boards that you'd only see in Japan [Realforce Keyboards]. So this is exactly everything I was looking for 3 years ago but was not able to find. I never did find or hear about this keyboard except by browinsg a lot of forums and threads and saw this came up in a comment section about 35g keyboards that woudl be recommended for people looking for a lighter typing experience, and man could I haven chosen a better, more different, more unique, or better experience. So if you are looking for a keyboard that may different quite a bit and really introduce you into the world of mechanical keyboards - I'd highly highly recommend this one over other keyboards like Corsair, Logitech, and Razer boards. Even though you may not be able to easily try those - I'd heed reviewers from people you trust, and highly recommend at least trying this if you are looking for a genuine lighter typing experience.
While it may not be super clicky in the bona-fide Cherry MX fashion, this feels tactile enough and the flow on this really cannot be understated, assuming you don't prefer heavier switches/keyboards that is - and for that case there are some springs to give you some of that if that is what you are looking for - although I never tried those - since it isn't me. But it is possible to dome swap if that is what you are into. Which is one slight advantage that you get out of a supposed 'rubber-dome' keyboard. But you do get Cherry stems, so your keycap options will not be limited, rest assured!
The only major con I have to give to this is the software - where you need to program in certain keys, so you may want to look into finding your own way to change volume, etc. and that is where this company really should've patched up and added a lot more ease of use.
Although I have never tried any topre-boards, I don't think you'd be missing out - and it is far better to try something like this than someone that is bound to be quite a bit more expensive - and be shipped from eBay or Japan, etc. And this is just frankly a really great keyboard.
Pros:
Light!
Keycap options
Aesthetic is nice
Keycaps are durable & pretty high quality
Actuation point changer
Great for typing for extended periods of time especially if you have wrist pain
One of the only keyboards I ever have that actually has a detachable cable
A much more affordable and accessible topre-like experience (BIG PLUS)
Quiet
Mixed:
It would be good to have a numpad optino to make it a full size board, but the extra desk space you can get from this TKL (Ten Keyless) variant or the other smaller Niz Plum variants on their website may also further enhance this benefit.
Cons:
Software
Some people may prefer some 45 or 55g dome boards.
Overall: This is going to be my preferred keyboard for gaming, coding, and productivity, as well as just general fun typing, and my only gripe is that there is no numpad but you can always buy add on numpads anyways from other manufacturers to have to the side if that is what you really want, and frankly the typing experience comes first. So being able to tackle any strain, carpal tunnel, RSI without being too clicky, and quiet, while allowing you to have a lot more fun by letting you speed up more and being accurate enough to make the flow on this a dream.
I think this is one of the best keyboards I've ever used and to be honest I don't know why this isn't known as one of the #1 keyboards in general for typing. There really isn't any other major cons to this other than the software, and maybe not having a variant with a numpad + media keys section that some people may want to add on top of, for an already great keyboard. By far and away one of the newest and most engaging experiences you can get if you are looking to try something really different on top of other mechanical keyboards you may have already tried or own. I truly wish this was my first keyboard back when I started out mechanical keyboards.
| Brand | EPOMAKER |
|---|---|
| Series | NIZ x87 |
| Hardware Platform | Laptop |
| Operating System | Mac |
| Item Weight | 1.87 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 14.29 x 5.35 x 1.61 inches |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 14.29 x 5.35 x 1.61 inches |
| Color | White |
| Voltage | 220 Volts |
| Manufacturer | EPOMAKER |
| ASIN | B087LYPKWD |
| Date First Available | April 24, 2020 |
