If you’ve been following my mechanical keyboard journey, you’ll know I’m always on the lookout for keyboards that strike the perfect balance between work and play. Recently, I got the chance to test out the Epomaker Cypher 81, a sleek 75% mechanical keyboard fitted with the EPOMAKER Flamingo Linear Switches. After using it for a full week at work, I’m excited to share my thoughts!

Get your Epomaker Cypher 81 here!

Unboxing the Epomaker Cypher 81: Clean, Simple, and Satisfying

Let’s start with the unboxing experience, which (if you're a keyboard lover like me) is always the most exciting part. The Cypher 81 arrived neatly packed in a similar blue themed box which was minimal yet secured with bubblewrap.

Here’s what you’ll find in the box:
✔️ The Epomaker Cypher 81 Keyboard & Plastic Dustcover
✔️ Detachable USB-C cable
✔️ Keycap & Switch puller

✔️ 3 (extra) switches
✔️ A user manual

I went with the White Blue version, which looks super clean and refreshing on my desk. If white and blue isn’t your vibe, no worries the Cypher 81 is hot swappable, so you can pick the a keycap set that fits your aesthetic.

Build Quality: Solid Yet Sleek and Lightweight

One thing I always appreciate is when a keyboard looks great, feels sturdy and is affordable. The Cypher 81 checks all boxes. At 1.2kg and costing about US$80.99-89.99 (or less depending if there are promotions or sales), the keyboard’s case is made from high-quality ABS plastic, which helps to keep it lightweight without feeling cheap or hollow.

The keycaps are double-shot PBT, meaning the legends won’t fade easily and the texture feels pleasantly grippy under your fingers; perfect for long work sessions and casual gaming alike.

I like that this keyboard has screen which displays the Time, Date and Battery, along with if you are connected to a Mac or Win system and if the Caps Lock is turned on or not. All that information on the little tiny screen at a glance is really convenient. Of course the screen could also be turned off if you want.

The bonus is the knob on the right side which can control the screen to alternate between the language and light settings. With a press of the FN key and the knob, the volume can be controlled and adjusted according to your preference.

Epomaker Cypher 81: Technical Specifications

For those of you who love digging into the specs (I know I always do before buying a new keyboard), here’s a detailed look at what the Epomaker Cypher 81 brings to the table:

Specification Details

Brand EPOMAKER
Model Cypher 81
Layout 75% ANSI US Layout
Number of Keys 81 Keys, 1 Knob, 1 Interactive 0.85’’ TFT Screen
Battery 4000mAh
Connectivity Type-C Wired, 2.4GHz, Bluetooth 5.0
Compatibility Mac / Windows / Android / Linux
Case Material ABS Plastic
Position Plate PC
Stabilizers Plate-Mount (Compatible with PCB Stabilizers)
Mounting Structure Gasket-Mount
Sound Dampening IXPE Switch Pad, Poron Sandwich Foam, PET Sound-Enhancement Pad, Poron Switch Pad, Bottom Silicone, Spacebar EVA Foam
Keycaps Profile Cherry Profile
Keycaps Material PBT Plastic
Keycaps Manufacturing Technique Double-Shot
Hot-Swappable Yes - supports 3/5-pin mechanical switches
RGB Lighting South-facing, per-key RGB
Polling Rate 1000Hz (USB/2.4GHz), 125Hz (Bluetooth 5.0)
Latency 12-13ms (USB/2.4GHz), 20ms (Bluetooth)
Anti-Ghosting N-Key Rollover
Dimensions 335 x 145 x 44 mm
Weight 1.2 kg

Typing Experience: Smooth, Soft, and Satisfyingly Quiet

Now let’s talk about the part that really matters (other than the looks of course)... the typing feel. The EPOMAKER Flamingo Linear Switches truly shine here. With an actuation force of 47 ± 5g and a bottom-out force of 60 ± 5g, these switches deliver a firm (bouncy) yet buttery-smooth keystroke. Being Linear switches, there is no tactile bump and no click; just clean, fluid typing.

The specs are worth highlighting too:

Actuation Force: 47 ± 5g
Bottom-out Force: 60 ± 5g
Pre-Travel: 2.0 ± 0.4mm
Total Travel: 3.8 ± 0.3mm

What makes it even more lovable? The switches are this adorable shade of translucent pink! So for me, it’s a double win: great sound, smooth feel, and nice to look at, even under the keycaps (especially if transparent keycaps are used). If you’re a fan of keyboard ASMR, the Flamingo switches deliver a wonderfully soft “thock” sound that’s easy on the ears and perfect for both work and casual gaming.

For the past week, I’ve been using the Cypher 81 for work, and my fingers couldn’t be happier. Whether I’m typing up reports, replying to emails, or blogging away (like now!), it’s been a super comfortable experience.

Thinking About a Keycap Upgrade...

While the stock keycaps are perfectly fine, I can already feel the itch to switch them out for something cuter. Maybe a pastel set or some fun artisan keycaps to add a bit more personality to my desk. If you’re curious about how the Cypher 81 looks after its little makeover. So stay tuned, I’ll definitely share an update once I dress it up!

Final Thoughts: A Great Keyboard for Work and Play

The Epomaker Cypher 81 has honestly been a joy to use so far. Between the smooth, firm yet soft feel of the Flamingo Linear switches, and the compact yet functional 81-key layout, it’s a great fit for anyone looking for a stylish and comfortable mechanical keyboard that won’t take up too much desk space.

Whether you're a seasoned mechanical keyboard enthusiast or looking to upgrade from a basic office keyboard, the Cypher 81 is a solid pick. Especially with its hot-swappable feature for future switch (and keycap) experiments.

And of course, a big thank you to Epomaker for sending this keyboard over for me to test out! 💖

👉 Looking to level up your typing setup?
Click here to check out the Epomaker Cypher 81 and grab yours!

Have you tried the Cypher 81, or are you as obsessed with cute pink switches as I am? Let me know your thoughts in the comments, and stay tuned for my keycap swap update (hopefully) soon!