Endorfy Thock V2 75% Wireless Test: Thock for little money

Endorfy is a Polish manufacturer that has made a name for itself in recent years with high-quality gaming peripherals. With the Thock V2 series, Endorfy is now launching the second generation of its mechanical keyboards on the market, in 17 different variants. The Endorfy Thock V2 promises a premium typing experience with the eponymous deep “Thock” sound at a fair price. I was allowed to test the 75%-sized, wireless version with a German layout – the Thock V2 75% Wireless DE. I also received the Endorfy Thock 75% V2 Palm Rest as a wrist rest to go with it. How the Endorfy Thock V2 75% Wireless fared in the test is explained in this review.

What is included with the Endorfy Thock V2 75% Wireless?

• Endorfy Thock V2 75% Wireless DE keyboard
• 2.4 GHz USB dongle
• USB-C to USB-A cable (1.8 m)
• 2× replacement switches (Endorfy Yellow by Gateron)
• Keycap puller
• Keyswitch puller
• Gray replacement keycaps for ESC and Enter
• Operating instructions

The scope of delivery of the Endorfy Thock V2 75% Wireless is very neat. In addition to the keyboard itself, a 1.8 m long USB-C to USB-A cable is included, which is used for both charging and wired operation. The 2.4 GHz USB dongle enables wireless use on devices without Bluetooth. If you prefer the blue accent keys on the ESC and Enter keys to be a little more discreet, you can use the gray replacement keycaps supplied. A nice addition for a more uniform look. The keycap and keyswitch puller, which can be used to easily remove the keycaps and switches, are also practical. Useful if you want to replace them in the future. Two replacement switches are also included.

Overall, the scope of delivery includes almost all the accessories I would want for a keyboard. If you also want a palm rest, you can order the separately available Thock 75% V2 Palm Rest, which I’ll introduce below.

Design & workmanship of the Endorfy Thock V2 75% Wireless

• 75% layout (ISO-DE)
• 326 × 136.2 × 42.5 mm
• 83 keys
• Aluminum toplates
• Plastic housing
• Floating key design
• Gray with blue accents

The 75% layout

The Endorfy Thock V2 75% Wireless has a 75% layout with a total of 83 keys in German ISO-DE format. This layout is currently one of the most popular in the keyboard community, and for good reason. It retains the full F-row and dedicated arrow keys, but does away with the numeric keypad and a separate navigation block. The result is a compact keyboard with dimensions of roughly 33 × 14 × 4 cm, which takes up little space on the desk and gives the mouse significantly more freedom of movement.

Consequently, compared to a 65% layout such as the Akko Black & Gold 3068B Plus, which I have already tested, the 75% layout offers the decisive advantage that you don’t have to do without the F-keys. In addition, the Thock V2 75% is a little more compact compared to an 80% TKL layout, as the navigation and arrow keys have been moved directly to the main block. For me, the 75% layout is the perfect sweet spot. However, if you need the numeric keypad for everyday work, you should go for the full-size version.

Workmanship and design

The aluminum toplate is immediately noticeable when unpacking the Endorfy Thock V2 75% Wireless, which gives it a high level of stability and a high-quality feel. The keyboard does not bend in the middle, even when pressed hard. You can feel this when typing and it makes a solid impression. The rest of the casing is made of plastic, which is appropriate for this price range.

Endorfy also uses a so-called floating key design for the Thock V2. This means that the switches protrude above the aluminum plate and no raised housing frame encloses the keys. This has two practical advantages: Cleaning is made considerably easier as dust and crumbs cannot collect in a frame, and the ARGB lighting is shown to better advantage as the light reflects back better through the reflective aluminum plate.

The stabilizers used for the larger keys such as the space bar and Enter key make a high-quality impression. To further improve the sound of the space bar, there is also a rubber strip underneath it to cushion the impact. In terms of color, the Thock V2 75% Wireless comes in a subtle grey with blue accents on the Enter and Escape keys. This looks modern but not boring, but remains far removed from the typical “gamer” black and red look. As a result, the keyboard also cuts a fine figure on a professional desk.

Features of the Endorfy Thock V2 75% Wireless in the test

• Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz & USB-C (tri-mode)
• 1000 Hz polling rate (2.4 GHz / USB)
• Hot-swap (3-pin & 5-pin)
• Physical volume control
• ARGB backlighting
• N-Key rollover
• Compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
• Endorfy software

Tri-mode connectivity

A major highlight of the Endorfy Thock V2 75% Wireless is its versatile connectivity. The keyboard can be operated either via Bluetooth, via the included 2.4 GHz dongle or wired via USB-C. Switching between modes is done via a switch on the right-hand side of the keyboard, below the volume control. The 2.4 GHz mode or the wired mode are recommended for gaming, as they can work with a polling rate of 1000 Hz. This means that the keyboard reports its status to the PC 1000 times per second, which corresponds to a latency of just one millisecond. In contrast, Bluetooth is ideal for everyday office use or for use with tablets and smartphones, as no additional adapters or similar are required. In wired mode, the battery is charged and the full 1000 Hz is available.

In terms of battery life, it should be noted that the RGB lighting drains the battery considerably. Without lighting, the keyboard lasts for several weeks without charging. However, with full RGB brightness, the runtime shrinks significantly, so that it didn’t quite last a week with a few hours of use per day. The keyboard therefore needs to be charged regularly with the lighting activated.

Hot-swap

For me personally, this is one of the most important features: The Endorfy Thock V2 75% Wireless is hot-swappable. The mechanical switches sit in plug-in sockets and can be replaced without soldering. Simply pull out the old switch with the puller provided and plug in a new one. The PCB supports both 3-pin and 5-pin switches, allowing you to choose from a huge range of aftermarket switches. So if you want to try something different at some point, for example tactile instead of linear switches, you can do so easily.

Dedicated volume control

An invaluable everyday convenience feature is located at the top right of the housing: the physical volume control. This practical rotary knob can be used to adjust the volume of the operating system quickly and smoothly or mute it completely without having to use the mouse. The knob clicks smoothly when turned and blends seamlessly into the layout.

RGB lighting

Each individual button has its own ARGB LED, which can be controlled individually. This allows you to choose from different lighting patterns, such as a wave or rain effect. The floating key design and the reflective aluminum plate make the lighting effects particularly effective. The different lighting modes can be set directly via key combinations or via the Endorfy software. However, the brightness of the LEDs is rather subdued compared to some other keyboards and the opaque keycaps only let the light through downwards, which is somewhat noticeable in bright ambient conditions.

Software of the Endorfy Thock V2 75% Wireless

• “Endorfy Keyboards NX” for Windows
• Customization of the RGB lighting
• Individual key assignment
• Macro recording
• Profile system

Endorfy provides its own “Endorfy Keyboards NX” software for Windows for configuration. It is divided into four clearly structured areas: Under Illumination, the ARGB lighting can be controlled, including individual key assignments and effects. The Buttons tab is used for key assignment, while complex key and mouse combinations, including delays, can be recorded under Macros. Finally, the Other section contains system settings such as adjusting the USB polling rate or the Windows key lock. A profile system can also be used to manage different setups for gaming or work, for example.

Overall, the software fulfills its purpose and is intuitive to use. However, the design seems rudimentary and uninspired, as if the software has not been a major focus and not many resources have gone into it. Compared to open source solutions such as QMK or VIA, there are also some functional compromises to be made. It is only available under Windows, does not save profiles directly on the keyboard and does not allow complex layer configurations, as is known from the solutions mentioned. However, for most users who primarily want to adjust the lighting or occasionally reassign a key, the range of functions offered is completely sufficient.

Ergonomics of the Endorfy Thock V2 75% Wireless

• Fold-out feet (3 tilt angles)
• High-profile design (42.5 mm)
• Palm rest recommended

The Endorfy Thock V2 75% Wireless is not a keyboard specifically designed for ergonomics, but it does offer the most important basics. There are fold-out feet on the underside that can be used to adjust the tilt of the keyboard in three stages. In addition, the 42.5 mm height makes it a so-called high-profile keyboard, which means that the keys are relatively high above the desk surface. Without a wrist rest, this can put a strain on the wrists in the long term, as you have to bend your wrists upwards. I would therefore always recommend a wrist rest, such as the Thock 75% Palm Rest V2, which Endorfy offers.

The Thock 75% Palm Rest V2

• Memory foam with PU leather surface
• Perfect fit for the Thock V2 75%

The Thock 75% Palm Rest V2 is Endorfy’s own palm rest, specially designed for the 75% models in the Thock V2 series. It is made of soft memory foam covered with PU leather. The surface feels pleasantly soft and yields slightly when the palm is placed on it without sinking in too much. What I particularly like is that the Palm Rest really matches the keyboard perfectly. There are small edges on the sides that are precisely adapted to the shape of the Thock V2 75%. This means that the keyboard and palm rest fit together really seamlessly.

The height of the palm rest is also adapted to the Thock V2 75%, which immediately makes using the keyboard much more comfortable. The wrists are more relaxed and typing is noticeably more comfortable over longer sessions. Because the Thock 75% Palm Rest V2 is so closely matched to the associated keyboard, it is conversely less suitable as an accessory for other keyboards. Therefore, it would have been a huge plus for me if it had been included with the Endorfy Thock V2 75%, but this is generally not the standard for keyboards. In general, I would advise anyone buying the Thock V2 75% Wireless to also buy the Thock 75% Palm Rest V2.

View of the keycaps of the Endorfy Thock V2 75% Wireless

• Double-Shot PBT
• Gray with blue accents
• Pleasant texture

The keycaps of the Endorfy Thock V2 75% Wireless are made of PBT plastic using the double-shot process. This process is generally regarded as the highest quality method of keycap production. In the double-shot process, two layers of plastic are injected into each other, whereby the lettering becomes a fixed, physical part of the keycap. This means that the legend does not wear off even after years of intensive use. This is a clear advantage over cheaper processes in which only one colored layer is applied. PBT plastic is also characterized by its high density and durability. The surface of the keycaps feels slightly rough and non-slip and, unlike ABS plastic, does not develop an unsightly shine after long periods of use.

The color scheme of the keycaps matches the rest of the keyboard: The keys are in shades of grey, while the ESC and Enter keys stand out as blue accents. In addition, as already mentioned, gray replacement keycaps are included for a more uniform appearance.

Endorfy Yellow by Gateron switches in the test

• Linear
• Factory-Lubed
• Dual-rail design
• Two-stage spring
• Nylon base

The Endorfy Thock V2 75% Wireless DE is equipped with Endorfy Yellow by Gateron switches. These are special linear switches that Endorfy has developed in collaboration with Gateron, one of the leading manufacturers of mechanical switches. Linear means that the switches have no noticeable pressure point and glide smoothly all the way down. In addition, the Endorfy Yellows have a so-called dual-rail design, in which the stem (the moving part of the switch) engages in lateral guide rails. This noticeably reduces the wobbling of the keycaps and ensures a more stable stroke.

There is also a two-stage spring inside. In contrast to conventional springs, this provides a more even resistance over the entire stroke and at the same time ensures a faster recoil. The key therefore springs back to the finger immediately, which favors fast typing. The resistance of the switches is also slightly stronger than with many other linear switches that I have used so far. I personally like this very much, as it gives every keystroke a certain substance. What’s more, the Endorfy Yellows are also lubricated at the factory (factory-lubed), which almost completely eliminates scratchy noises between the stem and housing. Finally, the nylon base of the switch housing also contributes to a deep, muffled sound that absorbs high frequencies.

The sound

Now I come to the point that most distinguishes the Endorfy Thock V2 75% Wireless: the sound. The name “Thock” says it all. The keyboard sounds really pleasantly deep and rich. In other words, what the keyboard community would call “thocky”. This is due to the combination of the Endorfy Yellow switches, the PBT keycaps and, above all, the elaborate three-layer damping system consisting of two layers of PORON foam and one layer of IXPE. This sandwich of damping materials sits between the aluminum top plate, the PCB and the housing base and absorbs vibrations as well as the metallic reverberation that usually makes a keyboard sound less juicy.

What surprised me particularly positively in the Endorfy Thock V2 75% Wireless test: Even the large keys such as the space bar, Shift and Enter sound very clean and hardly rattle at all. These keys are often the weak points of many other keyboards, even those that are significantly more expensive. Unfortunately, the stabilizers that support these large keys are often skimped on, which can lead to chatter and ultimately ruin the otherwise good sound of a keyboard. Fortunately, Endorfy has lubricated the stabilizers ex works and also installed silicone damping pads under the space bar.

The result is really good. There are a few keys (on my sample it was the H, J and K keys) that make a minimal rattling noise when tapped very lightly. However, this is not noticeable when typing normally. Below you will find a sound sample of the Endorfy Thock V2 75% Wireless, which was recorded with a Google Pixel 10 Pro XL from a distance of approx. 15 cm.

Conclusion of the Endorfy Thock V2 75% Wireless test

The Endorfy Thock V2 75% Wireless DE turned out to be a convincing mechanical keyboard that offers an astonishing amount for its price. For example, the combination of aluminum toplates, three-layer acoustic damping and the exclusive Endorfy Yellow by Gateron switches delivers a typing feel and sound that is hard to find elsewhere in this price range. I was particularly surprised by the quality of the stabilizers, as this is an area where even more expensive keyboards tend to skimp. The tri-mode connectivity with Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz and USB-C also makes the keyboard extremely versatile. The 75% layout also hits the current sweet spot between compactness and functionality. Furthermore, the Endorfy Thock V2 Wireless is future-proof thanks to hot-swap support and open to customization.

However, you also have to make compromises with the software, which cannot keep up with solutions such as QMK/VIA, as well as with the battery life with activated RGB lighting. However, if you primarily use the keyboard for typing and gaming and are not dependent on complex macros on different PCs, you will hardly notice these limitations. Ultimately, the Thock 75% V2 Palm Rest rounds off the overall package perfectly and is a clear recommendation given the height of the keyboard.

With a purchase price of just around €80 on Amazon, Endorfy delivers an absolute slam dunk here. Features such as genuine hot-swap, high-quality double-shot PBT keycaps, a solid aluminum toplat and tri-mode connectivity are by no means a matter of course at this price. If you are looking for a sonically stable, well-made and wireless mechanical keyboard without spending a fortune, the Endorfy Thock V2 75% Wireless is an unbeatable overall package.