Pick two boards from the directory and see how they differ.
Shaded rows are where they differ.
| Spec | Keychron Keychron Q13 Max $250 “Wireless 96% Alice Q with a right-hand numpad” | Keychron Keychron V3 $60–$70 “QMK support under $100 is absurd” Budget King |
|---|---|---|
| Price , different | $250 | $60–$70 |
| Size , different | Alice | TKL |
| Type | Pre-built | Pre-built |
| Connectivity , different | Wireless + Wired | Wired |
| Released , different | 2024 | 2022 |
| Mounting , different | Gasket | Tray Mount |
| Case , different | Aluminum | ABS Plastic |
| Colors , different | Carbon Black, Shell White | Frosted Black, Carbon Black |
| Weight , different | 2405 g ± 10 g (fully assembled) | 966g |
| Dimensions , different | 447 x 156mm | 359 x 138.5 x 31mm |
| Typing angle , different | Not listed | 5.2° |
| Front height , different | Not listed | 22mm |
| Switches | Mechanical | Mechanical |
| Profile | Standard | Standard |
| Keycaps , different | Double-shot PBT | Double-shot PBT, OSA Profile |
| PCB , different | Hot-swap | Hot-swap, South-facing RGB |
| Plates , different | PC | Steel |
| Battery , different | 4000 mAh, up to 300 hours | — |
| Compatible switches , different | MX-style | MX-style 3-pin and 5-pin |
| Software , different | QMK, Keychron Launcher | QMK, VIA |
| NKRO | Yes | Yes |
| RGB , different | No | Yes |
| Features , different | Alice layout, Tri-mode, Hot-swap, QMK/VIA, Knob | QMK/VIA, 80% TKL with Knob, Hot-swap, Screw-in Stabs, Double-shot PBT, South-facing LEDs, 1000Hz Polling |
| Good for , different | Long-session typists who want an ergonomic full-size board People who want a conventional numpad position with Alice Users who want wireless and mechanical switches | A first QMK/VIA keyboard on a small budget Learning switch swapping without soldering Desk or office use where wireless is not needed TKL fans who want arrow keys and a nav cluster |
| Skip if , different | Anyone on a tight budget Travelers People who dislike new layouts | Anyone who needs wireless Buyers who want an aluminum case People who want a soft, flexy gasket-style feel Buyers who need a guaranteed in-stock listing |
| Pros , different | Alice layout that Tom's Guide says relieves wrist strain 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth and wired modes Premium construction and stellar typing experience (Tom's Guide) Double gasket and silicone layers reduce metallic pings (Tom's Guide) QMK-enabled with RGB lighting | QMK firmware with the Keychron Launcher web app for remapping and macros Hot-swap sockets, so switches can be changed without soldering Screw-in PCB stabilizers; Keychron says third-party screw-in stabilizers also fit Double-shot PBT keycaps and K Pro switches on the assembled version (pre-lubed except the clicky Blue) Steel plate with a tray mount, which reviewers of the V3 8K found stable and firm TKL layout with arrow keys and navigation keys, and an optional knob |
| Cons , different | Expensive (Tom's Guide) Very heavy at about 5.3 lb (Tom's Guide) Not a travel board; Tom's Guide says it is not one you can take traveling Tom's Guide reviewed it jointly with the Q14 Max, so notes are shared | Wired only; the V3 Max is the wireless version ABS plastic case rather than aluminum Tray mount feels stiffer than a gasket-mounted board (APH Networks, on the V3 8K) Keychron's page lists it as sold out, so availability is uncertain Little independent review coverage of this exact model |
| Research take , different | A well-reviewed ergonomic full-size board. The weight and price are the downsides Tom's Guide flags. | A plain wired TKL that, on Keychron's specs, gives QMK/VIA, hot-swap and screw-in stabilizers in a plastic case. Its trade-offs are the plastic build, a stiffer tray-mount feel and no wireless. Because reviews of this exact model are scarce and Keychron lists it as sold out, the V3 Max or V3 8K may be the more practical buy. |