Epomaker EK21 vs HE68 LiteNumpad vs Gaming Keyboard Comparison
Choose the EK21 for wireless number pad functionality, or the HE68 Lite for a dedicated, high-performance gaming keyboard.
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4.5 (34)4.5 · 34 reviews
from$33at Epomaker
90-day lowLowest price in 90 days
4.7 (61)4.7 · 61 reviews
from$42at Epomaker
90-day lowLowest price in 90 days
Which one should you get?
Get the
Epomaker EK21
Numpad
Build quality in the top 25% of Numpad boards under $50.
- Triple-mode wireless connectivity (Bluetooth, 2.4GHz, wired).
- Extremely portable at 200g with a 20-key numpad layout.
- Gasket-mount structure with Poron bottom foam and IXPE switch pad.
- Numpad only. This is not a full keyboard.
Get the
Epomaker HE68 Lite
Gaming Keyboard Comparison
Build quality in the top 35% of 65% boards under $50.
- High 8000 Hz polling rate and 128kHz scan rate for ultra-low latency.
- Hall Effect switches with 0.01mm adjustable actuation and rapid trigger.
- Includes gaming features like SOCD, DKS, and macro support via software.
- 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.
- 65% layout. No function row and no numpad.
Your primary need dictates the choice. If you require a dedicated, high-performance gaming keyboard with cutting-edge Hall Effect switches, the Epomaker HE68 Lite is the obvious pick. If you already have a main keyboard and want a versatile, wireless number pad for data entry, creative work, or portability, the Epomaker EK21 is a powerful accessory. Consider the HE68 Lite for a primary board and the EK21 as a supplement.
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 HE68 Lite
Layout size
Numpad
65%
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
Connection
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Max polling rate
1,000 Hz
8,000 Hz
Higher polling helps competitive FPS and does nothing for typing
- Epomaker EK21
- Epomaker HE68 Lite
- Performance
- 7896
- Build quality
- 7673
- Productivity
- 8886
- Customizability
- 8273
- Portability
- 8875
- Hot-swappable
- Case material: ABS
- Sound dampening
- Plate material: Polycarbonate
- Keycaps: PBT
What will you mostly use it for?
The HE68 Lite is the clear choice for gaming and as a primary keyboard for programming due to its high-performance specs and complete layout. The EK21 excels in office, travel, and content creation scenarios where its wireless numpad form factor and programmable knob add focused utility. For modding, both offer solid foundations with hot-swap sockets and sound-dampening foams, though their software and mounting styles differ.
Pick the Epomaker HE68 Lite
- The HE68 Lite has an 8000 Hz polling rate and 0.125ms latency for faster response.
- It features Hall Effect switches with adjustable actuation and rapid trigger support.
- It includes gaming-specific software features like SOCD (Snap Key) and DKS.
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 HE68 Lite
61 owner reviews
“The switch actuation is really something else it’s really nice to play games with and the app is pretty easy to use aswell super simple and incredibly value”
“I wanted the normal HE68 but resulted in the lite cause I needed a new keyboard im not happy about it it’s missing keys I want and overall not the biggest fan”
Epomaker EK21 vs HE68 Lite specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
13 of 26 specs differ
Epomaker EK21
Epomaker HE68 Lite
Switch options
Hall effect (magnetic)
Rapid trigger
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
Display
Connection
Max polling rate
Battery
USB-C
Case material
Plate material
Keycaps
Weight
Dimensions
Backlight
VIA
N-key rollover
Mac & Windows
Released
Compare prices
Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.
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Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.
Epomaker EK21 vs HE68 Lite: your questions
No, the HE68 Lite is a wired-only keyboard. It connects via a detachable USB A-to-C cable. The Epomaker EK21 numpad offers wireless connectivity through Bluetooth and 2.4GHz modes.
No, the EK21 is specifically a 20-key numeric keypad. It is designed to be used alongside a primary keyboard to provide number input and programmable macro keys, not as a standalone typing device.
The Epomaker HE68 Lite is built for competitive gaming. It features an 8000 Hz polling rate, Hall Effect switches with adjustable actuation down to 0.1mm, and rapid trigger support. These specs provide faster response times and more customization than the EK21's 1000 Hz polling rate.
Yes, both the Epomaker EK21 and the HE68 Lite feature hot-swappable sockets. The EK21 is compatible with 3-pin and 5-pin mechanical switches, while the HE68 Lite uses magnetic Hall Effect switches.
The EK21 is significantly more portable. It weighs 200g compared to the HE68 Lite's 650g, and its compact numpad dimensions (29 x 138 x 93 mm) make it easy to slip into a bag. The EK21's wireless operation also enhances its portability.
The EK21 uses the open-source VIA software for key remapping and knob customization. The HE68 Lite uses proprietary Epomaker software for Windows and Mac to adjust actuation, program macros, and configure its gaming features like SOCD and DKS.
Both keyboards use PBT keycaps. The EK21 keycaps use a dye-sub technique with a Cherry profile. The HE68 Lite uses double-shot PBT keycaps, with most colorways being shine-through to work with its south-facing RGB lighting.
No, the Epomaker HE68 Lite does not have a control knob. The aluminum alloy knob is a distinctive feature of the EK21 numpad, which can be programmed for volume, scrolling, or other functions via VIA.
The EK21 uses a 3-layer foam package including Poron bottom and sandwich foam plus an IXPE switch pad in a gasket-mount structure. The HE68 Lite uses a 5-layer package with PRO sandwich foam, IXPE switch pad, PET sound-enhancement pad, switch socket pad, and bottom foam in a tray-mount structure.
The HE68 Lite includes a more comprehensive kit for its size, containing a hand strap, strap accessories, a screwdriver, a pack of screws and extra switches, a USB cable, and a keycap/switch puller. The EK21 includes a keycap/switch puller, an extra keycap, a USB cable, a 2.4GHz dongle, and a manual.
No, the EK21 uses standard mechanical linear switches (like the Wisteria or Zebra), which have a fixed actuation point. Adjustable actuation is a feature exclusive to the Hall Effect switches in the HE68 Lite, configurable through its software.
Not sold on either?
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