Epomaker Shadow-S Keyboard Review

The Epomaker Shadow-S enters a crowded market of sub-$100 keyboards vying for attention. With the Shadow-S, spec sheet highlights include must-have features like hot-swappable switches, a gasket-mounted design, and dual wireless connectivity, in addition to curious additions like the programmable smart screen. It looks like a win on paper, but how has it fared during my testing? Here is my review.

$100 buys you a lot in 2024

In 2024, companies are cramming an astonishing amount of features into keyboards, at the sub-$100 price point. With the Epomaker Shadow-S, buyers receive a tenkeyless board that features both a knob and a customizable screen, which is compatible with VIA software and boasts hot-swappable switches.

The list of impressive features keeps on going, with the generous 4,000 mAH battery enabling both power-sipping Bluetooth and low-latency 2.4 GHz connections, for those who want to ditch the cable. Then there’s the “Gasket-Style Mounting,” which enthusiasts are especially fond of due to the more cushioned typing experience.

Retro outside, modern inside

While I opted for the Pink White version, there’s also the White Brown edition. These look quite retro, which is a vibe that I think a lot of people are down with. As we move towards more minimalist and clean setups, retro designs appear to be making a comeback, which Epomaker is leaning fully into.

There are four choices of switches, all of which are linear. Buyers can choose from the Flamingo, Mulan, Wisteria, and Sea Salt Silent switches. Though I’m surprised at the lack of a tactile option, I can appreciate a good linear, especially for gaming.

I opted for Flamingo, which, when combined with the high-quality keycaps and various foams and other materials within the keyboard, felt and sounded superb. Epomaker really knows what it’s doing when it comes to the out-of-the-box typing experience, leading to a great first impression.

Unique selling point

The programmable screen is the main draw of this keyboard, at least when it comes to aesthetics. Users can use this to simply show the time and date, or they can further personalize it with a logo or meme. It’s a nice touch and it’s good to see that it hasn’t massively inflated the price.

When it comes to downsides, I’ve really had to dig deep into the specs. The main issue, at least on paper, is the 500 Hz polling rate. For those used to seeing 1,000 Hz or above, this may be a dealbreaker. With that said, I didn’t actually notice a difference during use while working and gaming. I guess I can’t tell the difference between these polling rates when it comes to keyboards.

Disclosure: Review sample provided by Epomaker.