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Head to head · Prices checked Oct 29, 2026

Epomaker EK21 vs Keychron K0 Max

Choose the Epomaker EK21 for a gasket-mounted feel and broader switch compatibility, or the Keychron K0 Max for low-profile typing and QMK customization.

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Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Epomaker EK21

Battery

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

If you want

  • Gasket mount, flex-cut PC plate, and 3-layer PORON and IXPE dampening.
  • Hot-swappable support for 3/5-pin mechanical switches.
  • VIA support and an aluminum alloy knob for macros, media control, and data entry.

Get the

Keychron K0 Max

Build quality in the top 10% of Numpad boards under $100.

If you want

  • Low-profile design with low-profile double-shot PBT keycaps.
  • QMK support and Keychron Launcher for remapping and macros.
  • 27-key numpad layout with a macro column and rotary encoder knob.

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.

Bottom line

Pick the Epomaker EK21 if you want a gasket-mounted numpad and the freedom to use 3/5-pin mechanical switches. Choose the Keychron K0 Max if you prefer low-profile keys, a macro column, and QMK-based customization. Check the K0 Max's low-profile switch and keycap limits before planning modifications.

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

Keychron K0 Max

  • Battery

    1,000 mAh

    750 mAh

    A larger battery means fewer cables during the day

  • Low profile

    No

    Yes

  • Case material

    ABS

    Aluminum, Plastic

  • Switch options

    Linear

    Clicky, Linear, Silent, Tactile

  • Mount style

    Gasket Mount

    Plate Mount

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Epomaker EK21
  • Keychron K0 Max
Performance
78
79
Build quality
76
85
Productivity
87
95
Customizability
82
92
Portability
88
86

What they share

  • Layout size: Numpad
  • Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
  • Hot-swappable
  • Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
  • Knob
  • VIA
See every spec side by side

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

The K0 Max has an edge for office use, programming, travel, and content creation, particularly if its low-profile format or extra keys suit your setup. The EK21 is the more flexible choice for switch changes, with support for 3/5-pin mechanical switches. Gaming is a draw on the listed polling rate, NKRO, and connection options. Your preference for a gasket-mounted build or low-profile layout is likely to settle the choice.

For gaming

It's a tie

  • Both list a 1000 Hz polling rate and N-key rollover.
  • Both support 2.4 GHz wireless and wired connections.

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

Keychron K0 Max

4.1

11 owner reviews

Praise
“Perfect addition to my Nuphy Air75 v2. The keys line up well, and this gives me a knob and 10-key when I’m at my desk!”
RyanVerified buyer· via Keychron
Critique
“The K0 MAX is just right with its red Gateron switches! Typing on it feels really natural. 2 Stars less because the battery needs to be loaded again after 3 or four days of occasional usage.”
Dogi D.Verified buyer· via Keychron

Full specs

Epomaker EK21 vs Keychron K0 Max specs

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

9 of 26 specs differ

Epomaker EK21

Keychron K0 Max

Typing & switches

Switch options

Linear
Clicky, Linear, Silent, Tactile

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Gasket Mount
Plate Mount

Low profile

No
Yes

Sound dampening

Yes
Yes

Screw-in stabilizers

No
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 mAhBetter
750 mAh

USB-C

Yes
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

ABS
Aluminum, Plastic

Plate material

Polycarbonate
—

Keycaps

PBT
PBT, POM

Weight

200 g
—

Dimensions

29 x 138 x 93 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 Keychron K0 Max: your questions

The EK21 uses a gasket mount and supports 3/5-pin mechanical switches. The K0 Max is a low-profile numpad with QMK support and a 27-key layout.

The Keychron K0 Max is listed with 27 keys and a macro column. The EK21 is listed as a 20-key numpad with a dedicated knob.

Both support Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz wireless, and wired connections. The EK21's vendor description specifies USB-C wired connectivity.

Both list a 1000 Hz polling rate and N-key rollover, and both support 2.4 GHz and wired connections. Those listed features do not establish a clear gaming advantage for either model.

No. Keychron says the K0 Max is compatible with Gateron and Keychron low-profile mechanical switches only. The EK21, by contrast, supports hot-swappable 3/5-pin mechanical switches.

The K0 Max has north-facing LEDs, and its compatibility rules warn that Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing. Its included keycaps are low-profile double-shot PBT.

Yes, VIA support is listed for the EK21, and Epomaker describes it as programmable through VIA. The product description also says you can customize keys for macros, media control, and data entry.

Yes, QMK support is listed, and Keychron describes using its Launcher web app for key remapping and macros. The vendor specifies Windows, macOS, and Linux support for the web-based configurator.

Keychron lists the K0 Max at 176.3 g, while the EK21 is listed at 200 g. On those stated weights, the K0 Max is lighter.

The EK21 has a listed 1000mAh battery, while the K0 Max has a 750mAh battery. Keychron also lists up to 50 hours for the K0 Max, but the EK21 vendor description does not give a matching runtime figure.

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