Verdict
The JLab Epic Wireless Keyboard is a introductory wireless keyboard that does little to justify its gamey price tag . Its construction feels meretricious and the typewriting experience is fair at best . On the positive side , its battery life render good survival and connectivity is solid .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
Headphone producer JLab probably is n’t the first company you think about when you ’re call back about keyboard manufacturers . Well , they may well be now , with the release of the JLab Epic Wireless Keyboard .
price at £ 69.99/$69 , it ’s not the most low-cost product in the world , look to take design at the like of the recently releasedLogitech MX Keys blunder the hope to snag some share of a free-enterprise market .
Whether it ’s enough to be one of the best keyboard money can grease one’s palms remains to be seen . permit ’s take a gander , and see just how epic this Epic Wireless Keyboard is .
Design
The Epic Wireless Keyboard , if you squinch hard enough , could be a Logitech product . Its combination of a blank gray frame and the impose knob in the top correct corner makes it appear as a bastardisation of both the Logitech MX Keys and the Logitech Craft . At first coup d’oeil , the Epic Wireless keyboard appears to justify its terms by mixing with the best .
However , the keyboard ’s thin - feeling plastic structure , combined with a fair amount of deck flex even under minimal insistence , reveal that it does n’t really finger like a keyboard that should cost as much as it does . I care what JLab has decided to do , but the lack of any substance to it , despite a 783 g system of weights with battery included , does n’t augur well .
The comparisons to the MX Keys lineup extend further with JLab ’s decision to opt for spherically indenture keycaps to help finger placement . This is a nice touch , as is the dual - function labelling on certain important keys . Combined with this , the knob in the top right corner feel fair . However , with all of this , it does n’t half feel like the steel is but looking over Logitech ’s articulatio humeri and hoping for the best .
The Browning automatic rifle on top of the main function wrangle is simply there for dressing table , apart from housing the keyboard ’s on / off switch in the top leave , as well as a stamp battery indicator light for when the charge is low , and an graven JLab logo . It is slightly indented and glossy and feels like it could terminate up as a ambuscade for any debris . The finishing on the keycaps also seems as if it could end up very sheeny with finger petroleum very chop-chop , as they seem comprise of the same plastics as typically more affordable keyboard .
There are n’t any retractable feet on the bottom , but the Epic Wireless Keyboard or else opt for a single - superlative streak that raises the keyboard up for a more well-heeled typewrite angle . It would have been nice to get some retractable pes to offer an constituent of ascendancy , but that was n’t to be . The bar does provide a comfortable typewriting slant though , it must be enunciate .
In terms of its packaging , the Epic Wireless Keyboard come with a pair of cardboard boxes , and the keyboard is wrapped in report . Accessories are present inside indents in the publicity . JLab says they ’re aiming for fully recyclable packaging by the end of 2023 if we ’re observe intention , which is nice .
Performance
On the front of its typewriting experience , it ’s much the same history . The Epic Wireless Keyboard ’s scissor - activate keys do n’t volunteer the same exact , positive propulsion as its competitors , and keypresses feel somewhat mushy . Those who utilize laptops every day will sense at home here , given the little travel that ’s present . Of naturally , a mechanical keyboard will provide you with a more hearty typing experience , but the Epic Wireless Keyboard is fine .
On the plus side though , the spheric indent in the keycaps helped to steer my fingers , and the Epic Wireless Keyboard ’s sensible tactual sensation provided a well-situated typing experience for the most part .
This is a rightfully wireless keyboard , and can connect to up to three equipment , which is handy – that ’s two over Bluetooth or one with the bundled 2.4GHz receiver . Connectivity is simple , and shift between the mate equipment is also convenient with dedicated buttons in the keyboard ’s top right recession .
In terms of its battery life , JLab rates the Epic Wireless Keyboard ’s 2000mAh cell to last for up to 10 month on a single tutelage , which is excellent . It should perhaps amount as little surprise that the battery in testing did n’t necessarily lessen too much , and I had no pauperism to reload the Epic Wireless Keyboard at any detail .
Software and Lighting
The Epic Wireless Keyboard sour with JLab ’s Work App software . It ’s a bit of a blessing to learn that you have to have the USB dongle plugged in for the software package to bring , and JLab insist that you supply an email name and address before download the software program .
Once inside , it ’s a passably minimal entourage , giving you the option to remap the function row of buttons , and that ’s it . Remapping them is at least easygoing , though . You also get three profiles to choose from . Apart from that , there ’s only the alternative to update the firmware , and a hyperlink to the Support section on the JLab website .
The Epic Wireless Keyboard is backlit , with a white-hot backlight . However , it scarce provides much in the way of a difference compare to when the backlighting is off . Even at full whack , it ’s hard to tell when it ’s on , and it also turn off very quickly after a period of inactivity .
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Should you buy it?
Where the Epic Wireless Keyboard wins is with its 10 months of endurance , and if it ’s good battery liveliness you ’re after , this is a safe selection .
alas , the Epic Wireless Keyboard falls down on offer a slightly maudlin typewriting experience . Other options will fare well .
Final Thoughts
JLab ’s Epic Wireless Keyboard , to conclude , is n’t inevitably as ‘ epic ’ as it would assume . It sure does n’t feel like a keyboard that ’s worth the £ 70 asking price . Sure , its assault and battery life is good , and the wireless connectivity is seamless , but there are too many pitfalls .
The excogitation on offer is pull directly from Logitech and although good , is uninspiring . The keys themselves while offer reasonable tactual sensation , feel a tad mushy , and the software program on crack is okay , but I ’d have anticipate more functions for the asking price .
The moral of the tarradiddle here – spend the extra for aLogitech MX Keys , or even the blade - newMX Keys S.There are also vast swathes of mechanical choices out there that will offer a much estimable typecast experience for a similar price . Of course , it ’s up to you , but the JLab Epic Wireless Keyboard has done little to convince me here . For more option , check out our lean of thebest wireless keyboard .
Trusted Score
How we test
We use every keyboard we test for at least a workweek . During that time , we ’ll check it for ease of use , comfort and performance of the replacement .
We also check each keyboard ’s software to see how easy it is to customise and set up .
FAQs
The JLab Epic Wireless Keyboard ’s battery hold up for 10 calendar month on a single thrill .