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Head to head · Prices checked Oct 28, 2026

Epomaker EK21 vs TH265 Macro Keys or Lighter Build

Choose the EK21 for its lighter, smaller design and linear switches, or the TH26 for five dedicated macro keys and a larger battery.

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Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Epomaker EK21

N-key rollover

Build quality in the top 25% of Numpad boards under $50.

If you want

  • Compact dimensions of 29 x 138 x 93 mm and a listed weight of 200g.
  • Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and wired USB-C connectivity.
  • Linear switches, N-Key Rollover, and 1000 Hz polling listed in the specifications.

Get the

Epomaker TH26

Battery

Build quality in the top 20% of Numpad boards under $50.

If you want

  • Five dedicated macro keys alongside the numpad and rotary knob.
  • 2000mAh battery and Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and wired USB-C connectivity.
  • The vendor describes a 4-layer dampening system with latex foam, an IXPE switch pad, PET film, and PCB bottom adhesive foam.

Rules this board out

  • South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.

Bottom line

Pick the EK21 if you want a lighter, smaller numpad and prefer a product with linear switches and N-Key Rollover explicitly listed. Choose the TH26 if five dedicated macro keys, a larger battery, and its extra customization options matter more than carrying weight. Both provide tri-mode connectivity, a rotary knob, gasket mounting, and hot-swappable switches.

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 TH26

  • Battery

    1,000 mAh

    2,000 mAh

    A larger battery means fewer cables during the day

  • Weight

    200 g

    450 g

    Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel

  • Backlight

    RGB

    RGB, south-facing

    RGB for looks and low light rather than speed

  • N-key rollover

    Yes

    No

  • Released

    2025

    2026

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Epomaker EK21
  • Epomaker TH26
Performance
78
64
Build quality
76
77
Productivity
87
88
Customizability
82
83
Portability
88
90

What they share

  • Layout size: Numpad
  • Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
  • Hot-swappable
  • Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
  • Case material: ABS
  • Mount style: Gasket Mount
See every spec side by side

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

The EK21 is the more travel-friendly option because it weighs less and has smaller listed dimensions. The TH26 has the clearest advantage for shortcut-heavy work, with five dedicated macro keys and vendor-described macro configuration. Both offer VIA support, hot-swappable switches, a knob, and three connection modes, making modding a close call. For gaming, the EK21's listed linear switches and N-Key Rollover make it the more straightforward pick from the available features.

For gaming

Pick the Epomaker EK21

  • The EK21 has listed linear switches and N-Key Rollover.
  • Both list 1000 Hz polling and Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and wired connectivity.

Full specs

Epomaker EK21 vs TH26 specs

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

6 of 24 specs differ

Epomaker EK21

Epomaker TH26

Typing & switches

Switch options

Linear
—

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Gasket Mount
Gasket Mount

Sound dampening

Yes
Yes

Layout

Layout size

Numpad
Numpad

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Knob

Yes
Yes

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
2,000 mAhBetter

USB-C

Yes
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

ABS
ABS

Plate material

Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate

Keycaps

PBT
PBT

Weight

200 g
450 g

Dimensions

29 x 138 x 93 mm
46 x 121 x 147 mm

Typing angle

—
7°

Backlight

RGB
RGB, south-facing

Firmware & software

VIA

Yes
Yes

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 TH26: your questions

The EK21 is lighter and smaller, while the TH26 adds five dedicated macro keys and has a 2000mAh battery. Both have a rotary knob, gasket mounting, hot-swappable switches, and Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and wired connectivity.

Yes, the TH26 has five dedicated macro keys in addition to its numpad keys and rotary knob. Epomaker describes configuring those keys through VIA or EPOMAKER Hub.

The EK21 is listed at 200g, while the TH26 is listed at 450g. The EK21 also has smaller listed dimensions, making it the lighter and more compact option.

Both support Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz wireless, as well as wired USB-C connectivity. The TH26 also has a dedicated three-position mode switch, according to its product description.

The TH26 has a 2000mAh battery, compared with the EK21's 1000mAh battery. Battery capacity alone does not establish how long either model will run between charges.

Yes, both are listed as hot-swappable. The EK21 vendor description specifies support for 3-pin and 5-pin mechanical switches, while the TH26 description lists 5-pin switches.

Both products list VIA support. The TH26 vendor says VIA remapping and macro configuration require importing the corresponding JSON file, and also describes customization through EPOMAKER Hub.

The EK21 metadata lists its switch type as linear, and its vendor description names pre-lubed linear switches. The TH26 vendor also describes its Creamy Jade switches as pre-lubed and linear.

Both list RGB lighting. The TH26 has south-facing LEDs, and its compatibility note warns that shine-through legends stay dark and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.

The TH26 is the more shortcut-focused option because it has five dedicated macro keys and vendor-described macro configuration. The EK21 also supports VIA and has a knob, but its listed feature set does not identify dedicated macro keys.

Both are listed as numpad layouts and include a rotary knob. The TH26 adds five dedicated macro keys, while the EK21 has a smaller listed footprint and lower weight.

The TH26 uses south-facing LEDs, and its compatibility rule notes that shine-through legends stay dark. It also warns that some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.

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