Epomaker EK21 vs Keychron Q0 MaxABS or Aluminum
Get the Epomaker EK21 for a 200g numpad with Poron and IXPE foam, and the Keychron Q0 Max for an aluminum case, QMK support, and screw-in stabilizers.
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4.6 (36)4.6 · 36 reviews
from$33at Epomaker
90-day lowLowest price in 90 days
5.0 (4)5.0 · 4 reviews
from$119at Keychron
Which one should you get?
Get the
Epomaker EK21
Build quality in the top 25% of Numpad boards under $50.
- At 200g, this numpad is much lighter than a typical metal-bodied option of this pair.
- Poron bottom and sandwich foam with an IXPE switch pad provide layered sound dampening.
Get the
Keychron Q0 Max
Battery
Build quality in the top 5% of Numpad boards under $150.
- 6063 aluminum case and steel plate provide a metal construction.
- QMK support is available alongside VIA, with a barebones option for a DIY build.
- Screw-in PCB stabilizers are included, and the product listing also describes south-facing RGB.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
Choose the EK21 for its 200g weight and Poron-and-IXPE foam layers, which the Q0 Max does not list. Choose the Q0 Max for its aluminum case, QMK support, barebones option, and screw-in stabilizers, features the EK21 does not list. If shine-through legends or certain sculpted keycaps are important, factor in the Q0 Max's south-facing LED limitation.
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 Q0 Max
Battery
1,000 mAh
1,800 mAh
A larger battery means fewer cables during the day
Case material
ABS
Aluminum
Switch options
Linear, Silent
Clicky, Linear, Tactile
Weight
200 g
684 g
Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel
QMK
No
Yes
The deep option when you want to remap every key
- Epomaker EK21
- Keychron Q0 Max
- Performance
- 7778
- Build quality
- 7688
- Productivity
- 8795
- Customizability
- 8296
- Portability
- 8887
- Layout size: Numpad
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Mount style: Gasket Mount
- Knob
What will you mostly use it for?
The EK21 is the more practical pick when low weight and a foam-dampened typing setup matter most. The Q0 Max leads for customization-focused workflows, with QMK alongside VIA and a barebones option. Its aluminum body and steel plate suit buyers prioritizing a heavier metal build, while its south-facing LEDs call for care with shine-through legends and some sculpted caps. Both offer wireless and wired use, a knob, hot-swap switches, and a 1000 Hz polling-rate specification.
Pick the Keychron Q0 Max
- Both list a 1000 Hz polling rate, but the Q0 Max vendor specifies that this applies to 2.4 GHz and wired modes.
- The Q0 Max offers QMK support for remapping and macros.
- South-facing RGB on the Q0 Max may limit shine-through legends and can interfere with some sculpted keycaps.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Epomaker EK21
36 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…”
Keychron Q0 Max
4 owner reviews
“Feels very solid, and doesnt slide around on my desk pad. Keys are very satisfying.”
Epomaker EK21 vs Keychron Q0 Max specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
10 of 26 specs differ
Epomaker EK21
Keychron Q0 Max
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
Display
Connection
Max polling rate
Battery
USB-C
Case material
Plate material
Keycaps
Weight
Dimensions
Typing angle
Backlight
QMK
VIA
N-key rollover
Mac & Windows
Released
Compare prices
Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.
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Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.
Epomaker EK21 vs Keychron Q0 Max: your questions
Both list a 1000 Hz polling rate, and both offer wired and 2.4 GHz connections. The Q0 Max vendor specifies 1000 Hz in wired and 2.4 GHz modes and offers QMK for key remapping and macros.
The Epomaker EK21 weighs 200g, while the Keychron Q0 Max weighs 684g. Choose the EK21 if minimizing carry weight is a priority.
The EK21 has an ABS case and a polycarbonate plate. The Q0 Max has an aluminum body and a steel plate.
Yes, the Q0 Max lists QMK and VIA support. Its vendor describes QMK and Keychron Launcher for remapping keys, macros, and shortcuts.
The EK21 lists VIA support, and its vendor describes it as VIA programmable. QMK support is not listed for this model.
Both product listings say the numpads are hot-swappable. The Q0 Max vendor specifies compatibility with most 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style switches.
The Q0 Max uses south-facing LEDs, and its compatibility guidance warns that shine-through legends stay dark. It also cautions that some sculpted keycaps can clip the LEDs.
The Q0 Max has an 1800mAh battery, while the EK21 has a 1000mAh battery. Battery capacity alone does not establish how long either device will run in a particular setup.
Both list Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz wireless, and wired connectivity. The Q0 Max vendor specifies Bluetooth 5.1, while the EK21 vendor describes Bluetooth 5.0.
Both product listings include knob support. The EK21 vendor identifies its knob as aluminum alloy, while the Q0 Max vendor describes a rotary encoder knob.
The Q0 Max is listed with a DIY kit or barebones option and supports QMK and VIA. The EK21 supports VIA and hot-swapping, but does not list a barebones configuration.
The EK21 vendor names Poron bottom and sandwich foam plus an IXPE switch pad. The Q0 Max vendor describes IXPE, PET, and Latex acoustic foams, along with silicone pads in its double-gasket design.
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