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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 12, 2026

Epomaker EK21 vs Luma40Numpad or Aluminum 40%

Get the EK21 for a dedicated numpad with an aluminum knob and gasket-mounted Poron foam, or the Luma40 for an aluminum 40% board with ortholinear keys and QMK support.

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EPOMAKER EK21

4.6 (36)

$33at Epomaker

90-day low

EPOMAKER LUMA40

5.0 (3)

$92at 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 an aluminum alloy knob.
  • Gasket mount with Poron bottom and sandwich foam, plus an IXPE switch pad.

Rules this board out

  • Numpad only. This is not a full keyboard.

Get the

Epomaker Luma40

Battery

Build quality in the top 20% of 40% boards under $150.

If you want

  • CNC-cut aluminum case and ortholinear 40% layout.
  • QMK support alongside VIA, with 47 hot-swappable sockets for compatible Kailh low-profile switches.

Rules this board out

  • Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps will not fit.
  • North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
  • Compact layout only. No function row, dedicated arrow keys, or numpad.

Bottom line

Choose the EK21 when you want a dedicated number pad, an aluminum knob, and a gasket-mounted build with Poron and IXPE foam. Choose the Luma40 when you want an aluminum ortholinear typing board with QMK support and low-profile hot-swap sockets. Check the Luma40's low-profile keycap and compact-layout constraints 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 Luma40

  • Layout size

    Numpad

    40%

  • Battery

    1,000 mAh

    1,450 mAh

    A larger battery means fewer cables during the day

  • Low profile

    No

    Yes

  • Ergonomics

    Standard

    Ortholinear

  • Case material

    ABS

    Aluminum

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Epomaker EK21
  • Epomaker Luma40
Performance
77
73
Build quality
76
81
Productivity
87
88
Customizability
82
85
Portability
88
85

What they share

  • Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
  • Hot-swappable
  • Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
  • VIA
  • Sound dampening
  • Plate material: Polycarbonate
See every spec side by side

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

The EK21 is the more direct fit for adding number entry or a knob to an existing workstation. The Luma40 is the stronger choice for programming and layout experimentation, with QMK, VIA, and an ortholinear arrangement. For gaming, the shared polling rate and wireless modes leave layout preference and programmable inputs as the main distinctions. The EK21 is lighter, while the Luma40 is a compact standalone keyboard, so travel preference depends on whether a numpad or full typing layout is needed.

For gaming

It's a tie

  • Both list 1000 Hz polling and wired, 2.4 GHz, and Bluetooth connectivity.
  • The EK21 has a numpad-only layout, while the Luma40 is a 40% keyboard with no dedicated arrow keys or function row.
  • The Luma40 vendor description specifies hot-swappable Kailh low-profile switches and QMK macros for game inputs.

From real owners

What owners say

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

Epomaker EK21

4.6

36 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 Luma40

5.0

3 owner reviews

Praise
“Hello there the luma 40 is one of my favorite keebs i used i can bring it anywhere with me i really love it thanks u guys”
Sajad m.Verified buyer· via Epomaker

Full specs

Epomaker EK21 vs Luma40 specs

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

13 of 25 specs differ

Epomaker EK21

Epomaker Luma40

Typing & switches

Switch options

Linear, Silent
Clicky, Linear

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Gasket Mount
Tray Mount

Low profile

No
Yes

Sound dampening

Yes
Yes

Layout

Layout size

Numpad
40%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI

Ergonomics

Standard
Ortholinear

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
1,000 Hz

Battery

1,000 mAh
1,450 mAhBetter

USB-C

Yes
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

ABS
Aluminum

Plate material

Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate

Keycaps

PBT
PC

Weight

200 g
410 g

Dimensions

29 x 138 x 93 mm
21 x 240 x 87 mm

Backlight

RGB
RGB, north-facing

Firmware & software

QMK

No
Yes

VIA

Yes
Yes

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 Luma40: your questions

No. The EK21 is a numpad-only product, intended to add number-entry keys to another keyboard setup. Its layout does not replace a full keyboard.

No. The Luma40 uses a 40% layout, and its compatibility details specify that it has no function row, dedicated arrow keys, or numpad. Its vendor description says a numpad layer can be configured through QMK.

The EK21 is a dedicated numpad with a gasket mount and aluminum alloy knob. The Luma40 is an ortholinear 40% keyboard with an aluminum case and QMK support.

Both list Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and wired connectivity. The EK21 has a 1000mAh battery, while the Luma40 has a 1450mAh battery.

No. The Luma40 requires low-profile switches and keycaps, and standard MX keycaps will not fit. Its vendor description identifies the keycaps as low-profile PC plastic.

The Luma40's north-facing LEDs may cause Cherry-profile keycaps to hit the switch housing. Check keycap profile compatibility before choosing a set.

The Luma40 lists both QMK and VIA support. The EK21 lists VIA support, but not QMK.

The EK21 has a dedicated numpad layout, making it the direct option for adding number-entry keys. The Luma40 has no physical numpad, though its vendor description says QMK can be used to create a numpad layer.

The EK21 weighs 200g, while the Luma40 weighs 410g. The Luma40 is described as a portable 40% keyboard, but it is heavier than the EK21.

Both list hot-swappable switches. The Luma40's vendor description specifies 47 sockets for compatible 5-pin Kailh low-profile switches, while the EK21 lists hot-swap without that same socket detail.

The Luma40 has a CNC-cut aluminum case. The EK21's case material is listed as ABS, while its vendor description identifies its aluminum component as the knob.

The EK21 has an aluminum alloy knob that provides a physical adjustment control, along with its numpad keys. The Luma40 has a 40% layout and supports programmable macros and remaps through QMK and VIA.

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