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A decade after Sony released its first 1000X noise-canceling headphone, it's marking the milestone with a swanky new $650 model called 1000X The Collexion. Is it worth $200 more than the XM6?

Sony 1000X The Collexion: Two-minute review

The Sony 1000X The Collexion headphones arrive 10 years since Sony released the first set of headphones in its 1000X series, and to mark the occasion the Japanese tech giant has delivered its most expensive pair of wireless headphones ever. These are an ultra-premium pair of over-ears that are aimed squarely to be a rival to Apple’s AirPods Max 2.

And the Sony 1000X the Collexion really do feel like Sony’s attempt at going for the AirPods Max's popularity without the restrictive nature of that model’s iOS-centric feature-set. Everything from the sound signature through to the flatter design feels like a challenge to Apple, and, on a number of fronts, I’d argue that Sony has risen to said challenge.

Let’s start where it matters most and discuss sound quality. The Collexion (as I will call them) have an incredibly expansive, spacious soundstage, which provides plenty of room for individual instruments to express themselves.

Vocals and instruments are expertly separated, and there’s a fantastic degree of balance across the frequency range, resulting in nuanced, articulate sound. Combine that with using LDAC or lossless wired audio, and you’re in for a very detail-oriented listen.

The broad, roomy sound will certainly appeal to fans of the AirPods Max and their successor, although on a personal level, I did prefer the tighter and punchier sound signature of the Sony WH-1000XM6.

In terms of features, The Collexion riff heavily on what the XM6 had to offer, with impeccable touch controls, a 10-band custom equalizer, and third-party integrations like Spotify Tap and YouTube Music Quick Access. But there are some notable differences.

Here, users can access DSEE Ultimate for upscaling lower-quality files to 96kHz and 32-bit. This is enabled by a new V3 chip, which also powers some 360 Upmix audio modes for Music, Cinema, and Gaming, although these are unfortunately pretty poor, meaning I barely ever touched them. This is a shame, especially as the headphones have a dedicated button for such modes.

Noise cancelling is very good on The Collexion, and a 12-microphone system provides a solid barrier against traffic noise, surrounding chatter, and the like. Sony has been clear that the XM6 are more ANC-focused, and this came across in my testing, with a few more sounds seeping in with The Collexion — but what’s here still competes well against models like the AirPods Max 2 and bests the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2.

Something that has taken a substantial step down, however, is battery life. You’re only getting 24 hours now (with ANC on), which is a fair bit less than most of the competition. 30 hours is essentially a standard for premium wireless headphones now (in no small part thanks to it being Sony's usual benchmark), although The Collexion can still outlast the AirPods Max 2, which only manage about 20 hours of playtime.

I think these headphones largely nail their more luxurious design, though. They have a gorgeous faux-leather headband and earcups which both look and feel amazing, while titanium details also offer a nice contrast to that material, and make The Collexion stand out clearly over the more unified look of other models in the 1000X line, such as the Sony WH-1000XM5.

Generally, the headphones also feel very sturdy, and although they have a fair bit of weight to them, they’re less hefty than the AirPods Max 2. The Collexion are also exceedingly comfortable, and I felt happy using them for hours on end without ever feeling the need to adjust them.

All in all, then, the Sony 1000X The Collexion are a great pair of headphones that, on the whole, justify their asking price. Factors like their luxurious build, spacious sound, and solid feature-set mean they fare well against competitors in this price range.

There are some downsides, such as lower battery life and ANC power compared to the Sony WH-1000XM6, as well as the underwhelming 360 Upmix modes, but all in all, these headphones are worth considering for any who loves the feel of Sony headphones but wishes for a more revealing sound profile.

(Image credit: Future)Sony 1000X The Collexion review: Price and availability

• List price of $649 / £550 (about AU$900)
• Released in May 2026

The Collexion were officially unveiled in May 2026, about 10 years after Sony released the first set of headphones in its 1000X series. They’re the most premium wireless headphones on Sony’s roster, and have a list price of $649 / £550 (about AU$1,000), meaning they’re $200 / £200 more expensive than the Sony WH-1000XM6.

This puts them close to the AirPods Max 2 — though Apple has them undercut by a good $100 in the US, and £50 in the UK. Other notable competitors include the Dali IO-8 for £499 in the UK, though these cost a hefty $899 in the US. There's also the Bowers & Wilkins PX8 S2 for $799 / £629.

Sony 1000X The Collexion review: specs

Drivers

30mm dynamic

Active noise cancellation

Yes

Battery life

24 hours

Weight

0.7lbs / 320g

Connectivity

Bluetooth 6.0, USB-C, 3.5mm

Frequency range

20Hz-20kHz

Drivers

30mm dynamic

(Image credit: Future)Sony 1000X The Collexion review: Features

• ANC and battery life can’t match the XM6
• Best-in-class touch controls
• DSEE Ultimate for upscaling, plus LDAC and wired lossless available

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Sony 1000X The Collexion have a very similar featureset to the Sony WH-100XM6 — although there are some things that are exclusive to this pricier model, and some things they don’t do quite so well.

Let’s start with the new stuff. One brilliant addition is DSEE Ultimate. This technology is enabled by a new Integrated Processor V3 chip, and has never featured in a pair of Sony headphones until now (only in its music players).

DSEE Ultimate uses AI tech to upscale the sample rate of a lower-quality audio file (including stuff that's being compressed down for Bluetooth transmission) to 96kHz / 24-bit resolution. When using this on Spotify, a lot of the tracks I listen to regularly sounded a touch more detailed, and I highly recommend keeping this setting on.

On top of this, The Collexion bring high-resolution to the table via both wireless and wired means. First of all, these headphones feature LDAC for higher-res Bluetooth listening. This tech is still inherently lossy, but if you want to take a step up, you can connect the headphones to your listening device via a USB-C or 3.5mm connection for wired lossless audio.

Something else enabled by the V3 chip is The Collexion’s 360 Upmix spatial audio modes. Although there’s no Dolby Atmos support, there are Music, Cinema, and Game modes, all of which take a standard audio signal and convert it into a more expansive format.

Unfortunately, I found that these upmixed modes produced poor audio quality, so even though the feature is enticing in theory, I barely made use of it — more on that later.

Still, there are plenty of great features on board, such as The Collexion’s top-tier touch controls. These are the same as on the XM6 — you can swipe to skip tracks and adjust volume, cover the right earcup to enable transparency mode on the fly, and double tap to play or pause your music.

The touch controls are incredibly responsive, and the decision to use a double tap to pause means I never accidentally triggered a command.

Call quality is also strong once again, with four feedback mics on the inside of the headphones. There’s also a 10-band equalizer and presets for personalized audio, multi-point connectivity, voice assistant compatibility, and third-party software integrations like Spotify Tap and YouTube Music Quick Access.

A lot of these settings are available in Sony’s Sound Connect app, which is relatively easy to use, but some settings are buried deep in numerous sub-menus, which can be a irritating at times.

Anyway, let’s talk about the most important feature of all: active noise cancellation. Again, you get the choice to use full ANC, a transparent ambient sound mode, or no noise cancelling at all. There’s also adaptive sound control, which switches settings depending on your environment and behaviour.

Just how good is the ANC here, though? Well, Sony was clear with us that The Collexion are less centered around ANC than the WH-1000XM6 — despite also containing the QN3 processor and 12-microphone system, just like those headphones.

And although noise cancelling is still very good on The Collexion headphones, with surrounding chatter and traffic noise kept quiet even at medium listening volumes, I could certainly tell the difference compared to the XM6. While listening to music, some higher-pitched sounds, like typing and taps running, as well as louder sounds like doors closing, could still be heard.

If you want best-in-class ANC, I’d stick with the XM6 — or the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Gen 2 — but otherwise, you’ll likely be satisfied with the noise cancelling available here.

One other feature that’s received a downgrade from the XM6 is battery life. You only get 24 hours here, which Sony says is a result of The Collexion’s flatter design in the earcups compared to the XM6, which offer 30 hours of playtime.

But let’s be honest: 24 hours just isn’t very good. It’s enough to last you through a long flight, and will likely get you through a few days at the office, but avid listeners will still have to charge their cans fairly regularly.

Ultimately, the standard in this bracket is 30 hours, although Sony still outdoes Apple here, with the AirPods Max 2 only able to manage 20 hours.

• Features score: 4 / 5

(Image credit: Future)Sony 1000X The Collexion review: Sound quality

• Expansive, open sound is striking
• Sensational attention to detail using LDAC and wired lossless
• 360 Upmix modes are best avoided

If you’re looking for a pair of headphones that offer the sort of expansiveness that Apple’s AirPods Max 2 can, with all mod-cons available to you, but you don’t want the restrictions those impose on non-Apple devices, then I’d argue that The Collexion are the closest thing available.

These headphones conjure up an incredibly wide, spacious soundstage — using them, it feels as if you’re listening to music inside a large virtual room. They use a new 30mm driver, which has been redeveloped with soft edges and a harder center for enhanced detail and balance.

Listening to Voyager by Daft Punk, the airy synths sounded pleasantly forward, while the percussion occupied its own individual pocket, with plenty of room to express itself. Bass then entered the fray with tremendous impact, and came through with an almost three-dimensional quality. Spacey synths also carried a tremendous sense of space, while guitar licks danced away in the backdrop.

The headphones performed very well, no matter what genre I threw at them. With a deep house track like Planet 34 by Jesse Maas, the bass came through with admirable depth and agility, meaning the low-end sounded full and energetic rather than lethargic and ‘boomy’. Higher-pitched percussion in the treble range also maintained tight control, but never sounded blunt or underpowered.

Generally, there’s a pleasant balance right across the frequency range, and instrument separation is incredibly refined. Pair that with the headphones’ great attention to detail, and you’re in for a pleasantly nuanced listening experience.

I should be clear, however, that these headphones are at their best with some form of higher-res mode of listening. For instance, when I listened to Felini by Venerus and Marco Castello, I found that using LDAC over standard Bluetooth made a noticeable difference.

Vocals came through more naturally and articulately, while soft acoustic guitars sounded a little more expressive — the tune just had a more open, nuanced sound to it overall. This was also the case when using a wired connection, so if you want to experience The Collexion at their most intricate, make sure to use one of these options (iPhone users will want to focus on USB-C connectivity).

But how do The Collexion compare to the Sony WH-1000XM6? Well, The Collexion go for a more expansive and spacious sound, while the XM6 offer a tighter, punchier interpretation.

In Sadao Watanabe’s jazz-funk fusion record, Down East, I could detect a huge difference in the way that the headphones handled the smooth, funky bass. On the XM6, it was by no means overwhelming, but certainly impactful and slightly forward. There was still a solid amount of low-end weight on The Collexion, but the bass had a more spacious quality.

The Collexion’s more dispersed sound and almost distant low-end meant the track lost a bit of its bite, and I actually preferred the more direct approach of the XM6. There’s no doubt that The Collexion are capable of offering more space for individual instrumental elements to work their magic than the XM6, but some may actually prefer the tighter approach of the latter.

Ultimately, which you prefer is largely down to personal preference — I already preferred the sound signature of the WH-1000XM6 over the airy, broad approach of the AirPods Max 2, for instance, but I’m confident that both sound fantastic in unique ways.

One thing that did disappoint me, however, was the quality of the 360 Upmix modes. When using the Music mode, tracks sounded glaringly worse — vocals lost clarity, drums had a tinny edge, and keys in the mid-range lost their tonal accuracy. The Cinema mode was a bit better, but I still found speech to be less clear and defined, making for a weaker overall viewing experience.

This is a shame, given that the 360 Upmix modes are pitched as a major feature, and even have a dedicated button. But at the time of writing, they’re just not good enough.

• Sound quality score: 4.5 / 5

(Image credit: Future)Sony 1000X The Collexion review: Design

• Stunning faux-leather casing with titanium details
• Super-comfortable fit with plush earcups
• Slightly odd-looking case

Sony’s The Collexion headphones look strikingly different from models like the Sony WH-1000XM6 and XM5, combining a beautiful faux-leather exterior with metal details.

The look of the outer casing is top-class, and is a clear indicator that these headphones are a premium product. Even when I used touch controls, the textured feel of the faux-leather was incredibly satisfying — and these small touches go a long way when you’re spending north of $500 / £500 on headphones.

Dual-textured metal links the earcups to the headband, and the metal is used for the various buttons and ports, and I can see people being divided on how enticing this looks.

Where the XM6 went for an ultra-fluid, homogenous design, The Collexion go for more of a contrasting look, and overall, I’m a fan. When we attended the product launch, Sony told us it was aiming to create a “timeless design,” and although I’d argue that headphones like the Marshall Monitor III ANC — which have a gorgeous retro look — do this slightly better, I still like The Collexion’s aesthetic.

Although the Sony WH-1000XM6 are my go-to headphones, there’s always been one thing I’ve disliked about their design: the bulky-looking earcups. The Collexion have done away with this, in favor of flatter and slimmer earcups — similar to those of the Sonos Ace. They look fantastic, and although Sony told us that the more compact form was a large reason for the reduced battery life, I’m a big fan of this choice style-wise.

Despite their flatter earcups, the Collexion are actually quite a bit heavier than the XM6. Sony’s new cans come in at 0.7lbs / 320g, compared to the 0.6lbs / 254g of their cheaper cousin. This is likely a result of the more premium materials being used, but I never felt that the headphones were too hefty in-use, and they’re still considerably lighter than the 0.9lbs / 386g AirPods Max 2.

In fact, I’d argue that these headphones are some of the most comfortable I’ve ever used. Their plush earcups, cushioned headband, and low-pressure feel is sensational, and makes for incredibly comfortable listening sessions, no matter how long.

There’s a wider headband on this model than on the XM6, which means these headphones won’t clamp too hard if you place them around your neck.

There are a few physical buttons on board, for altering noise cancelling levels and turning the power on or off, and for when (or rather if) you want to sift through the 360-degree audio modes. The rest is down to the touch controls, which are best-in-class.

Although I’ve been full of praise up to this point, The Collexion do have a few potential drawbacks worth pointing to, design-wise.

The first is that they're not foldable. This is a shame, as I love the XM6’s foldability, especially if I’ve forgotten the case and want to place them in a small bag or larger-sized pocket.

Another thing I'm not super-keen on is the case. Like the XM6, the Collexion have a magnet-lock case, which is incredibly practical and good to see. However, the look of the case is… not the best. It almost looks like a mini handbag, and not an especially attractive one. You can see it just below.

This is a minor issue in the grand scheme of things, but personally I preferred the more simple look of the XM6’s case.

• Design score: 4.5 / 5

(Image credit: Future)Sony 1000X The Collexion review: Value

• Very high asking price
• Justified in most areas, but less so in others
• Overall they still compete well against the likes of the AirPods Max 2

So, do the Sony 1000X The Collexion earn their high asking price? Well overall, I’d say they do — but the picture isn’t entirely black and white (unlike their color options).

At $649 / £550 (about AU$900), these are Sony’s priciest wireless headphones, coming it at around $200 / £200 more than the WH-1000XM6. That value is realized in many respects, with more spacious and detailed sound, better upscaling, and a considerably more premium build.

However, these headphones lag behind the XM6 when it comes to ANC and battery life. They still compete well in terms of noise cancelling, sound quality, and design against similarly priced rivals like the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 and the Apple AirPods Max 2, but if you want a true pair of all-rounders with top bang-for-buck, then the XM6 would still be my top recommendation.

• Value score: 4 / 5

Sony's 1000X The Collexion (left) and the WH-1000XM6 (Image credit: Future)Sony 1000X The Collexion review: Should you buy them?

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

Excellent touch controls, DSEE Ultimate upscaling, ANC still very solid, although battery life disappoints.

4 / 5

Sound quality

Expansive sound with impeccable detail, but 360 Upmix audio is a let-down.

4.5 / 5

Design

High build quality, phenomenal comfort, but the case isn’t my favorite.

4.5 / 5

Value

Competitive against ultra-premium rivals, but the cheaper XM6 are better all-rounders.

4 / 5

Buy them if...

You want headphones with an expansive sound signature
These headphones offer an incredibly wide soundstage, with plenty of space for each instrument to do its thing. Combine that with their incredible attention to detail, and you’re getting expansive sound in every sense.

You value high build quality
I’m a big fan of the faux-leather material used for the earcups and headband on the Sony 1000X The Collexion. It gives them a real air of luxury — and for good reason, as they certainly don't come cheap.

Don't buy them if...

You don’t want to charge your headphones too often
The Collexion’s 24-hour battery life is not very good, and falls short of much of the competition. Premium alternatives like the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 manage 30 hours, which is essentially a standard in the premium headphones space. If you don’t want to charge your headphones up too often, there are better options.

You’re looking for best-in-class ANC
Don’t get me wrong, The Collexion offer very solid noise cancelling, and Sony has been forthcoming in saying that the XM6 are the better product when it comes to silencing the outside world. But it’s worth flagging that better is available. The XM6 are my top recommendation, but the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones — the original or their successor — are top-tier ANC-wise as well.

Sony 1000X The Collexion review: Also consider

Sony 1000X The Collexion

Apple AirPods Max 2

Dali IO-8

Price

$649 / £550 (about AU$1,000)

$549 / £499 / AU$999

$899 / £599 (about AU$1,100)

Drivers

30mm dynamic

40mm dynamic

50mm dynamic

Active noise cancellation

Yes

Yes

Yes

Battery life

24 hours

20 hours

30 hours

Weight

0.7lbs / 320g

0.9lbs / 386g

0.7lbs / 325g

Connectivity

Bluetooth 6.0, USB-C, 3.5mm

Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C

Bluetooth 5.2, USB-C

Frequency range

20Hz-20kHz

20Hz-20kHz

10Hz-43kHz

Apple AirPods Max 2
The AirPods Max 2 are perhaps The Collexion’s most obvious competitor, and there are plenty of similarities between the two. Both offer expansive, spacious sound, a similar amount of playtime, and provide good — though not quite class-leading — active noise cancellation. Read our hands-on with Apple AirPods Max 2.

Dali IO-8
We awarded the Dali IO-8 headphones a five-star review when we tested them in late 2024 — and for good reason. With phenomenally detailed audio, outstanding build quality, and very good noise cancelling, there’s just so much to admire. The only caveat worth mentioning is that I found them to be far less comfortable than The Collexion headphones, though honestly most headphones are. Read our full Dali IO-8 review.

Sony 1000X The Collexion review: How I tested

(Image credit: Future)

• I tested them for just under two weeks
• I predominantly tested them using Tidal
• Tested in real-world conditions

I spent more than a week testing the Sony 1000X The Collexion headphones, during which time I tested them in as many real-world situations as I could, to test the active noise cancellation.

Although I dipped into apps like Spotify, I predominantly used Tidal to test their performance, due to its support of higher-resolution files. I began my testing by sifting through the TechRadar testing playlist, which features tracks from a wide variety of genres, but I also listened to hours' worth of tunes from my personal library.

I’ve spent years testing all sorts of audio gear here at TechRadar, ranging from party speakers to audiophile-friendly wired and wireless headphones. I also reviewed the Sony WH-1000XM6 and compared them to rivals from Bose, Apple, Bowers & Wilkins and more — I've been using the XM6 headphones for more than a year now, so I had a deep understanding of how The Collexion differed from their counterpart.

• Read more about how we test
• First reviewed: May 2026

Everything you need to know about Sony's most expensive wireless headphones to date, inside and out

Apple is expanding the Apple Sports app to 90 new markets ahead of FIFA World Cup 26 while introducing a more visual tournament experience with live formations, lineup tracking, and real-time match updates.

I reviewed the most expensive wireless headphones Sony has ever made — are they actually worth the money? Here's my verdict.

Epomaker P65 review

In the world of mechanical keyboards, it can often look like brands are all trying to one up each other simply for the sake of it. It’s as if they feel they must be the most feature-packed, the most outlandishly designed, or have the highest spec numbers.

Epomaker has gone the other way with its premium P series, and the Epomaker P65 arrives as the most compact entry in a lineup, which also includes the P75 (75%) and P87 (TKL). All three share the same core DNA: CNC aluminum construction, gasket mounting, five-layer sound dampening, and VIA/QMK programmability. The P65 I’ve been testing takes that formula and squeezes it into a 65% layout with 66 keys and a rotary knob.

The first thing that hits you with the Epomaker P65 is its weight. At 1.3kg, this is a dense, planted keyboard that both looks and sounds like one solid hunk of metal, because it essentially is. Both the top frame and the bottom chassis are CNC-machined aluminum with a lovely anodized finish. That’s an unusually premium build for a $119 keyboard, as most boards in this bracket use an aluminum top plate over a plastic base.

My Khaki review unit has a retro, old-school aesthetic that’s reminiscent of stock keyboards from school computer labs, just significantly more upmarket. It’s a look that won’t appeal to everyone, and there’s a plain black option available too if that’s the case, but I found it refreshingly understated in a market full of aggressive RGB-littered designs.

Speaking of which, the P65 does include south-facing per-key lighting, but it’s quite muted when viewed from a normal typing position. I’m not particularly disappointed by that because it feels slightly at odds with the vintage vibe of the Khaki colorway, though you can always turn it off and I imagine it looks a little more at home in the black trim.

(Image credit: Future)

The double-shot PBT keycaps are well-made, with a subtle texture that feels good under the fingers. The font is simple and clear, though I did notice some strangely inconsistent stroke weights on keys like Backspace and Enter. Some letters appear thinner than others in a way that looks less like a stylistic choice and more like a rendering issue or printing problem.

Where the Epomaker P65 really shines is sound. My unit uses Epomaker’s own Zebra linear switches, or you could opt for the heavier Wisteria option instead. Combined with the aluminum case and five-layer dampening stack, the result is one of the most satisfying sound profiles I’ve tested in a while.

It’s deliciously smooth and creamy. Every keystroke has a clean, rounded character that scratches a very specific part of my brain. A warning though: it’s loud. This is not a keyboard for a shared office or an open-plan workspace. I can’t blame it wanting to be heard when it sounds this good, but there’s no missing it.

Typing performance is strong. I hit 129 words per minute at 97% accuracy in testing, which is comfortably above my average of 116/96. This result surprised me since the board didn’t feel quite that fast or clean during use, though I did notice I settled in with it much easier than other mechanical keyboards. The Zebra switches actuate at just 40g, making them light and snappy with a softness from that gasket-mount design.

(Image credit: Future)

However, the fixed six-degree typing angle is less ideal. I don’t actually mind the angle myself, but there are no adjustable feet at all and I would have liked the option to go a little flatter and steeper to see the difference. There’s also quite a tall, sheer front edge that isn’t ideal for extended typing sessions. For gaming and general messing about it’s not an issue, but for all-day productivity usage, I’d recommend adding a wrist rest.

Connectivity covers the three usual bases: three-device Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4GHz wireless via an included USB-A dongle (that has a neat magnetic cubby on the back), and wired USB-C. The Bluetooth connection was solid and reliable in my testing, though I had to dig into the manual to find the function key shortcuts for pairing and switching between device slots. There’s nothing printed on the keycaps to indicate which keys handle Bluetooth functions, which is a minor inconvenience during initial setup.

It’s also worth noting that while this keyboard is fully compatible with both Windows and macOS, there’s no toggle switch to jump between modes and no alternate keycaps included to swap between platforms. I don’t necessarily need entirely different caps, but having the relevant symbols printed on there would have been nice to see.

(Image credit: Future)

The 4,000mAh battery delivers decent life without being a standout, offering roughly 16 hours with RGB on and up to 260 hours without. For gaming, the 1,000Hz polling rate over both 2.4GHz and wired is perfectly adequate and I never felt like my inputs were lagging behind. The P65 doesn’t pretend to be a competitive gaming weapon, and it lacks the adjustable actuation and rapid trigger features of Hall Effect boards, but as a general all-rounder it handles itself well.

If you’d like to mix things up, the P65’s hot-swappable PCB supports both 3-pin and 5-pin switches, which is welcome given that limited stock selection of just two linear options. Swapping switches is straightforward with the included tool, but the tiny metal pins demand care and attention to get them lined up. It’s more nerve-wracking than boards where you can just slap a switch on without much ceremony. It’s not difficult and they do largely line themselves up; it’s just fiddly.

The weakest link is software. The Epomaker P65 uses VIA for customization, which is powerful once it’s running, but getting there is more effort than it should be. Both the web app and the downloadable version required manually uploading a JSON file from Epomaker’s product page to identify the keyboard, and even that took a couple of attempts before it stuck. Once recognized, all the expected functionality is here: key remapping, macros, lighting control, and a fun keyboard testing mode that plays sounds as you hit each key. But the overall experience feels more like you’re accessing a developer tool than a customer-facing app. Other brands in this price range are delivering smoother software onboarding, and Epomaker needs to close that gap.

(Image credit: Future)Epomaker P65 review: Price & release date

• $119.99 / £89, often seen on sale
• Available via retailers but strangely absent from Epomaker’s website

At $119.99 / £89, the Epomaker P65 sits in a competitive price bracket and undercuts most of its aluminum-bodied rivals while maintaining build quality. Despite being a relatively new release, it’s not difficult to find it on sale with one retailer or another, which makes the value proposition even harder to argue with.

(Image credit: Future)Epomaker P65 review: Specs

Layout

65% (66 keys + rotary knob)

Switches

Epomaker Zebra or Wisteria linear (hot-swappable, 3/5-pin)

Connectivity

Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4GHz wireless, USB-C wired

Polling rate

1,000Hz (2.4GHz and wired)

Actuation force

40g (Zebra) / 45g (Wisteria)

Features

Aluminum construction, 5-layer dampening, per-key south-facing RGB, 4,000mAh battery, NKRO

Compatibility

Windows / macOS / Linux

Software

QMK / VIA

Should I buy the Epomaker P65?

Attribute

Notes

Score

Features

Hot-swappable switches, tri-mode wireless, rotary knob, no alternate macOS keycaps.

4/5

Performance

Wonderful sound, responsive switches, 1,000Hz polling, decent battery, VIA integration needs work.

4/5

Design

Fully aluminum build, premium feel, understated aesthetic, no tilt adjustment and minor keycap printing quirks.

4.5/5

Value

Outstanding build quality for $119, competitive feature set, frequently discounted further.

4/5

Buy it if…

You’re looking for a gateway to mechanical keyboards
The Epomaker P65 would make an excellent first mechanical keyboard that doesn’t break the bank. You get premium build quality backed by a solid spec sheet and that signature mechanical sound.

You do more than high-level gaming on your PC
This isn’t the highest spec keyboard and it lacks some of the top-end features of more dedicated gaming boards. The trade off is an improved typing experience and a nicer board to live with day to day.

You prefer an understated style
Both color options of the Epomaker P65 are dialed back with flat, uniform styling. The Khaki option in particular has a certain old-school vibe that looks elegant and refined.

Don’t buy it if…

You need a quiet keyboard
Even with five-layer dampening, the P65 is loud and commands attention. The gorgeous sound profile is one of its biggest selling points, but if you’re working in a shared space, you might get a few side-eye glances.

You need bleeding-edge gaming performance
The Epomaker P65 cuts back on some of the pro-level gaming tech in favor of a more modest price point and higher build quality. You won’t find 8K polling or customizable actuation switches here.

You’re a Mac user who wants a seamless experience
While it’s fully compatible with Mac, there are no alternate keycaps in the box featuring macOS labels.

Epomaker P65 review: Also consider

Keychron V1 Ultra 8K
If you’re OK with a slightly larger 75% layout, the Keychron V1 Ultra 8K offers an 8,000Hz polling rate, ZMK firmware, and an absurd 660-hour battery life at a similar $114.99 price point. It’s plastic rather than aluminum, but delivers higher performance value with smoother software. Read our full Keychron V1 Ultra 8K review.

Asus ROG Falchion Ace HFX
If you’re willing to spend more for a gaming-focused 65% board, the Asus ROG Falchion Ace HFX offers Hall Effect switches with adjustable actuation and a unique touch-sensitive control bar. It’s wired only and considerably pricier, but it’s a serious step up for competitive play. Read our full Asus ROG Falchion Ace HFX review.

(Image credit: Future)How I tested the Epomaker P65

• Tested over a week as my daily driver for writing, browsing, and gaming
• Used across a Windows PC and MacBook Air via all three connectivity modes
• Typing speed tested using 10fastfingers, gaming tested across casual and competitive titles

I used the Epomaker P65 as my primary keyboard for a week, switching between a Windows desktop (wired and 2.4GHz) and a MacBook Air (Bluetooth). Daily use included writing (including this review!), general browsing, Discord chats, and gaming across a mix of casual and competitive titles. I tested typing speed and accuracy using 10fastfingers, played with settings in both the installed and web version of VIA, swapped switches using the included tool, and assessed battery life with RGB enabled during normal use.

• Read TechRadar’s reviews guarantee
• First reviewed: May 2026

The Epomaker P65 is a 65% wireless mechanical keyboard that keeps it simple. It delivers stunning build quality and lovely acoustics, though a clunky app and a fixed typing angle hold it back from true greatness.

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