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- Table of Contents
- Top
- Main Differences
- Design
- Typing Experience
- Performance
- Software and Operating System
- Comments
Keychron C2 vs Keychron K12
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Keychron C2
Keychron K12
Tested using Methodology v1.3.1
Updated Nov 27, 2023 05:20 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.0
Updated Jun 30, 2022 09:08 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
ConnectivityWired
SizeFull-size (100%)
Switch TypeMechanical
N-Key Rollover (NKRO)Yes
Hot-Swappable SwitchesNo
ConnectivityWireless
SizeCompact (60%)
MechanicalYes
Variants
- C2 (100% - Black)
- C2 (100% - Gray)
- K12 (Black)
Our Verdict
Keychron C2
Keychron K12
The Keychron C2 is a wired full-size board, while the Keychron K12 is a wireless 60% compact board. Both units we tested have tactile Gateron Brown switches, which provide feedback and don't require much force to actuate. If you need a dedicated Numpad and navigation keys, the C2 is a better choice. However, if you want something as compact as possible and want to pair with multiple devices, including mobile operating systems, the K12 is a better option.
Check Price
100% - Black
C2
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Finding storeBlack
K12
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Finding store100% - Gray
C2
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Finding storeBlack
K12
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Finding storeBlack
K12
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Finding storeBlack
K12
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Finding storeBlack
K12
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Finding storeMain Differences forGaming
Gaming
Threshold
Gaming
7.0
7.5
Backlight Features
6.5
9.3
Pre-Travel
2.9 mm
2.6 mm
Single-Key Latency
6.5
7.3
Full Comparison
Design
Dimensions
Top Picture
Size
Full-size (100%)
Compact (60%)
Height
1.5" (3.9 cm)
1.5" (3.9 cm)
Width
17.1" (43.4 cm)
11.7" (29.8 cm)
Depth
5.0" (12.8 cm)
4.2" (10.7 cm)
Depth With Wrist Rest
N/A
N/A
Weight
1.76 lbs (0.800 kg)
1.47 lbs (0.667 kg)
Build Quality
8.0
8.5
Build Quality Close Up
Keycap Material
ABS
ABS
Ergonomics
6.0
6.5
Side Picture
Curved/Angled
No
Straight
Split Keyboard
No
Key Alignment
Staggered
Minimum Incline
4°
4°
Medium Incline
6°
6°
Maximum Incline
8°
10°
Home Row Height
30.1 mm (1.2")
Wrist Rest
No
Hardware Customizability
6.0
Customizability Overview
Replaceable Cherry Stabilizers
Yes
Stabilizer Fixation
Plate-Mounted
Spacebar Stabilizer Size
6.25u
Size Of Right Mod Keys
1.25u
Hot-Swappable Switches
No
Switch Stem Shape
Cherry MX Style
Switch PCB Socket
Soldered
North-Facing Cherry MX Interference
Yes
Backlight Features
6.5
9.3
Backlighting Picture
Brightness Max
Backlighting
Yes
Yes
Brightness Min
White Shot
RGB
No
Per-Key Backlighting
Yes
Yes
Effects
Yes
Yes
Software Controllable
No
No
Color
RGB
Color Mixing
Ok
Backlight Clarity
8.0
White Shot
Cable & Connector
Connectivity
Wired
Wireless
Detachable
Yes (Wired Only Keyboard)
Yes (Wired Mode and Charge)
Length
5.9 ft (1.8 m)
4.0 ft (1.2 m)
Connector (Keyboard side)
USB type-C
USB type-C
Wireless Versatility
0.0
10
Bluetooth
No
Yes
Bluetooth Multi-Device Pairing
No
3
Proprietary Receiver
No
No
Battery Type
No Batteries
Rechargeable
Macro Keys And Programming
0.0
Dedicated Macro Keys Count
0
Onboard Macro Programming
No
Macro Programming With Software
No
Extra Features
Extra Features
Media Keys
Dedicated
Hot Keys
Trackpad / Trackball
No
No
Scroll Wheel
No
No
Control Knob
No
USB Passthrough
No
No
Numpad
Yes
No
Windows Key Lock
No
No
Lock Indicator
Caps & Num Lock
Caps Lock
Macro Programmable Keys
No
In The Box
Bundle Picture
Typing Experience
Typing Quality
8.0
8.0
Key Spacing
19.0 mm (0.748")
Typing Noise
7.0
9.0
Typing Sample
Average Loudness
54.6 dBA
High Pitch Clicks
No
Noise
Quiet
Switches
Wobble Video
Switch Name
Gateron Brown
Gateron Brown
Switch Type
Mechanical
Feel
Tactile
Tactile
Analog
No
Keystrokes
Key Switch Actuation Graph
Key Switches
Gateron Brown
Gateron Brown
Mechanical
Yes
Feel
Tactile
Tactile
Operating Force
47 gf
44 gf
Actuation Force
40 gf
36 gf
Pre-Travel
2.9 mm
2.6 mm
Total Travel
3.9 mm
4.0 mm
Latency
6.5
7.3
Latency Video
Latency Wired
18.0 ms
11.7 ms
Latency Receiver
N/A
N/A
Latency Bluetooth
N/A
22.9 ms
Performance
Single-Key Latency
6.5
7.3
Single-Key Latency Graph
Best Connection
18.0 ms
Best Connection Std Dev
±6.6 ms
Wired
18.0 ms
11.7 ms
Receiver
N/A
N/A
Bluetooth
N/A
22.9 ms
PCB (Estimated)
15.4 ms
Multi-Key Latency
7.2
Latency Video
Multi-Key Latency Graph
Connection Evaluated
Wired
Key Press
17.8 ms
Key Release
19.4 ms
Data Transmission
7.2
Multi-Key Raw USB
Connection Evaluated
Wired
USB Polling Rate
1,000 Hz
Effective Update Rate
200 Hz
N-Key Rollover (NKRO)
Yes
Multiple Keys Per USB Report
Yes
Chord Split
4.5
Chord Split Graph
4 Chord Split Delay
18.4 ms
8 Chord Split Delay
42.6 ms
Software and Operating System
Configuration Software
Software Picture
Software Tour
Software Name
No Software
No Software
Software Windows Compatible
No
No
Software macOS Compatible
No
No
Onboard Memory
No
No
Profiles
No Profile
No Profile
Account Required
No Software
Cloud Sync
No
Macro Programming
No
Ease Of Use
No Software
Computer Compatibility
10
8.5
Windows
Fully Compatible
Full
macOS
Fully Compatible
Partial
Linux (Ubuntu 22)
Fully Compatible
Partial
Media Key Compatibility
Windows, MacOS & Linux
Android
Not Compatible
Partial
iOS
Not Compatible
Partial
iPadOS
Not Compatible
Partial
Wireless Mobile Compatibility
0.0
Android
Not Compatible
Partial
iOS
Not Compatible
Partial
iPadOS
Not Compatible
Partial
Media Key Compatibility
Not Compatible
Check Price
100% - Black
C2
Searching
Finding storeBlack
K12
Searching
Finding store100% - Gray
C2
Searching
Finding storeBlack
K12
Searching
Finding storeBlack
K12
Searching
Finding storeBlack
K12
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Finding storeBlack
K12
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Finding store
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Keychron C2
Keychron K12
Comments
Keychron C2 vs Keychron K12: Main Discussion
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