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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 7, 2026

Epomaker EK21 vs Evoworks Evo80Numpad vs TKL Keyboard

Choose the Epomaker EK21 if you need a portable numeric keypad, or the Evoworks Evo80 for a premium, full-function wireless TKL keyboard.

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EPOMAKER EK21

4.5 (34)

$33at Epomaker

90-day low

Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Epomaker EK21

Numpad

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

If you want

  • Extremely portable and lightweight at 200g.
  • Includes a programmable aluminum alloy knob for media or macro control.
  • Features a gasket-mount structure with Poron and IXPE foam dampening for a cushioned typing feel.

Rules this board out

  • Numpad only. This is not a full keyboard.

Get the

Evoworks Evo80

TKL Keyboard

Build quality in the top 15% of 80% boards under $200.

If you want

  • Premium CNC aluminum case with copper weight for a solid, 1870g build.
  • Massive 8000mAh battery capacity for extended wireless use.
  • Comes as a comprehensive kit with multiple plate options (FR4, PP), five layers of Poron foam, and screw-in stabilizers.

Rules this board out

  • South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
  • No numpad.

Bottom line

Your choice depends entirely on whether you need a complete keyboard or a supplementary device. The Evoworks Evo80 is a high-end investment for users who want a premium, customizable, and full-featured wireless TKL keyboard for their primary desk. The Epomaker EK21 is a clever, cost-effective solution for adding a numpad and knob to a minimalist setup or for mobile professionals. Prioritize the Evo80 for a standalone typing experience and the EK21 for expanding your existing keyboard's capabilities.

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

Evoworks Evo80

  • Layout size

    Numpad

    80%

  • Battery

    1,000 mAh

    8,000 mAh

    A larger battery means fewer cables during the day

  • Case material

    ABS

    Aluminum, Copper

  • Switch options

    Linear, Silent

    Linear

  • Mount style

    Gasket Mount

    Plate Mount

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Epomaker EK21
  • Evoworks Evo80
Performance
78
77
Build quality
76
80
Productivity
88
84
Customizability
82
82
Portability
88
87

What they share

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

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

The Evoworks Evo80 is the more versatile choice for primary use cases like gaming, programming, and content creation due to its complete TKL layout and premium build. The Epomaker EK21 wins for travel and serves as a specialized tool for office workers who need a portable numpad. For modding enthusiasts, the Evo80's kit format and extensive included accessories provide a superior starting point.

For gaming

Pick the Evoworks Evo80

  • The Evo80's TKL layout provides dedicated arrow and function keys crucial for gaming shortcuts.
  • Both have a 1000Hz polling rate in wired and 2.4GHz modes for responsive input.
  • The Evo80's heavier 1870g aluminum and copper case provides more stability during intense use.

From real owners

What owners say

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

Epomaker EK21

4.5

34 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

Evoworks Evo80

4.9

60 owner reviews

Praise
“This is a great keyboard! It looks amazing, and it sounds incredible. I made it my main work keyboard so I could experience typing on it as much as possible.”
Timothy D.Verified buyer· via Divinikey
Critique
“I should have looked in the VIA supported keyboards list. The marketing said VIA compatible, but it's not "supported". You have to manually import a bare-bones JSON file that lacks tons of features that other VIA keyboards have. This keyboard is nicely built…”
Jesse M.· via Divinikey

Full specs

Epomaker EK21 vs Evoworks Evo80 specs

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

10 of 23 specs differ

Epomaker EK21

Evoworks Evo80

Typing & switches

Switch options

Linear, Silent
Linear

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Gasket Mount
Plate Mount

Sound dampening

Yes
Yes

Layout

Layout size

Numpad
80%

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
1,000 Hz

Battery

1,000 mAh
8,000 mAhBetter

USB-C

Yes
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

ABS
Aluminum, Copper

Plate material

Polycarbonate
FR4, Plastic, Polycarbonate

Keycaps

PBT
PBT

Weight

200 g
1,870 g

Dimensions

29 x 138 x 93 mm
—

Backlight

RGB
RGB, south-facing

Firmware & software

VIA

Yes
Yes

N-key rollover

Yes
Yes

Mac & Windows

Yes
Yes

Extras

Released

2025
2024

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 Evoworks Evo80: your questions

No, the EK21 is a 20-key numeric keypad. It is designed to be used alongside a separate main keyboard to provide number input, a programmable knob, and additional macro keys. It is not a standalone typing solution.

The Evoworks Evo80 has a very large combined battery capacity of 8000mAh, using two 4000mAh batteries. While exact runtime is not specified, this capacity is significantly larger than typical wireless keyboards and should provide extended usage between charges, especially with the RGB lighting turned off.

Yes, both the Epomaker EK21 and the Evoworks Evo80 are fully programmable using VIA software. This allows you to remap every key, create macros, and adjust the functionality of the knobs on each device without needing to flash new firmware.

Both keyboards are designed with sound dampening. The EK21 uses a Poron bottom layer, sandwich foam, and an IXPE switch pad. The Evo80 includes five layers of Poron foam and a double-layer of cotton bottom foam. With quiet linear switches, both can be suitable for office use, but the Evo80's heavier construction may absorb more vibration.

Yes, according to their specifications and vendor descriptions, both the Epomaker EK21 and the Evoworks Evo80 are compatible with Mac operating systems. The Evo80 specifically includes a Mac add-on kit in the box.

Both keyboards feature hot-swappable PCBs. The Epomaker EK21 listing states it is compatible with 3-pin and 5-pin mechanical switches. The Evoworks Evo80 has a hotswap PCB, but the specific pin compatibility is not detailed in the provided information, though it is common for such boards to support 5-pin switches.

The Evoworks Evo80 vendor description explicitly states it has per-key RGB. The Epomaker EK21 listing confirms it has dynamic RGB backlighting but does not specify if it is per-key programmable. Both keyboards feature south-facing RGB LEDs, which are better for compatibility with Cherry-profile keycaps.

The Evo80 comes as a comprehensive kit. It includes the CNC aluminum case, hotswap PCB, choice of plate, switches, keycaps, an acoustic foam package, stabilizers, two 4000mAh batteries, a carrying case, a USB-C cable, a 2.4GHz dongle, a Mac add-on kit, and numerous spare parts like screws and dampeners.

Yes, the product metadata lists multiple mount styles for the Evo80: Plate Mount, Gasket Mount, and Top Mount. The vendor description highlights its butterfly leaf spring gasket mechanism, suggesting this is a key feature, but the inclusion of multiple mounting style options indicates some flexibility in assembly.

Both keyboards offer a 1000Hz polling rate in their wired and 2.4GHz wireless modes, which is standard for responsive gaming. In Bluetooth mode, the Epomaker EK21's description specifies a 125Hz polling rate. A comparable specification for the Evo80's Bluetooth mode is not provided.

Yes, both the Epomaker EK21 and the Evoworks Evo80 come with PBT keycaps. The EK21 uses dye-sublimated Cherry-profile keycaps, while the Evo80 uses dye-sub PBT keycaps. PBT plastic is more resistant to shine and wear than ABS.

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