Compare
Pick two boards from the directory and see how they differ.
Shaded rows are where they differ.
| Spec |  Keychron Keychron V1 $60–$70 “Wired 75% in plastic with a steel plate and tray mount” |  Keychron Keychron V3 $60–$70 “QMK support under $100 is absurd” Budget King |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $60–$70 | $60–$70 |
| Size , different | 75% | TKL |
| Type | Pre-built | Pre-built |
| Connectivity | Wired | Wired |
| Released | 2022 | 2022 |
| Mounting | Tray Mount | Tray Mount |
| Case , different | Plastic | ABS Plastic |
| Colors , different | Frosted Black (Translucent), Carbon Black (Non-transparent), Shell White | Frosted Black, Carbon Black |
| Weight , different | 970 g ± 10 g (fully assembled) | 966g |
| Dimensions , different | 75% | 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 | Not listed | 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 | 75% 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 | A first hot-swap QMK board on a modest budget Wired desk and office use People who prefer a firm, stiff key feel Beginners who want to learn switch swapping and light modding | 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 wireless People who want a soft, flexy gasket-style feel Frequent tinkerers who will open the case often Buyers who want 8000Hz polling | 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 | Steel plate and tray mount give a firm, stable feel; Tom's Guide called the build solid and durable Plastic case avoids the metallic ping Nextrift disliked on Keychron's aluminum boards; sound is low-pitched Hot-swap sockets take 3-pin and 5-pin switches Screw-in PCB stabilizers; Nextrift rated the stock ones as good QMK with the Keychron Launcher web app for remapping and macros, plus a programmable metal knob Mac and Windows keycaps are both included with the assembled version 970 g assembled (Keychron's figure) and wired, so there is no battery to manage | 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; the V1 Max is the wireless version of this layout Tray mount with a steel plate has no flex and can feel harsh over long sessions (Nextrift) Case screws thread into bare plastic and can strip with repeated disassembly (Nextrift) The backspace stabilizer ticked slightly out of the box (Nextrift) Keychron now lists the V1 8K and V1 Ultra 8K as newer versions, so stock may be limited | 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 plain, firm wired 75% that packs QMK, hot-swap sockets and screw-in stabilizers into a plastic case. Reviewers like the sound and the value, and Nextrift marks it down for the stiff tray-mount feel and bare-plastic screw threads. If you want wireless, look at the V1 Max; for 8000Hz polling, the V1 8K. | 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. |