EPOMAKER EK21 VIA Gasket Number Pad, Bluetooth 5.0/2.4ghz/Wired Hot Swappable Numpad, with Poron Foam, Aluminum Alloy Knob, 1000mAh Battery, Programmable for Win/Mac/Gaming (Epomaker Flamingo Switch)

Recently I was wondering how I could increase my workflow and not at all cater to my lazy needs. At first I was worried I was just wasting my time and money on something so frivolous and simple as a second numpad. Little did I know I would soon use this all the time and actively try to figure out more ways I could use it. Actually managing to remap the keys with the program they suggest was a journey, though. The manual hardly helps and I thought I’d save people some grief and provide pictures with some quick steps at the bottom of this review to get it working. Pros; - tickity tack tack (thock) ta(ta)ck(tac) t a c k - Comes with everything you need including a cute handy tool to remove the caps and switches. - Doesn’t matter what you need to connect to, it can connect to tablets/iPads, PCs, you name it. - Many many many remapping capabilities from macros to the sacred F13-F24 keys, even media keys for music and videos. - The knob is amazing and can even be remapped, too! Clockwise is one key and counterclockwise is another key while also having a key for pressing the knob. - Battery life lasts a long while and charges very quickly to boot. - It’s a bit chonky but I kinda like it. It fits in my bag just fine but if you have a small bag you might need to make some space. - The material seems sturdy enough to take quite a tumble and the keys and knob feel wonderful. - The backlight is very nice and some of the settings for the patterns are so pretty. You can also dim it, change saturation and hue, or turn it off entirely. Cons; - The ergonomics don’t ergonomic too good at any other angle other than flat on a surface but it isn’t a huge deal. I like to draw in bed and I got big meaty claws so I have to use this at an angle or rest it on a pillow with my arm. - For some reason I swear this thing said it had multiple profiles you could switch to but by default they’re more like “layers” that are temporarily switched to by holding a button BUT you can treat them as profiles by using the TO(0)-TO(9) keys in the Layers section of the remapping program. The default bluetooth switch seems like profiles but are actually just different bluetooth profiles in case you’re using multiple devices and don’t feel like making them “forget this device” every time you wanna switch. - It would seem as though the knob’s clockwise and counterclockwise can be remapped but can’t be changed with a different Layer unless you use the Fn1 or Fn2 keys. Otherwise it’s always whatever it’s been mapped to in Layer 0. - I nearly blew a gasket figuring out how to remap the keys. The manual is of no help whatsoever other than showing you where and what to download. I decided I’d provide some steps and pictures to hopefully help some people. After you’ve downloaded Via from the github and the .json files the manual tells you to download, 1.) Click on Settings 2.) Enable “Show Design Tab” 3.) Head over to the Design Tab 4.) Enable “Use V2 Definitions (deprecated)” 5.) Click Load and load one of the .json files for whatever you’ve connected the keypad to your computer with. (2.4G = Dongle, USB = USB C) 6.) You’re good to go, in the Configure Tab you should see the keypad now. Sometimes I need to restart VIA and then it’ll see it. Make sure you loaded the right json for your connection and not both. There isn’t a .json for bluetooth for some reason.

It works just as it should, it's easy to set up, its wireless functions work fine, and it overall is a nifty, nice looking addition to anyone who needs a numpad but otherwise doesn't have one. While its materials aren't premium, for the price, I can hardly complain. The primary allure is its programmability and hot swappable PCB.

This is 1/3 the price of the other mechanical numpads, plus has the keyset to do everything I've ever wanted on a numpad. It feels and sounds incredible to type on with gasket movement. This model is mechanical keyboard enthusiast approved! It wakes immediately on 2.4ghz, unlike my current keyboard. RGB is good too. The EK21-X model is 2/3 the price of others and has a full aluminum chassis, is you prefer that. It is fully QMK functional (found in the Special-->Custom section of VIA, iirc) with VIA. I had to update the keypad to the latest firmware on windows then was able to bring in the v3 VIA firmware for 2.4ghz and wired and set it up as I wanted via wired setup on VIA on my mac. I use the num lock (useless on mac) for space and $ on different layers. The scroll wheel for ( ) and comma with left turn, right turn, and click. The Function key to go to a different layer and use all of the secondary functions written on the keys.

This is a pretty fully featured number/macro pad, at least for my needs. I got it with the Flamingo switches, which are pretty much standard lubed linears. I swapped them out for Kailh Box Navy switches, which was pretty easy to do with the included switch puller. I went for clickies since they're perfect for a macro pad imo. If you decide to swap out the switches, be careful with the polycarb plate as it can bend a little bit if you try pulling too hard. Just wiggle it out with a firm grip and you shouldn't have too much trouble. I will say though, if you like the feel and sound of a good lubed linear keyboard, this will likely please you. It's reasonably well built and well made (although it is plastic, not metal), there's plenty of lighting modes to choose from (including OFF lol), the gasket mount and the foam are tastefully done, and the stabilizers are well-tuned and have no audible rattle out of the box for me. The included keycaps are also pretty nice, they're dye sub PBT, pretty thick well made. I swapped them out for a WOB set that matches closer to my actual board. As it says in the description, it's fully VIA compatible, so you have pretty granular control over changing what all of the keys do, creating macros and additional layers and such. I tried changing what the wheel does for scrolling up and down, it didn't change anything unfortunately even though it shows up in VIA; but you can change what the button does when pressed. When I tested it, it remembers what you've programmed and continues to work wirelessly with your custom settings. I haven't had the time yet but I'm planning to set up additional layers as toggleable "profiles" for when I'm doing music production. Basically, the sky's the limit when it comes to what you can use VIA to do. It's a little bit weird to set up VIA here, it doesn't work immediately out of the box but the manual has a pretty easy to follow guide for how to get it up-and-running. It is definitely a welcome change from EPOMAKER's previous models. It was an especially important selling point for me since I use Linux and I wouldn't have been able to use their software previously, but VIA is cross-platform and open source which is nice. As far as any complaints, honestly I'm not a huge fan of the logo on the front and back, I think it's a little tacky, but if it really bothers you it's easy enough to just mod it. Also as I said it is plastic, if you want something metal you can go for something like a Keychron Q0 which is pretty similar in features that it offers (although it is quite a bit more expensive). I paid about $40 USD for this, which isn't a steal or anything but I think it's a pretty fair price for what you're getting. If you've got a compact keyboard but want a number/macro pad companion to go along with it, I'd say this is a pretty good option to look at.

There are two reasons I bought this cutie: 1. I needed an actual volume knob because I'm switching to a TKL keyboard without one (I hate keys as volume controls). 2. It was on sale. Well, I sure got my money's worth... Epomaker EK21 is a super-high quality, fully customizable numpad with a metal volume knob and gasket-mounted switches. It comes with a threaded USB/USBC cable, a very decent metal key/switch pulling tool, as well as three spare switches and a spare long key (you can swap out the 0 with Backspace). If you want, you can replace keycaps and switches with different ones you like more, as well as completely reprogram every key using the online VIA configuration software - download the specific JSON file from Epomaker site and upload it into VIA. The configuration software allows you to program 4 different "layers", which effectively gives you 4 x 19 programmable keys, each of which you can stack with macros if you wish to do so. It's actually 4 x 22 if you count the volume knob which you can separately program for "left", "right" and "press" functions. That's almost another full keyboard at your disposal right there, taking only 20% of desk space. I am absolutely floored by how good it feels and sounds, as well as with the build quality. This thing can definitely break a window on a Tesla truck. It also has programmable RGB, but who cares. There is a version with a calculator but it needs improvement, in my humble opinion. In any case, if you need a fancy separate numpad, this is it.

Plug and play, works perfectly. Loving the wisteria switches. If I have to pick on it, the light could be brighter.

Un teclado robusto y bonito. Me ha funcionado de forma excelente. Aunque lo compré con caja abierta, no presenta ninguna falla hasta el momento. Solo he visto que no soy el único que nota que la placa pcb se hunde cuando se presiona con algo de fuerza, por ejemplo al cambiar de switches o las teclas.

Great number pad, snappy and love the sound of the switches - it’s actually a joy entering numbers!

Good value for money. Alternatives like Keychron and Zoompad are just too expensive. Other numpads in the same price bracket aren't from well known brands, so a bit of a gamble. Epomaker generally make good stuff and this numpad is no exception. The gasket mounts offer great flex and sound. Highly recommend when it's on sale. Not so much at retail price.