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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 11, 2026

8BitDo Retro18 Numpad vs Epomaker EK21

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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

Epomaker EK21

  • Case material

    Aluminum, Plastic

    ABS

  • Mount style

    Top Mount

    Gasket Mount

  • Knob

    No

    Yes

  • Display

    Yes

    None

    A case display rather than a typing feature

  • Weight

    300 g

    200 g

    Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • 8BitDo Retro18 Numpad
  • Epomaker EK21
Performance
53
77
Build quality
69
76
Productivity
49
87
Customizability
50
82
Portability
83
88

What they share

  • Layout size: Numpad
  • Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
  • Hot-swappable
  • Battery: 1,000 mAh
See every spec side by side

Full specs

8BitDo Retro18 Numpad vs Epomaker EK21 specs

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

12 of 23 specs differ

8BitDo Retro18 Numpad

Epomaker EK21

Typing & switches

Switch options

—
Linear, Silent

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Top Mount
Gasket Mount

Sound dampening

No
Yes

Layout

Layout size

Numpad
Numpad

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Knob

No
Yes

Display

Yes
None

Connectivity & battery

Connection

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

Max polling rate

—
1,000 Hz

Battery

1,000 mAh
1,000 mAh

USB-C

Yes
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

Aluminum, Plastic
ABS

Plate material

—
Polycarbonate

Keycaps

ABS, PBT
PBT

Weight

300 g
200 g

Dimensions

46 x 104 x 170 mm
29 x 138 x 93 mm

Backlight

None
RGB

Firmware & software

VIA

No
Yes

N-key rollover

Yes
Yes

Mac & Windows

No
Yes

Extras

Released

2024
2025

Where to buy

Compare prices

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

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