The battle for a good magnetic keyboard is heating up, especially when it comes to finding one at a lower price point without sacrificing features. EPOMAKER has been moving further into the space, with the EPOMAKER HE75 V2 aimed at just about everyone. While most magnetic keyboards seem positioned toward gamers thanks to their high polling rates and gaming-specific features, the EPOMAKER HE75 V2 has broader appeal thanks to its price and feature set.
The EPOMAKER HE75 V2 does plenty to feel like more than its under-$100 price tag suggests. It is a 75% keyboard, making it an easy fit for just about any desk. In the top-right corner is a media volume knob that can be swapped out for Print and Insert keys if that better suits the user’s workflow. Including the knob, the keyboard comes with 80 top-frosted transparent keycaps, plus two extras, made from premium PC material. The keycaps feel smooth without losing grip, and even after several weeks, there has been no buildup of grease or fingerprints.
The EPOMAKER HE75 V2 features an 8,000 Hz polling rate and Creamy Jade Hall Effect switches. Latency is next to none thanks to the lightning-fast polling rate, which is even more impressive when using the keyboard wirelessly. The HE75 V2 offers three connection options: 2.4 GHz wireless through a dongle, Bluetooth and wired connectivity. Many magnetic keyboards with Hall effect switches rely on a wired connection to maintain a high polling rate, but EPOMAKER has managed to deliver that performance wirelessly as well. You don’t have to worry about being tied to a cable, giving you more freedom in positioning and desk space.
“The EPOMAKER HE75 V2 does plenty to feel like more than its under-$100 price tag suggests.”
You can set the polling rate anywhere from 0.1mm to 3.3mm, and swap between them easily depending on use case. When gaming, a low polling rate enables the instant response critical in FPS games. When working, a slower polling rate keeps work-type free, allowing users to set their preferred rates. Hall Effect switches keep the keyboard’s lifespan long, without the wear and tear of mechanical keyboards.
For those looking to climb the ranked ladders, the HE75 V2 packs in advanced SOCD, Dynamic Keystrokes (DKS), and Mod-Tap (MT). With SOCD, aka Simultaneous Opposing Cardinal Directions, when two buttons are pressed at the same time, it performs the last input rather than doing nothing. Dynamic Keystrokes allow for different actions on a single key press depending on how deep you press it, and Mod-Tap changes actions based on a quick press vs hold. Together, these features give players tons of control over each action and movement, helping them stay competitive in every match.
One of the best parts of the HE75 V2 is the feel of each key press. It features a 5-layer dampening gasket-mount architecture, including varying layers of plates, foam, and sponges to keep the key press click sound deep and satisfying. Each click has enough sound without being too loud, feels smooth all the way down, and each press is responsive. It’s like stepping in a puddle of cloud, each press a glide through that never gets old.
A functional layer exists digitally across the entire keyboard, allowing for customization within the software. The HE75 V2 has a ton of built-in functions, and while it takes work to memorize them all, you could actually get away without ever using the software. If you’re looking for deeper tuning, the software itself lets you customize each key to adjust to your workflow.
The software itself works well, albeit a bit slow. It takes a bit for the software to recognize the keyboard, sometimes upwards of a minute. It may not seem like long, but when you’re going in to make a few quick adjustments to the lighting or functions, waiting that minute every time can be an annoyance. Once you’re in, it works well, but hopefully that loading period can be better optimized.
The HE75 V2 has fully adjustable per-key RGB backlighting, with plenty of customization options. There is also an RGB light strip that runs along the back and halfway down the sides. It has a crystal-like finish that looks fine, but I would have preferred something cleaner. The crystal effect looks a bit tacky, almost like something you would see on a cheaper keyboard. It is easy to ignore, but it does make the keyboard look slightly out of place in a work setup.
“The EPOMAKER HE75 V2 is a great magnetic keyboard, packed with features at a low entry price.”
With the matte finish, the keys themselves look great with the lighting. They are bright and colourful without being overwhelming, while the finish’s slightly muted effect helps keep things classy and subdued. From waves and starlight to meteors that look like shooting stars across the board, the software includes plenty of lighting and animation options, letting users make the keyboard their own.
One of the most impressive parts of the HE75 V2 is the massive 8,000 mAh battery. It lasts up to 20 hours with the full RGB lighting on, with a helpful red light in the bottom-right corner to indicate low power. The battery also adds some welcome heft to the keyboard, helping it feel solid on a desk. I rarely thought about battery life. It lasts long enough and charges quickly enough that I was always back to using Bluetooth within a few hours.
What I have found about the HE75 V2 is that it works well for just about anyone. Thanks to its classic look, it fits on a work desk just as easily as it does in a gaming setup. Its low price also makes it an appealing option, coming in at $89.99 USD. With a smooth, satisfying feel and a full feature set, the HE75 V2 works just as well for someone looking to maximize responsiveness in Marvel Rivals as it does for someone who wants a comfortable keyboard for drafting emails.
The EPOMAKER HE75 V2 is a great magnetic keyboard, packed with features at a low entry price. From its look and feel to its responsiveness and customizability, the EPOMAKER HE75 V2 is an easy recommendation for just about anyone. Even with software hiccups and a less-than-ideal crystal RGB strip finish, the benefits of the EPOMAKER HE75 V2 far outweigh the smaller issues. Those looking for their next great keyboard should look no farther, with the EPOMAKER HE75 V2 delivering quality at a solid price point.
