The EPOMAKER Glyph is a mechanical keyboard designed to combine the visual character of a vintage typewriter with the features expected from a modern gaming and productivity peripheral. Its retro styling immediately sets it apart, but the Glyph is more than a keyboard built around aesthetics.
Priced at $139, the 83-key keyboard features round PBT keycaps, an integrated smart display and rotary knob, an 8000mAh battery, hot-swappable switches, per-key RGB lighting and three connection methods. It also uses a top-mounted construction and five-layer acoustic treatment designed to produce a deeper, more refined typing sound.
The result is a keyboard that has a distinctive identity while retaining the flexibility required for gaming, writing and everyday desktop use.
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Design and Build Quality
The EPOMAKER Glyph takes clear inspiration from traditional typewriters. Its rounded keycaps and physical return lever give it an immediately recognizable appearance, while the compact 75% layout keeps the overall footprint practical.
The keyboard uses 83 keys in a US ANSI layout, with a floating-key design that allows the retro keycaps to remain visually prominent. The Retro White finish reinforces the vintage aesthetic without making the keyboard look overly ornamental.
The keycaps are made from PBT, which is generally more resistant to shine and wear than ABS. EPOMAKER has also opted for a uniform, non-sculpted height with a concave shape. This gives the keys their typewriter-inspired appearance while providing a consistent surface for the fingers.
A color-matched silicone wrist rest is included. It is a useful addition for longer typing sessions, particularly given the Glyph's focus on writing as well as gaming.
The case itself is made from ABS plastic, while the plate combines ABS and aluminum. At approximately 1.18kg, the keyboard has enough weight to feel substantial on a desk without becoming difficult to move.
There is also a two-stage adjustable typing angle, offering 1- or 2-degree positions. It is a small feature, but it provides some additional flexibility when finding a comfortable setup.
Typewriter Features With a Modern Purpose
The most distinctive part of the EPOMAKER Glyph is its return lever.
Inspired by the mechanisms found on vintage typewriters, the lever serves a practical function rather than being purely decorative. Toggling it upward activates Enter, while pressing it downward functions as Backspace.
It is an unusual control that gives the Glyph some of its personality without requiring users to sacrifice functionality.
The keyboard also includes a slot alongside the lever that can hold a smartphone or tablet. This is another thoughtful addition for users who keep a secondary device nearby while working or gaming.
Smart Screen and Rotary Knob
The integrated TFT screen adds another modern element to the otherwise vintage-inspired design.
The display can show keyboard status information, the time and RGB controls, while the accompanying software allows users to upload GIFs, memes and logos. This makes the screen both functional and customizable.
The rotary knob provides another convenient control point. It can be used for volume and media functions, while a combination involving the FN key switches it to screen navigation.
The inclusion of a display is not essential for a mechanical keyboard, but it does help distinguish the Glyph from more conventional 75% keyboards. The combination of screen and knob also fits naturally into the keyboard's retro-futuristic design.
Typing Experience
The Glyph comes equipped with EPOMAKER Wisteria V2 switches. These are factory-lubricated linear mechanical switches with a 32.8gf actuation force and a 45gf bottom-out force.
They have 2.0mm ±0.4mm of pre-travel and 3.6mm ±0.4mm of total travel.
Despite the typewriter styling, the Wisteria V2 switches are designed to provide a smooth and relatively light typing experience. Their linear design means there is no tactile bump during the keypress, which makes them suitable for users who prefer uninterrupted key travel.
The factory lubrication is particularly useful here. It helps give the switches the smooth, consistent feel expected from a keyboard in this price category without requiring immediate modifications.
For users who specifically want a more tactile typewriter sensation, the hot-swappable PCB provides an easy upgrade path.
Five-Layer Acoustic Design
Sound is one of the areas where EPOMAKER has put considerable attention into the Glyph.
The keyboard uses a top-mount structure, with the ABS and aluminum hybrid plate distributing the force of each keystroke across the board. This is combined with five layers of acoustic material:
- Noise-absorbing foam
- Switch pad
- Sound-enhancement pad
- Switch socket pad
- Bottom silicone layer
Together, these layers are designed to reduce hollow or unwanted case resonance while emphasizing the deeper sound associated with the Glyph.
EPOMAKER describes the resulting sound as a "creamy" typewriter thock. While the exact acoustic character will naturally depend on the desk surface, typing technique and environment, the underlying construction demonstrates that the sound profile is not simply a result of the rounded keycaps.
The top-mount structure should also provide a firm and consistent typing feel. There is no flex-cut in the board, so the Glyph is designed more around stability and acoustic tuning than an especially soft or flexible typing experience.
Hot-Swappable PCB
The hot-swappable PCB is one of the Glyph's strongest practical features.
The keyboard supports 3- and 5-pin mechanical switches, allowing users to replace the supplied Wisteria V2 switches without soldering. This gives owners the option to experiment with different linear, tactile or silent switches later.
Three additional switches are also included in the box, alongside a combined switch and keycap puller.
For a $139 mechanical keyboard, this level of customization is useful. It also means the Glyph does not have to remain tied permanently to its factory configuration.
Gaming and Connectivity
Despite its typewriter-inspired appearance, the Glyph is equipped for modern gaming.
It supports three connection methods:
- 2.4GHz wireless
- Bluetooth
- USB-C wired
The 2.4GHz connection is the most relevant for gaming, offering a wireless connection without the cable required for wired operation. USB-C can also be used when charging or when a wired connection is preferred.
Bluetooth provides another option for laptops, tablets and mobile devices.
The keyboard supports Windows, macOS, Android and iOS, making it suitable for users who move between several platforms.
The wireless receiver can also be stored magnetically in the keyboard, reducing the likelihood of losing the dongle when transporting the Glyph.
Battery Life
An 8000mAh rechargeable battery is a particularly substantial capacity for a mechanical keyboard of this size.
Battery performance will naturally depend on RGB brightness, display usage, wireless mode and general usage patterns, so the capacity should not be interpreted as a fixed number of hours. Nevertheless, the 8000mAh battery gives the Glyph a strong foundation for extended wireless use.
Users who prefer not to think about battery levels can switch to USB-C wired operation, including while charging.
RGB Lighting and Software
The Glyph includes per-key RGB lighting with south-facing LEDs and switches equipped with light diffusers.
The lighting can be adjusted through EPOMAKER's software, alongside other keyboard customization options.
The EPOMAKER 3.0 driver also provides remapping functionality and controls for the smart display and rotary knob. This gives users considerably more flexibility than the physical design might initially suggest.
The ability to customize the display is particularly welcome. Rather than being limited to a permanently displayed logo or static information, users can upload their own visual content.
Layout and Everyday Use
The 75% layout provides a useful middle ground between compact keyboards and larger full-size models.
It retains a practical selection of keys while eliminating the dedicated number pad and reducing the overall footprint. For gaming, this leaves more room for mouse movement, while for general productivity it keeps the important navigation and function keys accessible.
The uniform keycap profile is slightly different from conventional sculpted mechanical keyboards. Some users may need a short adjustment period if they are accustomed to sculpted keycap sets.
However, the concave surfaces are designed to give the fingertips a natural landing point, and the included wrist rest helps make the layout more comfortable during extended sessions.
Who Is the EPOMAKER Glyph For?
The Glyph makes the most sense for users who want a keyboard that can serve multiple purposes without looking like a conventional gaming peripheral.
For gaming, it offers 2.4GHz wireless connectivity, RGB lighting, N-key rollover and a compact 75% layout.
For writing and productivity, the comfortable rounded PBT keycaps, rotary knob, smart display and typewriter-inspired return lever give it a distinct character.
For keyboard enthusiasts, the hot-swappable PCB and tri-mode connectivity provide room for customization.
Its main compromise is that the retro styling will not appeal to everyone. Users looking for an understated office keyboard or a minimalist gaming design may find the Glyph's typewriter aesthetic too prominent. The uniform keycap profile can also require some adjustment for users accustomed to sculpted profiles.
Those are largely matters of preference, however, rather than shortcomings in the underlying design.
Verdict
The EPOMAKER Glyph successfully combines two very different ideas: the tactile character and visual appeal of a vintage typewriter with the customization and connectivity of a modern mechanical gaming keyboard.
Its rounded PBT keycaps, return lever and Retro White finish give it a distinctive appearance, while the five-layer acoustic design and top-mounted construction provide substance behind the styling.
The Wisteria V2 switches are smooth and lightweight, the hot-swappable PCB gives enthusiasts plenty of upgrade potential, and the 2.4GHz, Bluetooth and USB-C connectivity makes the keyboard versatile across gaming and productivity setups.
The smart screen and rotary knob are also more than decorative additions, offering useful controls and customization options.
At $139, the EPOMAKER Glyph occupies a competitive part of the mechanical keyboard market, but its combination of features makes it stand out. It is not simply a retro keyboard designed to look like a typewriter. It is a modern mechanical keyboard that uses the typewriter concept as the foundation for a broader design.
For users looking for a distinctive keyboard with strong wireless functionality, customizable hardware and a carefully tuned typing experience, the Glyph offers a compelling package.
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