Lighting and Performance

The Epomaker RT100 supports N-key rollover USB as well as 2.4 GHz out of the box, which tested successfully using Aqua's test. It defaults to 6KRO with Bluetooth as expected. Switch Hitter confirmed no chatter with these keys either, and seen above are all the functions with dedicated keys on the base layer. This 97-key, 95% keyboard gives you most of the functionality of a full-size keyboard in a smaller foot print and note that R. Win is replaced by the Fn key which is used for the Fn layer itself.


Speaking of which, here we see the pre-programmed functions tied to the Fn layer on the Epomaker RT100. These include switching between the various connectivity modes on offer as well as choosing the desired client in Bluetooth mode to where you can use the keyboard with any of up to five client devices, although only one at a time. There are also some quality of life improvements in the form of shortcuts for media playback as well as to pull up programs including your default browser, although I would have have liked to see pre-programmed functions to get back the missing keys such as Print Screen, Home, and End for those who do not wish to use the software. The dedicated knob is programmed for volume control as well as play/pause, although you can assign custom functions via the software as seen on the previous page.


The smart screen "TV" is one of the major selling points for the RT100, especially given how it fits well with the retro theme ongoing and also uses it to allow the OLED display to have a better viewing angle in use compared to having simply being stuck on the top right corner as is the norm. This location allows for the buttons and knob to be placed there and also allows you to use an extension cable to have this screen be placed elsewhere too. Seen above are some examples of how the screen works and please note that the contrast in the first GIF above is more to do with my camera than the screen itself. In practice the colors are vivid and the display is responsive and bright enough. The refresh rate is also higher than 24 FPS at least given it handled some of my GIFs without a hiccup. The only thing I'd have liked to see is the ability to move around the individual elements making up the screen, wherein you see how only the bottom left part is customizable. I am also not sure why some systems are able to pass on the CPU temperature data to the screen and others, including mine, are not.


Seen above are some of the available lighting effects accessible via both onboard controls and software, with full 16.8 M RGB per-key lighting on offer. The opaque keycaps do nerf this to where there is no backlighting on offer at all, and the LEDs just shine around the keycaps for accent lighting. As such, there's not much point in testing for light bleed here although color fidelity could be improved given the LEDs set to white still had a pronounced blue hue. Overall, I'd say this is not a keyboard for those who want a strong light show, especially as alternative options these days come with clear keycaps or even a clear case for plenty of side and under lighting too.

I will give Epomaker props for using the screen natively to showcase relevant keyboard parameters in wireless modes though. It will show you whether you are in 2.4 GHz or Bluetooth mode, which of the Bluetooth clients is active, the current keyboard battery level at the top right corner, as well as being a visual indicator for a few other things including the OS mode in use. The screen works great as a handy tool thus and I have only positive things to say about the wireless modes on offer. The 2.4 GHz dongle was already paired to the keyboard out of the box and I had no issues getting a similar typing experience with it as wired itself for my needs. Battery life is ~12 hours with the LEDs on in this mode which increases to ~16 hours with Bluetooth. Keep the default sleep settings that turn off the LEDs and then the keyboard after certain periods of inactivity and now you can get the keyboard to last weeks of regular use without the LEDs on. Given the opaque legends here that's mostly what I did outside of deliberately leaving the LEDs on to verify the battery life. Suffice to say that I only had to charge the keyboard twice and I am still on the third use cycle with the LEDs off. The slight amount of space savings over a full-size keyboard form factor also has a few inherent ergonomic benefits in that your fingers do not have to travel as much to hit the required keys and you can also have the mouse placed closer to the keyboard so as to have your arms be in line with your shoulder width. Gamers will also benefit from more real estate to move the mouse around, although you should be seriously considering a much smaller keyboard at that point. This is more for those who require the numpad for different use cases.


As for the actual typing experience, this review sample of the Epomaker RT100 came with new Epomaker Sea Salt switches, which we examined both inside and out over the course of this review. These are relatively new, good quality switches using POM for the stem and polycarbonate/nylon for the switch housing itself. The stem and spring also come pre-lubed and there is a noise-absorbing pad on the bottom housing to make this a silent linear switch too. Epomaker does not have a force/travel graph but it is immediately obvious this is a medium-force full-size switch that actuates at ~2.0 mm and has a total travel of 4.0 mm. The switch is rated for an initial force of 50 gf and actuation force of 60 gf, although that latter number feels more like the peak force at bottoming out based on my testing. I'd say it's close enough in use to a Cherry MX Silent Red switch but better to type on given it's a smoother, less wobbly switch!


As always, the sound of a keyboard is based on more than just the switch type. So when comparing sound clips, consider the keyboard as a whole. In this case, I have provided above an example sound clip of me typing on the Epomaker RT100 keyboard sample at ~105 WPM as it comes out of the box with the Epomaker Sea Salt switches. For context, you can find sound clips from other keyboards here, including those with linear switches. I did bottom out constantly here which also helps demonstrate just how quiet this entire combination is! The silent switches play a big role here of course, but it is complemented well by the multiple foam sheets used throughout which helps dampen the keystrokes to where it's not as high-pitched as it would be without them, in addition to absorbing noise. The thicker PBT keycaps also help here, as do the pre-lubed stabilizers, and the overall typing experience is one best suited for a public work environment. I prefer a slightly more responsive feeling keyboard, even if it's not as quiet, since this felt overly dampened to me.