Epomaker LEOBOG HI8 SE
EPOMAKER X LEOBOG HI8 SE Wireless Aluminum Gaming Keyboard, Hot Swappable Creamy Keyboard, Programmable Custom Mechanical Keyboard with PC Plate, RGB Backlit, for Win/Mac/Linux (Blue)
Our Premium Pick in Best Mechanical Keyboards for the Money. Here is the full rundown: the specs, what we like, the trade-offs, and who it is for.
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EPOMAKER X LEOBOG HI8 SE Wireless Aluminum Gaming Keyboard, Hot Swappable Creamy Keyboard, Programmable Custom Mechanical Keyboard with PC Plate, RGB Backlit, for Win/Mac/Linux (Blue)
Best for: Typists and casual gamers who want a custom-keyboard feel and sound for around $100.
The HI8 SE is the one that feels like a luxury the moment you pick it up. The case is full CNC aluminum, not plastic pretending to be metal, and at roughly a hundred dollars that is borderline unfair to the competition. The payoff is the sound: a gasket mount with foam, films, and a flex-cut PCB gives it that creamy, marbly thock enthusiasts chase.
Pre-lubed linear switches and a big 8000mAh battery mean it is smooth to type on and lasts ages between charges, and it is hot-swap so you can retune the feel whenever.
Know what it is not. At about 1.7kg it is a desk anchor, not a travel board, and the software is Windows-only with no VIA or QMK, so deep remapping is off the table. It is also tuned for typing and casual gaming rather than competitive FPS. As a budget taste of the custom-keyboard world, though, it is a knockout.
What we like
- + Premium full-CNC aluminum case for around $100
- + Custom-like creamy, thocky gasket sound
- + Huge 8000mAh battery and tri-mode wireless
- + Hot-swap with durable PBT keycaps
Watch outs
- - Heavy (~1.7kg), not portable
- - Windows-only software, no VIA/QMK
- - Not aimed at competitive FPS gamers
Full specs
| Layout | 75% (80 keys) |
| Case | CNC 6063 aluminum |
| Mount | Gasket (PORON) |
| Connectivity | Wired, Bluetooth, 2.4GHz |
| Hot-swap | Yes, 3-pin and 5-pin |
| Keycaps | Double-shot PBT, Cherry profile |
| Battery | 8000 mAh |
| Weight | ~1.7 kg |
Editor's note
First time I typed on this I actually laughed, it sounds that deep and creamy straight out of the box. The aluminum case gives it a heft that makes cheaper boards feel hollow afterward. It is heavy though, so this is a stays-on-the-desk keyboard, not one I toss in a bag.
How it compares
Part of a buying guide
We chose the Epomaker LEOBOG HI8 SE as our premium pick after comparing it head to head with the other top options.
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