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Head to head · Prices checked Oct 31, 2026

Epomaker EK21 vs HE60Numpad or Hall Effect 60%

Choose the EK21 for a dedicated, VIA-programmable numpad, or the HE60 for a complete 60% Hall Effect keyboard with Rapid Trigger and higher polling.

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EPOMAKER EK21

Epomaker EK21

4.5 · 34 reviews

from$33at 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

  • Dedicated numpad layout with 20 keys and an aluminum alloy knob.
  • VIA support and hot-swap compatibility with 3/5-pin mechanical switches.
  • Gasket mount, flex-cut PC plate, and three-layer PORON and IXPE dampening.

Rules this board out

  • Numpad only. This is not a full keyboard.

Get the

Epomaker HE60

Hall effect

Build quality in the bottom 50% of 60% boards under $100.

If you want

  • 60% layout with 61 keys and tri-mode Bluetooth, 2.4GHz, and USB-C wired connectivity.
  • Hall Effect switches with adjustable actuation from 0.1mm to 3.3mm.
  • Rapid Trigger, DKS, MT, TGL, and Snap Key (SOCD) features.

Rules this board out

  • Magnetic switches only. Standard MX switches will not fit.
  • 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.

Bottom line

Choose the EK21 if you need a numpad to accompany another keyboard, want VIA support, or plan to use 3/5-pin mechanical switches. Choose the HE60 if you want a complete 60% board focused on Hall Effect gaming features, including Rapid Trigger and 8000Hz wired and 2.4GHz polling. Check the HE60's magnetic-switch and compact-layout limits before buying.

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 HE60

  • Layout size

    Numpad

    60%

  • Hall effect (magnetic)

    No

    Yes

    Adjustable actuation helps 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

  • Case material

    ABS

    ABS, Plastic

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Epomaker EK21
  • Epomaker HE60
Performance
78
85
Build quality
76
56
Productivity
87
69
Customizability
82
58
Portability
88
94

What they share

  • Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
  • Hot-swappable
  • Sound dampening
  • Keycaps: PBT
See every spec side by side

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

The HE60 is the clear fit for gaming features, with adjustable Hall Effect actuation, Rapid Trigger, and higher polling in wired and 2.4GHz modes. The EK21 suits office number entry and buyers seeking VIA customization or broader mechanical-switch swapping. For programming and content work, the EK21 is best treated as a companion pad rather than a standalone keyboard. For travel, its much lower listed weight and smaller dimensions favor it if a separate keyboard is already part of the setup.

For gaming

Pick the Epomaker HE60

  • The HE60 has Hall Effect switches with adjustable actuation from 0.1mm to 3.3mm.
  • Rapid Trigger and Snap Key (SOCD) are explicitly listed for the HE60.
  • Its polling rate is 8000Hz over wired and 2.4GHz, compared with the EK21's 1000Hz listing.

Full specs

Epomaker EK21 vs HE60 specs

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

15 of 25 specs differ

Epomaker EK21

Epomaker HE60

Typing & switches

Switch options

Linear
Linear, Magnetic

Hall effect (magnetic)

No
Yes

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Gasket Mount
Tray Mount

Sound dampening

Yes
Yes

Layout

Layout size

Numpad
60%

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, Plastic

Plate material

Polycarbonate
Aluminum

Keycaps

PBT
PBT

Weight

200 g
700 g

Dimensions

29 x 138 x 93 mm
42 x 299 x 102 mm

Typing angle

—
6°

Backlight

RGB
RGB, south-facing

Firmware & software

VIA

Yes
No

N-key rollover

Yes
No

Mac & Windows

Yes
Yes

Extras

Released

2025
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

Epomaker EK21 vs HE60: your questions

No. The EK21 is a numpad-only device with 20 keys and a knob, so it is intended to supplement a separate keyboard.

The HE60 is a standalone 60% keyboard with 61 keys. Its compact layout does not include a function row, dedicated arrow keys, or a numpad.

The HE60 is more explicitly equipped for gaming, with Hall Effect switches, adjustable actuation, Rapid Trigger, and Snap Key (SOCD). Its listed polling rate is 8000Hz over wired and 2.4GHz, while the EK21 listing gives 1000Hz.

Yes. The HE60 product description lists Rapid Trigger, along with DKS, MT, TGL, and Snap Key (SOCD). These features are associated with its Hall Effect switches.

No. The HE60 uses magnetic switches and its compatibility rules exclude standard MX switches. Its hot-swap support is for north-pole-down magnetic switches only.

Yes. The EK21 vendor description specifies hot-swap support for 3/5-pin mechanical switches. This provides a broader stated switch type range than the HE60's magnetic-only sockets.

Yes. The EK21 is listed as VIA programmable, allowing key customization. VIA support is not listed for the HE60 in its product details.

The EK21 is listed at 1000Hz. The HE60 is listed at 8000Hz over wired and 2.4GHz, and 125Hz over Bluetooth.

Both support Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless, as well as wired USB-C connectivity. The HE60's product description specifies a three-position mode switch under the Caps Lock keycap.

The EK21 is listed at 200g, while the HE60 is listed at 700g. The EK21 is a numpad, so its smaller weight and dimensions do not make it a replacement for a full keyboard.

The HE60 has double-shot PBT keycaps described as shine-through, but its LEDs face south. Its compatibility rules caution that shine-through legends stay dark and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.

The EK21 has three layers of PORON and IXPE dampening, while the HE60 has five layers including latex foam and a silicone bottom pad. Layer counts and materials differ, so the descriptions do not establish which will sound preferable to an individual buyer.

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