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Head to head · Prices checked Oct 31, 2026

Epomaker EK21 vs G84 HENumpad or Hall Effect?

Choose the G84 HE for a full 80% Hall Effect gaming keyboard, or the EK21 when you want a compact, programmable numpad with a knob.

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EPOMAKER EK21

Epomaker EK21

4.5 · 34 reviews

from$33at Epomaker

90-day low

EPOMAKER G84 HE

Hall effect

Epomaker G84 HE

4.9 · 30 reviews

from$72at Epomaker

90-day low

Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Epomaker EK21

Build quality in the top 25% of Numpad boards under $50.

If you want

  • Compact numpad format, with a listed weight of 200 g.
  • VIA support and hot-swap compatibility with 3- or 5-pin mechanical switches.
  • Aluminum alloy knob for volume control, macros, media control and data entry.

Rules this board out

  • Numpad only. This is not a full keyboard.

Get the

Epomaker G84 HE

Hall effect

Build quality in the bottom 45% of 80% boards under $100.

If you want

  • 80% ANSI layout with 84 keys.
  • Hall Effect magnetic switches with Rapid Trigger and adjustable actuation.
  • Listed 8000 Hz polling rate in 2.4 GHz and wired modes.

Rules this board out

  • Magnetic switches only. Standard MX switches will not fit.
  • North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
  • No numpad.

Bottom line

Pick the G84 HE if you need a complete 80% keyboard and prioritize Hall Effect controls, Rapid Trigger and its higher listed polling rate. Choose the EK21 if you already have a keyboard and want a lighter numpad with VIA programming, broader mechanical-switch options and a volume knob. The EK21 cannot replace a full keyboard, while the G84 HE does not provide a numpad.

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.

Epomaker EK21

Epomaker G84 HE

  • Layout size

    Numpad

    80%

  • Hall effect (magnetic)

    No

    Yes

    Adjustable actuation helps in games and not in normal typing

  • Rapid trigger

    No

    Yes

    Faster resets help in games and not in normal typing

  • Battery

    1,000 mAh

    8,000 mAh

    A larger battery means fewer cables during the day

  • Max polling rate

    1,000 Hz

    8,000 Hz

    Higher polling helps competitive FPS and does nothing for typing

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Epomaker EK21
  • Epomaker G84 HE
Performance
78
98
Build quality
76
60
Productivity
87
76
Customizability
82
58
Portability
88
85

What they share

  • Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
  • Hot-swappable
  • Case material: ABS
  • Mount style: Gasket Mount
  • Sound dampening
  • Plate material: Polycarbonate
See every spec side by side

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

The G84 HE is the clear fit for gaming and programming when you need a full keyboard and want Hall Effect features. The EK21 is more suitable as a compact add-on for office number entry, travel alongside another keyboard, or workflows that benefit from its knob and VIA support. For modding, the EK21’s standard 3- and 5-pin mechanical switch compatibility is more flexible than the G84 HE’s magnetic-only sockets. Content creation favors the EK21 when numeric input or knob controls matter.

For gaming

Pick the Epomaker G84 HE

  • The G84 HE uses Hall Effect magnetic switches with Rapid Trigger and adjustable actuation.
  • Its listed polling rate is 8000 Hz, compared with 1000 Hz for the EK21.
  • The EK21 is a numpad, not a full keyboard.

From real owners

What owners say

Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.

Epomaker EK21

4.5

34 owner reviews

Praise
“Great wireless connectivity, sounds and feels as good as my 200$ custom keyboard. Great buy especially with the discount, would definitely buy again.”
Jared T.Verified buyer· via Epomaker
Critique
“I have had this thing for years, I have updated to every Json file and firmware file I can find and it has NEVER worked right, Either the Json file or the firmware is jacked up and no one at Epomaker can give me any explanation. This numpad is the reason I…”
Chris· via Epomaker

Epomaker G84 HE

4.9

30 owner reviews

Praise
“Lovely keyboard apart from the software and the lightbar on the logo having no inapp customisation Otherwise perfect It could also have more colour options”
HashbrownVerified buyer· via Epomaker

Full specs

Epomaker EK21 vs G84 HE specs

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

11 of 26 specs differ

Epomaker EK21

Epomaker G84 HE

Typing & switches

Switch options

Linear
Linear, Magnetic

Hall effect (magnetic)

No
Yes

Rapid trigger

No
Yes

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Gasket Mount
Gasket Mount

Sound dampening

Yes
Yes

Layout

Layout size

Numpad
80%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Knob

Yes
No

Display

None
None

Connectivity & battery

Connection

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

Max polling rate

1,000 Hz
8,000 HzBetter

Battery

1,000 mAh
8,000 mAhBetter

USB-C

Yes
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

ABS
ABS

Plate material

Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate

Keycaps

PBT
PBT

Weight

200 g
1,000 g

Dimensions

29 x 138 x 93 mm
42 x 347 x 146 mm

Typing angle

—
6°

Backlight

RGB
RGB, north-facing

Firmware & software

VIA

Yes
No

N-key rollover

Yes
Yes

Mac & Windows

Yes
Yes

Extras

Released

2025
2025

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.

FAQ

Epomaker EK21 vs G84 HE: your questions

No. The EK21 is a numpad-only device, so it is intended as an add-on rather than a replacement for a full keyboard.

No. It uses an 80% ANSI layout with 84 keys. It has no numpad.

The G84 HE is the more gaming-focused option, with Hall Effect magnetic switches, Rapid Trigger and an 8000 Hz listed polling rate in wired and 2.4 GHz modes. The EK21 is a numpad with linear mechanical switches and a listed 1000 Hz polling rate.

Yes. The vendor describes Rapid Trigger and adjustable actuation for its Hall Effect switches. It also lists adjustable actuation from 0.1 to 3.3 mm in 0.01 mm steps.

No. Its switch sockets are for magnetic switches only, and the compatibility rules specify that standard MX switches will not fit. The EK21 supports hot-swappable 3- and 5-pin mechanical switches.

The G84 HE has north-facing LEDs, and its compatibility rules warn that Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing. Check keycap compatibility carefully before changing the caps.

Yes. The EK21 lists VIA support, and the vendor describes key customization for macros and media control. VIA support is not listed for the G84 HE.

The EK21 is substantially smaller and lighter, measuring 29 × 138 × 93 mm and weighing 200 g. The G84 HE measures 42 × 347 × 146 mm and weighs 1000 g.

Both list Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity, as well as wired USB-C connectivity. Their listed batteries differ, with 1000 mAh for the EK21 and 8000 mAh for the G84 HE.

The EK21 is a dedicated numpad. The G84 HE is an 80% keyboard and has no numpad.

Yes. Epomaker describes the EK21’s aluminum alloy knob as a tactile control for volume. The vendor also says VIA can be used for macros and media control.

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