8BitDo Retro87 vs Keychron V3 Max
Get the Retro87 for its dedicated Xbox Button and adjustable RGB modes, or the V3 Max for QMK/VIA customization, gasket mounting, and ISO layout choices.
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No reviews
from$109at Mechkeys
4.8 (4)4.8 · 4 reviews
from$150at Keychron (DE)
Which one should you get?
Get the
8BitDo Retro87
Build quality in the bottom 40% of 80% boards under $150.
- Dedicated Xbox Button for Game Bar activation, as described by the vendor.
- Two Super Buttons that the vendor says can be mapped without software.
- Eight adjustable RGB lighting modes.
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
Get the
Keychron V3 Max
QMK
Build quality in the top 10% of 80% boards under $200.
- QMK and VIA support for remapping, macros, and shortcuts.
- Gasket mount, polycarbonate plate, and sound-absorbing foam.
- ISO layout options include ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-Nordic, and ISO-SW.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
Get the 8BitDo Retro87 for its dedicated Xbox Button, software-free Super Buttons, and adjustable RGB modes. Choose the Keychron V3 Max for QMK/VIA support, gasket mounting, and the range of ISO layout options the Retro87 does not offer.
The differences that matter
Skip the 40-row spec sheet. These are the specs that change how each board feels, sounds, and fits your desk.
8BitDo Retro87
Keychron V3 Max
Case material
Aluminum, Plastic
ABS, Plastic
Switch options
Clicky
Clicky, Linear, Tactile
Mount style
Top Mount
Gasket Mount, Plate Mount
Weight
1,100 g
895 g
Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel
QMK
No
Yes
The deep option when you want to remap every key
- 8BitDo Retro87
- Keychron V3 Max
- Performance
- 6382
- Build quality
- 5286
- Productivity
- 7398
- Customizability
- 6898
- Portability
- 7676
- Layout size: 80%
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Battery: 4,000 mAh
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Knob
What will you mostly use it for?
The Retro87 has the more distinct gaming controls, especially its dedicated Xbox Button and software-free Super Buttons. The V3 Max is the stronger fit for office work, programming, modding, and content workflows where ISO layouts, remapping, or dedicated media keys matter. For travel, the V3 Max is lighter, though the Retro87's vendor-listed wireless-use figures are longer. Both share wireless connectivity and a 1000 Hz polling rate.
Pick the 8BitDo Retro87
- The Retro87 has a dedicated Xbox Button for Game Bar activation, as described by its vendor.
- Its vendor description lists Super Buttons that can be mapped without software.
- Both list a 1000 Hz polling rate, so that spec alone does not distinguish them.
8BitDo Retro87 vs Keychron V3 Max specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
14 of 27 specs differ
8BitDo Retro87
Keychron V3 Max
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
Display
Media keys
Connection
Max polling rate
Battery
USB-C
Case material
Plate material
Keycaps
Weight
Dimensions
Typing angle
Backlight
QMK
VIA
N-key rollover
Mac & Windows
Released
Compare prices
Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.
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Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.
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Amazon
Check price
ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
8BitDo Retro87
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
Keychron V3 Max
- Go to Keychron
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW
Out of stockShips to you
- Go to Keychron (DE)
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW
In stockDoes not ship to you
8BitDo Retro87 vs Keychron V3 Max: your questions
The Retro87 adds a dedicated Xbox Button, software-free Super Buttons, and eight adjustable RGB modes. The V3 Max instead emphasizes QMK/VIA customization, gasket mounting, and multiple ISO layouts.
Yes. Its vendor description says the dedicated Xbox Button activates Game Bar. The same description identifies Windows and Android compatibility.
Yes, the V3 Max is listed with QMK and VIA support. Keychron describes using those tools for key remapping, macros, and shortcuts.
The Keychron V3 Max is listed with ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, and ISO-UK layouts, among other options. The Retro87 does not offer ISO variants.
Both are listed as hot-swappable. Keychron specifies support for 3-pin and 5-pin MX mechanical switches on the V3 Max.
The V3 Max weighs 895 g, while the Retro87 weighs 1100 g. That makes the V3 Max the lighter option based on their listed weights.
The Retro87 vendor listing gives up to 280 hours over 2.4 GHz and 300 hours over Bluetooth. Keychron lists up to 225 hours for the V3 Max with backlighting off, so the figures are not directly equivalent.
Yes, its specifications list a gasket mount and a polycarbonate plate. Keychron says this design uses sound-absorbing foam and reduces acoustic resonance.
The V3 Max compatibility note warns that shine-through legends stay dark with its south-facing LEDs. It also cautions that some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
Yes, the product specifications list a 1000 Hz polling rate for both keyboards. Keychron's vendor page further specifies that figure for 2.4 GHz and wired modes.
The V3 Max is the option with named QMK and VIA support, which Keychron describes for remapping keys, macros, and shortcuts. The Retro87's vendor instead highlights Super Buttons that can be mapped without software.
The Retro87 specifications list ABS keycaps, and its vendor describes double-layered ABS keycaps with a matte UV coating. The south-facing LED compatibility warning applies to the V3 Max, not the Retro87.
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