Keyboard Review: Epomaker TH87 - Silence is Golden

At this point in my mechanical keyboard journey, I was beginning to move away from entry-level prebuilt keyboards. My tastes were changing. I was becoming more interested in premium materials, custom kits and keyboards with a bit more personality.

I was getting quite interested in TKLs (tenkeyless), and I was also quite curious about silent switches. I also didn't have many ISO-layout keyboards. All of these factors led me to push BUY for this keyboard. The Epomaker TH87 ticked almost all the boxes for me.

I bought the TH87 from the official Epomaker store on AliExpress. Interestingly, I had to buy a UK ISO layout keyboard in China. I guess this means that it's a popular keyboard for it to be out of stock in the UK.

I chose the ISO UK version with Epomaker Sea Salt Silent V2 switches. At the time, I could not find this exact version available from any UK retailer. This was also the first keyboard I had purchased that came with silent switches, so I was excited to see how they would feel.

Familiar Epomaker packaging

By this stage, I had already bought several Epomaker keyboards and had generally been happy with them.

The TH87 arrived in the company's familiar packaging. Epomaker has standardised its presentation, and the box and accessories have an unmistakably Epomaker feel.

It gives the impression of a company that has been in the keyboard market for a long time.

Inside, the keyboard is protected by a dust cover, which is a simple inclusion that I always appreciate.

You also receive a combined keycap and switch puller, some spare switches and a braided USB cable.

It is a fairly standard package, but it includes everything you need to get started.

Designed for the office

The TH87 has a clean and restrained appearance. It feels like a keyboard designed with the office in mind.

The keycaps have a professional colour palette, and the legends are clear and crisp. I also like that they include markings for both Windows and macOS. That is particularly useful on a tri-mode keyboard that may be used across several devices.

The case is made from plastic, but it does not feel excessively light. It is easy enough to carry into an office while still having enough weight to remain securely in place on a desk.

It does not have the premium feel of a heavy aluminium keyboard, but that is not really what the TH87 is trying to be. It's a keyboard that proudly exudes a functional air to it.

Sea Salt Silent V2 switches

The switches were the main reason I bought this keyboard. The Sea Salt Silent V2 switches are impressively quiet.

Before buying the TH87, I had read that silent switches could feel mushy because of the dampening materials used inside them.

There is some softness here, but it is much less noticeable than I expected. The best way I can describe them is that they feel like typing on a thin layer of marshmallows.

There is a cushioned feeling at the bottom of each keypress, but the switches do not feel completely lifeless. They are soft, quiet and comfortable.

They will not suit everyone. If you prefer a sharp and firm bottom-out, silent switches may feel too soft. However, for an office, shared room or late-night environment, they make a lot of sense.

Pleasant and easy to use

Typing on the TH87 is very pleasant.

The quiet switches make it easy to settle into a flow state. There is no loud clack after every keypress and no noisy spacebar interrupting the room.

The keyboard simply gets out of the way and allows me to concentrate.

Wireless performance has also been excellent.

I experienced no signal drops, sudden disconnections or other connection problems.

The tri-mode connectivity makes it easy to move between several devices, which is one of the main reasons I enjoy using wireless keyboards.

I will have to say, though – the silence got old pretty fast for me. Silent keyboards, silent switches for that matter, are not something I enjoy. It's clinical, functional, and gets out of your way, and that's not what I want from a switch/keyboard. I can see its value, though.

The TH87 has a huge 10,000mAh battery. After one week of heavy use across several devices, the battery level had not fallen below 93 per cent. That was with the RGB lighting turned off, so battery life will vary if you regularly use the lighting.

Even so, the result was impressive. I could use the keyboard without constantly thinking about when it would need charging.

Where it falls short

The Epomaker TH87 alongside the EVO80 (pink)

The biggest limitation of the TH87 is that it feels like an affordable, pre-built plastic keyboard. There is nothing wrong with its construction, and it works perfectly well as an everyday keyboard.

However, by the time I bought it, I had started looking for something more premium. I had become more interested in materials, mounting systems and keyboards with a stronger individual identity.

The TH87 feels safe and practical rather than distinctive or exciting. That is not necessarily a fault. It simply means the keyboard may not appeal to someone who has already moved further into the enthusiast side of the hobby.

The keyboard I needed, not necessarily what I wanted

The main reason I bought the TH87 was because it offered a very specific combination of features.

It was silent, ISO UK, TKL, wireless and affordable. It ticked every box I was looking for.

The switches are genuinely quiet, the battery life is excellent and the wireless connection has been dependable.

It is also comfortable to type on and easy to carry into an office.

The TH87 gave me exactly what I wanted. It also made me realise that my tastes had evolved and that I was beginning to want something more premium.

Be careful what you wish for; you might just get it. And I sure did.

Would I recommend it?

Would I buy the Epomaker TH87 today?

Probably not.

My preferences have changed, and I now look for more premium materials and greater customisation.

But would I recommend it?

Yes. No question.

Especially if you want a silent ISO UK keyboard with a TKL layout, tri-mode connectivity and excellent battery life, all in a very attractive price point. This is a keyboard that would make a perfect gift for that loved one who just wants a tool that won't get in their way.

It is not trying to compete with a premium custom keyboard.

It is a quiet, practical and dependable pre-built that works well at home or in an office.

The Epomaker TH87 may not be the keyboard I would choose today, but it was an important lesson for me.

Moving forward, I need to see past what I want and think hard about whether or not the product is more than the sum of all its parts.

Epomaker had no involvement in the production of this article or video. They did not provide the keyboard or have any say in my conclusions.

About the Author

Hi there, my name’s Alan, and I’m the creator of FYRTEK, a UK-based website exploring technology, music, photography, and various other interests of mine.

FYRTEK brings together two sides of my world. FYR (fire) covers heavy music, including metal, blackgaze, shoegaze, heavygaze, and post-rock. TEK (tech) focuses on mechanical keyboards, switches, keycaps, desk gear, gadgets, computing, and useful everyday technology.

This is a place where I share my experiences through hands-on reviews, commentary, personal reflections, and the occasional journey down an unexpected rabbit hole.

Alongside my interests in technology, music, and photography, I am also an advocate for autism awareness and accessibility, drawing from my personal experience as a parent. I believe technology and online communities should be inclusive, useful, and empowering.

FYRTEK was created as a space for honest opinions, curiosity, and enthusiasm.