8BitDo Retro18 Numpad vs Keychron K0 MaxCalculator or QMK
Get the 8BitDo Retro18 for its calculator modes and 9-digit display, or the Keychron K0 Max for QMK customization, a rotary knob, and RGB lighting.
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No reviews
from$69at WhatGeek
4.9 (8)4.9 · 8 reviews
from$64at Keychron
Which one should you get?
Get the
8BitDo Retro18 Numpad
Battery
Build quality in the top 45% of Numpad boards under $100.
- Switches between PC numpad and standard calculator modes, with a dedicated Windows Calculator shortcut.
- 9-digit 7-segment display for calculator use.
- 1000mAh battery and a listed 300 g product weight.
Get the
Keychron K0 Max
Knob
Build quality in the top 5% of Numpad boards under $100.
- QMK and VIA support, with key remapping and macros available through Keychron Launcher.
- Rotary encoder knob and macro column for additional controls.
- RGB backlighting with up to 22 effects.
- Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps will not fit.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
Choose the Retro18 for its calculator mode, dedicated Windows Calculator shortcut, and 9-digit display. Choose the K0 Max for QMK and VIA customization, its rotary knob and macro column, and RGB lighting. Before buying the K0 Max, check that your planned switches and keycaps meet its low-profile and north-facing LED requirements.
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
Keychron K0 Max
Battery
1,000 mAh
750 mAh
A larger battery means fewer cables during the day
Low profile
No
Yes
Mount style
Top Mount
Plate Mount
Knob
No
Yes
Display
Yes
None
A case display rather than a typing feature
- 8BitDo Retro18 Numpad
- Keychron K0 Max
- Performance
- 5379
- Build quality
- 6985
- Productivity
- 4995
- Customizability
- 5092
- Portability
- 8386
- Layout size: Numpad
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Case material: Aluminum, Plastic
What will you mostly use it for?
The Retro18 is a more task-specific pick for office calculations, with a display and switchable calculator mode, and its listed weight and dimensions make its portability easier to assess. The K0 Max takes the customization-focused categories through QMK, VIA, macros, and its knob. Its specified 1000 Hz polling rate and RGB make it the stronger fit for buyers prioritizing those gaming features. Both remain compact numpads with wireless and wired connection options.
Pick the Keychron K0 Max
- The K0 Max specifies a 1000 Hz polling rate for 2.4 GHz and wired modes.
- Its RGB backlight offers up to 22 effects.
- The Retro18 has no RGB lighting and no listed polling rate.
8BitDo Retro18 Numpad vs Keychron K0 Max specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
13 of 25 specs differ
8BitDo Retro18 Numpad
Keychron K0 Max
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Low profile
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
Display
Connection
Max polling rate
Battery
USB-C
Case material
Keycaps
Weight
Dimensions
Backlight
QMK
VIA
N-key rollover
Mac & Windows
Released
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8BitDo Retro18 Numpad vs Keychron K0 Max: your questions
Yes. The Retro18 switches between PC numpad mode and standard calculator mode, and it has a 9-digit 7-segment display. It also includes a dedicated shortcut button for the Windows Calculator app.
Yes. Keychron describes QMK support and key and macro configuration through the Keychron Launcher web app. The K0 Max also has a macro column and rotary encoder knob.
The 8BitDo Retro18 has a 9-digit 7-segment display. The K0 Max is listed without a screen.
Yes. The K0 Max has RGB backlighting with up to 22 effects, and its listing describes adjustments for hue, saturation, brightness, and effect speed. The Retro18 is listed without RGB.
The K0 Max uses low-profile keycaps, and its compatibility notes say standard MX keycaps will not fit. Its north-facing LEDs can also cause Cherry-profile keycaps to hit the switch housing.
The K0 Max is hot-swappable, but its vendor description limits compatibility to Gateron and Keychron low-profile mechanical switches. The description says low-profile optical switches are not supported by QMK.
Both list Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz wireless, as well as a wired connection. The Retro18 vendor description also specifies Bluetooth 5.0, while Keychron describes Bluetooth 5.3 for the K0 Max.
The Retro18 has listed dimensions of 46 x 104 x 170 mm and weighs 300 g, making its physical size and weight explicit. It also has a 1000mAh battery, compared with the K0 Max's listed 750mAh battery.
The K0 Max is listed at 1000 Hz for 2.4 GHz and wired modes. Keychron's product description specifies 125 Hz in Bluetooth mode.
The Retro18 listing does not identify QMK or VIA support. Its vendor description names 8BitDo Ultimate Software V2 for firmware updates only.
The 8BitDo Retro18 includes a dedicated shortcut button for the Windows Calculator app. Its separate calculator mode also works as a standard calculator, according to the vendor description.
Both product listings specify hot-swappable switches. The K0 Max has an explicit low-profile mechanical switch compatibility restriction, while the Retro18 vendor description identifies a hot-swappable PCB without specifying switch compatibility details.
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