What PC Gamer actually said
PC Gamer's verdict is that the keyboard knows what it is: TMR switches, a very high polling rate, and a small build at a price just under its competition. The review argues that TMR is particularly good for wireless use because of its power efficiency. It also says the board sits among the cheapest TMR keyboards.
The review's own buying advice is conditional. The reviewer says to ask how much you care about TMR, whether you need 8K, whether you need a numpad or wrist rest, and whether you want something flashier. If the answers are yes, yes, no and no, he calls it "a bit of a winner." In other words, "best" applies to a fairly specific buyer.
TMR versus Hall effect
TMR is tunneling magnetoresistance. TMR and Hall-effect boards both use magnets to read key position without physical contact. PC Gamer's explanation is that TMR measures resistance rather than a constant voltage, which cuts power draw. That matters most for battery-powered boards.
The "HE" in the name is confusing. In PC Gamer's account, the standard HE75 V2 is Hall effect, and this V2 TMR is the TMR version. The TMR model is also hot-swappable for magnetic switches and standard 3- or 5-pin mechanical switches. Epomaker's product page labels the bundled Creamy Jade switches "Hall Effect" in its spec list, so check the wording when you shop.
ProSettings explains the practical upside in similar terms. Its reviewer accepts that TMR may be better on paper, but says that is where the advantage stayed: on paper, not in-game.
Specs that matter
- Layout: 75%, with a media dial. Epomaker lists 80 keys plus the knob, and the knob can be swapped for two keys.
- Weight and size: 0.98 kg, about 32.4 × 13.8 × 4.3 cm.
- Connectivity: USB wired, 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth.
- Polling: Up to 8,000 Hz, but Epomaker specifies this only for USB and 2.4 GHz. Bluetooth is listed at 125 Hz.
- Latency (Epomaker's figures): 0.1 ms wired, 0.58 ms over 2.4 GHz, and 15 ms on Bluetooth.
- Battery: 8,000 mAh. PC Gamer lists up to 60 hours with RGB off and 33.5 hours with RGB on at 8,000 Hz.
- Actuation: PC Gamer reports 0.1 mm to 3 mm. Epomaker's page lists up to 3.5 mm. ProSettings also puts the maximum at 3.5 mm. I'd treat Epomaker's figure as the official spec and PC Gamer's as the reviewer's experience.
- Missing: No wrist rest.
- Price: PC Gamer lists $129. Other reviewers cite $129 or $129.99. Check the live checkout price before buying.
The battery numbers need context
The 60-hour and 33.5-hour figures are published specifications, not independent measurements. PC Gamer also projects 300 to 350 hours at 1,000 Hz with RGB off. That is an estimate from its belief that 8K polling drains the battery five to seven times faster. It is not a measured result.
Real-world use may come in lower. ProSettings reported roughly 20 hours of in-game time with RGB on at 2.4 GHz. Treat the vendor figures as a ceiling for the best case.
PC Gamer also notes that Keychron's K8 Ultra 8K claims up to 760 hours with RGB off. A TMR board can be more efficient than a Hall-effect one without being the longest-lasting 8K board available.
Where other reviewers disagree
The wider coverage is mostly positive but mixed on the details.
- ProSettings (3/5): It called the board "good-but-not-great." It found the all-plastic build looked cheap but was structurally sound. It reported occasional moments where a held key seemed to lose contact, and rare Rapid Trigger misbehavior that also occurred in wired mode. It said these were not frequent enough to ruin use. It found the software confusing, and at the time of review it said no web driver was available.
- Epomaker's response: After ProSettings' review, Epomaker told the site it had removed the software's AI assistant following customer feedback.
- PC Gamer on software: The reviewer reports a browser-based tool he found intuitive, with no hiccups in weeks of daily use. The two reviewers' experiences differ, and the gap may reflect different software versions or timing.
- KeenGamer: It reports that the $129 price against $89 for the standard model means the extra $40 buys the hybrid hot-swap socket rather than a performance uplift you'll actually feel.
- APH Networks (7/10): It calls the board a great option when it comes to a standard TMR keyboard.
- Games.gg: It is the most enthusiastic, calling the board one of the strongest value propositions currently available for players moving to magnetic switches.
Who should consider it
This board makes the most sense if you want a compact magnetic keyboard that also works wirelessly. ProSettings reaches a similar conclusion: the greatest advantage of TMR here is lower power consumption, which makes wireless connections possible. It adds that if wireless doesn't interest you, a wired keyboard is the better choice.
For pure competitive performance, ProSettings points to wired boards such as the Wooting 80HE. PC Gamer also notes that the Gamakay X NaughShark NS68 costs about $40 with Hall-effect switches, though it lacks the media dial and dedicated F keys.
Windows users should keep the 8K caveat in mind. Most players won't need 8,000 Hz, and Bluetooth doesn't get the headline rate at all. If you buy it, expect to use the 2.4 GHz dongle for gaming. PC Gamer notes the dongle stores under the right foot.
Bottom line
PC Gamer's "best wireless TMR keyboard" label is defensible. TMR boards are still scarce, and this one undercuts the Cherry K5 Pro TMR Compact and XTRFY MX 8.2 Pro TMR TKL on price. But the label rests on a thin field, and the reviewers who tested it differ on input consistency and software. The clearest reasons to buy are wireless operation, hybrid switch support and a compact layout. A faster in-game experience is not a reason, since ProSettings reported no gameplay edge from TMR.