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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 12, 2026

8BitDo Retro18 Numpad vs Keychron V0 Ultra NumpadScreen or 8K

Choose the 8BitDo Retro18 for its built-in calculator and display, or the Keychron V0 Ultra for 8K polling, RGB, gasket mounting, and sound-dampening features.

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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

  • Switches between PC numpad mode and standard calculator mode, with a dedicated Windows Calculator shortcut.
  • 9-digit 7-segment display for calculator output.
  • Aluminum is listed as a case material.

Get the

Keychron V0 Ultra Numpad

Battery

Build quality in the top 40% of Numpad boards under $100.

If you want

  • 8000 Hz polling rate is listed for wired and 2.4 GHz modes.
  • Gasket mount, PC plate, and multiple acoustic foam layers are specified.
  • South-facing RGB lighting and knob support.

Rules this board out

  • South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.

Bottom line

Get the 8BitDo Retro18 for its dedicated calculator modes, Windows Calculator shortcut, and built-in display. Choose the Keychron V0 Ultra for its 8000 Hz polling, RGB and knob support, and gasket-mounted, foam-dampened construction. If shine-through legends or certain sculpted keycaps are important, account for the V0 Ultra's south-facing LED limitation.

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

Keychron V0 Ultra Numpad

  • Battery

    1,000 mAh

    1,800 mAh

    A larger battery means fewer cables during the day

  • Case material

    Aluminum, Plastic

    Plastic

  • Mount style

    Top Mount

    Gasket Mount

  • Knob

    No

    Yes

  • Display

    Yes

    None

    A case display rather than a typing feature

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • 8BitDo Retro18 Numpad
  • Keychron V0 Ultra Numpad
Performance
53
87
Build quality
69
72
Productivity
49
87
Customizability
50
74
Portability
83
85

What they share

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

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

The V0 Ultra takes the lead for gaming, programming, travel, and modding, with its 8000 Hz polling, customization options, and smaller listed dimensions. The Retro18 suits office tasks that benefit from an integrated calculator and visible numeric display. For content creation, the Retro18's calculator functions offer a clear practical distinction, though the right choice depends on how often those functions are useful. Both are wireless, hot-swappable numpads, so the major trade-off is purpose-built calculator convenience versus the V0 Ultra's customization and build features.

For gaming

Pick the Keychron V0 Ultra Numpad

  • The V0 Ultra lists an 8000 Hz polling rate, while the Retro18 does not list a polling rate.
  • Keychron describes 8000 Hz polling in wired and 2.4 GHz modes.

Full specs

8BitDo Retro18 Numpad vs Keychron V0 Ultra Numpad specs

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

13 of 24 specs differ

8BitDo Retro18 Numpad

Keychron V0 Ultra Numpad

Typing & switches

Switch options

—
Clicky, Linear, Tactile

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Top Mount
Gasket Mount

Sound dampening

No
Yes

Screw-in stabilizers

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

—
8,000 Hz

Battery

1,000 mAh
1,800 mAhBetter

USB-C

Yes
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

Aluminum, Plastic
Plastic

Plate material

—
Polycarbonate

Keycaps

ABS, PBT
PBT

Weight

300 g
310 g

Dimensions

46 x 104 x 170 mm
29 x 118 x 139 mm

Typing angle

—
3°

Backlight

None
RGB, south-facing

Firmware & software

N-key rollover

Yes
Yes

Mac & Windows

No
Yes

Extras

Released

2024
2026

Where to buy

Compare prices

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

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Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.

FAQ

8BitDo Retro18 Numpad vs Keychron V0 Ultra Numpad: your questions

Yes. The Retro18 switches between PC numpad mode and standard calculator mode with one click. It also has a dedicated shortcut button for the Windows Calculator app.

Yes. It has a 9-digit 7-segment display, according to the vendor description. The Keychron V0 Ultra does not list a screen.

The V0 Ultra lists an 8000 Hz polling rate. Keychron specifies that rate for wired and 2.4 GHz modes, while the Retro18's listing does not provide a polling rate.

Both listings specify Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity, as well as wired use. The Retro18 vendor description names Bluetooth 5.0, and Keychron's description names Bluetooth 5.3.

The V0 Ultra is listed at 29 x 118 x 139 mm, while the Retro18 measures 46 x 104 x 170 mm. The V0 Ultra is also listed at 310g, compared with 300g for the Retro18.

Both are listed as hot-swappable. Keychron specifically says the V0 Ultra supports almost all 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style mechanical switches without soldering.

Yes. Its listing specifies south-facing RGB LEDs. Keychron describes the lighting with non-shine-through PBT keycaps.

The V0 Ultra's compatibility note says shine-through legends stay dark with its south-facing LEDs. It also warns that some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.

Keychron says its Launcher can customize macros, shortcuts, key combinations, and key remapping. The vendor says the Launcher should be opened in a supported browser with the numpad connected by wire.

The V0 Ultra lists a gasket mount and a polycarbonate plate. Keychron says this design helps reduce acoustic resonance and creates a softer, quieter typing experience.

The Retro18 is the direct choice for calculator use because it has a standard calculator mode, a Windows Calculator shortcut, and a 9-digit display. The V0 Ultra is described as a customizable number pad but does not list those calculator features.

The Retro18 is listed with a 1000mAh battery, while the V0 Ultra has an 1800mAh battery. Keychron also describes up to 360 hours of use with the backlight off, but the Retro18 vendor description does not provide an operating-time estimate.

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