EPOMAKER TH85 Review: Balances Performance and Aesthetics

Introducing the EPOMAKER TH85 — a compact mechanical keyboard that manages to find a good balance between functionality and portability. Snuggly fitting on an 80% ANSI QWERTY layout, this little powerhouse is for those in pursuit of the happy medium: it cuts the numpad out but retains arrow keys, function row, and all the essential controls. With mechanical keyboards on the rise thanks to the tactile feeling and personalization that comes with them, the TH85 has something unique in the form of an RGB light strip around the perimeter as a glowing accent frame for any gaming sessions or workstation aesthetics.

After our previous review of their TH99 model, EPOMAKER approached and offered us to test this unit. I’m thrilled to share some hands-on impressions of this compact but fully-featured keyboard after two weeks of daily use, both for work and recreation. Let’s take a look at what makes the TH85 a true contender in the ever-crowded sea of mechanical.

Unboxing

The EPOMAKER TH85 ships in a box that immediately catches eyes with its modern, sleek aesthetic. The front panel is an artistic mix of abstract shapes in striking blue, black, and white tones, and is dominated by the bold “TH85” logo at the center. Accompanied by a minimalist illustration of the keyboard itself, the packaging also calls out standout specs, giving you a condensed view of the model’s special sauce before you even pull it out of the box.

Finally, if you flip the box over, you see that the rear panel is largely the same, reiterating the artwork and details found on the front to hammer home the design and function of the product. Opening the lid, you find a user manual neatly packed on top of the keyboard, which is encased in a soft dust cover and is shaped into a cradle. EPOMAKER also has a compartment dedicated to keeping your accessories neatly organized, which is a thoughtful touch if you care about clean packaging.

And digging into the box, you’ll find everything you need: a dual-purpose keycap and switch puller, a braided USB-C to USB-A cable with plenty of durability, and two extra Creamy Jade switches for customizing beyond the standard pre-applied. Everything fits snugly and is prevented from mixing with other bits and pieces, as tends to happen when you open a tech package. From the cohesive design to the practical layout, the unboxing experience seems to be polished and deliberate, and establishes the keyboard’s quality from the very beginning.

Design

There are a total of three different colors available, namely the Black-White-Blue, White-Black, and Black-White variants. My unit is the Black-White-Blue model, which marries a matte black chassis to crisp white keycaps and understated sky-blue accents. The keys are very well thought out, with loud, legible legends that make typing easy.

At approximately 35cm x 14cm x 4.2cm, and weighing in at 1kg, this keyboard is solid on your desk—no slippage during the middle of an intense gaming session or long typing session. With an ergonomic tilt and padded, rounded edges, it sits comfortably for hours.

Above the arrow keys rests a polished silver EPOMAKER logo, accompanied by a useful status indicator light. What fun is customizing the logo’s RGB effects, which you can change by holding FN + End — a nice touch that gives your setup some personality.

Turn it over, and you’ll see a minimalist black base and a slightly shiny silver nameplate. The dual-height kickstand allows you to change the angle of your typing for the optimal position. But the real genius? The storage compartment for the 2.4GHz wireless dongle, stowed away in one of the kickstands. Say goodbye to losing that little adapter!

Gamers will appreciate the honeycomb RGB lighting strip that sweeps around the front and sides — it’s bright but not overbearing, which lends itself to a more neutral glow. An EPOMAKER badge is shiny blue to provide a splash of flair. Flipping it around to the back, you’ve got a centered USB-C port, a toggle for Windows/Mac compatibility, and a tri-mode switch to fluidly swap between Bluetooth, 2.4GHz wireless, and wired modes. It’s full of considered details that marry form to function.

Keycaps

EPOMAKER TH85 comes with high-quality double-shot PBT keycaps for the best quality and comfort. Made with an abrasion-resistant plastic, these keycaps are designed to withstand years of touch, while retaining their texture and high-contrast looks without getting the shine or fading experience from lesser quality models. Their Cherry profile — a slightly lower, sculpted design — provides a natural touch for fingertips, whether you’re typing documents or gaming for an extended period. The legends are sharply rendered, keeping symbols crisp and readable, even in low light.

What takes the design to the next level is the careful three-tone color scheme. The main typing area has a clean white base, which is framed along the edges with nice black keys for contrast. Accents of bright blue on the modifiers like Enter, Shift, and Escape introduce a playful pop of color while largely retaining a minimalist aesthetic. The result is a keyboard that sits comfortably in either a professional environment or a colorful gaming setup, with just the right balance of seriousness and personality to be eye-catching without being gaudy. The net result is polished but approachable, demonstrating that practicality and style can coexist with grace.

Switches

The EPOMAKER TH85 keyboard uses Creamy Jade switches, factory-lubed linear switches that strike a balance between gaming performance and quiet typing. The 5-pin switches provide an uninterrupted, bump-free keystroke that actuates with a mere 45g of force (at 2mm of travel) and bottoms out at around 50g (3.6mm). They have a lightweight feel that means they are great for rapid key presses, such as gaming marathons, or those longer typing sessions that you may not want to be creating a lot of noise during.

What distinguishes these switches is their characteristic “thocky” sound profile — a deep, muffled pitch that’s pleasurable but not intrusive. Whether you’re in a library or streaming late at night, the muted acoustics keep it pleasantly low-key. The hot-swap PCB is another W: switch swapping is completely solder-free, meaning you’re free to play around with different tactile feels or sound signatures (the noises switches make as they’re pressed) in the future.

Stabilizers That Hold It Steady

The Epomaker TH85’s pre-lubed plate-mounted stabilizers too help make even the larger keys, like the Spacebar and Shift, feel rock solid. Not premium screw-in models, but they’re tuned well enough to remove clacking and preserve a steady keypress. They come pre-lubed from the factory, so there’s no wobble and no imperfections, a right-out-of-the-box smoothness with no modding needed for a quick daily driver. For casual users or office environments, they’re plenty, though enthusiasts can easily swap them out down the line for extra flair.

RGB

EPOMAKER TH85 is equipped with colorful RGB lights with various effects, taking your desk aesthetics to the next level! Each key is individually backlit to deliver brilliant, fluid color transitions that light up your workspace. Intuitive shortcuts, including FN + Backspace, allow you to turn lighting on/off, cycle through dynamic patterns, or adjust brightness and animation speed to suit your mood.

The feature that makes this keyboard unique is its innovative honeycomb RGB strip that wraps around the front and sides like a futuristic accent. It also adds a touch of elegance without being overly gaudy, which makes it perfect for gaming as well as professional applications. The strip is customizable separately with FN + Delete and the illuminated EPOMAKER logo above the arrow keys can also be customized with FN + End.

But the TH85’s lighting isn’t just for aesthetics — the TH85’s lighting also helps with usability, creating an immersive experience while you game or type away late into the night. Dial it down for a relaxed ambient vibe, or crank up the effects for throbbing energy — all while looking polished and premium..This keyboard smoothly mixes playful customization with elegant design, as you possess complete control over every glow and flicker.

Battery Life

The EPOMAKER TH85 is equipped with a reliable 4000mAh battery, delivering extended usage whether you’re typing, gaming, or working untethered. For most users, this capacity provides ample runtime, reducing the need for frequent charging—ideal for those who value wireless freedom or often switch setups. While the keyboard’s vibrant RGB strip lighting, illuminated logo, and backlighting add flair, they do consume extra power. A larger battery (think 6000mAh or above) could have pushed endurance even further for marathon sessions, but the current setup balances performance and portability well.

Checking Battery Levels

Wondering how much juice is left? A quick tap of FN + Enter triggers a clever visual indicator: the number keys 1–8 light up in segments to display remaining charge. More lit keys mean more battery life, while fewer lights signal it’s time to plug in. This intuitive system avoids complicated menus, keeping you informed at a glance.

Smart Power-Saving Features
To maximize efficiency, the TH85 includes two auto-sleep modes:

• Light Sleep (2-minute idle): The RGB lighting shuts off to conserve power, but the keyboard stays connected. A single keystroke instantly wakes it.

• Deep Sleep (30-minute idle): The keyboard disconnects and enters ultra-low power mode. Press any key to reactivate it—reconnection is seamless, with no lag or pairing delays.

Connectivity

The EPOMAKER TH85 offers versatile three-way connectivity, letting you choose between Bluetooth, 2.4GHz wireless, and USB Type-C wired modes. Switching between these is effortless—just use the dedicated mode toggle on the keyboard’s top edge.

No More Lost Dongles

Worried about misplacing the 2.4GHz wireless adapter? The TH85 cleverly stores it under the built-in kickstand, keeping it secure and within reach. Once plugged into your device, the connection kicks in instantly, delivering lag-free performance ideal for gaming or fast-paced tasks.

Bluetooth Made Simple

Pairing with laptops, tablets, or phones is a breeze. Hold FN + Q/W/E for a few seconds until the LED indicator flashes, then select “TH85” on your device’s Bluetooth menu. The keyboard remembers up to three devices, letting you jump between them by tapping FN + Q, W, or E—perfect for multitaskers juggling multiple gadgets.

Wired Reliability

For those times when you need zero latency or want to charge while typing, the included USB Type-C to Type-A cable has you covered. Plug it in, and you’ll get rock-solid connectivity, whether you’re crushing deadlines or gaming marathons.

With seamless switching, thoughtful design, and stable performance across all modes, the EPOMAKER TH85 adapts to your workflow without missing a keystroke.

VIA Software

The EPOMAKER TH85 also features VIA software compatibility, allowing you to go all out in designing a descendent for your keyboard that works for gaming, productivity, or day-to-day usage. Be it mapping out new keys, creating shortcuts or creating complex macros, this tool allows you to create a process that works best for your individual style.

Connect the TH85 to your computer using the provided USB-C cable, and head to the VIA platform on the Internet. In case the layout doesn’t pop up automatically, you can simply upload the configuration file (JSON) which is available on EPOMAKER’s official website or product page. Once loaded, the entire interface is ready to be customized.

GA: With VIA’s intuitive interface, click any key to assign new functions or design multi-layered layouts for advanced workflows. The software also gives you access to the keyboard’s dynamic lighting system — you can adjust RGB backlighting, tweak the effects on the side strip, and even change the brightness or animation of the EPOMAKER logo above the arrow keys. Play around with colors, patterns, and speeds to customize each glow.

Experience and Verdict

My first experience of the EPOMAKER TH85 was an eye-catching one. The striking black, white, and blue keycaps are a clear nod to futuristic aesthetics, while the RGB lighting along the edges and the glowing EPOMAKER logo above the arrow keys help bring the futuristic vibe to life, especially in dark or low-light settings. It’s the type of keyboard that makes your desk look like a gaming battlestation, even if you’re only writing emails.

It’s like gliding your fingers on velvet when you type on this board. The Creamy Jade switches provide a buttery-smooth feel and combine a deep, muted sound with nearly no key wobble at all. The biggest surprise came from the stabilizers, which are very well-tuned, showing zero rattle in hard typing sessions. The unique gasket-mounted design soaks up vibration in such a way that keystrokes feel cushioned and even almost luxurious. EPOMAKER didn’t cut the corners on sound design either: five layers of noise-skimming materials (Poron foam, IXPE sheet, silicone, and special sound pads) create a rich, “creamy” acoustic profile. The board remains quiet enough for shared spaces without sacrificing tactile satisfaction, whether I’m coding or gaming.

With a sleek look available in three colors (I’m partial to the black-blue-white combo), TH85 disappears into any setup. The RGB lighting isn’t simply eye candy—it’s fully customizable with VIA software. I wasted hours adjusting the side strips, the logo glow, and per-key backlighting to my mood. The connectivity is just as impressive: Between USB-C, Bluetooth 5.1, and 2.4GHz wireless options, I can flip between my laptop, tablet, and gaming rig without a hitch. Battery life? Solid. With RGB blazing, power-saving modes keep it going through marathon workdays.

EPOMAKER struck the right balance between form and function here. The Epomaker TH85 isn’t merely a handsome goliath—due to effective engineering (including vibration-dampening mounts and multi-layered sound design), it maximizes both typing comfort and gaming precision. The Creamy Jade switches hit a rare sweet spot: quiet enough for office environments yet satisfying and tactile enough for gaming. Though it’s priced as a premium board, the build quality, customization options, and versatility mean it is worth every penny. Whether you’re a writer seeking comfort, a gamer foraging for performance, or just someone whose gear you want to look good, the TH85 comes through. Some of the best picks in an oversaturated mechanical keyboard genre.