Reviewing the EPOMAKER TH99 PRO Keyboard was a bit of a strange prospect for me, because I had just gone from never even considering the prospect of reviewing a keyboard to reviewing two in only a short matter of months. But I always welcome an opportunity to look at something I don’t often do, and the TH99 PRO genuinely intrigued me.
I couldn’t help but have a little laugh when I began testing the TH99, because it reminded me of Marcus Kenneth’s review of the Corsair Vanguard Pro 96 Gaming Keyboard—resonating with his observation that a screen with a little knob on a keyboard initially incites an eyeroll. However, after prolonged use of the TH99 PRO, I can say it’s not only a genuinely solid unit, but it also offers a lot of convenient functionality.
The first thing you will notice about the EPOMAKER TH99 PRO is its size. Despite being a 96-percent keyboard with 98 keys, the unit stands at a solid 41 × 14.5 × 4.7 cm, fitting comfortably in any desk setup without taking up too much space. Interestingly, the TH99 is actually pretty lightweight, clocking in at 1.12 kg, which is a whole kilogram less than the Higround Basecamp 96+ keyboard.
“Typing on the EPOMAKER TH99 is responsive and satisfying.”
Similar to the Basecamp 96+, the EPOMAKER TH99 has five layers of damping: PORON sandwich foam, IXPE switch pad, sound-enhancing PET, PORON latex switch socket pad, and bottom silicone. This, combined with the Creamy Jade mechanical switches, gives the TH99 PRO a soft yet “thocky” sound that provides a sense of audible tactility without becoming obnoxious. Not only that, but the TH99 PRO is also hot-swappable, allowing users to customize their keysets to be quieter or louder, depending on their preference.
Typing on the EPOMAKER TH99 is responsive and satisfying thanks to its stable keys and the unit’s size. I said in my Basecamp 96+ review that the keys being so smooth and so close together made my fingers slip off frequently, leading to a lot of misplaced keystrokes. However, here that has scarcely been an issue thanks to the sturdiness of its switches and the elevation of the keys.
And I honestly did not think I would like the EPOMAKER TH99 PRO’s built-in LED display screen alongside its control knob, but it is a useful little feature, allowing users to control various functions on the keyboard and display useful information. It is nice to have something that controls a function like volume without sacrificing two keys, and since the average user is looking at the keyboard 90 percent of the time, having information like the date and time prominently displayed there can also be extremely helpful.
But what I love most about the TH99 PRO is its wireless functionality. While it does support a cable connection for seamless use, having the freedom to use such a high-end keyboard wherever and whenever really gives it an edge over its competition. And while I did not notice any latency while testing on the standard Bluetooth 5.0 connection, the TH99 PRO offers a 2.4 GHz switch for truly seamless keystrokes.
“…the EPOMAKER TH99 PRO offers pretty solid battery life, allowing users up to 42 hours of use with the keyboard backlight and screen on.”
And while using it wirelessly, the EPOMAKER TH99 PRO offers pretty solid battery life, allowing users up to 42 hours of use with the keyboard backlight and screen on. If users turn off both functions, however, the device can last up to 200 hours of use, so your longevity will really depend on whether you are set up for gaming or spreadsheets.
Visually, the EPOMAKER TH99 PRO is quite a pretty keyboard. I opted for the White Blue design, which gives the unit a very modern, clean look that fits well in any home office or gaming setup. I am a big fan of white designs with colour accents. The RGB backlight offers a range of customization options built into the keyboard, from the standard rainbow wave to ripple lighting on every keystroke.
And while the TH99 is missing some keys, such as Home and End, the keyboard is fully customizable through the EPOMAKER Upgear web app, allowing users to set both single- and dual-key functions, control the lighting and upload GIFs to the TH99’s screen. It gives the unit a real sense of individuality and personality that can suit any user, alongside its incredibly sleek design.
For how excellent the TH99 PRO is, I was honestly shocked to see it come with an $87.99 prince tag. It’s a solid and stylish keyboard that will certainly make an excellent addition to anyone’s office or gaming setup without completely breaking the bank. It comes with enough bells and whistles to feel special without also feeling excessive, and is definitely worth the investment.
