Keychron K1 vs Keychron K3 Pro
The Keychron K1 and the Keychron K3 Pro are close alternatives. The main differences: the Keychron K3 Pro is the cheaper of the two at $68 versus $85; the Keychron K3 Pro is hot-swap while the Keychron K1 is soldered; the Keychron K1 is a TKL layout and the Keychron K3 Pro is a 75%.
- Lower priceKeychron K3 Pro$68 versus $85
- Easier to modKeychron K3 Prohot-swap sockets and QMK/VIA
- Bigger batteryKeychron K12000 mAh versus 1550 mAh
Choose the Keychron K1 if
- you mainly want it for office.
Choose the Keychron K3 Pro if
- you mainly want it for programming.
- you want to spend less ($68).
- you want to swap switches without soldering.
- you want QMK/VIA remapping.
Keychron K1 vs Keychron K3 Pro, spec by spec
| Keychron K1 | Keychron K3 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Layout | TKL | 75% |
| Height | Low profile | Low profile |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, Wired | Bluetooth, Wired |
| Hot-swap | No | Yes (stronger spec) |
| Keycaps | ABS low-profile | PBT double-shot, LSA low-profile |
| Case | aluminum frame | ABS plastic, aluminum top frame |
| Mount | Plate | Tray |
| Backlight | RGB | RGB |
| QMK / VIA | No | Yes (stronger spec) |
| Battery | 2000 mAh (stronger spec) | 1550 mAh |
| Typical price | $85 | $68 (stronger spec) |
| Sound (stock) | low-profile office | light clack |
| Released | 2019 | 2023 |
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 Fields marked n/a are unpublished by the maker; we list only verifiable numbers.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
21% of the 509 boards tracked here cost less than the Keychron K1; 10% of the 509 boards tracked here cost less than the Keychron K3 Pro.
7% of the 172 wireless boards tracked here carry a smaller battery than the Keychron K1; 4% of the 172 wireless boards tracked here carry a smaller battery than the Keychron K3 Pro.
Where to buy the Keychron K1
Where to buy the Keychron K3 Pro
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