Our Verdict
The V3 democratizes custom keyboards. It proves you don't need to spend $200+ to get programmability and hot-swap. Perfect as a starter board, a modding platform, or an office keyboard you won't cry about if something happens to it.
Full Review
The Keychron V3 challenges everything we thought we knew about budget keyboards. At under $85, you get features that were exclusive to $200+ keyboards just a few years ago.
The star of the show is full QMK/VIA support. This means complete customization of every key, layers, macros, tap-dance, and everything else QMK offers. For programmers and power users, this alone is worth the price of admission.
Build quality is solid plastic with minimal flex. It won't win awards for premium feel, but it's honest about what it is. The included Keychron K Pro switches are decent—smooth enough for a budget switch, and you can always swap them out thanks to the hot-swap sockets.
Sound-wise, it's acceptable out of the box but responds well to basic mods. A strip of masking tape on the PCB and some lube on the stabilizers transforms it from "budget keyboard sound" to "genuinely pleasant."
This is the keyboard we wish existed when we started the hobby.
Pros & Cons
- Incredible value for money
- Full QMK/VIA support
- Hot-swap PCB
- Decent stock keycaps (PBT)
- Screw-in stabilizers
- South-facing LEDs (Cherry profile compatible)
- Responds well to mods
- Wired only (no wireless option)
- Plastic case lacks premium feel
- Stock sound is hollow
- Stabilizers need tuning out of box
- Limited plate options
- No case dampening included
Who Is This For?
- Budget-conscious first-timers
- Developers who need QMK
- Modders who want a cheap base
- Students
- Those testing the hobby before investing more
- Those wanting premium build quality
- Wireless keyboard seekers
- Users who want great sound out of box
- Those who don't want to mod at all
Where to Buy
Dimensions
359 x 138.5 x 31mm
Weight
966g
Case Material
ABS Plastic
Connectivity
Wired
Plate Options
Case Colors
Software Support