Epomaker EK21 vs Magcore65 LiteNumpad or 65%
Choose the EK21 for a dedicated wireless numpad with VIA and a knob, or the Magcore65 Lite for a full compact keyboard with inductive gaming features.
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4.5 · 34 reviews
from$33at Epomaker
90-day lowLowest price in 90 days
4.8 · 10 reviews
from$43at Epomaker
90-day lowLowest price in 90 days
Which one should you get?
Get the
Epomaker EK21
Build quality in the top 25% of Numpad boards under $50.
- Dedicated numpad layout with 20 keys and an aluminum alloy knob.
- VIA support for key customization.
- Hot-swappable 3-pin and 5-pin mechanical switches.
- Numpad only. This is not a full keyboard.
Get the
Epomaker Magcore65 Lite
Hall effect
Build quality in the top 50% of 65% boards under $50.
- 66-key 65% layout with arrow keys for use as a compact primary keyboard.
- Inductive analog switches with adjustable trigger travel.
- Vendor-listed 8K wired polling and SOCD, DKS, and Mod Tap functions.
- 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.
Pick the EK21 if you already have a main keyboard and want a portable number pad with a knob, VIA, and broader mechanical-switch swapping. Choose the Magcore65 Lite if you need a compact full keyboard and value adjustable inductive actuation plus its listed competitive gaming functions. Its switch and keycap compatibility rules make it a more specialized choice for customization.
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 Magcore65 Lite
Layout size
Numpad
65%
Hall effect (magnetic)
No
Yes
Adjustable actuation helps in games and not in normal typing
Battery
1,000 mAh
4,000 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
Switch options
Linear
Linear, Magnetic
- Epomaker EK21
- Epomaker Magcore65 Lite
- Performance
- 7890
- Build quality
- 7666
- Productivity
- 8768
- Customizability
- 8267
- Portability
- 8887
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Case material: ABS
- Mount style: Gasket Mount
- Sound dampening
What will you mostly use it for?
The Magcore65 Lite is the more purpose-built choice for gaming, with an integrated 65% layout and inductive analog controls. The EK21 suits number-heavy office tasks and content workflows, especially when a knob and VIA mapping are useful. Its lower weight and much smaller dimensions favor carrying a separate numpad. For programming, the Magcore65 Lite works as a standalone compact keyboard, while EK21 requires another keyboard for regular typing.
Pick the Epomaker Magcore65 Lite
- Magcore65 Lite has inductive analog switches with adjustable trigger travel.
- Its vendor listing specifies 8K wired polling and SOCD, DKS, and Mod Tap functions.
- EK21 is a numpad, rather than a primary keyboard for game controls.
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 Magcore65 Lite
10 owner reviews
“I’ve owned at least two inductive keyboards, each costing more than twice the price of the Magcore65, but none of them sound or feel as good, so I’m sticking with this one.”
Epomaker EK21 vs Magcore65 Lite specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
13 of 25 specs differ
Epomaker EK21
Epomaker Magcore65 Lite
Switch options
Hall effect (magnetic)
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
VIA
N-key rollover
Mac & Windows
Released
Compare prices
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Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.
Epomaker EK21 vs Magcore65 Lite: your questions
No. The EK21 is a numpad-only device with 20 keys and a knob, so it is intended to accompany a separate keyboard rather than replace one.
It is a compact 65% keyboard with 66 keys and arrow keys. The layout does not include a function row or numpad.
The Magcore65 Lite is the gaming-focused option, with inductive analog switches, adjustable trigger travel, and vendor-listed SOCD, DKS, and Mod Tap functions. Its listing specifies 8K polling when wired.
Yes. The EK21 listing identifies VIA support and describes assigning macros, media controls, and data-entry actions to keys.
The Magcore65 Lite is hot-swappable, but its compatibility rules limit it to its inductive switch type. Standard MX mechanical switches and magnetic switches will not fit.
The EK21 supports hot-swappable 3-pin and 5-pin mechanical switches. This is a key difference from the Magcore65 Lite, whose switch compatibility rules exclude standard MX switches.
Both offer Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and wired connectivity. EK21 has a 1000mAh battery, while Magcore65 Lite has a 4000mAh battery; the listings do not establish comparative battery life.
The EK21 weighs 200g and measures 29 x 138 x 93 mm. Magcore65 Lite weighs 750g and is substantially larger, so the EK21 is easier to carry as a standalone numpad.
No. Its 65% layout has no numpad or function row, although it retains arrow keys.
The Magcore65 Lite has south-facing LEDs, and its compatibility rules warn that shine-through legends stay dark. Some sculpted keycaps can also clip the LED.
The EK21 is purpose-built as a numpad, with 20 keys and a dedicated knob. The Magcore65 Lite has no numpad, so it is not the direct choice for frequent numeric entry.
Yes. Both list RGB lighting and a gasket mount, though Magcore65 Lite's LEDs are specifically described as south-facing.
Not sold on either?
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