Keychron C1 vs Keychron V3
The Keychron C1 and the Keychron V3 are close alternatives. The main differences: the Keychron C1 is the cheaper of the two at $40 versus $60; stock, the Keychron C1 sounds clacky stock and the Keychron V3 creamy, muted.
- Lower priceKeychron C1$40 versus $60
- Easier to modKeychron V3hot-swap sockets and QMK/VIA
Choose the Keychron C1 if
- you mainly want it for beginners.
- you mainly want it for office.
- you want to spend less ($40).
Choose the Keychron V3 if
- you mainly want it for typing.
- you mainly want it for gaming.
- you want QMK/VIA remapping.
Keychron C1 vs Keychron V3, spec by spec
| Keychron C1 | Keychron V3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Layout | TKL | TKL |
| Height | Standard | Standard |
| Connectivity | Wired | Wired |
| Hot-swap | Yes | Yes |
| Keycaps | ABS shine-through, OEM profile | PBT double-shot, OSA profile |
| Case | ABS plastic | ABS plastic (frosted or solid) |
| Mount | Tray | Tray |
| Backlight | RGB | RGB |
| QMK / VIA | No | Yes (stronger spec) |
| Battery | n/a | n/a |
| Typical price | $40 (stronger spec) | $60 |
| Sound (stock) | clacky stock | creamy, muted |
| Released | 2020 | 2022 |
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 Fields marked n/a are unpublished by the maker; we list only verifiable numbers.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
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 V3.
Where to buy the Keychron C1
Where to buy the Keychron V3
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