Epomaker Carbon60 vs Vortex Core Plus60% vs 40% Low-Profile Choice
Choose the Epomaker Carbon60 for a more practical 60% layout with RGB and a rechargeable battery, or the Vortex Core Plus for maximum portability with a 40% layout and AAA power.
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4.8 (22)4.8 · 22 reviews
from$71at Epomaker
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Which one should you get?
Get the
Epomaker Carbon60
60%
Build quality in the top 20% of 60% boards under $100.
- Carbon fiber case and plate construction for a unique, lightweight build.
- Includes a 3000mAh rechargeable battery with detailed runtime estimates.
- South-facing per-key RGB lighting for customization and shine-through keycaps.
- Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps will not fit.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- Compact layout only. No function row, dedicated arrow keys, or numpad.
Get the
Vortex Core Plus
40% Low-Profile Choice
Build quality in the top 50% of 40% boards under $150.
- Extremely compact 40% layout with only 50 keys for maximum desk space savings.
- CNC aluminum case provides a solid, premium feel.
- Uses standard AAA batteries, allowing for quick swaps without charging downtime.
- Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps will not fit.
- Compact layout only. No function row, dedicated arrow keys, or numpad.
Your primary layout preference should guide this decision. If you want the smallest possible footprint and don't mind learning layers, the Vortex Core Plus is a unique, portable option with a solid aluminum build. For nearly everyone else, the Epomaker Carbon60 is the more practical and feature-rich choice, offering a better balance of size, functionality, and modern features like RGB and a large rechargeable battery at a similar price point.
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.
Epomaker Carbon60
Vortex Core Plus
Layout size
60%
40%
Case material
Carbon Fiber
Aluminum
Switch options
Linear, Tactile
Clicky, Linear, Tactile
QMK
Yes
No
The deep option when you want to remap every key
Plate material
CarbonFiber
FR4
- Epomaker Carbon60
- Vortex Core Plus
- Performance
- 7346
- Build quality
- 7569
- Productivity
- 8275
- Customizability
- 8660
- Portability
- 8887
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Low profile
- VIA
- Sound dampening
What will you mostly use it for?
The Epomaker Carbon60 is the more versatile choice, winning in most categories due to its balanced 60% layout, rechargeable battery, and RGB lighting. Its support for QMK firmware and detailed sound-dampening construction also appeals to modders and programmers. The Vortex Core Plus wins decisively only for travel, where its ultra-compact 40% size and use of common AAA batteries are significant advantages for portability. For office use, gaming, and content creation, the Carbon60's more conventional key arrangement is a major practical benefit.
Pick the Epomaker Carbon60
- The Carbon60 has a specified 1000Hz polling rate for wired and 2.4GHz modes.
- Its 60% layout retains dedicated arrow keys, which are often used in gaming.
- South-facing per-key RGB lighting is included for aesthetic customization.
Epomaker Carbon60 vs Vortex Core Plus specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
7 of 25 specs differ
Epomaker Carbon60
Vortex Core Plus
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Low profile
Sound dampening
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Display
Connection
Max polling rate
Battery
USB-C
Case material
Plate material
Keycaps
Weight
Dimensions
Typing angle
Backlight
QMK
VIA
N-key rollover
Mac & Windows
Released
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Epomaker Carbon60 vs Vortex Core Plus: your questions
The Epomaker Carbon60 is a 60% keyboard with 61 keys, retaining a dedicated number row and some punctuation. The Vortex Core Plus is a 40% keyboard with only 50 keys, eliminating the number row, function row, and dedicated arrow keys, requiring layers to access those functions.
Only the Epomaker Carbon60 has RGB lighting. Its vendor description specifies south-facing, per-key RGB lights. The Vortex Core Plus product listing does not mention any backlighting.
The Carbon60 uses a built-in 3000mAh lithium-ion battery that recharges via USB-C. The Vortex Core Plus uses two standard AAA batteries for wireless power, which are not included in the box.
Yes, both support programming via VIA software. The Epomaker Carbon60 additionally supports QMK firmware, which the manufacturer notes works in wired mode, offering deeper customization options.
The Epomaker Carbon60 features a case made from carbon fiber. The Vortex Core Plus uses a CNC-machined aluminum case for both the top and bottom.
Yes, both keyboards feature hot-swappable PCBs. The Carbon60 is designed for Gateron Low Profile 2.0 switches, while the Core Plus is designed for Gateron low profile switches.
The Epomaker Carbon60 is more beginner-friendly. Its 60% layout is a smaller step from a full-size keyboard, keeping the number row and more familiar key placements. The 40% layout of the Core Plus has a much steeper learning curve.
The Carbon60 includes three layers: a sandwich pad, switch pad, and bottom foam. The Core Plus includes bottom case foam and foam between the plate and PCB. Both aim to reduce typing noise.
According to Epomaker's specifications, the Carbon60 has a 1000Hz polling rate in its 2.4GHz wireless mode with a listed latency of 10ms, making it suitable for casual gaming. For the lowest latency, its wired mode has a 4ms latency.
The Epomaker Carbon60 uses DSA low-profile keycaps. The Vortex Core Plus uses low-profile VTG profile keycaps. Both are low-profile designs intended for a flatter typing experience.
Yes, the product characteristics for the Vortex Core Plus list both Windows and Mac compatibility. The Epomaker Carbon60 also lists compatibility with Mac, Windows, and Linux.
The Vortex Core Plus has a specified 5-degree typing angle due to its CNC aluminum case design. The Epomaker Carbon60's typing angle is not explicitly stated in the provided specifications.
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