Review: Epomaker RT82 wireless mechanical keyboard with display

Review sample provided by Epomaker

The Epomaker RT82 is a retro style wireless mechanical keyboard (75% 80 keys) with a mini display. Price is USD 86 at the time of review.

I had reviewed the Epomaker RT100 three years ago and this new model has a much better display that's easier to configure, and brighter to see.

The main selling point here is the retro look and this is a beautiful keyboard.

Specifications

• Brand: EPOMAKER
• Model: RT82
• Layout: QWERTY, ANSI US, 75% (80 keys)
• Screen: 1.14-inch LCD, magnetically detachable
• Battery: 4000mAh rechargeable
• Battery Life:
  • 14 hrs (RGB On & Screen On)
  • 17 hrs (RGB On & Screen Off)
  • 45 hrs (RGB Off & Screen On)
  • 115 hrs (RGB Off & Screen Off)
• Connectivity: 2.4GHz Wireless / Bluetooth / USB-A to USB-C
• Compatibility: Mac / Windows / Android
• Front Height: 21.8 mm
• Typing Angles: 5°, 7.5°, 11° (2‑stage adjustable kickstand)
• Case Material: ABS Plastic
• Plate Material: PC Plate
• Flex Cut: No flex‑cut
• Stabilizers: Plate-mounted
• Mounting Structure: Gasket-mount
• Sound Dampening Layers:
  • Sandwich Latex
  • IXPE Switch Pad
  • PET Sound-Enhancement Pad
  • Bottom Foam
  • Bottom Silicone
• Keycap Profile: Cherry Profile
• Keycap Material: PBT
• Keycap Printing: Dye-Sublimation
• Switch Options:
  • Creamy Jade (Linear):
    • 5-pin, pre-lubed
    • Trigger Force: 45±5 gf
    • Bottom-out Force: 50±5 gf
    • Pre-Travel: 2.0±0.4 mm
    • Total Travel: 3.6±0.4 mm
  • Sea Salt Silent (Silent Linear):
    • 5-pin, pre-lubed
    • Trigger Force: 45±5 gf
    • Bottom-out Force: 51±5 gf
    • Pre-Travel: 1.8±0.4 mm
    • Total Travel: 3.5±0.4 mm
    • Stem: Yellow POM
    • Top Housing: Transparent PC
    • Bottom Housing: Light Blue PA66
• Hot-Swappable: Yes (3-pin & 5-pin compatible)
• RGB: Yes, south-facing per-key LEDs
• Polling Rate:
  • 1000 Hz (Wired & 2.4GHz)
  • 125 Hz (Bluetooth)
• Latency:
  • 3 ms (Wired)
  • 5 ms (2.4GHz)
  • 15 ms (Bluetooth)
• Anti-Ghosting: N-Key Rollover
• Dimensions: 326.7 × 143.2 × 39.8 mm
• Weight: ~1 kg

Things included

• Keyboard
• Keycap and switch puller
• USB-A to USB-C charging cable
• MacOS keycaps
• 2x replacement switches
• Detachable mini display
• USB-A wireless receiver
• User manual

Design

If you like retro designs, this is the keyboard to consider.

There's only one colour option available. The keyboard has mostly warm gray colours different pastel colours for Esc, Spacebar and Enter. The colour scheme is soft and pleasing to eye.

The little detachble mini display also has a retro monitor look.

The two switch options available are Creamy Jade Switch and Sea Salt Silent Switch. If you like the thic-thoc typing sound, go with Creamy Jade. If you want cushioned quiet typing, go wtih Sea Salt Silent.

This review unit came with the Creamy Jade Switch and the typing experience is wonderful, satisfying. I've used the Sea Salt Silent Switch before and I prefer the Creamy Jade.

The keyboard is gasket mounted and has sound dampening foams.

I don't think the typing sound is that noisy, so it should still be alright to use this in an office environment with others around.

Those are Cherry profile PBT plastic keycaps. Keyboard height is like most wireless mechanical keyboards. This is not a low profile keyboard.

Fn key is located at the extreme right. For Mac users, there will be no R-Opt.

Key customisation is possible through VIA from aweb interface with cable connection.

The RGB lights are beautiful and there are many lighting patterns to choose from. Keyboard shortcuts can be used to control the lights, brightness, animation, and the mini display.

The back has rubber feet with good grip on the tablet. Two additional height options are available with the fold-out feet.

The whole keyboard is made with plastic but build quality is good and does not look or feel cheap.

Keyboard connection supported are for cable, 2.4Ghz with the included USB-A wireless receiver, and Bluetooth up to three devices. A physical toggle is provided to switch between the types of connection.

Keyboard shortcuts can be used to switch between Bluetooth connections.

Mini display

The mini display is just 1.14-inch. I'm not sure what resolution it has but pixelation is not noticeable from normal distance away.

The mini display can show time, date, OS, connection type, WinLock, CapsLock, battery life (bars), animated gif, photo, and letters you type.

Customising the mini display is easy with the web interface with a cable connection. Uploading animated gif (240px wide) is way faster than the Epomaker RT100 which was really slow.

The mini display is what sets the design of this keyboard apart from most other keyboards. Being able to see the time of the mini display is useful, although you can also likely see that on your computer monitor.

Battery life

Battery capacity is 4000 mAh which is the typical amount of battery life most wireless mechanical keyboards use.

Listed below is the battery life advertised by Epomaker:

• RGB on, screen on: 14hr
• RGB on, screen off: 17hr
• RGB off, screen on: 45hr
• RGB off, screen off 115hr

So that mini display does use up more battery. The battery life is as expect, two days with RGB lights on, or one week or weeks without RGB. The mini display is useful so I'll be keeping that on.

Battery life should not be a problem because you can check the battery life from the mini display.

Conclusion

The Epomaker RT82 is a keyboard that looks good and works well.

I don't have any major complaints about it. Perhaps battery capacity could be higher because I've seen keyboards of similar sizes fit a 8000 mAh battery. Extra battery life would be good for those who use the RGB light often.

USD 86 is a reasonable and competitive price when compared to other keyboards.

+ Beautiful retro design
+ Good build quality
+ Beautiful RGB lights with many lighting patterns available
+ Can be paired to 4 devices (3x Bluetooth + 2.4Ghz)
+ Mini display that shows time, connection and battery life
+ Works with Windows, MacOS and Android
+ Can work when charging
+ Fold-out feet provides two more height options
+ Web interface for easy customisation of keys and mini display
- Mac layout will not have R-Opt
- Battery bar instead of battery percentage
- Battery life with RGB light only 2 days

Availability

The Epomaker RT82 is available from the Epomaker online store for USD 86. Compare price on AliExpress.

If you need a numpad, consider the Epomaker RT100 Pro instead which is USD 116. Compare price on AliExpress.