Epomaker G84 Review – This is the BUDGET Keyboard OF THE YEAR!
When I say this might be the Budget Keyboard of the Year, I’m not exaggerating. The Epomaker G84 is a rare find, an 80% mechanical keyboard under $60 that not only nails the essentials but surprises with its sound, feel, and feature set. It’s lightweight, portable, and loaded with functionality you’d normally expect from boards twice the price.
So let’s break down why I’m calling this the mechanical Wooting for those who don’t need Hall Effect switches.
Buy Here: Get the Epomaker G84 here
Unboxing & First Impressions
The G84 arrives in a simple box, but Epomaker doesn’t skimp on accessories. Inside you’ll find:
- A braided USB-C cable (center-mounted port, thank you, Epomaker)
- A few extra switches in case of failure or preference swaps
- A keycap puller for easy maintenance
One thing I could do without? The “grandma cover” plastic dust shield. Not my favorite touch, but it’s common in budget keyboards.
Build Quality & Layout
The G84 takes direct inspiration from the Wooting layout, an 80% board where the arrow keys are nudged away from the main cluster to reduce accidental presses. It’s a fantastic balance between compactness and full functionality.
While the entire case is plastic, it doesn’t feel cheap. The typing angle is already aggressive out of the box, so you may not even need the flip-out feet. And those feet? They pass my push test with flying colors, no collapsing when you slide the board forward.
The 2.4GHz dongle is stored under one of the feet in a locking slot, which means you won’t lose it during travel. Small detail, but a brilliant one.
Weight: Very light, perfect for portability.
Platform support: Mac and Windows.
Switches & Typing Experience
You get a choice of Epomaker Transparent or Creamy Jade switches, both pre-lubed from the factory. My pick is the Transparent for maximum RGB glow, but the Creamy Jades are also excellent if you prefer a softer aesthetic.
The typing experience is shockingly good for a sub-$60 board. Why?
- Five layers of sound dampening keep the acoustics controlled
- Gasket-mounted structure adds flex and comfort
- No metallic ping or hollow case noise
- Smooth, satisfying thock with each press
It’s hot-swappable, VIA-compatible, and ready to program to your heart’s content.
Connectivity & Features
The G84 is a tri-mode keyboard:
- USB-C wired (center port)
- Bluetooth for multiple devices
- 2.4GHz wireless with the included dongle
It packs a 4,000mAh battery, which in my testing is nearly impossible to drain quickly, even with RGB on.
Other highlights:
- Per-key south-facing RGB, vibrant and evenly lit
- Shine-through PBT keycaps, legends stay bright without glare
- NKRO for fast gaming inputs
RGB & Aesthetics
This thing is an RGB beast. Thanks to the transparent switches and south-facing LEDs, the lighting is not only bright but evenly diffused. The legends on the keycaps are clear, making them pop even more.
Branding is minimal, just a small Epomaker logo, which I appreciate. Personally, I’d prefer a clean bar with no logo, but at least it’s subtle.
Performance in Daily Use
This is where the G84 really shocked me, it’s good for everything. Gaming feels snappy and responsive over 2.4GHz, and Bluetooth is rock solid for work-from-home productivity. The layout is coder-friendly, the typing feel is premium for the price, and it’s light enough to travel with.
Here’s the kicker, it’s small enough to fit over your laptop keyboard. The rubber feet grip well, so it stays in place without scratching.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Excellent Wooting-style layout for productivity and gaming
- Hot-swappable with VIA programming support
- Sits on a laptop!
- Outstanding sound profile for a budget board
- Gasket mount + 5 layers of dampening for a soft, flexy feel
- Tri-mode connectivity & huge battery life
- Bright, south-facing per-key RGB
- Lightweight & travel-friendly
- Exceptional value under $60
Cons
- All-plastic case (though sturdy)
- Delete key placement needs you to reprogram it
- Logo bar is meh.
Final Verdict
The Epomaker G84 feels like it shouldn’t exist at this price. Between the thoughtful layout, tri-mode connectivity, hot-swap support, and legitimately premium typing experience, it’s a unicorn in the budget keyboard space.
If you’re looking for an all-rounder, something that works equally well for gaming, productivity, and travel, this is it. And if you’ve been eyeing the Wooting layout but don’t care about Hall Effect, the G84 is your affordable ticket to that design.
For me, it’s easily one of the Top Budget Keyboards of 2025.
