Mechanical Keyboard
$119
A large section of the PC gaming community loves modularity, and modular keyboards are not uncommon. Most modular keyboards offer customizations to the switch level, allowing you to swap the stock switches with different ones. RGB customizations are common even on non-modular keyboards, and that's something quite usual on most RGB keyboards.
Epomaker took a different approach to modularity, and apart from swappable switches and RGB customizations, you are also seeing a swappable layout on its new RT98 keyboard. The RT98 is advertised as a keyboard that "Breaks the Mold" as it offers an unusual modularity that is unique and practical, as per the company. In this review, we will take a close look at the RT98 keyboard, its features, specifications, modularity, ease of usage, and how it performs when it comes to gaming and work.
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The RT98 box comes with quite a good number of utilities. The packaging was decent as well, and here are all the accessories and utilities you will find in the box:
The Epomaker RT98 uses a 98% form-factor and offers a standard 104 key-style keyboard. You will find some of the keys missing in the Navigation section, but you get a dedicated numpad and all the Function keys on top. It's pretty much like a standard 104 keyboard except for a few keys missing. The footprint is similar to a standard full-sized keyboard, and the layout remains spacious instead of compressing keys tightly together.
The RT98 appears to be a retro-inspired keyboard that brings an integrated smart display system, which looks like a CRT Television. The off-white and cream keycaps create a subtle contrast with the chassis, which is detachable as we will see in the customization section. As you can see, a few keys feature multi-colored styling for a unique identity with white legends instead of the black as seen across the rest of the keyboard.
Epomaker RT98 is a mechanical keyboard that has a big focus on modularity as well as a wide compatibility to allow working on various platforms. Unlike o,ther conventional mechanical keyboards, RT98's focus is more on providing the flexibility for shifting the numpad to either side apart from delivering necessary customizability.
The RT98 boasts tri-mode connectivity, which is a fantastic way to ensure good compatibility with multiple platforms, a wide range of devices, and operating systems. Out of the box, the RT98 keyboard offers Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and a wired connection for your devices. It's one of the very few keyboards that come with a dedicated housing for the 2.4 GHz adapter, which makes it an easy option for carrying around while reducing the risk of misplacing the USB adapter.
A long USB-C to A braided cable is provided for wired connectivity, and a toggle switch is present at the I/O to switch between connection modes. It's convenient, user-friendly, and makes switching quick. As far as compatibility goes, the RT98 is compatible with multiple OSes, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.
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The RT98 appears to be a well-built keyboard, as it feels durable and doesn't wobble. Even though it doesn't use a steel or metal frame, the ABS chassis keeps it sturdy in use. The RT98 uses double-shot PBT keycaps, which are well-known for their reliability and have a few colored keycaps for unique aesthetics. Epomaker uses similar housing across its RT-series, and it's a great way of reducing weight without affecting the durability and sturdiness.
The keyboard uses the gasket-style mounting structure that helps isolate the plate from the case using compression materials. This is why when you press the keys on the RT98, you will experience a slightly cushioned keystroke response, which is silent and fast. I liked the softer typing feel of the switches, and as these are linear and silent, they are well-suited for high-speed typing and gaming in environments where quieter operation is preferred, such as shared workspaces or late-night setups.
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The keyboard chassis uses three pieces, which you can remove as we will see in the customization sections. These are secured together with the help of a few screws. So, you won't be seeing a single piece, which is quite obvious from the assembly as well. For height adjustments, the keyboard provides two height adjustments through built-in kickstands. These are snappy but quite sturdy, giving you the right ergonomics for your work.
Under the hood, you will find these light blue linear mechanical switches. I have tried to find out the name of this particular switch, but as far as I can search, I could only see Epomaker mentioning them as "Hot-Swappable" switches, meaning you can swap them with your favorite ones. One thing is clear: these are Epomaker's proprietary switches, which are obviously linear. The key presses across the keyboard felt quite consistent and produced similar acoustics.
The RT98 uses internal damping layers, which you will see in the next section when we disassemble it. These are integrated into the RT-series structure and reduce the internal cavity resonance, producing a more controlled typing sound.
Here comes the interesting part. The RT98 isn't your regular mechanical keyboard with some RGB and hot swappability. It's a new approach to customizations that goes beyond the conventional tweaks. We have reviewed several keyboards and haven't seen anything that can actually let you change the layout. As far as the traditional customizations are concerned, you can use FN+\ to cycle through various RGB presets and can control the lighting through VIA.
The keyboard has south-facing LEDs, and despite the legends being opaque, the RGB lighting illuminates the keyboard, thanks to the bright RGB LEDs. You can customize the lighting through the software after uploading its JSON file to use via.app. After connecting the keyboard, you will get all the options to tweak stuff like layers, macros, button remapping, etc. For the TV, a dedicated image tool is provided to change the GIFs or change whatever is displayed on the screen according to need. This is a magnetic TV, which can be detached easily as it uses a magnetic interface. The features aren't something extraordinary, but it gives the RT98 a unique personality.
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When you move on to the actual hardware customizations, you can swap the switches, but most importantly, can change the layout. The Numpad on the RT98 can be switched either to the right or the left, which is rare on even high-end keyboards. The process can be a bit complicated for beginners as it's not a simple plug-and-play process. You need to remove around 8 screws with the provided Allen wrench to remove the frame for both sections. Once you do that, you can place them safely on the side and here's what you will see underneath the PCB.
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The Numpad PCB has a flat white cable or FFC (Flat Flexible Cable) attached to the ZIF FFC/FPC connector. You can see there are two such connectors for left/right orientation, and once you remove the cable by unlocking the small bar on the connector, you can now place the Numpad on either the left or Right side and connect the cable to the ZIF FFC connector again. The main area can now be placed on the other side, and both sections can be secured using their respective frames and screws. Now, you successfully have a different layout than what the majority of keyboards can provide.
I personally loved the Numpad on the left by default. So, I didn't change the layout. The numpad on the left helps in clearing space for mouse movement, and this particularly helps in gaming if you do a lot of mouse movement.
I am amazed by the amount of customization Epomaker has allowed on the RT98. Such a keyboard design is rare, but super convenient. We aren't just talking about the excellent performance RT98 brings to the table, but also how easily one can adjust it as per needs. The key presses on the RT98 are smooth, silent, and fast. Its approach to changing the Numpad layout without compromising the durability is remarkable, and the tri-mode connectivity makes it widely compatible with a wide range of devices. On top of that, the detachable magnetic TV adds a unique personality to the keyboard.
The RT98 might not be the best "gaming" keyboard, but it's certainly the best for work. For gaming, performance matters, and I recommend opting for a Hall Effect keyboard, but if you want a perfect balance of both gaming and work, I think other keyboard manufacturers will have a hard time delivering an impressive model like the Epomaker RT98. The keyboard is officially priced at $119, but you can buy it for cheaper on Kickstart at an early bird price of $95.
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8.8
Epomaker RT98 stands out as an exceptionally versatile keyboard, offering layout-swapping flexiblity alongside delivering smooth performance that suits both gaming and productivity workflows.
About the author: Sarfraz Khan is a hardware reporter with a focus on PC components and the builder community. With years of experience writing about PC hardware and laptops, his work has been featured on several reputable technology publications. Sarfraz's hands-on experience is demonstrated through his first-person accounts of using and comparing different hardware configurations, providing practical and relatable insights for everyday users. His technical analysis is respected by peers in the enthusiast community and has been cited by specialized hardware sites such as Germany's Igor's Lab.
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