Compare
Pick two boards from the directory and see how they differ.
Shaded rows are where they differ.
| Spec |  Keychron Keychron V3 $60–$70 “QMK support under $100 is absurd” Budget King |  Ducky Ducky One 3 TKL $99–$125 “Ducky's wired hot-swap TKL with PBT keycaps and Cherry MX” |
|---|---|---|
| Price , different | $60–$70 | $99–$125 |
| Size | TKL | TKL |
| Type | Pre-built | Pre-built |
| Connectivity | Wired | Wired |
| Released , different | 2022 | 2021 |
| Mounting | Tray Mount | Tray Mount |
| Case , different | ABS Plastic | ABS plastic |
| Colors , different | Frosted Black, Carbon Black | Classic, Matcha, and other colorways |
| Weight , different | 966g | About 950 g (Ducky); Tom's Guide and Neowin list about 908 g |
| Dimensions , different | 359 x 138.5 x 31mm | 370 x 140 x 40mm |
| Typing angle , different | 5.2° | 3-level feet |
| Front height , different | 22mm | 40mm |
| Switches | Mechanical | Mechanical |
| Profile | Standard | Standard |
| Keycaps , different | Double-shot PBT, OSA Profile | Doubleshot PBT, Cherry profile |
| PCB , different | Hot-swap, South-facing RGB | Hot-swap, per-key RGB |
| Plates | Steel | Steel |
| Compatible switches , different | MX-style 3-pin and 5-pin | MX-style |
| Software , different | QMK, VIA | Onboard macros |
| NKRO | Yes | Yes |
| RGB | Yes | Yes |
| Features , different | QMK/VIA, 80% TKL with Knob, Hot-swap, Screw-in Stabs, Double-shot PBT, South-facing LEDs, 1000Hz Polling | Hot-swap, Cherry MX, Doubleshot PBT, Per-key RGB, QUACK dampening, Detachable USB-C |
| Good for , different | 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 | Typists who want Cherry MX and PBT keycaps on a TKL from the factory Buyers who want hot-swap in a no-fuss wired board Anyone who likes bold colorways without relying on software |
| Skip if , different | 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 | Wireless users People who want app-based remapping or QMK Mac users who need full function-key support (Tom's Guide) |
| Pros , different | 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 | Hot-swappable PCB, so switches can be changed without soldering (Tom's Guide) Double-shot PBT keycaps and Cherry MX switches (Ducky) Tom's Guide called the typing experience outstanding and the typing sound lovely Tom's Guide found the build quality great, with a weight that stays put on the desk Three foot angles and a detachable USB-C cable (Tom's Guide, Ducky) |
| Cons , different | 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 | Wired only, with no Bluetooth or dongle (Tom's Guide) No companion software; macros and lighting are set by key combinations (Tom's Guide, IGN Middle East) Tom's Guide noted limited macOS support and a firmware update that is available only for Windows IGN Middle East found the stabilizers needed fine-tuning for the sound to match the board's build Plain wired feature set compared with Keychron or Akko boards that add QMK/VIA (IGN Middle East) |
| Research take , different | 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. | A solid-feeling wired TKL that reviewers like for typing, held back by missing wireless and software. Tom's Guide questioned its cost; choose it for the Cherry feel and keycaps, not for features. |