If you’ve been on the hunt for a keyboard that offers high-end features without breaking the bank, chances are you’ve come across Epomaker. This brand has been making waves in the mechanical keyboard world with its innovative designs and budget-friendly pricing. I’ve already shared my thoughts on some of their standout products, like the Epomaker Cypher 96, which impressed me with its versatility and build quality, and the Epomaker Click Mouse, a gaming mouse that punches way above its weight class. Now, it’s time to dive into something even more exciting—the Epomaker HE68.
The Epomaker HE68 is one of those keyboards that makes you rethink what’s possible at its price point. For starters, it’s priced ridiculously well. On AliExpress, you can snag it for as low as $49.46 during sales, while over on Amazon and the official Epomaker website, it sits comfortably at $53.99. That’s an insane value when you consider what this keyboard brings to the table. Hall Effect technology? Check. Rapid trigger functionality? Double-check. A sleek, minimalist design that looks great on any desk? You bet.
What really caught my attention, though, wasn’t just the price tag. It was the combination of features that Epomaker has packed into this compact 65% layout. Think 8000Hz polling rate, 0.125ms latency, customizable actuation points, and RGB lighting that’s as vibrant as it gets. Plus, it’s hot-swappable, meaning you can swap out switches to your heart’s content without needing a soldering iron. All these specs sound like they belong to a high-end gaming keyboard, yet here we are talking about something that costs less than a nice dinner out.
Having reviewed other Epomaker products before, I knew this brand had a knack for delivering solid performance and thoughtful design at prices that don’t make your wallet cry. But the HE68 feels like a step forward—an attempt to bring advanced technology to gamers, typists, and productivity enthusiasts alike. After spending some time with it, I’m ready to share everything I’ve learned. So buckle up, because this is shaping up to be one of the best bang-for-your-buck keyboards of the year.
Unboxing Experience
Design and Build Quality
The Epomaker HE68 is a keyboard that feels solid in your hands. It’s not flashy or over-the-top, but it has this minimalist vibe that just works. The case is made from ABS plastic, which might sound basic, but it doesn’t feel cheap at all. In fact, it feels sturdy and well-built, like it can handle being tossed into a bag for travel without getting all scratched up or bent out of shape. There’s no flex when you press down on it, and it doesn’t creak or make those annoying sounds you sometimes get with lower-quality keyboards.
One of the standout things about the design is how sleek and simple it looks. The edges are slightly beveled, giving it a clean and modern appearance, and the corners are gently rounded so it doesn’t feel sharp or awkward to handle. On the front, there’s just a small Epomaker logo—it’s subtle and doesn’t scream for attention. On the left side, there’s this little fabric strap attached, which adds a bit of personality. At first glance, it seems like a quirky design choice, but it actually serves a practical purpose too. You can wrap it around your wrist if you’re carrying the keyboard around, making it super portable.
Flip it over, and you’ll see the bottom is just as well thought out. There are four rubber feet to keep it from sliding around on your desk, which is always a plus. Then there are two-stage kickstands that give you three different typing angles—fully flat, slightly tilted, or fully raised. The angles are comfortable, especially if you type for long hours or spend a lot of time gaming. Even without the kickstand, the keyboard naturally sits at a slight angle thanks to its design, so it feels ergonomic right out of the box.
The keycaps deserve a shoutout too. They’re made from PBT, which is known for being durable and resistant to wear. Even after months (or years) of heavy use, they won’t get shiny or develop that greasy feel some cheaper keycaps do. They’re double-shot, meaning the legends won’t fade over time, and they have a slightly textured surface that gives your fingers a good grip.
The font used on the keycaps matches the overall aesthetic—clean and understated. They follow the Cherry profile, which is a favorite among typists because it strikes a nice balance between height and comfort. Each keystroke feels precise, and the keys sit nicely under your fingertips without feeling too bulky or awkward.
Even though the keyboard is compact, with a 65% layout that chops off the numpad and function row, it doesn’t feel cramped. Everything is spaced out just right, so you don’t end up accidentally hitting the wrong key. The absence of extra keys also means it takes up less space on your desk, which is great for smaller setups or people who need room for their mouse. The USB-C port on the back is another smart touch—it’s easy to plug in and out, and the cable itself is thick and braided, so it won’t fray easily.
Inside, the build quality keeps impressing. The switches are mounted on an aluminum plate, which adds a bit of weight and makes the whole thing feel more premium. This isn’t one of those ultra-lightweight keyboards that feels like it could blow away in a breeze—it’s got some heft to it, weighing in at 651 grams. That weight makes it feel grounded and stable while typing or gaming, which is something you don’t always get with budget-friendly options. Underneath the plate, there’s a gasket-mount structure with layers of foam and silicone padding. These materials help dampen sound and vibrations, giving the keyboard a quieter and more refined typing experience.
Software Features
The software that comes with the Epomaker HE68 is where this keyboard really starts to flex its muscles. Most keyboards have a fixed point where a keypress registers, but with the HE68’s Hall Effect switches, you can tweak that point to your liking. You can set it anywhere from 0.1mm, which is barely touching the key, all the way up to 3.2mm for a full press. This level of customization lets you fine-tune the keyboard to match your typing or gaming style. Setting a lower actuation point can make a huge difference if you want lightning-fast inputs in competitive games. And because the reset point is also adjustable down to 0.01mm increments, you don’t have to worry about weird delays when pressing the same key repeatedly.
Then there’s SnapKey, which is one of those features you might not think you need until you try it. Imagine you’re playing an FPS game and you’re holding down both W and D to strafe while moving forward. Normally, your character would stop dead in their tracks because the keyboard gets confused about which direction to prioritize.
With SnapKey, the most recent input takes priority, so if you press D after W, your character will smoothly shift to moving right without hesitation. This eliminates that annoying stutter between switching directions, giving you a smoother and faster experience. It’s subtle but makes a big difference in fast-paced games.
Another cool feature is Multi-Tap (MT), which lets you assign two different functions to the same key depending on whether you tap it quickly or hold it down. For example, you could set the spacebar to jump with a quick tap but crouch when held down. Or maybe you want the E key in a game to interact with objects on a tap but toggle an inventory menu when held. Setting it up can be a little tricky since the software interface isn’t the easiest to navigate, but once it’s done, it feels seamless.
Dual Key Switch (DKS) is another highlight. This lets you assign up to four different actions to a single key based on how far you press it. Think of it like pressure sensitivity—you can set W to walk when lightly pressed and sprint when fully pressed. But it doesn’t stop there. You can also program what happens when you release the key from the bottom or when it hits the reset point. Gamers will love this because it opens up possibilities for complex movement mechanics without needing extra buttons. Even productivity enthusiasts might find uses for it, like assigning different shortcuts to partial and full presses of modifier keys.
Turbo Function (TGL) is exactly what it sounds like—a turbo mode that lets any key act as a toggle. Normally, holding down W makes your character move forward continuously, but if you enable TGL, you can just tap W once, and it keeps going until you tap it again. This is perfect for moments when you need sustained input but don’t want to keep your finger mashed down. It’s worth noting that there’s a slight delay when using this feature because the software has to figure out if you’re tapping or holding, but it’s still a handy tool to have in your arsenal.
RGB lighting customization is another area where the software shines. You’ve got full control over the colors, brightness, and effects. Want a specific shade of blue? Done. Need the lights to pulse in sync with your music? No problem. There are tons of presets to choose from, and you can create your own profiles too. What’s even cooler is that you can upload these profiles to share with others or download custom ones made by the community. The global page has hundreds of user-created presets, so you’ll never run out of ideas for fresh looks.
The software also includes basic stuff like macro programming, anti-ghosting settings, and OS compatibility toggles. These aren’t groundbreaking features, but they’re solid and reliable. One nice touch is Misoperate Mode, which prevents accidental key presses. This is particularly useful in competitive games where misclicks can cost you dearly. And if you ever feel lost, the “About” section in the software provides detailed info about firmware updates, product specs, and troubleshooting tips.
While the interface itself isn’t the sleekest or most intuitive, it does give you access to everything you’d want to tweak. Some users might find it a bit finicky at first, especially compared to other brands’ software, but the trade-off is worth it given how powerful the tools are. Plus, since the same software works across other Epomaker devices like the Click Mouse, it creates a cohesive ecosystem for managing all your peripherals.
Switches
The switches on the Epomaker HE68 are where this keyboard really starts to stand out. They’re not your typical mechanical switches—they’re magnetic, and that makes a big difference in how they feel and perform. These are Epomaker’s own Magnetic Pink switches, which are linear, meaning there’s no tactile bump or click when you press them. If you’ve ever used a Gateron Jade or something similar, you’ll find the typing experience here falls somewhere in between those and their heavier counterparts like the Jade Pro. The force required to actuate the key starts at 30 grams and goes up to 55 grams when fully pressed. That might sound a bit heavy for some people, but in practice, it feels smooth and satisfying.
One of the coolest things about these switches is that they’re Hall Effect switches, which means they use magnets instead of physical contact points to register a keypress. Inside each switch, there’s a visible magnet that moves as you press the key. When the magnet gets close enough to a sensor, it triggers the input. This eliminates friction and wear, so the switches are quieter and more durable than traditional mechanical ones. Plus, you don’t get that gritty feeling over time because there’s no metal-on-metal contact.
Out of the box, the switches feel pretty good, though they aren’t pre-lubricated. Some users might notice a slightly dry or scratchy sensation when pressing down firmly, especially if they’re used to lubed switches. But honestly, unless you’re super picky about sound and feel, it’s not a dealbreaker. The switches still provide a nice, snappy release after bottoming out, and the keystrokes are light enough to make typing comfortable for long sessions.
Performance Analysis
The Epomaker HE68 is one of those keyboards that just feels fast, and it doesn’t take long to figure out why. Right off the bat, you notice how responsive it is. The Hall Effect switches are the star of the show here. They’re not your typical mechanical switches—these are magnetic, meaning they don’t rely on physical contact to register a keypress. Instead, they use a magnetic field to detect when a key is actuated. This makes everything feel smoother and faster, like the keyboard is reading your mind before your fingers even finish moving. For gamers, this is a big deal because every millisecond counts, and with an 8000Hz polling rate and 0.125ms latency, the HE68 delivers some of the quickest response times you’ll find in a keyboard under $100.
Gaming on the Epomaker HE68 feels like stepping into a whole new level of precision. If you’re playing FPS games like Valorant or Apex Legends, where split-second decisions can make or break a match, the rapid trigger functionality is a game-changer. You can set it up so that keys like W, A, S, and D reset almost instantly after you release them, allowing for quicker movements without having to fully lift your fingers off the keys. It’s hard to explain until you try it, but once you do, it’s tough to go back to anything else.
The snap key feature also deserves a shoutout—it lets you prioritize the most recent directional input when holding two opposite movement keys at the same time. In fast-paced games, this eliminates that awkward stutter you sometimes get when switching directions quickly.
But it’s not just about gaming. Typing on the Epomaker HE68 feels just as good, if not better. The switches are smooth, and while they might feel a bit dry out of the box since they aren’t pre-lubricated, they still provide a comfortable typing experience. Each keystroke feels precise, and there’s no annoying wobble or mushiness.
Even during long typing sessions, fatigue isn’t much of an issue thanks to the ergonomic design and the Cherry profile keycaps. These keycaps sit at just the right height, making it easy to glide from one key to the next without straining your fingers. Plus, the gasket-mount structure inside the keyboard helps dampen vibrations and reduce noise, giving each keystroke a slightly softer and more refined feel.
Sound-wise, the HE68 strikes a decent balance. It’s not completely silent, but it’s far from loud either. The stabilizers are pre-lubricated, which cuts down on rattling, and the silicone padding inside the case helps muffle unwanted noise. If you’re someone who prefers quieter keyboards, you might consider lubing the switches yourself to take the sound profile to the next level. But even without that extra step, the default sound is pleasant enough for most users.
What really ties everything together is how reliable the HE68 feels in daily use. It doesn’t skip beats, it doesn’t lag, and it doesn’t feel cheap despite its budget-friendly price tag. Everything about it—from the build quality to the advanced features—feels intentional and well thought out. While it may not have wireless connectivity or a numpad, those omissions don’t detract from its core strengths. Instead, they keep the focus squarely on delivering a top-notch wired experience that punches way above its weight class.
Conclusion
The Epomaker HE68 is one of those products that feels like a breath of fresh air in the keyboard market, especially for people who’ve been eyeing high-end Hall Effect keyboards but couldn’t justify spending hundreds of dollars. It’s not perfect—no product ever is—but it checks so many boxes that it’s hard to ignore. The magnetic switches are smooth and responsive, making both gaming and typing feel like a step up from traditional mechanical keyboards. Sure, they might feel a bit dry out of the box if you’re used to lubed switches, but that’s an easy fix if you’re into modding your gear. Even without any modifications, the HE68 delivers a solid experience right from the start.
One thing that really stands out is how versatile this keyboard is. With features like SnapKey, Multi-Tap (MT), Dual Key Switch (DKS), and Turbo Function (TGL), it’s clear Epomaker wasn’t just aiming for a basic keyboard—they wanted something that could adapt to different needs. Gamers will love the rapid trigger functionality and 8000Hz polling rate, while typists will appreciate the smooth keystrokes and customizable actuation points. Even everyday users who just want something reliable for work or browsing will find plenty to like here. And let’s not forget the RGB lighting—it’s vibrant, fully customizable, and adds a nice touch of personality to your setup.
Now, let’s talk about pricing because that’s where the Epomaker HE68 truly shines. On AliExpress, you can grab this keyboard for as low as $49.46 during sales, which is an absolute steal for what you’re getting. Over on Amazon and the official Epomaker website, it sits at $53.99, which is still incredibly competitive. For less than $60, you’re getting a keyboard packed with features that usually cost twice as much. That kind of value is hard to beat, especially when you consider how well it performs across the board.
It’s worth mentioning that while the Epomaker HE68 doesn’t come with wireless connectivity or a numpad, those omissions don’t detract from its core appeal. Instead, they help keep the price low while maintaining focus on delivering a top-notch wired experience. For gamers, typists, or anyone who wants a high-performance keyboard without breaking the bank, the HE68 is a fantastic option.
