Number pad devotees and minimalists rarely see eye to eye, but the Epomaker RT98 might be the rare board that satisfies both camps. Its headline trick is a modular number pad that snaps onto either side of the keyboard — left it for a southpaw workflow, or park it on the right if you’re a traditionalist. Either way, you keep the coveted “tenkey” without being locked into one layout for life.
That flexibility alone would make the RT98 interesting, but Epomaker layered on plenty of personality. The board leans hard into a retro aesthetic, and the standout flourish is a small CRT-like screen that gives the whole thing a delightfully vintage-computer vibe. It’s the kind of detail that turns a functional peripheral into a desk centerpiece.
Under the keycaps, this is a proper mechanical keyboard with a satisfying typing feel — not the mushy, hollow experience you get from bargain-bin membrane boards. It’s also VIA compatible, which means you can remap keys, build macros and reprogram layers through software rather than fighting with clunky proprietary tools. For anyone who likes to tinker, that’s a meaningful quality-of-life win.
What makes the RT98 especially appealing is that all of this arrives in a package that stays relatively easy on the wallet. Epomaker has carved out a niche selling boards that punch above their price, and the RT98 continues that tradition by bundling genuine customization into a budget-friendly-ish design. The movable number pad is the clearest expression of that philosophy: it’s a clever compromise that lets you rework your setup without sacrificing functionality.
Of course, no keyboard is without its compromises, and the RT98 has its share of quirks and tradeoffs — the price you often pay for boards that try something different. A modular layout, a novelty screen and a distinctive retro shell all introduce their own considerations, and buyers weighing this board should go in expecting a few rough edges alongside the charm.
Still, the overall impression is a positive one. The RT98 earned a score of 7, landing it firmly in the recommendable-with-caveats zone. It’s the sort of keyboard that wins you over less through raw spec-sheet dominance and more through a smart idea executed with genuine character.
For once, the number pad debate has a peace offering. Whether you’re the type who lives in a spreadsheet or someone who thought they’d never touch a tenkey again, the Epomaker RT98’s swappable pad meets you where you are — and looks good doing it. In a category flooded with samey slabs of plastic and RGB, that combination of flexibility and personality is exactly what makes it stand out.
