Zuoya GMK21 Numpad vs Keychron V4
Choose the GMK21 for a dedicated numpad, or the Keychron V4 if you need a complete compact keyboard.
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No reviews
from$35at ktechs
5.0 (14)5.0 · 14 reviews
from$39at Keychron
Which one should you get?
Get the
Zuoya GMK21 Numpad
Build quality in the top 10% of Numpad boards under $50.
- 20-key numpad with a knob.
- Five-pin hot-swappable sockets.
- QMK and VIA support.
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
- Numpad only. This is not a full keyboard.
Get the
Keychron V4
Sound dampening
Build quality in the top 5% of 60% boards under $50.
- 60% keyboard with QMK and VIA support, hot-swappable sockets, and knob support.
- The vendor lists support for both 3-pin and 5-pin MX switches.
- Steel plate, ABS case, and sound-dampening silicone pad.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- Compact layout only. No function row, dedicated arrow keys, or numpad.
Pick the Zuoya GMK21 if you already own a keyboard and want a dedicated number pad with a knob. Choose the Keychron V4 if you need a primary keyboard, plus a 60% layout, QMK/VIA support, and more detailed switch and build options. Check the V4's south-facing LED limitation if illuminated key legends are important to you.
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.
Zuoya GMK21 Numpad
Keychron V4
Layout size
Numpad
60%
Sound dampening
No
Yes
Layout standard
ANSI
ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE, JIS
ISO and JIS exist so regional layouts fit
Screw-in stabilizers
No
Yes
Easier to tune than the plate-mount stabs you get prebuilt
Backlight
RGB
RGB, south-facing
RGB for looks and low light rather than speed
- Zuoya GMK21 Numpad
- Keychron V4
- Performance
- 6168
- Build quality
- 7987
- Productivity
- 6595
- Customizability
- 9498
- Portability
- 6575
- Hot-swappable
- Knob
- QMK
- VIA
What will you mostly use it for?
The Keychron V4 fits buyers who want one compact board for gaming, general typing, programming, or content work. The GMK21 is more specific: it adds a dedicated number pad to a setup that already has a keyboard. Both offer a strong starting point for switch and key mapping changes, with the V4 listing more build details. For travel, the GMK21 is the more targeted choice as an add-on, while the V4 is a full keyboard to carry.
Pick the Keychron V4
- The V4 has a stated 1000 Hz polling rate, while no polling rate is listed for the GMK21.
- The V4 is a complete 60% keyboard, rather than the GMK21's numpad-only layout.
Zuoya GMK21 Numpad vs Keychron V4 specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
9 of 25 specs differ
Zuoya GMK21 Numpad
Keychron V4
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
Display
Media keys
Connection
Max polling rate
USB-C
Case material
Plate material
Keycaps
Weight
Dimensions
Typing angle
Backlight
QMK
VIA
Mac & Windows
Released
ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
Zuoya GMK21 Numpad
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
Keychron V4
Keychron
ISO-DE
In stockShips to you
Input Gear
ISO-DE
Out of stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE
In stockDoes not ship to you
Compare prices
Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.
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Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.
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Zuoya GMK21 Numpad vs Keychron V4: your questions
No. The GMK21 is a numpad-only device with 20 keys and a knob, so it is intended to add numeric input rather than replace a full keyboard. The Keychron V4 is a 60% keyboard.
No. The V4 is a compact 60% layout without a numpad, dedicated arrow keys, or function row. Choose the GMK21 if you want a separate number pad.
Both the Zuoya GMK21 and Keychron V4 list QMK and VIA support. Keychron also describes using its Launcher web app for key remapping and macros.
Yes, both products list hot-swappable switches. The GMK21 description specifies five-pin sockets, while the V4 supports both three-pin and five-pin MX switches.
Both the GMK21 and V4 list knob support. The GMK21 vendor description specifies a 20-key layout with a knob.
The V4 lists wired connectivity and a 1000 Hz polling rate, which are relevant details for gaming. The GMK21 is a numpad, not a complete gaming keyboard.
Yes. The V4 metadata lists ISO, JIS, ANSI, and ISO-DE layouts, and Keychron describes additional ISO versions including UK and German. The GMK21 has no ISO layout options.
The V4 uses south-facing RGB LEDs, and its fully assembled version has double-shot PBT keycaps that the vendor describes as not shine-through. Its product compatibility note warns that shine-through legends stay dark with the south-facing LEDs.
The V4 compatibility note warns that some sculpted keycaps can clip its south-facing LEDs. The vendor says south-facing RGB is designed to avoid interference with OEM or Cherry-profile alternatives, but the listed compatibility warning still applies to some sculpted sets.
The V4 is wired only and lists USB-C connectivity. No wireless mode is listed for the GMK21 in its product specifications.
The GMK21 is a numpad-only add-on, so it can suit someone who already carries a keyboard and only needs number input. The V4 is a complete keyboard with a listed weight of 730 g and dimensions of 20 x 117 x 304 mm.
The V4 is offered as fully assembled or barebone, according to Keychron's product listing. The barebone version excludes keycaps and switches.
Not sold on either?
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