Overview

The Epomaker HE80 packs a feature list that reads like a keyboard twice its price. Tri-mode wireless connectivity, 8KHz polling, Rapid Trigger, gasket mount, hot-swappable magnetic switches, and a rotary knob -- all for $59. On paper, it sounds too good to be true. In practice, it mostly delivers.

Epomaker has built its reputation on shipping feature-dense keyboards at aggressive prices, and the HE80 might be the strongest example yet. The 75% layout with a dedicated function row and rotary encoder makes it far more practical for daily productivity than the stripped-down 65% boards that dominate the budget HE segment. Wireless performance over 2.4GHz is clean enough for competitive gaming, and Bluetooth mode handles casual use and device switching without issues. The gasket mount provides a softer, more cushioned typing feel than the rigid tray-mount designs found in most sub-$60 boards.

Where the HE80 shows its price tag is in the details. The plastic case is functional but unremarkable, ABS keycaps will develop shine over time, and Epomaker's configuration software lacks the polish of Razer Synapse or Logitech G HUB. But if you want wireless Hall Effect gaming without cracking $100, nothing else comes close.

Features Deep-Dive

Tri-Mode Wireless with 8KHz Polling

The HE80 connects three ways: USB-C wired, 2.4GHz wireless via an included dongle, and Bluetooth 5.0. The 8KHz polling rate is available in both wired and 2.4GHz modes, which is critical because many budget wireless keyboards drop to 1KHz or even 500Hz over their wireless connections. Bluetooth mode runs at a lower polling rate and is best reserved for office work or media consumption where latency tolerance is higher. Switching between modes is handled by a physical toggle on the side, which is more reliable than the key-combination approach some competitors use. Battery life hovers around 40-60 hours depending on RGB brightness and polling rate settings, which is decent but not exceptional. If you game wirelessly for several hours daily, expect to charge roughly once a week.

Gasket Mount and Typing Feel

Gasket mounting suspends the PCB and switch plate on rubber gaskets rather than screwing them rigidly to the case. The result is a typing experience with noticeably more flex and a softer bottom-out compared to the stiff, pingy feel of tray-mount budget boards. The HE80's implementation is not as refined as the gasket mounts on $150+ customs, where the gaskets are tuned for a specific flex profile, but the difference from a rigid mount is immediately apparent. Combined with the linear magnetic switches, the overall feel is pleasant for both gaming and extended typing sessions. The stock stabilizers are pre-lubed and reasonably tuned, though the spacebar can sound slightly hollow on some units. A small piece of tape or foam inside the spacebar keycap fixes this completely if it bothers you.

Rotary Knob and 75% Layout

The aluminum rotary knob in the top-right corner defaults to volume control and feels satisfying to turn, with clearly defined detents. Through Epomaker's software, you can remap it to scroll, zoom, brush size in creative apps, or any other incremental function. The 75% layout itself retains the full function row that 65% boards sacrifice, which means you keep quick access to F-keys for gaming binds, screen brightness, and application shortcuts without relying on layer switching. For users who split time between gaming and productivity, this is a meaningful ergonomic advantage over smaller form factors. The layout is compact enough to free up mouse space while remaining functional enough to avoid the constant Fn-key gymnastics that come with 60% and 65% boards.

Pricing Analysis

The HE80 at $59 occupies a fascinating price point. It costs only $14 more than the most stripped-down budget HE boards while adding wireless connectivity, a rotary knob, gasket mount, and a larger layout. Compared upward, it undercuts wireless Hall Effect competitors like the Cidoo V98 and DrunkDeer G65 by $30-60 while matching or exceeding their feature sets. The real question is not whether the HE80 is good for $59 -- it obviously is -- but whether spending more gets you meaningfully better gaming performance. In most cases, the answer is no. Where premium boards justify their cost is in build materials, keycap quality, switch refinement, and software ecosystems. If those things matter less to you than raw competitive capability and wireless freedom, the HE80 is arguably the smartest buy in the entire Hall Effect market right now.

Who Is This For?

Epomaker HE80 works best for:

• Wireless gaming enthusiasts on a budget who refuse to choose between cable-free convenience and competitive-grade Hall Effect responsiveness
• Productivity-first gamers who want the function row and rotary knob for daily work tasks but still need Rapid Trigger when they switch to competitive play
• Multi-device users who connect to a gaming PC via 2.4GHz and a laptop or tablet via Bluetooth, switching between them throughout the day

Who Should NOT Use This

Epomaker HE80 might not be the right choice if:

• Software polish is a priority -- Epomaker's configuration tool gets the job done but feels rough compared to the slick interfaces from Corsair, Logitech, and Razer, and firmware updates can occasionally be finicky
• You want premium materials at every touchpoint -- the plastic case and ABS keycaps are perfectly functional but will not impress anyone accustomed to aluminum frames and thick PBT doubleshot legends

Bottom Line

The Epomaker HE80 is the budget Hall Effect keyboard to beat for anyone who needs wireless. It delivers 8KHz polling, Rapid Trigger, and tri-mode connectivity alongside thoughtful extras like gasket mounting and a rotary knob, all at a price that makes the competition look overpriced. Temper your expectations on materials and software, and you will be rewarded with performance that genuinely punches above its weight class.

FAQ

Is the 2.4GHz wireless mode good enough for competitive gaming?

Yes. The 2.4GHz connection with 8KHz polling delivers latency comparable to a wired connection in real-world testing. Most players will not be able to distinguish between wired and 2.4GHz modes in blind tests. Bluetooth mode introduces noticeable lag and should be reserved for non-gaming tasks.

How does the gasket mount compare to more expensive custom keyboards?

The HE80's gasket mount provides a softer, more forgiving typing feel than rigid tray-mount designs, but it is not as precisely tuned as the gasket implementations on $150+ custom boards. You get maybe 70% of the premium gasket experience, which at $59 is a remarkable achievement. The flex is present and pleasant; it just lacks the refined consistency of higher-end implementations.

Can I use this keyboard with a Mac?

Yes. The HE80 works with macOS over all three connection modes. Epomaker's software supports Mac for remapping, and the keyboard can switch its modifier layout between Windows and Mac configurations. The rotary knob and media keys function correctly on macOS without additional drivers.