Epomaker TH99 Review: Worthy Custom Keyboard For Beginners?

In the world of mechanical keyboards, finding one that strikes the perfect balance between performance, design, and functionality can be a daunting task. Enter the Epomaker TH99, a keyboard that challenges the typical norms of the industry. With its compact 96% layout, thoughtful construction, and seamless connectivity options, it promises to meet the needs of both productivity and gaming enthusiasts alike.

Whether you’re typing out long work emails, engaging in intense gaming sessions, or customizing your setup to fit your exact needs, the TH99 aims to deliver a personalized and satisfying experience. In this review, I’ll share my honest experience with this keyboard, highlighting its design, performance, and features—all in an unbiased and comprehensive manner.

Unboxing

When you unbox the Epomaker TH99, you’ll find everything you need to get started right away. The package includes:

The Epomaker TH99 Keyboard
USB-C Cable
Keycap Puller
User Manual

With this thoughtful selection of essentials, the Epomaker TH99 is ready for action straight out of the box, allowing you to start customizing and enjoying your new keyboard with minimal effort.

Design and Build

The Epomaker TH99 combines sleek, modern aesthetics with a well-thought-out design that delivers both functionality and durability. Its compact 96% layout with 102 keys offers a practical balance between saving desk space and retaining essential features, making it a perfect choice for both office work and gaming.

Constructed from high-quality ABS plastic, the keyboard’s case provides a sturdy yet lightweight feel, while the PC plate inside adds strength and rigidity. This solid build ensures long-term durability, with the addition of silicone pads enhancing accessibility and overall comfort during use.

One of the standout features of the TH99 is its gasket-mounted design, which contributes to a unique typing experience. This mounting system strikes a perfect balance between softness and stability, creating a typing sensation that’s responsive yet gentle, ideal for both fast typing and long gaming sessions.

Additionally, the Epomaker TH99 is equipped with five sound-dampening layers—Poron, IXPE, PET, and silicone pads—that work together to eliminate any hollow noise and refine the keyboard’s acoustic profile. These carefully selected materials ensure a rich, satisfying sound that’s smooth and controlled, perfect for those who value auditory feedback.

In terms of aesthetics, the Epomaker TH99 features 102 south-facing, per-key RGB LEDs that enhance visibility while reducing interference from larger keycaps. This dynamic lighting not only looks great but can be customized through Epomaker’s software to suit personal style preferences, from static colors to complex lighting effects. Whether you prefer a subtle glow or a vibrant display, the lighting system adds a dynamic flair to the design without compromising functionality.

Switches and Experience

The Epomaker TH99 features the Epomaker Creamy Jade switches, which are 5-pin mechanical switches, designed to deliver a smooth, linear typing experience. These pre-lubed switches are built with a trigger force of 45±5g, offering a responsive feel with minimal effort required to actuate.

During my testing, the smoothness of each keystroke stood out. The linear action provides a satisfying, consistent press with no tactile bumps or clicks, making it ideal for both typing and gaming. The soft and quiet feel under my fingers made typing sessions much more enjoyable, especially for long hours, without causing fatigue. In addition, the switches’ low bottom-out force of 50±5g ensures that each keypress is effortless but stable.

The sound profile is equally impressive. While it is not entirely silent, the combination of the gasket-mounted design and the switches’ smooth travel results in a rich and mellow sound, with no harsh clacking or excessive noise. This is further enhanced by the 5-layer sound dampening system, which eliminates unwanted hollow sounds.

Battery

The Epomaker TH99 is equipped with a robust 4000mAh battery, offering exceptional longevity. During my testing, I was impressed by how long the keyboard lasted on a single charge. With the backlighting turned off, it can last up to 800 hours — an impressive feat that minimizes the need for frequent recharging. Even with backlighting on, the battery life holds up well, providing a good amount of usage for extended sessions without the worry of constant plug-ins.

Switching between different modes, whether it’s USB-C wired, 2.4G wireless, or Bluetooth, didn’t impact the battery life noticeably. The keyboard offers 5ms latency in 2.4G mode and 11ms in Bluetooth mode, all while maintaining low power consumption.

This extended battery life makes the Epomaker TH99 an excellent choice for users who switch between devices and need a keyboard that can perform without the constant need for recharging. Whether you’re using it for gaming, work, or leisure, the long-lasting battery ensures that you stay productive without interruption, adding a layer of convenience that stands out in everyday use.

Connectivity

The Epomaker TH99 offers an exceptional range of connectivity options, making it a versatile choice for both productivity and gaming. Whether you’re working, gaming, or simply browsing, it ensures seamless integration with multiple devices. The keyboard features three connectivity modes: USB-C, 2.4GHz wireless, and Bluetooth 5.0, all of which deliver fast, reliable connections with minimal latency.

In USB-C mode, the TH99 provides an ultra-responsive 1,000Hz polling rate, which is perfect for competitive gaming. You’ll experience quick, precise key registration, ensuring no lag during those critical moments. For wireless enthusiasts, the 2.4GHz wireless mode offers an impressive 5ms latency, maintaining fluidity during intense gaming sessions. Additionally, the Bluetooth 5.0 mode allows for convenient wireless use across devices with an 11ms latency, making it a fantastic option for multitaskers or those working across different platforms.

Switching between devices is a breeze with no need for additional setup. Whether it’s between Mac, Windows, or Android, the Epomaker TH99 effortlessly adapts, ensuring smooth transitions.

This flexibility allows users to connect to a wide range of devices, making the Epomaker TH99 ideal for anyone juggling multiple tasks across different systems, all without compromising on speed or performance.

Verdict

Whether you’re tackling office tasks or diving into intense gaming sessions, it excels in both. The build quality, versatile connectivity options, and customizability stand out, making it a top contender for users seeking a high-performance, space-saving keyboard. However, it’s not without its limitations, such as the lack of compatibility with console systems and the absence of screw-in stabilizers for enthusiasts. Overall, it’s an excellent choice for anyone looking for a reliable and responsive keyboard.

Pros:

Excellent Connectivity: USB-C, 2.4GHz wireless, and Bluetooth 5.0 ensure seamless connections across devices.
Smooth Typing and Gaming: The gasket-mounted structure with sound-dampening layers delivers a balanced typing feel and responsive key registration.
Customization: Per-key RGB backlighting and key remapping options via Epomaker’s software allow for personalized setups.
Durable Build: Sturdy ABS plastic case and PC plate provide solid construction.
Long Battery Life: The 4,000mAh battery offers up to 800 hours of use without backlighting.
Compact and Space-Saving Layout: The 96% layout offers full functionality in a smaller form.

Cons:

Limited Console Compatibility: Not compatible with PS4/PS5 or Nintendo Switch.
Plate-Mounted Stabilizers: Lacks the adjustability of screw-in stabilizers, which may be a downside for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Unfamiliar Layout: The 96% layout may feel unfamiliar to those used to a full-size keyboard.