Keychron C1 vs Keychron K8

The Keychron C1 and the Keychron K8 are close alternatives. The main differences: the Keychron C1 is the cheaper of the two at $40 versus $60; the Keychron K8 runs wireless where the Keychron C1 is wired-only.

Keychron C1 TKL · $40
Keychron K8 TKL · $60

Choose the Keychron C1 if

  • you mainly want it for budget.
  • you want to spend less ($40).

Choose the Keychron K8 if

  • you need wireless.

Keychron C1 vs Keychron K8, spec by spec

Keychron C1Keychron K8
Layout TKL TKL
Height Standard Standard
Connectivity Wired Bluetooth, Wired (stronger spec)
Hot-swap Yes Yes
Keycaps ABS shine-through, OEM profile ABS shine-through, OEM profile
Case ABS plastic ABS plastic, optional aluminum frame
Mount Tray Tray
Backlight RGB RGB
QMK / VIA No No
Battery n/a 4000 mAh
Typical price $40 (stronger spec) $60
Sound (stock) clacky stock clacky stock
Released 2020 2020

Highlighted rows are where the two differ; a check marks the objectively stronger spec (price, battery, modability). Feel and preference rows never get a check. Fields marked n/a are unpublished by the maker; we list only verifiable numbers.

Where they sit among all 509 boards we track

Price cheapest priciest
Keychron C1 $40
Keychron K8 $60

1% of the 509 boards tracked here cost less than the Keychron C1; 6% of the 509 boards tracked here cost less than the Keychron K8.

Battery smallest biggest
Keychron K8 4000 mAh

34% of the 172 wireless boards tracked here carry a smaller battery than the Keychron K8.

Where to buy the Keychron C1

Where to buy the Keychron K8

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