I’ve been using the Epomaker Magcore 65 Lite for a while now, and it’s one of those keyboards that quietly grows on you the more time you spend with it. On paper, it’s a compact 65% board with inductive switches and tri-mode connectivity, but in day-to-day use, it feels far more refined than its price suggests.
It’s fast, comfortable, and genuinely practical, whether I’m gaming or writing. And for a smaller board, it packs in a lot of features that you usually have to pay extra for.
Unboxing and first impressions
The unboxing was classic Epomaker, but what stood out was the accessory set. Getting three spare inductive switches, three extra keycaps, a braided USB-C cable, and a switch/keycap puller made it feel like the board was ready to be customised straight away. Having these extras on hand, especially the switches, is something I ended up appreciating more once I started experimenting.
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Design and layout
The 65% layout is usually my comfort zone, and the Epomaker Magcore 65 Lite didn’t disappoint. The 66-key setup keeps the arrow keys where I want them, the metal knob is easy to reach, and that angled 45-degree front edge actually helps a lot more than I expected during long writing sessions.
The purple-translucent accent keys add a nice pop without looking cheap, and the underside, with its wide rubber feet and two-stage kickstand, keeps the board planted no matter how aggressively I type.
Build quality
Even though it’s a plastic board, Epomaker Magcore 65 Lite doesn’t feel hollow or flimsy. The gasket-mounted structure and the four layers of internal dampening make a noticeable difference. There’s no annoying ping, no cheap echo, just a solid, muted response. I also liked how easy it was to hot-swap the inductive switches, though you’re limited to Epomaker’s inductive system only.
Connectivity in real use
Switching between wired, 2.4GHz, and Bluetooth has been seamless. The physical toggle on the back is simple and reliable, and the fact that the 2.4G dongle sits inside a built-in storage slot is just smart design. I’ve used it across Windows and Android without any issues. On 2.4G, the connection feels almost as quick as wired.
Keycaps and knob
The double-shot PBT keycaps feel great to type on, smooth but not slippery. The legends are crisp, and even though they’re not shine-through, visibility hasn’t been a problem. That metal knob has become one of my favourite parts of the board; it’s quiet, smooth, and perfect for quick volume tweaks or brightness adjustments.
Performance and inductive switches
This is where using the Epomaker Magcore 65 Lite really started to shine for me. The inductive analog switches feel incredibly precise, and being able to adjust the actuation point anywhere from 0.1mm to 3.4mm is a game-changer.
For gaming, the 8,000Hz polling rate in wired mode feels instant. The multi-trigger settings and Dynamic Keystroke options give you real control over how each key behaves, and SOCD cleaning is a big plus for competitive titles.
Even on wireless, the Epomaker Magcore 65 Lite kept up without any noticeable lag, 1,000Hz on 2.4G is more than enough for fast gameplay.
Typing experience and sound
Typing on this Epomaker Magcore 65 Lite has been consistently satisfying. The sound is clean and clacky, not deep like a traditional mechanical switch, but crisp and controlled. The stabilisers came well-lubed out of the box, and I didn’t have to fix or adjust anything, no rattling, no unevenness.
Battery life
The dual 2000mAh batteries have held up extremely well. Even with mixed Bluetooth and 2.4G use, I haven’t found myself hunting for the charger often. For a small keyboard with this feature set, the battery life is genuinely impressive.
Software
The web-based driver surprised me. I usually prefer offline software, but this one works smoothly. Changing actuation points, adjusting lighting, and remapping keys through the browser felt quick and straightforward. Still, some users might prefer a downloadable version.
Final Thoughts
After using the Epomaker Magcore 65 Lite daily, I can say it delivers far more than I expected at its price. The inductive analog switches, the solid build, the excellent wireless performance, and the level of customisation make it a standout 65% keyboard. It’s fast, reliable, and a lot of fun to use whether I’m gaming, writing, or editing.
If you want a compact board that feels modern, responsive, and genuinely well thought-out, the Magcore 65 Lite is easy to recommend.
You can grab the Epomaker Magcore 65 Lite directly from Epomaker. For more hardware reviews like this, check out the hardware review section!
