Epomaker EK21 vs Hack 59Numpad or 60% Keyboard
Choose the EK21 for a dedicated numpad with an aluminum knob, or the Hack 59 for a compact main keyboard with 59 keys and QMK support.
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4.5 · 34 reviews
from$33at Epomaker
90-day lowLowest price in 90 days
4.7 · 18 reviews
from$48at Epomaker
90-day lowLowest price in 90 days
Which one should you get?
Get the
Epomaker EK21
Knob
Build quality in the top 25% of Numpad boards under $50.
- Dedicated numpad layout with 20 keys and an aluminum alloy knob.
- Tri-mode connectivity over Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and USB-C wired connections.
- VIA support, hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches, and N-key rollover.
- Numpad only. This is not a full keyboard.
Get the
Epomaker Hack 59
Battery
Build quality in the top 10% of 60% boards under $50.
- 59-key ANSI layout with wired, 2.4 GHz, and Bluetooth connectivity.
- QMK and VIA support, plus hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin mechanical switches.
- Five named sound-dampening layers, including Poron foam, an IXPE switch pad, and a bottom silicone pad.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- Compact layout only. No function row, dedicated arrow keys, or numpad.
Buy the EK21 if your priority is a separate number pad, especially for data entry, and you value its aluminum knob and lighter 200 g build. Choose the Hack 59 if you need a compact main keyboard with QMK and VIA support, while accepting its missing dedicated function row, arrow keys, and numpad. For a full typing layout, the Hack 59 is the applicable option; the EK21 is an add-on rather than a substitute.
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 Hack 59
Layout size
Numpad
60%
Battery
1,000 mAh
3,000 mAh
A larger battery means fewer cables during the day
Knob
Yes
No
Weight
200 g
630 g
Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel
QMK
No
Yes
The deep option when you want to remap every key
- Epomaker EK21
- Epomaker Hack 59
- Performance
- 7864
- Build quality
- 7681
- Productivity
- 8781
- Customizability
- 8289
- Portability
- 8887
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Case material: ABS
- Switch options: Linear
- Mount style: Gasket Mount
What will you mostly use it for?
The Hack 59 is the more suitable choice when you need one compact keyboard for gaming or programming, with QMK support as an added customization option. The EK21 is better suited to numeric entry and workflows where a dedicated knob is useful. For travel, the EK21's listed weight and dimensions favor carrying it as an add-on, while both offer three connection modes. Modding leans toward the Hack 59 for its QMK and VIA support and specified five-layer dampening, though both are hot-swappable.
Pick the Epomaker Hack 59
- The Hack 59 is a 59-key ANSI keyboard, while the EK21 is a numpad rather than a complete keyboard.
- Both list 1000 Hz polling over wired and 2.4 GHz connections, and both have linear switches.
- The Hack 59 has south-facing per-key RGB, though its compatibility notes warn that some sculpted keycaps may clip the LEDs.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Epomaker EK21
34 owner reviews
“Great wireless connectivity, sounds and feels as good as my 200$ custom keyboard. Great buy especially with the discount, would definitely buy again.”
“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…”
Epomaker Hack 59
18 owner reviews
“This keyboard sounds great and has amazing performance! One of the best ive ever used”
Epomaker EK21 vs Hack 59 specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
11 of 25 specs differ
Epomaker EK21
Epomaker Hack 59
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
Display
Connection
Max polling rate
Battery
USB-C
Case material
Plate material
Keycaps
Weight
Dimensions
Typing angle
Backlight
QMK
VIA
N-key rollover
Mac & Windows
Released
Compare prices
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Epomaker EK21 vs Hack 59: your questions
No. The EK21 is a numpad with 20 keys and a knob, and its compatibility notes specify that it is not a full keyboard. It is intended as a dedicated numeric-input companion.
No. The Hack 59 is a compact 59-key, 60% ANSI keyboard. It has no dedicated function row, arrow keys, or numpad.
The EK21 has the advantage for adding dedicated numeric input, since it is a numpad. The Hack 59 has no numpad, so it does not provide the same dedicated number-key layout.
The Hack 59 lists both QMK and VIA support. The EK21 lists VIA support, but QMK is not listed for that model.
Yes. Both models list hot-swap support for 3-pin and 5-pin mechanical switches. Their product descriptions also identify them as pre-built keyboards.
Both list Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz wireless, as well as wired connectivity. The vendor description specifies Bluetooth 5.0 for the Hack 59, but no Bluetooth version is specified for the EK21.
The Hack 59 lists a 3000mAh battery, while the EK21 lists a 1000mAh battery. Battery capacity alone does not establish how long either keyboard will run between charges.
The Hack 59 has south-facing LEDs, and its compatibility notes say shine-through legends stay dark. The notes also warn that some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
Yes. The EK21 has an aluminum alloy knob described for volume control, and its vendor description also mentions media control and macros through VIA. The Hack 59 does not list a knob.
The EK21 weighs 200 g, while the Hack 59 weighs 630 g. The EK21 is a numpad, so its smaller footprint does not make it a replacement for the Hack 59's typing layout.
Both list RGB lighting. The Hack 59 specifies south-facing per-key RGB, while the EK21 vendor description specifies customizable per-key RGB.
Choose the Hack 59 if you need a compact main keyboard, since the EK21 is only a numpad. The Hack 59 adds QMK and VIA support, but its compact layout lacks dedicated arrow keys and a function row.
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