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- Table of Contents
- Top
- Main Differences
- Design
- Typing Experience
- Performance
- Software and Operating System
- Comments
Keychron K1 vs Keychron K3 (Version 2)
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Keychron K1
Keychron K3 (Version 2)
Tested using Methodology v1.0
Updated Jun 20, 2022 09:27 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.3.1
Updated Nov 27, 2023 05:20 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
ConnectivityWireless
SizeTenKeyLess (80%)
MechanicalYes
ConnectivityWireless
SizeCompact (75%)
Switch TypeOptical
N-Key Rollover (NKRO)Yes
Hot-Swappable SwitchesNo
Variants
- K1 (Black)
- K1 (Light Gray)
- K5 (100%)
- K3 (Version 2) (75%)
Our Verdict
Keychron K1
Keychron K3 (Version 2)
The Keychron K1 and the Keychron K3 (Version 2) are both low-profile mechanical keyboards. The K1 comes in a TKL form factor, while the K3 V2 is a compact 75% board. They perform very similarly, but the K3 V2 has two incline settings for better ergonomics, and it's available with more switch styles and options. Also, the K3 V2 has a hot-swappable variant.
Notice: Two or more of the products selected have been tested with different test methodologies, so some of the results below aren't directly comparable. Learn how our test benches and scoring system work, and read more about the latest changes to our keyboards test methodology.
Main Differences for
Threshold
Gaming
8.0
7.8
Backlighting
9.5
8.5
Operating Force
40 gf
57 gf
Keyboard Compatibility
7.9
10
Windows
Partial
Fully Compatible
Full Comparison
Design
Dimensions
Top Picture
Size
TenKeyLess (80%)
Compact (75%)
Height
0.9" (2.3 cm)
0.9" (2.2 cm)
Width
14.0" (35.6 cm)
12.0" (30.5 cm)
Depth
4.8" (12.1 cm)
4.6" (11.6 cm)
Depth With Wrist Rest
N/A
N/A
Weight
1.40 lbs (0.636 kg)
1.06 lbs (0.480 kg)
Build Quality
8.5
8.0
Build Quality Close Up
Keycap Material
ABS
ABS
Ergonomics
7.0
7.0
Side Picture
Curved/Angled
Straight
No
Split Keyboard
No
Key Alignment
Staggered
Minimum Incline
2.5°
2.5°
Medium Incline
N/A
4°
Maximum Incline
N/A
6.5°
Home Row Height
20.0 mm (0.8")
Wrist Rest
No
Hardware Customizability
4.9
Customizability Overview
Replaceable Cherry Stabilizers
Mixed
Stabilizer Fixation
Plate-Mounted
Spacebar Stabilizer Size
6.25u
Size Of Right Mod Keys
Non-Standard
Hot-Swappable Switches
No
Switch Stem Shape
Low Profile Cherry MX Style
Switch PCB Socket
Soldered
North-Facing Cherry MX Interference
No
Backlight Features
9.5
8.5
Backlighting Picture
Brightness Max
Backlighting
Yes
Yes
Brightness Min
White Shot
RGB
Yes
Per-Key Backlighting
Yes
Yes
Effects
Yes
Yes
Software Controllable
No
No
Color
RGB
Color Mixing
Good
Backlight Clarity
8.0
White Shot
Cable & Connector
Connectivity
Wireless
Wireless
Detachable
Yes (Wired Mode and Charge)
Yes (Wired Mode and Charge)
Length
5.0 ft (1.5 m)
4.0 ft (1.2 m)
Connector (Keyboard side)
USB type-C
USB type-C
Wireless Versatility
10
10
Bluetooth
Yes
Yes
Bluetooth Multi-Device Pairing
3
3
Proprietary Receiver
No
No
Battery Type
Rechargeable
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
Hot Keys
Non-Dedicated
Trackpad / Trackball
No
No
Scroll Wheel
No
No
Control Knob
No
USB Passthrough
No
No
Numpad
No
No
Windows Key Lock
No
No
Lock Indicator
No Indicator
Caps Lock
Macro Programmable Keys
No
In The Box
Bundle Picture
Typing Experience
Typing Quality
7.0
7.0
Key Spacing
19.0 mm (0.748")
Typing Noise
9.0
9.3
Typing Sample
Average Loudness
42.0 dBA
High Pitch Clicks
No
Noise
Quiet
Switches
Wobble Video
Switch Name
Gateron Low Profile Red
Keychron Low Profile Optical Brown
Switch Type
Optical
Feel
Linear
Tactile
Analog
No
Keystrokes
Key Switch Actuation Graph
Key Switches
Gateron Low Profile Red
Keychron Low Profile Optical Brown
Mechanical
Yes
Feel
Linear
Tactile
Operating Force
40 gf
57 gf
Actuation Force
40 gf
46 gf
Pre-Travel
1.4 mm
1.1 mm
Total Travel
2.7 mm
2.6 mm
Latency
7.1
7.1
Latency Video
Latency Wired
13.6 ms
16.4 ms
Latency Receiver
N/A
N/A
Latency Bluetooth
43.4 ms
29.6 ms
Performance
Single-Key Latency
7.1
7.1
Single-Key Latency Graph
Best Connection
16.4 ms
Best Connection Std Dev
±4.9 ms
Wired
13.6 ms
16.4 ms
Receiver
N/A
N/A
Bluetooth
43.4 ms
29.6 ms
PCB (Estimated)
15.6 ms
Multi-Key Latency
7.3
Latency Video
Multi-Key Latency Graph
Connection Evaluated
Wired
Key Press
16.2 ms
Key Release
19.8 ms
Data Transmission
6.9
Multi-Key Raw USB
Connection Evaluated
Wired
USB Polling Rate
1,000 Hz
Effective Update Rate
125 Hz
N-Key Rollover (NKRO)
Yes
Multiple Keys Per USB Report
Yes
Chord Split
9.4
Chord Split Graph
4 Chord Split Delay
2.0 ms
8 Chord Split Delay
5.2 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
7.9
10
Windows
Partial
Fully Compatible
macOS
Partial
Fully Compatible
Linux (Ubuntu 22)
Partial
Fully Compatible
Media Key Compatibility
Windows, MacOS & Linux
Android
Partial
Fully Compatible
iOS
Partial
Fully Compatible
iPadOS
Partial
Fully Compatible
Wireless Mobile Compatibility
10
Android
Partial
Fully Compatible
iOS
Partial
Fully Compatible
iPadOS
Partial
Fully Compatible
Media Key Compatibility
Android, iPhone & iPad
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Keychron K1
Keychron K3 (Version 2)
Comments
Keychron K1 vs Keychron K3 (Version 2): Main Discussion
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