Attention number pad enthusiasts: This keyboard is the perfect match for you!

I’ve come across a passionate group of gamers who swear by the number pad on their keyboards. For years, I didn’t see the appeal—until I tried the Epomaker RT98. This mechanical keyboard boasts a delightful retro design, a quirky CRT-like display, VIA compatibility, a satisfying typing experience, and, most importantly, a modular number pad that can be positioned on either side. It’s a smart solution for those on a budget, allowing for customization without sacrificing the functionality of a full number pad.

Like many mechanical keyboards, the RT98 has its own set of quirks and trade-offs.

The RT98 is Epomaker’s latest crowdfunded mechanical keyboard, priced at $119 for a prebuilt model featuring either the brand’s Creamy Jade linear switches or Sea Salt Silent V2 linears. You can choose the position of the number pad when you order, but since it’s modular, you can easily switch it later.

While left-handed keyboards with numpads aren’t new (Keychron has been offering them for years), the RT98’s versatility is quite rare. There have been a few older models like the Asus ROG Claymore and Mountain Everest Max with removable number pads, but they were often expensive and flashy. The Epomaker RT98, however, is much more understated and appealing.

To put the RT98 through its paces, I started with the number pad on the right side using silent switches, then switched it to the left and tried the Creamy Jades. Both switch types provide a solid typing experience. The RT98 features a modern enthusiast design with an internal gasket mount and layers of foam beneath the PCB, enhancing the typing acoustics for a fuller sound—even within a plastic frame. It has a sturdy PCB and polycarbonate switch plate without flex cuts, giving it a sharper feel compared to other boards that have a softer bounce.

Whether you opt for the silent or creamy switches, you’re in for a great typing experience with pleasing acoustics. The Sea Salt Silent V2 linears are smooth and quiet, although the plate-mounted stabilizers in the space bar, enter, shift, and backspace keys can be a bit louder. This setup is perfect for not disturbing a desk mate or interrupting a video call with your typing, but if you’re looking for a quieter board, the pricier Dry Studio ATM 98 offers better sound quality and superior keycaps. The included PBT keycap set has a nostalgic beige vibe, but the dye-sublimated legends could be crisper.

The RT98 shines with the Creamy Jade linears, delivering a delightful, crisp sound. When I think of “creamy,” I’m reminded of the popular F75 and similar boards from Aula, which collaborates with Epomaker. The F-series has that sought-after raindrop-on-window sound, and while the RT98 and its Creamy Jades share that quality, they offer a richer, darker tone than the F75 Max I’ve tried. I personally prefer the Epomaker.

The typing feel and sound are impressive, but the standout feature of the RT98 is its modular number pad. I don’t do data entry, so using the number row works for me, but having a numpad on the left, out of the way of my mouse hand, is a nice option. I was eager to try the RT98 in a southpaw layout.

Changing the number pad’s position involves removing some screws, detaching the top cases from both the main keyboard and the numpad, swapping the internals, and reassembling everything. It’s not overly complicated, but you do need to unplug the cable for the detachable screen’s pogo pin connectors and reposition the numpad’s ribbon cable. While I didn’t find instructions in the box, I located a helpful video tutorial from Epomaker and completed the process in about 30 minutes. I was a bit apprehensive about handling the ribbon cables, but the process was manageable, albeit a little nerve-wracking when it came to reassembling the clips. A metal version of this board would be a welcome upgrade.

Most users will likely choose their preferred numpad orientation and stick with it, or, like me, only change it once. However, the flexibility of not being locked into a single layout is a fun aspect of mechanical keyboards. The customization options—from keycaps and switches to stabilizers and various modifications—are part of the joy for enthusiasts who enjoy mixing things up.

The RT98’s quirky detachable screen adds another layer of customization. It can display the date, time, and connection status or loop built-in cat GIFs. Connecting the keyboard to Epomaker’s web-based driver allows you to sync the clock and customize the GIFs. I easily uploaded my own GIFs for endless looping. While the screen doesn’t serve many practical purposes, it’s a fun feature. The magnetic design could be even more useful if Epomaker expands into a range of attachable accessories, but there’s been no word on that front.

Overall, the RT98 is a solid keyboard with a unique twist. However, it’s priced $40 to $60 higher than various entry-level boards, and its build quality is only slightly better. At $119, it’s close to the starting price of more premium keyboards with aluminum cases, just $10 shy of options like the Wobkey Rainy75, which comes with superior keycaps. You really need to want the modular numpad and retro aesthetic of the RT98 to justify the price.

With so many mechanical keyboards available, offering various sizes, layouts, and optional number pads and macro pads, you can customize your workspace in countless ways. The Epomaker RT98 is just another intriguing option that adds yet another layer of personalization to your setup. It’s a fun keyboard to tinker with, even if you end up just setting it up and enjoying it as is.