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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 7, 2026

8BitDo Retro18 Numpad vs AULA F75 MaxNumpad or 75%

Choose the Retro18 for a portable calculator and number pad, or the F75 Max for a complete keyboard with a 1000 Hz polling rate.

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Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

8BitDo Retro18 Numpad

Build quality in the top 45% of Numpad boards under $100.

If you want

  • Calculator and PC numpad modes switch with one click, according to the vendor.
  • Includes a dedicated shortcut button for the Windows Calculator app.
  • A 9-digit 7-segment display provides a calculator readout.

Rules this board out

  • Numpad only. This is not a full keyboard.

Get the

AULA F75 Max

Battery

Build quality in the top 25% of 75% boards under $100.

If you want

  • 75% ANSI layout with a complete keyboard key set.
  • 1000 Hz polling rate on wired and 2.4 GHz connections.
  • Gasket mount, flex-cut PC plate, and sound-dampening layers including foam and silicone.

Rules this board out

  • South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
  • No numpad.

Bottom line

Pick the 8BitDo Retro18 if you already have a keyboard and want a compact number pad that also works as a calculator. Choose the AULA F75 Max if you need one board for regular typing, gaming and customization, and value its complete 75% layout and 1000 Hz wired or 2.4 GHz polling rate. If you need both a full keyboard and a dedicated numpad, the F75 Max does not include a numpad, so the Retro18 may suit it as a separate accessory.

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.

8BitDo Retro18 Numpad

AULA F75 Max

  • Layout size

    Numpad

    75%

  • Battery

    1,000 mAh

    4,000 mAh

    A larger battery means fewer cables during the day

  • Case material

    Aluminum, Plastic

    ABS

  • Mount style

    Top Mount

    Gasket Mount

  • Knob

    No

    Yes

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • 8BitDo Retro18 Numpad
  • AULA F75 Max
Performance
54
78
Build quality
70
76
Productivity
49
91
Customizability
50
78
Portability
83
79

What they share

  • Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
  • Hot-swappable
See every spec side by side

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

The F75 Max leads for gaming, office work, programming, modding and content creation because it combines a complete layout with additional keyboard features. The Retro18 is the more travel-friendly choice based on its listed weight and dimensions. Its calculator mode and dedicated shortcut also make it a useful companion for a separate keyboard when frequent number entry is the priority.

For gaming

Pick the AULA F75 Max

  • The F75 Max is a complete 75% keyboard, while the Retro18 is a numpad only.
  • The F75 Max lists a 1000 Hz polling rate for wired and 2.4 GHz modes.
  • Both support N-key rollover, and the F75 Max has linear switches.

Full specs

8BitDo Retro18 Numpad vs AULA F75 Max specs

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

13 of 23 specs differ

8BitDo Retro18 Numpad

AULA F75 Max

Typing & switches

Switch options

—
Linear

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Top Mount
Gasket Mount

Sound dampening

No
Yes

Screw-in stabilizers

No
Yes

Layout

Layout size

Numpad
75%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Knob

No
Yes

Display

Yes
TFT

Connectivity & battery

Connection

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

Max polling rate

—
1,000 Hz

Battery

1,000 mAh
4,000 mAhBetter

USB-C

Yes
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

Aluminum, Plastic
ABS

Plate material

—
Plastic

Keycaps

ABS, PBT
PBT

Weight

300 g
960 g

Dimensions

46 x 104 x 170 mm
44 x 328 x 143 mm

Backlight

None
RGB, south-facing

Firmware & software

N-key rollover

Yes
Yes

Mac & Windows

No
Yes

Extras

Released

2024
2024

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.

AULA F75 Max3 stores

FAQ

8BitDo Retro18 Numpad vs AULA F75 Max: your questions

No. It is a numpad-only device, with 18 keys listed by the vendor, and is not a replacement for a full keyboard. The AULA F75 Max has a 75% ANSI layout.

Yes. The vendor describes a calculator mode that switches with one click from PC numpad mode. It also has a dedicated shortcut button for the Windows Calculator app and a 9-digit display.

The Retro18 is a numpad, while the F75 Max is a 75% ANSI keyboard. The F75 Max does not have a numpad, so it cannot replace the Retro18 for dedicated number-pad entry.

The F75 Max lists a 1000 Hz polling rate for wired and 2.4 GHz connections. No polling rate is listed for the Retro18.

Both list Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity, as well as wired USB-C. The Retro18 vendor description specifies Bluetooth 5.0, while the F75 Max vendor description also specifies Bluetooth 5.0.

Both products list hot-swappable support. The F75 Max vendor specifies compatibility with 3-pin and 5-pin mechanical switches, while the Retro18 is described as having a hot-swappable PCB.

Yes. The F75 Max has per-key, south-facing RGB. Its south-facing LEDs mean shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps may clip the LED.

The Retro18 is smaller and lighter, measuring 46 x 104 x 170 mm and weighing 300 g. The F75 Max measures 44 x 328 x 143 mm and weighs 960 g.

The vendor says its TFT screen shows time, battery and connection status. The vendor also describes uploading custom GIFs through software.

No. The F75 Max compatibility notes specify that it has no numpad. The Retro18 is a separate numpad that can also switch to calculator mode.

The F75 Max supports hot-swappable 3-pin and 5-pin switches, and the vendor says screw-in stabilizers can be swapped in. The Retro18 also has a hot-swappable PCB, but its listed features do not specify switch pin compatibility or stabilizer changes.

No RGB is listed for the Retro18. The F75 Max, by contrast, has per-key south-facing RGB.

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