Ajazz AKL680 vs Keychron K3 MaxBudget vs Feature-Rich Low-Profile
Choose the Ajazz AKL680 for a basic, ultra-portable budget option, or the Keychron K3 Max for a premium, highly customizable typing tool.
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2.8 (8)2.8 · 8 reviews
from$59at Mechkeys
4.1 (16)4.1 · 16 reviews
from$89at MK
Which one should you get?
Get the
Ajazz AKL680
Budget
Build quality in the bottom 35% of 65% boards under $100.
- Significantly more affordable price point.
- Lighter weight (450g) and more compact 65% layout for portability.
- Uses standard AAA batteries, allowing for quick swaps without charging.
- Switches are soldered. Swapping them means soldering.
- Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps will not fit.
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
- 65% layout. No function row and no numpad.
Get the
Keychron K3 Max
Feature-Rich Low-Profile
Build quality in the top 5% of 75% boards under $100.
- Extensively customizable with QMK/VIA open-source firmware support.
- Available in a hot-swappable version for easy switch changes.
- Features a more versatile 75% layout with dedicated navigation and multi-media keys.
- Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps will not fit.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
- No numpad.
Your budget and willingness to tinker dictate the choice here. The Ajazz AKL680 is a functional, no-frills keyboard for someone who needs a portable, wireless typist at the lowest possible cost. The Keychron K3 Max is an investment for users who value typing quality, programmability, and the ability to modify their keyboard over time. If you can afford the difference, the K3 Max delivers substantially more value and longevity.
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.
Ajazz AKL680
Keychron K3 Max
Layout size
65%
75%
Connection
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Hot-swappable
No
Yes
Switch changes without soldering
Case material
ABS
ABS, Aluminum, Plastic, Wood
Switch options
Linear, Tactile
Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- Ajazz AKL680
- Keychron K3 Max
- Performance
- 5581
- Build quality
- 5586
- Productivity
- 4294
- Customizability
- 4291
- Portability
- 7777
- Low profile
What will you mostly use it for?
The Keychron K3 Max is the clear choice for most stationary, feature-driven use cases like gaming, office work, programming, and content creation due to its superior programmability, build, and layout. The Ajazz AKL680 wins primarily for travel, where its lower weight, smaller size, and battery format are advantageous. For modding enthusiasts, the K3 Max's hot-swap sockets and firmware support are essential.
Pick the Keychron K3 Max
- The Keychron K3 Max lists a 1000 Hz polling rate for its 2.4 GHz and wired modes, which is not specified for the Ajazz AKL680.
- The K3 Max includes north-facing RGB lighting, which the Ajazz model lacks entirely.
- The K3 Max's programmable QMK/VIA support allows for game-specific macros and key remaps.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Ajazz AKL680
8 owner reviews
“I bought this a while back because I just needed ANY keyboard as my main board broke and I didn't have the time/money to replace/fix it. When I saw the price of this I was very skeptical but figured it had to at least be better than your typical e-waste…”
“It is alright just the keys are not the best and got no rgb led lights”
Keychron K3 Max
16 owner reviews
“Noce keyboard, i appreciate the level of customization QMK provides. One thing was little disappointing - the tactile feeling comparing to K3. Other than that its very good kb!”
“I sold my k3 pro and got this. The one I got drops connection intermittently or doesn't type or respond right away. It sounds nice, but stiff reds are not as pleasant to type on as previous keyboards reds. I really thought I ordered hotswap RGB max but seems…”
Ajazz AKL680 vs Keychron K3 Max specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
17 of 27 specs differ
Ajazz AKL680
Keychron K3 Max
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Low profile
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
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
ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
Ajazz AKL680
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
Keychron K3 Max
Input Gear
ISO-DE
Out of stockShips to you
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW
Out of stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-SW
In stockDoes not ship to you
Compare prices
Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.
Prices in USD are converted to your currency and can change at any time. KeebFinder may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.
Ajazz AKL680 vs Keychron K3 Max: your questions
The Keychron K3 Max is better suited for wireless gaming. Its product specifications list a 1000 Hz polling rate for the 2.4 GHz wireless mode, which is a common metric for responsive gaming. The Ajazz AKL680 does not specify its polling rate.
The Ajazz AKL680 product listing does not mention hot-swappable sockets. This suggests the switches are likely soldered onto the PCB, making switch changes difficult and requiring soldering skills and equipment.
Yes, the Keychron K3 Max is listed as supporting both Mac and Windows. The manufacturer states it includes keycaps for both operating systems and allows configuration of different keymaps for each within its Keychron Launcher software.
The Ajazz AKL680 is more portable. It is lighter at 450g versus 580g, has a shorter length (342mm vs 306mm), and runs on AAA batteries you can replace anywhere. The Keychron K3 Max has an internal battery that requires charging.
The Ajazz AKL680 uses ABS plastic keycaps. The Keychron K3 Max uses low-profile double-shot PBT keycaps, which are generally more durable and resistant to shine than ABS, according to the product description.
The Keychron K3 Max can be programmed using the QMK/VIA open-source firmware or the Keychron Launcher web app. This allows you to remap keys, create macros, and customize lighting layers without installing dedicated software.
No, the Ajazz AKL680 does not have any backlighting. Its technical specifications explicitly list "No light" for the lighting effect. The Keychron K3 Max offers RGB or white backlighting options.
The Keychron K3 Max has an internal 1550mAh battery. The manufacturer does not provide an estimated battery life duration in the provided information, so runtime would depend on usage patterns and backlighting settings.
The product listings do not specify if the stabilizers are pre-lubricated. The Keychron K3 Max listing mentions it uses "redesigned" screw-in stabilizers, but does not state they are lubed. No information is given for the Ajazz AKL680 stabilizers.
Yes, the Keychron K3 Max supports a wired USB-C connection in addition to 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth wireless. The Ajazz AKL680 is wireless-only, using Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz with AAA batteries.
Based on the materials listed, the Keychron K3 Max has a more premium build. It offers case materials like aluminum and wood options, an aluminum or polycarbonate plate, and PBT keycaps. The Ajazz AKL680 uses an ABS plastic case and ABS keycaps.
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