Compare
Pick two boards from the directory and see how they differ.
Shaded rows are where they differ.
| Spec |  Keychron Keychron Q3 $90–$100 “Wired 80% TKL aluminum Q with a steel plate” |  Keychron Keychron V3 $60–$70 “QMK support under $100 is absurd” Budget King |
|---|---|---|
| Price , different | $90–$100 | $60–$70 |
| Size | TKL | TKL |
| Type | Pre-built | Pre-built |
| Connectivity | Wired | Wired |
| Released | 2022 | 2022 |
| Mounting , different | Gasket | Tray Mount |
| Case , different | Aluminum | ABS Plastic |
| Colors , different | Carbon Black - B, Silver Grey - B, Navy Blue - B, Shell White, Retro, Carbon Black - A, Silver Grey - A, Navy Blue - A, Transparent Black, Carbon Black, Silver Grey, Navy Blue, Red, Champagne Gold | Frosted Black, Carbon Black |
| Weight , different | 2000 g ± 10g (fully assembled) | 966g |
| Dimensions , different | TKL | 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 | Steel | Steel |
| 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 | TKL layout, Wired, 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 | Typists who want a tenkeyless layout with a premium metal body First-time modders who want hot-swap and QMK/VIA without wireless Mac and Windows users who want a quiet-ish, gasket-style feel | 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 who needs Bluetooth or 2.4 GHz Users who need a number pad People who want a perfectly damped sound without modding | 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 | 80% layout keeps arrows, navigation block and function row without a numpad Full CNC aluminum case with steel plate and gasket mount, 2,000 g per Keychron iMore described a thocky sound with little metallic ping from the double-gasket design QMK/VIA plus the Keychron Launcher for remapping, macros and RGB Hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches Windows Central called it great value for a customizable board | 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 | Wired only (iMore) Windows Central found the stock dampening weaker than on more expensive custom boards Windows Central did not like where the knob sits Very heavy for an 80% board; iMore put it over four pounds Keychron's site also shows the Q3 HE 8K and Q3 Ultra 8K as newer versions | 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-regarded wired TKL: solid metal, gasket feel and QMK/VIA. Reviewers flagged price, lack of wireless and modest stock dampening. Choose it if a cable is fine; otherwise compare the Q3 Max or Q3 Pro. | 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. |