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  1. Table of Contents
  2. Top
  3. Main Differences
  4. Design
    1. Dimensions
    2. Build Quality
    3. Ergonomics
    4. Backlighting
    5. Cable & Connector
    6. Wireless Versatility
    7. Extra Features
    8. In The Box
  5. Typing Experience
    1. Keystrokes
    2. Typing Quality
    3. Typing Noise
    4. Latency
  6. Software and Operating System
    1. Software & Programming
    2. Keyboard Compatibility
  7. Comments

Keychron K8 vs Keychron C1

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Keychron K8
Keychron C1

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Apr 15, 2024 12:27 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Apr 15, 2024 12:27 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Keychron K8 Picture
Keychron C1 Picture

Variants

  • K8 (Dark Gray)
  • C1 (Black)

Our Verdict

Keychron K8

Keychron C1

The Keychron C1 and the Keychron K8 are very similar TenKeyLess mechanical keyboards with a few notable differences. The C1 is a wired keyboard with a full plastic frame and better latency. On the other hand, the K8 connects wirelessly via Bluetooth, and the unit we tested has an aluminum plate, adding to the already solid-feeling build quality. They both have full RGB lighting and are hot-swappable, so you can use switches other than the default Gateron Red, Blue, or Brown switches available to both. The K8 also has an additional hot-swappable version with optical switches.

0 

Main Differences for
Gaming

Threshold 

0.10

Gaming 

7.7
7.1

Pre-Travel 
 

2.2 mm
3.0 mm

Windows  

Partial
Full

Full Comparison

Design

Dimensions 
 

Top Picture  

Keychron K8 Top Picture
Keychron C1 Top Picture

Size 
 

TenKeyLess (80%)
TenKeyLess (80%)

Height 
 

1.7" (4.3 cm)
1.5" (3.9 cm)

Width  

14.1" (35.8 cm)
14.0" (35.6 cm)

Depth 
 

5.1" (13.0 cm)
5.2" (13.1 cm)

Depth With Wrist Rest 
 

N/A
N/A

Weight 
 

1.98 lbs (0.900 kg)
1.54 lbs (0.700 kg)
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

8.5
8.0

Build Quality Close Up  

Keychron K8 Build Quality Close Up
Keychron C1 Build Quality Close Up

Keycap Material  

ABS
ABS
Show Text 

Ergonomics 
 

6.5
6.5

Side Picture  

Keychron K8 Side Picture
Keychron C1 Side Picture

Board Design 
 

Straight
Straight

Minimum Incline 
 

Medium Incline 
 

Maximum Incline 
 

12°

Wrist Rest  

No
No
Show Text 

Backlighting 
 

9.3
9.5

Backlighting Picture  

Keychron K8 Backlighting Picture
Keychron C1 Backlighting Picture

White Shot 
 

Keychron K8 White Shot
Keychron C1 White Shot

Brightness Max 
 

Keychron K8 Brightness Max
Keychron C1 Brightness Max

Brightness Min 
 

Keychron K8 Brightness Min
Keychron C1 Brightness Min

Backlighting  

Yes
Yes

Color 
 

RGB
RGB

Individually Backlit Keys 
 

Yes
Yes

Color Mixing 
 

Ok
Good

Effects 
 

Yes
Yes

Programmable 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Cable & Connector  

Connectivity  

Wireless
Wired

Detachable 
 

Yes (Wired Mode and Charge)
Yes (Wired Only Keyboard)

Length  

3.9 ft (1.2 m)
5.9 ft (1.8 m)

Connector (Keyboard side) 
 

USB type-C
USB type-C
Show Text 

Wireless Versatility 
 

10
0.0

Bluetooth 
 

Yes
No

Bluetooth Multi-Device Pairing 
 

3
No

Proprietary Receiver 
 

No
No

Battery Type 
 

Rechargeable
No Batteries
Show Text 

Extra Features 
 

Extra Features  

Keychron K8 Extra Features
Keychron C1 Extra Features

Media Keys 
 

Hot Keys
Hot Keys

Macro Programmable Keys 
 

No
No

Trackpad / Trackball  

No
No

Wheel  

No
No

USB Passthrough 
 

No
No

Numpad  

No
No

Windows Key Lock 
 

No
No

Lock Indicator  

Caps Lock
Caps Lock
Show Text 

In The Box  

Bundle Picture  

Keychron K8 Bundle Picture
Keychron C1 Bundle Picture
Show Text 
Typing Experience

Keystrokes 
 

Key Switch Actuation Graph  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Key Switches 
 

Gateron Brown
Gateron Brown

Mechanical 
 

Yes
Yes

Feel 
 

Tactile
Tactile

Operating Force 
 

45 gf
49 gf

Actuation Force 
 

34 gf
42 gf

Pre-Travel 
 

2.2 mm
3.0 mm

Total Travel 
 

4.1 mm
4.2 mm
Show Text 

Typing Quality 
 

8.0
8.0
Show Text 

Typing Noise 
 

Typing Sample  

Noise 
 

Quiet
Quiet
Show Text 

Latency 
 

7.4
7.9

Latency Video  

Latency Wired 
 

11.0 ms
8.4 ms

Latency Receiver 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency Bluetooth 
 

22.9 ms
N/A
Show Text 
Software and Operating System

Software & Programming 
 

0.0
0.0

Software Picture  

Keychron K8 Software Picture
Keychron C1 Software Picture

Software Name  

No Software
No Software

Account Required 
 

No Software
No Software

Profiles 
 

No Profile
No Profile

Onboard Memory 
 

No
No

Cloud Sync 
 

No
No

Macro Programming 
 

No
No

Ease Of Use 
 

No Software
No Software

Software Windows Compatible 
 

No
No

Software macOS Compatible 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Keyboard Compatibility 
 

7.9
7.8

Windows  

Partial
Full

macOS  

Partial
Full

Linux  

Partial
Partial

Android  

Partial
No

iOS  

Partial
No

iPadOS  

Partial
No
Show Text 

Keychron K8

Keychron C1

Comments

  1. Comparison

Keychron K8 vs Keychron C1: Main Discussion

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