If you want better typing feel
Choose Corsair K65 Plus. It scores 4.8 vs 4.3 for typing feel, with a 4.2 overall score.
Epomaker RT100 Gaming Keyboard Review
Bottom Line
Choose the RT100 for quiet, retro-styled typing, hot-swap flexibility, and strong value. Skip it if you need polished software, a premium knob, or flawless mini-screen customization.
Best for
Best for productivity users, retro-keyboard fans, and quiet-office typists who want a compact full-size layout, numpad, hot-swappable switches, and lots of personality for around the $100-$120 range.
Not for
Not ideal for users who need polished QMK/VIA-style software, premium metal controls, travel-friendly portability, or competitive FPS precision with the soft Sea Salt Silent switches.
Verdict
The Epomaker RT100 earns broad praise for pairing retro personality with a compact full-size layout, strong stock acoustics, quiet switch options, and useful hot-swap flexibility. Reviewers repeatedly liked its typing feel, thick PBT keycaps, high-value feature set, and tri-mode connectivity. The tradeoff is that its showpiece mini TV is more charming than fully polished: customization limits, awkward dongle sharing, sync issues, and software quirks appear across several reviews. The plastic build is generally respected for the price, but the volume knob and screen support can feel cheaper than the rest of the board.
Feature Scorecards
Summary
47 reviewed features-
Very positive 4.5-5.011 (23%)
-
Positive 3.5-4.428 (60%)
-
Neutral 2.5-3.47 (15%)
-
Negative 1.5-2.41 (2%)
Pros highlights
-
Value for money is one of the clearest strengths, with reviewers repeatedly calling the RT100 feature-rich, reasonably priced, or hard to beat near $100-$120.
-
Typing feel is one of the strongest themes: most reviewers found the RT100 smooth, soft, satisfying, and enjoyable, with only switch-profile caveats.
-
Customization is a central appeal, especially with screen images, RGB, keys, and switches, but the mini TV layout and metrics are not customizable enough for several reviewers.
-
Design aesthetics are a major consensus strength: reviewers liked the retro-futuristic styling, colorways, and distinctive mini-TV personality.
-
Reviewers broadly liked the switch feel, especially Wisteria, Flamingo, and Sea Salt options, but silent Sea Salts divided users who disliked their mushy or overly soft bottom-out.
-
Volume control is useful and often tactile, but the knob’s plasticky look and out-of-place design are repeated complaints.
Cons highlights
-
Software quality is mixed: some reviewers found it stable or straightforward, while others found it clunky, finicky, slow, or unreliable for screen features.
-
Reliability is mixed, with strong connections in some reviews but repeated concerns about screen setup, app crashes, missing readings, and unstable mini-TV behavior.
-
Legend visibility is mixed: large legends are easy to see, but cluttered number-row legends and non-shine-through caps hurt usability in some contexts.
-
Portability is mixed: the plastic build and moderate weight help, but the protruding screen and near-full layout make travel less friendly.
Compared With Category Average
Compared with other Gaming Keyboards, this product is above average in switch options, value for money, hot-swappable switches, near average in design aesthetics, RGB lighting quality, below average in key stability, actuation consistency, rapid trigger support.
Comparison summary
47 compared features-
Above average 0.4+ pts higher14 (30%)
-
Same as average within 0.3 pts20 (43%)
-
Below average 0.4+ pts lower13 (28%)
Largest category differences
| Attribute | This product | Category average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| key stability | 2.5 | 4.2 | -1.7 |
| actuation consistency | 2.5 | 4.2 | -1.7 |
| rapid trigger support | 2.0 | 3.6 | -1.6 |
| switch options | 4.4 | 3.2 | +1.3 |
| value for money | 4.6 | 3.6 | +0.9 |
| hot-swappable switches | 4.6 | 3.5 | +1.1 |
| cable quality | 4.6 | 3.6 | +1.0 |
| legend visibility | 2.5 | 3.6 | -1.1 |
Consider This Instead
If you want better rapid trigger support
Choose Keychron Q1 HE. It scores 4.9 vs 2.0 for rapid trigger support, with a 4.2 overall score.
If you want better reliability
Choose ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless. It scores 4.8 vs 2.8 for reliability, with a 4.2 overall score.
If you want better legend visibility
Choose HyperX Alloy Rise. It scores 4.7 vs 2.5 for legend visibility, with a 4.0 overall score.
Compared in Reviews
Products reviewers directly compared with this model, grouped into quick takeaways.
8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard
- Better: retro design preference The reviewer still favors the 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard for retro looks, while calling the RT100 a close second.
- Better: overall alternative and price Despite liking the RT100, the reviewer calls the 8Bitdo Retro Mechanical Keyboard a better and cheaper option in one respect.
- Worse: customizability The RT100 is described as offering more out-of-box customizability than the 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard.
Corsair K95
- Similar: wireless responsiveness The reviewer could not distinguish RT100 2.4GHz responsiveness from a Corsair K95 in side-by-side use.
Drop + The Lord of the Rings Elvish
- More expensive: price The RT100 is positioned as cheaper than the Drop + The Lord of the Rings Elvish keyboard.
FAQ
Is the Epomaker RT100 good for typing?
Yes. Most reviewers praised its smooth, soft, quiet typing feel, especially with Sea Salt Silent or Wisteria switches, though a few disliked the tall MDA caps or mushier silent-switch bottom-out.
Is it good for gaming?
It works well for casual gaming and light competitive play, especially over 2.4GHz wireless. One reviewer found high-intensity FPS play harder with Sea Salt switches because of false inputs and reduced rapid-trigger confidence.
How good is the mini TV screen?
Reviewers liked the mini TV as a charming, distinctive display for GIFs and basic information, but many found it limited, awkward, or unreliable for deeper customization and synced stats.
Does the RT100 have good wireless performance?
Wireless performance was generally praised, with reviewers reporting easy Bluetooth switching and no obvious 2.4GHz lag. Battery life varied depending on RGB and mini-screen use.
Can you replace the switches?
Yes. Reviewers repeatedly praised the hot-swappable 3-pin and 5-pin switch support, with most finding replacement easy and valuable for changing sound, feel, or repairability.
What are the biggest drawbacks?
The common drawbacks are clunky or finicky software, limited mini-screen customization, a plasticky volume knob, mixed battery life, and occasional discomfort or false inputs depending on switch and keycap preferences.
Sample Expert Reviews We Analyzed
These are a few of the reviews included in our analysis.
Video Reviews
YouTube - Craft Computing
- Review score
- 3.6
YouTube - Consumer Tech Review
- Review score
- 4.4
YouTube - Switch and Click
- Review score
- 3.8
YouTube - KeenGamer - More Than Just a Game Site
- Review score
- 4.5
Article Reviews
techradar.com
- Review score
- 4.4
tomsguide.com
- Review score
- 4.5
the-gadgeteer.com
- Review score
- 4.1
Top Gaming Keyboards to Consider
Good if you want a premium 96% Hall Effect keyboard for work and gaming with excellent build, sound, and customization. Skip it if you need cheaper esports-first speed, 8,000Hz polling,...
Pros: size and form factor, typing feel
Cons: switch options, portability
Choose it if competitive gaming speed, Rapid Trigger, and deep per-key customization matter more than extras. Skip it if you need wireless, dedicated arrows/media keys, adjustable height, or a lower-cost...
Pros: overall satisfaction, customization options
Cons: value for money, switch options
Good if you want a premium, quiet TKL Hall Effect keyboard for typing and gaming. Skip it if price, portability, 8,000Hz polling, or broad switch choice matters most.
Pros: build quality, switch feel
Cons: switch options
Good if you want a premium full-size Hall Effect keyboard with smooth switches, quiet sound, and deep customization. Skip it if you need a portable, budget-friendly board or broad switch...
Pros: build quality, keycap quality
Cons: switch options, portability