Nearly eight years ago, there was a semi-thriving keyboard market for 40% keyboards. Options included the Planck, the MiniVan, the JD45, and even the Vortex CORE we reviewed before. Most of these are discontinued or offered in kits that cost significantly more than the Epomaker TH40, so I feel like Epomaker kinda won purely by process of elimination. There's clearly enough of a market for 40% keyboards, especially based on what the brand said about a lot of people buying the TH40 and praising it to their friends/co-workers. I can see the appeal too, it's a tiny keyboard that still manages to do the job, although you do have to take the time to both set it up to your liking and then get over the steep entry barrier if you are not new to such a small form factor. Epomaker's version also differs from most others in going for staggered columns and a Cherry keycap profile, both of which arguably make it easier to transition to the TH40 from other keyboards, but also can put a limit on the typing efficiency and accuracy you have. This is even before we get to split ergonomic keyboards, which can do more but end up costing 2-10x the price.

There's no doubt then that the TH40 is not for everyone. In fact, I probably won't use it again after this review despite having taken the time to get used to it for over a week. I absolutely need arrow keys and number keys for most things I do with a keyboard, and often use a full-size/95% keyboard at work for that dedicated number pad too. Going to a 40% keyboard forces you to be a better typist though, which in turn can translate over to any keyboard. You will learn how to map a keyboard correctly, even if that means shifting away from QWERTY. You will also learn how to properly use both hands, and not peck at the keys with one or two fingers. Layers are critical here, and this on a larger keyboard will make you feel luxurious with all the things you can set up now—macros, shortcuts, profiles and so on. In a way, the TH40 can be also seen as a typing boot camp thus. On its own, there are certainly strengths and weaknesses as listed above. Epomaker took some shortcuts of its own to hit that $80 price point, which shows with the "gasket" mount, no one seemingly aware of the VIA update not working fully with the TH40 a few months after release, offering a select few switches only, and not going the extra mile by creating keyboard-specific keycaps with the layered legends on them to help with the user experience. A 40% keyboard has fewer places to hide its faults under, and I am not sure that I am part of that target audience Epomaker is looking for with the TH40. Still, given that the TH40 is clearly being promoted by the brand and is selling well enough, it does seem the market feels otherwise. Perhaps the listed pros outweigh the cons after all, and no doubt the $80 asking price helps justify things.

[Update (Nov 14, 2024): Epomaker has the updated JSON file ready for anyone with the same issue.]