The Epomaker Split65 keyboard has revolutionized how I type and work — here’s how

As someone who types nearly 8,000 words per week, I need an ergonomic keyboard that offers a comfortable typing experience, like the Epomaker Split65.

You guessed it: it’s split down the middle and its two modules can be placed as far as 13 inches apart, enabling you to straighten your posture. While it’s fully hot-swappable, its stock switches are highly responsive for both typing and casual gaming. Oh, and it doesn’t break the bank either — costing just $119, unlike some other split ergonomic keyboards.

However, as with other split ‘boards, there’s a steep learning curve, although this is worth sticking out for the ergonomic benefits. Sadly Epomaker doesn’t make any accompanying ergo accessories, such as a tenting kit, which may be frustrating for some, especially as these are available from rivals.

Could this still be the best mechanical keyboard for you? Read my full Epomaker Split65 review to find out.

Epomaker Split65 review: Cheat sheet

• What is it? An ergonomic split keyboard with two models and a 65% layout
• Who is it for? For typists and casual gamers wanting a comfortable keyboard
• How much does it cost? The Epomaker Split65 costs $119 / £119
• What do we like? The sturdy build, ergonomic design, affordable price, great typing and casual gaming performance, and web-based companion software
• What don’t we like? Epomaker doesn’t make any ergonomic accessories

Epomaker Split65 review: Specs

Epomaker Split65 review: The ups

The Epomaker Split65 is built extremely well, sports a comfortable, ergonomic design, and offers a fantastic typing and casual gaming experience.

Fantastic build quality

For a keyboard that costs less than $120, the Epomaker Split65 is sturdy and well-built. Its body is made entirely of high-quality plastic that doesn’t look or feel cheap, and it’s even fitted with a classy all-black knob for volume control.

The Split65 is available in one colorway only: a black body with white and multi-tonal blue keycaps. In my opinion, it looks great and fits right into the office. But it also exudes ‘gamer vibes’ as it features bright south-facing RGB backlighting — which, again, looks lovely. In short, it’ll fit in anywhere.

To contribute to the fantastic typing experience, which I’ll get to in a minute, the Split65 is fitted with Cherry profile double-shot PBT keycaps. I would expect these at this price but you’d be surprised by how many expensive keyboards I’ve tested that feature less durable ABS keycaps instead — like the Razer Pro Type Ultra ($159) and the Corsair K65 Plus for Mac ($179). ABS tends to wear and go shiny more easily than hard-wearing, oil-resistant PBT.

Ergonomic and comfortable

The Epomaker Split65’s biggest selling point is its split design featuring two individual models. This is the ideal keyboard for those who want to improve their posture or reduce stress and pain in their hands, as you can place the modules at your desired distance.

A USB-C to USB-C cable connects both modules, and it measures approximately 13.5 inches, giving you plenty of length to play with. And if you want to use the Split65 as one unit, both halves magnetically snap together — the connection between them is also reassuringly firm, ensuring they don’t unintentionally separate.

I’ve loved using the Split65 in the office. Within an hour or so of testing, I noticed that I was sitting more upright than usual, and that’s because I’d separated the modules just enough that my hands naturally fell on the keys without me having to adjust my posture to suit. One of my favorite keyboards, the Keychron Q14 Max ($209), sports an Alice layout and the Split65 is on par with it in terms of comfort. The Alice layout is beneficial as it’s slightly tilted for added comfort so it naturally bends your wrists, releasing tension in your arms. I placed the Split65’s modules the same way, so my arms and my back were delighted.

For those of you who have sedentary jobs — which involve sitting at a desk for long periods — this is a must-have keyboard. While its layout takes some time to get used to (more on that soon), it’s well worth the effort and practice.

Great typing experience

In addition to being mighty comfortable, the Epomaker Split65 offers a lovely typing experience. You can get it with one of two switch sets: Wisteria or Flamingo linear switches. If you aren’t a fan of those, the Split65 is hot-swappable so you can use any 3- or 5-pin mechanical switches without de- and re-soldering them to the PCB.

While the Split65 isn’t the quietest keyboard I’ve tested — the Epomaker RT100 ($115) with its Sea Salt switches wears that crown — it’s not too loud that it disturbed my coworkers. That’s thanks to the four layers of acoustic foam and sound dampening which also work together to ensure there aren’t any unwanted pings — and there aren’t. The keyboard has a lovely thock-y sound profile that isn’t too loud but not too quiet either.

I tested the Wisteria switches which require a moderately weighty (but not heavy) 45g of force to activate. Compared to the very heavy Super Switch Banana ones in the Keychron K8 V2 ($79) which required 57g of force, the Wisteria switches are a welcome change. They also have a short pre-travel distance of 2.2mm, so you don’t have to press them all the way down for a command to register. This, in turn, results in you being able to type quickly.

The Split65 comes with a learning curve (more on that soon), so to give it a fair chance, I waited until my typing speed came close to my usual average (after about seven hours) to compare it to other keyboards I’ve tested.

I took a typing test at 10fastfingers.com and you can see the results above. While my words per minute score was still lower than normal, I’m pleased with the result because, hey, my hands aren’t in pain!

Ergonomic gaming!

Want a mechanical keyboard that can hold its own in typing and casual gaming while being extremely comfortable? Then the Epomaker Split65 should be right up your alley.

The 65% layout is naturally compact, and even traditional non-split keyboards that sport it can be angled a lot of ways or positioned more flexibly on your desk, giving you more space for your mouse.

The split design takes it to the next level, allowing me to place the left module with the WASD movement keys more toward the laptop. In any FPS or RPG, you need to be constantly using the movement keys, so I wanted to make sure my left hand was comfortable even when playing for long periods.

Ergonomics aside, the Split65 has a 1,000Hz polling rate which negates any latency issues. It also features N-key rollover, a feature that allows multiple inputs to be registered at the same time. This gave me a competitive edge in games like Counter-Strike 2 and Hitman, where I could access my inventory right after crouching, before even releasing the crouch key. The Wisteria switches are highly responsive and I didn’t have to worry about missed inputs at all. For serious typing and casual gaming, the Split65 is a great option.

Inexpensive

I’ve tested some fantastic ergonomic and split keyboards. Split keyboards don’t always come cheap though, and can often burn a hole in your pocket. The Keychron Q11, for instance, costs an eye-watering $204 / £181, and the Kinesis Freestyle Pro has a retail price of $179 / £249.

Epomaker, on the other hand, provides an inexpensive ergonomic experience at an accessible price with the Split65. If you’re a fan of full-metal keyboards, you might prefer the Q11 which is made of full CNC machined aluminum but it isn’t worth the extra spend simply because of its significant shortcomings — like its short cable and lack of ergo accessories.

The Split65 has a retail price of $119 / £119 which is great for the quality and comfort you’re getting. There are cheaper ergonomic alternatives available, like the Keychron K11 Max ($94) or the Keychron V8 Max ($109) Alice-layout ‘boards, which are fantastic in their own right, but these aren’t split down the middle.

QMK/VIA-enabled

Epomaker has finally caught up with Keychron and NuPhy in terms of software customization, as the Split65 runs open source QMK firmware, meaning you don’t need to download proprietary software to customize the Split65.

The Split65 is configurable using the VIA web-based software application, where you can customize the RGB lighting, remap keys and the knob in the top-right corner, and program macros.

To do this, though, you’ll have to download the JSON file from Epomaker’s website and load it into VIA using the Design tab — as you would for boards like the NuPhy Air75 V2 ($119) and NuPhy Halo75 V2 ($129). It should then recognize the Split65, enabling you to personalize the keyboard as you like.

It’s easy and quick to do and I much prefer it over installing Epomaker’s proprietary software, Epomaker Driver, onto a Windows or macOS machine (as I have had to do with virtually every other Epomaker board I’ve tested).

Epomaker Split65 review: The downs

The Epomaker Split65 has a steep learning curve, and it doesn’t come with any ergonomic accessories, such as a wrist rest and a tenting kit.

Learning curve

Like most ergonomic keyboards, the Epomaker Split65 has a steep learning curve, especially if you’re moving away from traditional keyboards for the first time. It took me a while to get used to it too. This isn’t necessarily a con — more of a pre-purchase consideration.

I got off to a rocky start with the Split65. My right index finger kept reaching for the B key which is on the left module, while my left index kept reaching for the Y key on the right module, for instance, which was frustrating but I soon got over it. You may face this issue too, but your muscle memory will retrain itself to hit the right keys with the correct hand eventually.

To see how long it would take to get back to my average typing speed, I took a few typing tests at 10fastfingers.com while keeping the modules approximately 10 inches apart, as you can see above. It took me just under one whole working day, and I still couldn’t break past 86 words per minute. But this will improve over time the more I use the keyboard.

No ergo accessories

The Split65 is Epomaker’s only split keyboard and it doesn’t come with what some might consider crucial ergonomic accessories, such as a tenting kit.

A tenting kit, basically, props the centers of the two modules up at an angle so that your hands naturally sit on them. Even Keychron didn’t sell any ergo accessories for the Q11. While I’ve criticized the Kinesis Freestyle Pro, at least I could buy a matching tenting kit separately from Kinesis if I needed it. Tenting kits aren’t ‘one size fits all’ so it’s not like you can buy one from a different brand and use it with the Split65 either.

Sadly, the Split65 doesn’t feature adjustable feet on its underside. This means that you’re stuck with the default 7-degree typing angle. You can always get some makeshift accessories but that will be an added expenditure, and they may not always fit, which is why it’s crucial for Epomaker to start making its own.

Epomaker Split65 review: Verdict

I’ve absolutely loved using the Epomaker Split65. It has made me realize that I need to look after my back and arms as I approach my 30s, and one of the best ways to do that is by using an ergonomic keyboard.

The Split65’s split (of course) design is extremely ergonomic as you can place the modules as far apart as you like. Its responsive stock linear switches and double-shot PBT keycaps offer a lovely typing experience, while its 1,000Hz polling rate and N-key rollover prove invaluable in casual gaming.

The Split65 is VIA-enabled too, which means you don’t need to download proprietary software to customize it. The keyboard looks great, is built extremely well for the price, and it’s just the one you need to relieve stress in your hands and arms.

Despite the learning curve I eventually conquered, the Split65 has joined my work arsenal.