Epomaker Split 65

8.9

SCORE

8.9/10

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Epomaker Split 65

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Epomaker Split 65, the first split mechanical keyboard by Epomaker.

The Epomaker Split 65 opens up the split design in the brand’s catalog, which we are excited about and hope to see Epomaker expanding these less popular but unique layout.

Despite being a niche type of keyboard, the company has preserved their market logic with a retail price that is multiple times lower than all other competitors.

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Epomaker Split 65 Review

Tests & Scores

Scores

Epomaker Split 65 Scores

Accessories - 8.75/10
8.8/10
Design - 9/10
9/10
Ergonomics - 9/10
9/10
Construction & Build - 9.5/10
9.5/10
Keycaps - 8.5/10
8.5/10
Switches - 8/10
8/10
Connectivity - 9/10
9/10
Customization - 9.75/10
9.8/10
Typing - 9.5/10
9.5/10
Gaming - 9.5/10
9.5/10
Productivity - 8.75/10
8.8/10
Office - 8/10
8/10
Tablet-Mobile - 10/10
10/10
Programming - 8/10
8/10
Sound - 10/10
10/10
Durability - 8/10
8/10
Lighting - 8.75/10
8.8/10
Software - 8.5/10
8.5/10
Battery - 8/10
8/10
Value for Money - 10/10
10/10

Summary

Pros

✅ Split 2-piece keyboard

✅ Wired and wireless

✅ Hot-swappable

✅ Sound profile

✅ More usable than 60% competitors

✅ Much more affordable than competitors

Cons

❌ One color option only

❌ Split sections only worked wired to each other

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8.9/10

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ACCESSORIES & PACKAGING
^4.5^_/5

The Epomaker Split 65 is shipped in a nicer, sturdier packaging than other Epomaker keyboards (Epomaker P87, Epomaker Hack 59, Epomaker Alice 66).

Inside you will find:

• Keycap/switch puller
• 3x Extra keycaps
• USB-C to USB-A cable for PC connection
• USB-C to USB-C cable for split sections connection
• Dust cover

DESIGN
^4.5^_/5

The Epomaker Split 65 is a split keyboard in a 65% ANSI layout, including 68 keys and a knob.

When compared with other split keyboards like the NocFree Lite, the more complete 65% vs 60% layout of the Epomaker offers a way more usable keys set as it also includes arrow keys, navigation keys and a knob – most of which are lacking in the NocFree.

From an ergonomic point of view, the Epomaker Split 65 can offer a versatility than no “normal” keyboard can provide, as you literally split the keyboard into 2 independent sections or even use one piece only.

Moreover, you could also place them like a pseudo-Alice styled layout and benefit from it too or set each half way apart and place a tablet, phone or even mouse sitting in between the two sections – possibilities are endless.

On the other hand, the arrow keys and navigation keys feel a bit too crammed being that there is no space separating them from the main keys; which can lead to some added time needed to be sure that you are reaching these keys instead of others – this is something that we have seen in the past with other keyboards with similar keys placement but, still, found that we did not struggle as much with the Split 65 as all of these keys are positioned at the very end of the right edge.

Further color options besides the mainly dark and black theme are not available for the Split 65.

CONSTRUCTION & BUILD
^4.75^_/5

Construction-wise, the Epomaker Split 65 uses a combination of ABS plastic for the main top shell and a bottom case built with rugged iron material – the ABS parts feel inline with other recent keyboards from the brand (like the Epomaker Cypher 96, Epomaker HE75 Mag, Epomaker HE75 Tri and Epomaker TH99)

Internally, the Epomaker Split 65 surprises with upper-tier features such as a hot-swappable board compatible with 3-pin and 5-pin switches, allowing users to replace switches without any soldering involved.

On top of that, the brand has equipped premium components like a 4-layer multi-dampening system with a Poron Sandwich Foam, IXPE Switch Pad, Sound Enhancement Pad and Poron Switch Socket Pad, also having a FR4 PCB, polycarbonate plate and a top-mounted design.

From the photos you can, obviously, see that you can use the keyboard separate apart in 2 pieces of “connected” as a more standard 65% unibody keyboard; but what you cannot see from the pictures is that the keyboard has a magnetically attaching system to attach each piece together to each other with a nice magnetically “gluing” feel and a less loose connection than the NocFree Lite.

On the bottom, each split section has 4 silicone feet dot that are efficient keeping the parts slippery-free but unlike the NocFree Lite, the Epomaker does not have adjustable feet nor a palm rest addon.

KEYCAPS
^4.25^_/5

The build quality and finish of the keycaps on the Epomaker Split 65 have a strong resemblance to what we saw when reviewing the Epomaker Hack 59; which is excellent PBT made with Cherry profile and a texture-less finish that makes it gentle to the touch but, still, are not slippery – qualities that can match well the needs of gamers.

Aesthetically, the theme of the keycaps set has a grey-shades gradient that spreads from row to row; as a final result, the keycaps look good but we find that the decision of making the darker row with also dark fonts, might make them a bit difficult to read in darker environments.

The knob is made of metal and offers a balanced rotational movement that is neither too stiff nor too light, responding with silent but tactile feedback per notch.

SWITCHES

⁴^_/5

From factory, the Epomaker Split 65 can be bought with 2 different pre-assembled linear switches:

• Epomaker Flamingo
• Epomaker Wisteria

These switches are 2 of the most popular models from the brand, which we have reviewed plenty of times in the dozens of keyboards and switches tested so far from Epomaker.

The model that we are reviewing now came with Epomaker Flaming switches, which we were glad to find in the Split 65 as we consider it a better adapted linear switch for gaming than the Wisteria.

This is thanks to the faster and lighter feel of the Flamingo while still offering the versatility for other non-gaming tasks and performing flawlessly without pinging nor scratchy issues.

On the other hand, being a keyboard with extremely high potential for competitive gaming, some hardcore gamers might have liked to see the Epomaker Split 65 to be available also with either speed linear switches or even hall-effect switches.

CON

CONNECTIVITY
^4.5^_/5

This split keyboard offers a tri-mode connectivity accepting Bluetooth, 2.4G wireless or wired use.

The wired design has a detachable USB-C connection while 2.4G wireless can be used through the bundled dongle – there is no dedicated storage slot for the dongle in the case, so make sure that you do not lose it.

In Bluetooth mode, users can pair up to 3 different devices and switch on-the-fly back and forth between them.

A different connectivity feature of this Epomaker keyboard is the connection used between each split section; you can use them wired to each other (even if paired wirelessly to your PC) but, unlike the NocFree Lite you cannot pair each split section to each other wirelessly – if there is a way to access this wireless option, there is no reference nor instructions given by the brand.

P&E

PERFORMANCE & USE

TYPING
^4.75^_/5

Typing on the Epomaker Split 65 was a true pleasure and fun experience, as we were able to adapt and re-place the position, split or single-piece configuration at will whenever needed and wanted.

Sound, switches and overall feel of the keyboard was remarkably good too; being only the possible drawback that if set as a Alice styled keyboard, you will not get the extra duplicated B key on the right split half.

GAMING
^4.75^_/5

Similar to the Hack 59, the Epomaker Split 65 has been thought with gamers in mind but the Split 65 vastly surpasses the specs of the Hack 59 with its superb split design and other features like:

• Possibility to use only one half as a dedicated gaming keypad
• 1000Hz polling rate (manufacturer listing says 8K but it is actually 1K)
• Detachable wired and 2.4G wireless
• Hot-swappable
• N-Key Rollover anti-ghosting
• 3ms latency
• Pristine assembly

PRODUCTIVITY
^4.75_/5

From a productivity and office work point of view, the NocFree Lite offers some specs and features that can make it a smart choice, like:

• Split design
• Compact
• Light weighted
• Wired/wireless
• Ergonomic

The keyboard lacks F number row but does include extra navigation keys, arrow keys and a fully functional rotary encoder.

The Epomaker Split 65 can also perfectly work as a customizable macro pad for photo, video, drawing and graphic design.

TABLET/MOBILE
⁵^_/5

Compact size, versatility and its one of a kind split nature combined with Bluetooth connectivity, make the Epomaker Split 65 one of the best choices that we could recommend for a superior keyboard to match with mobile setups.

We also found unique the choice of putting them far from each other and using a tablet sitting in the middle as a sort of more natural experience than a monitor and PC setup.

LIGHTING

^4.25^_/5

The keyboard includes a RGB south-facing LED board – no extra strip lights, edge lights nor even status lights are present in the Epomaker Split 65.

Despite being a dark colored themed keyboard, the brightness and visibility of the LED lights are significantly stronger than other black keyboards (like the Epomaker Hack 59)

SOUND

⁵^_/5

The variant of the Epomaker Split 65 with Epomaker Flamingo switches responded with a delightfully thocky/poppy sound profile that is rarely found in similarly priced competitors.

As we have seen with all other newer Epomaker models that we have reviewed (Epomaker Alice 66, Epomaker Cypher 96, Epomaker HE75 Mag, Epomaker HE75 Tri and Epomaker TH99), the Epomaker Split 65 came perfectly lubed from factory with its plate-mounted stabilizers performing responsively yet without any traces of rattling.

Also, pinging, echo, resonance and other typical issues of budget-keyboards are completely contained and non-perceivable in the Epomaker Split 65.

SOFTWARE

^4.25^_/5

The keyboard uses VIA as its programming platform as this is a QMK/VIA keyboard; thus can benefit from the power and freedom of the software-less system offered by VIA.

This also means that you will not need any background running software to conserve your customizations and will be saved inside the on-board memory of the keyboard.

BATTERY
⁴^_/5

The brand makes reference to a 3000mAh battery inside the Epomaker Split 65, though it is not clear if this corresponds to one 1500mAh battery per split section or one 3000mAh per side.

If the Split 65 has a 3Ah per side would be a massive battery capacity for such a small split keyboard.

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Epomaker Split 65 Technical Specifications

Brand
EPOMAKER
Model
Split 65
Layout
65% ANSI US Layout
Number of Keys
68 keys
Battery
3000mAh
Connectivity
Cable Wired, 2.4GHz, Bluetooth 5.0
Compatibility
Mac/WIN/Android
Keyboard Dimensions
375*264*362MM
Keyboard Weight
0.8kg
Front Height
26.52MM
Back Height
42.24MM
Typing Angle
About 7 degrees
Case Material
Top case ABS / Bottom case Iron
Plate Material
PC Plastic
Flex-Cut
No
Back weight Material
Iron
Back weight Finishing
Spray Paint
Stabilizers
Plate-Mount Stabilizer. (Not compatible with Screw-in Stabilizer)
Mounting Structure
Top-Mount
PCB Thickness
1.6mm
PCB Material
FR4
4 layers Sound Dampening
Poron Sandwich Foam, IXPE Switch Pad, Sound Enhancement Pad, Poron Switch Socket Pad
Keycaps Profile
Cherry Profile
Keycaps Material
PBT Plastic
Keycaps Manufacturing technique
Dye-sublimation
Hot swappable
Yes, 3/5-pin mechanical switches
RGB
South-facing, per-key RGB
Polling Rate
1000Hz (USB, 2.4Ghz), 125Hz (Bluetooth 5.0)
Latency
3ms (USB), 5ms (2.4Ghz wireless), 15ms (Bluetooth 5.0)
Anti-Ghosting
N-Key Rollover