EPOMAKER Magforce 68 Gaming Keyboard Review

The keyboard comes packaged in a thick cardboard box. The model name is printed on the front, and a schematic diagram is on the back. Key features are also highlighted on the packaging, including its compact size, magnetic switches, wired connection, and more.

The device is housed inside a dense foam mold. Included in the box are a braided USB-A to USB-C cable, a two-way puller for switches and keycaps, several spare switches, a case opening tool, and a user manual.

The EPOMAKER Magforce 68 features a 65% form factor and 68 keys compactly arranged on the deck. This, on the one hand, presents some inconvenience, as the lack of the F1-F12 row and some auxiliary keys can make typing uncomfortable. On the other hand, the keyboard takes up minimal space on a gaming desk and doesn’t interfere with mouse movement. Therefore, everyone’s preference for this format varies.

The model’s aluminum frame feels pleasantly cool in your hand. The keyboard is quite heavy, which is good – it won’t slide around on the table during intense gaming. The design is classic: the bottom of the keys is flush with the frame, and the switches are slightly recessed. Therefore, the backlighting is less pronounced than on skeleton models.

The bottom of the device rests on silicone feet. The EPOMAKER Magforce 68 doesn’t have height adjustment, but the case’s shape allows the rear to be slightly raised relative to the front, ensuring ergonomics are maintained. The USB-C port is located in the center of the rear edge of the keyboard.

The keycaps are made of PBT plastic, which is durable and long-lasting. They feature a Cherry profile with a slight indentation in the center. The characters are opaque. The long keys are equipped with stabilizers, preventing wobble and ensuring a consistent keystroke across the entire length.

The overall impression of the EPOMAKER Magforce 68 is impressive. The metal frame gives the keyboard a hefty feel, and its compact size makes it ideal for a minimalist gaming setup . The backlighting is noticeable but unobtrusive. The only drawback is the lack of some frequently used keys.

Connection and setup

The keyboard only supports wired connectivity, but you can count on incredible responsiveness: a polling rate of 8000 Hz and a response time of 0.125 ms. This means your input will be triggered exactly the moment you press a key, without any delays, which is crucial for competitive online gaming.

To configure the model, you need to launch the web driver, available at this link . A number of options are available here to unlock the potential of the magnetic switches.

Specifically, the software allows you to select the actuation depth separately for each key. Since magnetic switches operate differently from traditional mechanical switches , users can flexibly adjust key travel—from 0.02 to 3.3 mm, in 0.02 mm increments. This means, for example, you can set one actuation depth for the WASD and arrow keys, and another for the other keys. There are presets for quick customization: “Fast Mode” sets the key travel to 1 mm, “Game Mode” to 0.5 mm, and “Extreme Mode” to 0.02 mm. You can also set dead zones to prevent unintentional key presses.

The RT option allows you to dynamically adjust the key actuation and release points. Simply put, you don’t have to fully release the key to press it again.

SOCD allows a keypress to be registered before the previous key is released. This is often used to move faster in opposite directions: for example, while holding down the A key, you can press the D key without releasing A, and the character will move to the right.

The DKS function assigns multiple actions to a single key: for example, half-press, full-press, half-release, and full-release.

MPT assigns three actions to three different pressure levels.

MT sets different functions for pressing and holding the same key.

END allows you to specify a command that will be executed after the key is released.

TGL enables continuous execution of a command when a key is pressed and stopping execution when the key is pressed again.

Other settings in the software allow you to reassign keys on the main and Fn layers, fine-tune the keyboard backlight, lock the Win key, update the device’s firmware, and more.

Impressions of use

The EPOMAKER Magforce 68 features Gateron Magnetic Jade Pro switches with a 36g initial force, 50g final force, 3.5mm of travel, and a 100-million-keystroke lifespan. Hot-swappable, you can swap out the included switches for other magnetic switches without disassembling the keyboard.

The case uses a so-called “sandwich” construction, alternating layers of circuit board and sound-absorbing foam. As a result, you can expect a pleasantly soft touch with each keystroke and a refined key clatter, free of ringing, echo, and other parasitic defects.

The keyboard works flawlessly in games. Firstly, it registers every command perfectly, and secondly, thanks to the adjustable actuation depth, you can, for example, have a character initiate movement with a light touch of a key, and vice versa. We played Counter-Strike 2 and the Resident Evil 4 remake , War Thunder , and HITMAN: World of Assassination – and the model performed admirably in each game.

Particularly convenient is the ability to customize the behavior of switches, which, although minor, still affects gaming results.

Conclusion

The EPOMAKER Magforce 68 is an excellent magnetic keyboard aimed at gamers. It boasts high build quality, a compact size, customizable switches, and excellent responsiveness. There are virtually no drawbacks, unless you’re nitpicking the limited key set. Ultimately, it’s a decent option for gaming, but the decision is ultimately yours.