Epomaker TH80 Pro V2 and EK21-X Review - Updated & Upgraded

The Epomaker TH80 Pro V2 adds QMK firmware and an LCD screen to the original but retains the price and good ratio of features to value. The sound is also very good out of the box. But the clunky customization experience with the LCD screen vs. VIA for remapping and lack of encoder knob are slight downsides. The EK21-X number pad has great build quality, but I had some issues with the 2.4GHz connection.
CHECK THEM OUT (affiliate links)
⭐️ TH80 Pro V2 (Epomaker site): semiprotech.link/TH80proV2
⭐️ TH80 Pro V2 (amazon): amzn.to/3wXuHzp
⭐️ EK21-X: semiprotech.link/ek21x
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FTC Disclaimer: This video is not sponsored however Epomaker provided the products free of charge. Product/service links included above may be affiliate links, which means I can make a small commission through purchases. This helps to support my channel and website. If you so choose, feel free not to use the links provided.

[@semiprotech]

What did you think of the TH80 Pro V2 and EK21-X? Also if you had your eye on any keyboards from Epomaker, check and see if it's part of their mid-year sales event running through June 24th! (affiliate links)
⭐ Mid-Year Sale Page: epomaker.com/pages/epomaker-mid-year-shopping-festival-2024?sca_ref=4092768.ErUtxUJuX6
⭐ TH80 Pro V2 (Epomaker site): semiprotech.link/TH80proV2
⭐ TH80 Pro V2 (amazon): amzn.to/3wXuHzp
⭐ EK21-X: semiprotech.link/ek21x

[@flo_i]

I find Epomaker's lineup confusing. Right now they have 35 (!) different keyboards on their German store, and that is for the 75% category alone. I can't make sense of their different sub brands (or are they product lines?) with their weird names (Skyloong, Cidoo, Reccazr...). And as you mentioned, the differences between variants seem haphazard as well. Why do the black and white variants of this keyboard have differently shaped keycaps with different legend prints? Why does one have colored keys and the other doesn't? Not to mention that there is a TH80 X, Pro. and SE.
I also wanted to mention that I appreciate your balanced reviews and the very high production quality of your videos. It looks like you're putting in a lot of effort. Your videos look better than those of some channels with 10x the subscriber numbers. I hope you're getting something out of it in return!

[@voidmind]

I really like that more and more manufacturer (Apomaker, Nuphy) are migrating their new keyboards to QMK. I use Linux, so Windows-only keyboard configuration means I can't use it. Via is great, and should be the standards for all mechanical keyboards.

[@MarbsMusic]

I did a written review for this about 6 weeks ago and we have very similar thoughts. It's really a GMK81 that Epomaker has added their switches and caps. Knowing that I think they did a great job. I had the wisteria and I like them quite a bit, the new V2 versions are nice as well. Besides the polling rate my only real negative was the caps. While they do sound good it's an odd profile and the double-shot is only at the top making the sides kind of thin. I put some generic PBT on it for testing and it made the sound deeper and they felt "better" to me but as you note, that is pretty subjective. As it's already got some discounts I think what Epomaker has put together is nice if you don't want to build it out yourself. The Aula F75 for about the same price is pretty nice though... there are a lot of higher end plastic boards running about $75 that are quite nice. What people have to decide is if they want to spend $25-50 more and get a nice AL. Loving your content and watching the channel grow!

[@hinugundam81]

Based on what Ive seen the best budget 75% keyboards are the Epomaker x Aula F75, Womier SK75, and the Keychron V1 max depending on what features you want.

[@nebulazykbs]

I'm having an extremely hard time justifying a plastic keyboard anymore, considering the sheer amount of amazing budget aluminum keyboards coming to market. Rainy75, ND75, SK75, Bridge75 and more I'm probably missing. I still find value in lower cost pre-built keyboards, but this area between the lower cost plastic keyboards and the slightly higher alu keyboards, is a hard sell. I find myself moving away from Epomaker's keyboards but I am still loving their switches! I think I will have to get a set of the Mulan linears after hearing your sound test. I randomly bought their Zebra linears and they are AMAZING. Like what the heck?! How are they so good at the price they are charging. It's crazy. I love their Budgerigar, Wisteria, Jade Blossom, and Peace Lily switches too.

[@keebmods]

The VIA compatibility on the EK21-X is hit and miss in that yes, it is compatible with VIA, but not not all keystrokes you program will work. Modifiers work in macros but will not work on the 'Any' key. It's therefore fairly limited in its utility - it's a numpad but if you intend to use it as a macropad you'll wanna pass. It's the same PCB as the Cidoo V21 so the same issue applies.

[@umsalem1081]

is the epomaker th80 v2 a new release?

[@useduction]

Garbage…

[@hinugundam81]

It sounds like the polling rate is too low and it has connectivity issues so it's a hard pass