Evo Works Evo 75 Review – A Compact Custom Experience Without the Custom Hassle
Some keyboards make you sit back, type a few words, and instantly think: yep, this one reviews itself. That’s exactly what happened when I unboxed the Evo 75 from Evo Works.
I recently reviewed its bigger sibling, the Evo 80, which impressed me enough to put it in my top three TKL boards of the year. Now, the Evo 75 takes everything that was great about the 80 and packages it into a tighter, more practical 75% layout. If you prefer function row + arrows + navigation keys but don’t want the extra desk space of a TKL, this is where the Evo 75 shines.
First Impressions & Unboxing
The Evo 75 arrives in a sturdy carrying case, the type you expect from high-end boards. Inside, you’ll find:
- Extra switches
- A braided USB-C cable
- Keycap and switch pullers
- A wireless dongle
- A plastic dust cover (which feels unnecessary given the premium case)
- Documentation and setup guide
The board itself is beautifully machined and surprisingly heavy. The stainless steel weight on the back paired with dual foam layers inside makes it feel substantial, not hollow.
Build Quality & Design
Evo Works’ design language is consistent: clean lines, premium finishes, and thoughtful engineering. The latch system is one of the smartest features I’ve seen. Instead of fiddling with screws, the case pops apart easily with a magnetic ball-and-catch system. Reassembly is just as quick, line it up, click, done.
The board uses Evo Works’ butterfly leaf spring mount, which is honestly the star of the show. It creates a typing feel that’s bouncy yet controlled, with just the right amount of flex. It’s the closest I’ve felt to a properly tuned custom board in a prebuilt.
The typing angle is steeper than average. Some may prefer flatter setups, but I found it comfortable for long sessions, and the included rubber feet keep everything steady.
Keycaps & Aesthetic Choices
The stock dye-sub PBT keycaps are thick, smooth, and have a slightly chalky texture that feels premium under your fingers. Unfortunately, there are a couple of quirks:
- “Black” caps show up with a purple tint due to dye-sub limitations.
- The case includes tiny glitter flecks in certain colorways, which might not be for everyone.
That said, the available color options are diverse, everything from neutral Eclipse Gray to bright Nebula Purple and Baby Pink. If you’re picky about aesthetics, Evo Works gives you room to choose.
Features & Connectivity
The Evo 75 is fully modern in its feature set:
- Tri-mode connectivity: Wired, Bluetooth, and 2.4GHz wireless
- VIA compatibility: Rebind any key, repurpose the back button, and set macros
- Hot-swap sockets: Swap switches without soldering
- Multiple plate & switch options (FR4 + Amber, or PP + Rice)
- 1000Hz polling rate wired, 125Hz wireless
- NKRO (N-key rollover) for error-free typing
One small but notable improvement over the Evo 80 is the mode switch placement. Instead of hiding under a keycap, Evo Works moved it to the back with a bright accent color. It’s easier to reach and looks slick.
Typing Experience & Sound Profile
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Typing on the Evo 75 is simply delightful. The butterfly leaf spring mount combined with layered dampening gives you a deep, thocky sound with just enough clack for character. Depending on your plate and switches, you can lean more toward muted or resonant, but either way, it sounds refined out of the box.
What really stands out is the consistency. Unlike many prebuilts that require mods to remove hollowness or stabilizer rattle, the Evo 75 feels tuned from the factory. The stabilizers are tight, the foam layering balances out resonance, and the overall acoustics compete with boards costing twice as much.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Butterfly leaf spring mount delivers top-tier typing feel
- Premium build quality at a sub-$200 price point
- VIA support for easy remapping
- Tri-mode connectivity with solid wireless performance
- Excellent stock stabilizers & PBT keycaps
- Multiple colorways and configurations
Cons:
- “Black” keycaps appear purple under certain light
- Glitter specks in the case are divisive
- No knob
- Subtle RGB may disappoint RGB enthusiasts
Final Verdict
The Evo 75 is proof that you don’t need to spend $400+ on a custom kit to get a premium experience. For $169.90, you’re getting a tri-mode, VIA-compatible, hot-swap-ready board with one of the most satisfying mount systems in the market.
If you prefer a compact layout and want something that feels as close to a custom as possible without the headaches, the Evo 75 is an absolute win. The only drawbacks are subjective, glittery accents and purple-black caps, but nothing that takes away from performance.
