The Epomaker TH99 is a budget mechanical gaming keyboard with an 1800 layout and multi-mode connectivity via USB-C, Bluetooth, and 2.4GHz. It features hot-swappable switches, a gasket-mounted design with five layers of sound-dampening materials, and per-key south-facing RGB LEDs across 102 keys. Let’s find out how it boosts your productivity or gaming performance in our full review.
Specs
- Body: ABS plastic
- Keycaps: Double-shot PBT
- Switches: Creamy Jade (linear) mechanical
- Mount: Gasket
- Layout: 96%, 102 keys.
- Backlight: Per-Key RGB
- Polling rate: 1,000Hz
- Paired devices max: 3
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, 2.4Ghz dongle, wired
- Battery: 4,000mAh
- Operating System: Windows, macOS
- Colors: White Blue and White
- Price: $74 at Epomaker
Unboxing and Items Includes
First of all, the design of the Epomaker TH99 box is really cool. The black and white mix, along with the astro-themed artwork, looks pretty awesome I love the design. When I opened the box, the first thing I saw was the keyboard itself, covered with a plastic sheet for protection, which shows good attention to safety. Inside, you also get a keycap and switch puller made of strong, premium-quality plastic, a braided USB-C cable for charging and wired connection top-notch quality for long-lasting use and a user manual. That’s everything included in the box, all neatly packaged.
Design and Build
The Epomaker TH99 is built with ABS plastic. Since it’s a budget mechanical keyboard, you shouldn’t expect a metal frame but it doesn’t feel cheap at all.
The quality feels premium, and when you hold it in your hands, you can really notice it. There are two color options: White-Blue and Black. I have the White-Blue version, and it looks great on my desk. It features 102 hot-swappable keys, covering all the necessary functions. One of the best parts is the inclusion of a numpad. Nowadays, most budget mechanical keyboards skip the numpad for pricing and compactness, but this one includes it, which really helps boost productivity.
The front has a clean blue color in the center and features a visible 2.4GHz receiver storage slot that slightly pops out. Next to it, there’s a Win/Mac switch, followed by a connectivity mode switch, and finally, a USB-C port for charging and wired connection.
On the bottom back of the keyboard, there’s a silver metal plate with the brand and keyboard name engraved in large characters. The keyboard also includes a kickstand, which adds extra comfort for both typing and gaming. Overall, the design and build quality are premium and beautifully executed.
Connectivity
This keyboard features tri-mode connectivity: 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth, and USB-C wired connection. I’ve been using it for the past three weeks mainly over Bluetooth and haven’t noticed any lag or issues. It pairs quickly with PCs or laptops—usually within a second—which feels impressively fast.
I also tested the 2.4GHz receiver, and the wireless performance was solid. For fast and lag-free gaming, I used the wired connection, which delivers a latency of around 2–5ms. Overall, there were no issues or delays in connectivity. Everything works smoothly and responsively.
Switch & Keycaps
The Epomaker TH99 comes with 102 hot-swappable keys, fitted with grease-resistant PBT keycaps that feel solid and stay clean even after long use.
The keycaps are durable, vivid, and don’t wear down easily, which adds to the overall premium feel of the keyboard. It uses the Cherry profile for a comfortable typing experience, and thanks to the 2-stage adjustable kickstand, typing feels natural and easy on the wrists—even during long work or gaming sessions.
The keyboard is equipped with Epomaker’s Creamy Jade switches. These are 5-pin linear mechanical switches, pre-lubed out of the box for smooth keystrokes. With a trigger force of 45±5gf and a bottom-out force of 50±5gf, they feel light yet responsive. The pre-travel is around 2.0mm, and total travel goes up to 3.6mm, giving you that snappy feedback without being too harsh. While there’s no light diffuser, the RGB still looks vibrant thanks to the south-facing LEDs. Overall, the switch and keycap combo feels great for both typing and gaming.
RGB Backlight
When it comes to productivity, the Epomaker TH99 really delivers. With its compact 1800 layout and full Numpad, it gives you all the important keys without taking up too much desk space. The 102 hot-swappable keys come with grease-resistant PBT keycaps that stay clear and clean even with regular use. I found it super comfortable to type on, thanks to the Cherry profile keycaps and the 2-stage adjustable kickstand, which helps reduce wrist strain during long sessions.
For gaming, the TH99 feels just as solid. I tested it using the wired mode, and with the 1000Hz polling rate and just 2ms latency, the response is fast and smooth perfect for fast-paced gaming. There’s no noticeable input delay, and the NKRO and anti-ghosting features make sure every key press is accurate. You can also set macros or reprogram keys for your in-game needs, which adds to the overall experience. Whether you’re working or gaming, the TH99 handles both with style and performance.
Battery Life
The TH99 comes with a 4000mAh battery, and according to Epomaker, it can provide up to 800 hours of backup with the backlight turned off. I’ve been using it for the past three weeks—though I haven’t tested it with the backlight off, I did use it with the RGB backlight on, and it gave me around 60 hours of usage, which is pretty good for a budget mechanical keyboard.
I’ve also tested the Epomaker TH85, which lasted only around 6 continuous hours due to its heavy RGB features. That’s why its battery drains much faster. But if battery backup is your concern, the TH99 is definitely a better choice.
Final Thought
After using the Epomaker TH99 for a few weeks, I can confidently say it’s one of the best budget mechanical keyboards you can get for both productivity and gaming. It’s not the most compact board out there, but the inclusion of the numpad makes a big difference especially if you work with numbers or do a lot of multitasking. The 1800 layout hits the sweet spot between functionality and desk space.
You get tri-mode connectivity (Bluetooth, 2.4GHz, and USB-C), a 4000mAh battery that lasts long, solid build quality, and 102 hot-swappable keys with PBT keycaps and smooth pre-lubed Creamy Jade switches. The RGB is vibrant, the typing experience is comfortable thanks to the Cherry profile and adjustable kickstand, and it’s lag-free even in fast-paced gaming with a 1000Hz polling rate at just $74, this keyboard offers a lot.
