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Mechanical keyboards  ·  Epomaker TH80 Pro

Which switches fit the Epomaker TH80 Pro?

Explained
The short answerAny 3-pin or 5-pin MX-style mechanical switch fits the Epomaker TH80 Pro. Epomaker's own documentation lists the board as fully hot-swappable with south-facing sockets compatible with Cherry, Gateron, Kailh, Outemu and other MX clones. This covers the TH80 Pro specifically; the TH80, TH80 SE and TH80 V2 Pro are separate models.

The details

  • The sockets accept 3-pin and 5-pin MX switches interchangeably, per Epomaker's product pages. No leg clipping, no soldering.
  • The PCB is south-facing, confirmed in Epomaker's listings, so Cherry-profile keycaps will not collide with switch housings. It also means north-facing interference is one problem you never have to think about on this board.
  • Linear, tactile and clicky switches all register the same way. The stock Gateron Pro switches can be pulled and kept as spares.
  • The board is sold both barebones and prebuilt. The barebones kit ships with no switches at all, so any MX switch you buy is the plan, not an upgrade.
  • Per-key RGB shines from below the stem, so switches with clear or milky housings let more light through, though opaque housings still work fine electrically.

What does not fit

  • Low-profile switches (Kailh Choc, Gateron Low Profile): different pin pattern and height.
  • Optical switches: they require light-sensor sockets this PCB does not have.
  • Magnetic Hall effect switches: they require sensor hardware this PCB does not have.
  • Plate-mount stabilizer parts are not the constraint here, but note the stabilizers are separate from the switch sockets: swapping switches never requires touching them.

What owners actually do

The TH80 Pro has a large budget-custom following, and the consensus pattern is simple: buy it barebones, fill it with an inexpensive well-reviewed linear, and enjoy the foam-damped gasket sound. Owners who find the stock feel too light move to medium-weight tactiles. Because the board ships with a switch puller in most bundles, the swap is a ten-minute job: pull straight up, push the new switch in until it clicks, test the key before moving on.

If yours is a different TH80

Epomaker has shipped several boards under the TH80 name: the original TH80, the TH80 Pro, the TH80 SE, and the TH80 V2 Pro. All are marketed as MX hot-swap boards, but they are different PCBs from different years. Before ordering a large batch of switches, check the exact model name printed on your box or listing, and confirm that listing says 3-pin and 5-pin hot-swap. Do not assume a spec from one TH80 generation carries to another.

People also ask

Do 5-pin switches need to be clipped for the TH80 Pro?

No. The sockets take 5-pin switches directly, and the extra legs help alignment. Clipping is only needed on boards without 5-pin support, which this is not.

Is the TH80 Pro north-facing or south-facing?

South-facing, per Epomaker's own product documentation. Cherry-profile keycaps clear the housings without interference.

Can I use optical or magnetic switches in the TH80 Pro?

No. Both require special sensing hardware on the PCB. The TH80 Pro uses standard mechanical contact sockets, so only MX-style switches work.

Does the TH80 V2 Pro take the same switches?

It is also marketed as an MX hot-swap board, but it is a different PCB. Verify 3-pin and 5-pin support on the V2 Pro's own listing rather than assuming it matches the original Pro.

Last checked 2026-07-29. Spotted something out of date? The specs change; the answer gets rechecked.