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3-way comparison · Prices checked Nov 10, 2026

HMX GB40 vs Epomaker TH40 vs Vortex Core Plus

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Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

HMX GB40

Build quality in the top 50% of 40% boards under $150.

Rules this board out

  • South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
$130 at MK

Get the

Epomaker TH40

Build quality in the top 30% of 40% boards under $150.

Rules this board out

  • South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
$55 at Epomaker

Get the

Vortex Core Plus

Build quality in the top 50% of 40% boards under $150.

Rules this board out

  • Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps will not fit.
$119 at MK

What actually differs

The differences that matter

Skip the 40-row spec sheet. These are the specs that change how each board feels, sounds, and fits your desk.

HMX GB40

Epomaker TH40

Vortex Core Plus

  • Connection

    Bluetooth, Wired

    Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired

    Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired

    Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency

  • Low profile

    No

    No

    Yes

  • Ergonomics

    Standard

    Split Spacebar

    Standard

  • Case material

    Aluminum

    ABS

    Aluminum

  • Mount style

    Gasket Mount

    Gasket Mount

    Plate Mount

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • HMX GB40
  • Epomaker TH40
  • Vortex Core Plus
Performance
58
73
46
Build quality
68
75
69
Productivity
57
62
75
Customizability
57
85
60
Portability
85
84
87

What they share

  • Layout size: 40%
  • Hot-swappable
See every spec side by side

Full specs

HMX GB40 vs Epomaker TH40 vs Vortex Core Plus specs

Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.

13 of 25 specs differ

HMX GB40

Epomaker TH40

Vortex Core Plus

Typing & switches

Switch options

—
Linear
Clicky, Linear, Tactile

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes
Yes

Mount style

Gasket Mount
Gasket Mount
Plate Mount

Low profile

No
No
Yes

Sound dampening

Yes
No
Yes

Layout

Layout size

40%
40%
40%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI
ANSI

Ergonomics

Standard
Split Spacebar
Standard

Display

None
None
None

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Bluetooth, Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired

Max polling rate

—
1,000 Hz
—

Battery

—
3,000 mAh
—

USB-C

Yes
No
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

Aluminum
ABS
Aluminum

Plate material

—
Plastic, Polycarbonate
FR4

Keycaps

ABS, PBT
PBT
—

Weight

—
500 g
—

Dimensions

—
35 x 258 x 97 mm
—

Typing angle

6°
—
5°

Backlight

RGB, south-facing
RGB, south-facing
None

Firmware & software

QMK

No
Yes
No

VIA

No
Yes
Yes

N-key rollover

No
Yes
No

Mac & Windows

No
Yes
Yes

Extras

Released

2025
2024
2025

Where to buy

Compare prices

Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.

Prices in USD are converted to your currency and can change at any time. KeebFinder may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.

Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.

HMX GB402 stores
Epomaker TH402 stores
Vortex Core Plus2 stores

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