It might be hard to believe now, but there was once a time when buying a keyboard didn’t involve endless options. You bought a beige slab of plastic, plugged it into your computer, and that was pretty much the end of the story. The EPOMAKER RT100 PRO keyboard feels like a modern throwback to that era; retro styling packed with just about every feature today’s mechanical keyboard enthusiasts could ask for.

With the exception of its realtor-inspired colour palette, the biggest visual highlight is the swappable 1.54-inch TFT smart display module. With the display installed, you can use Epomaker’s software to display pixel-art and small animations, and have it quickly display some basic system information using a built-in function command.

If you’re not worried about having a screen, it can be switched out with a module housing four programmable keys, also set up through Epomaker’s software. It’s a clever feature that gives the keyboard a bit more personality while also adding flexibility depending on how the keyboard is being used.

Alongside the display sits a dedicated side control knob, which adds quick access for things like media or volume control, and I underestimated just how useful this could be. Rather than fumbling around with function keys or reaching for my headset, I could quickly roll the dial to adjust system volume.

Typing on the EPOMAKER RT100 PRO keyboard is designed to feel smooth and cushioned rather than sharp or hollow. The mechanical switches come factory-lubed and come with a gasket-mounted design combined with a five-layer sound-dampening system, aiming to create a softer, quieter, and more refined typing experience.

They’ve also been installed onto a hot-swappable PCB, allowing switches to be replaced without any soldering. For mechanical keyboard enthusiasts, this adds a huge amount of flexibility and customisation potential down the line, whether you want a smoother typing experience, a louder click, or something in between.

The Cherry profile dye-sub PBT keycaps also help elevate the experience further, offering a more durable and textured finish compared to cheaper ABS alternatives, while the soft per-key RGB underglow helps balance the keyboard’s retro styling with a more modern gaming aesthetic.

Rather than looking overly bright or distracting, the south-facing LEDs produce a softer lighting effect that complements the overall design surprisingly well, especially in lower-lit setups.

Supporting Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4GHz wireless, and USB-C wired connectivity, the keyboard feels equally suited to gaming setups, workstations, or users constantly jumping between devices throughout the day. The ability to remember up to five paired devices makes swapping between a desktop PC, laptop, tablet, or even an Android phone quick and painless.

Battery life also looks promising thanks to the built-in 5000mAh battery, helping support the keyboard’s wireless functionality without constantly reaching for a charging cable. Despite its retro-inspired appearance, the EPOMAKER RT100 PRO keyboard still delivers the responsiveness expected from a modern gaming keyboard as well, with a 1000Hz polling rate available in both wired and 2.4GHz wireless modes.

Successfully blending retro-inspired styling with the enthusiast-level features modern users expect from a premium mechanical keyboard, the EPOMAKER RT100 PRO keyboard feels both unique and genuinely practical.

Between the swappable smart display, hot-swappable switches, tri-mode connectivity, satisfying typing acoustics, and soft RGB lighting, EPOMAKER has created a keyboard that stands out visually without compromising on functionality or everyday usability.

Written by: Mathew Lindner