ATK A87 vs Keychron K8 V2
Choose the Keychron K8 V2 for QMK customization and ISO layout choices, or the ATK A87 if its simpler feature set meets your needs.
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from$59at Mechkeys
5.0 (1)5.0 · 1 reviews
from$89at Keychron
Which one should you get?
Get the
ATK A87
Build quality in the bottom 5% of 80% boards under $100.
- 80% ANSI layout with Bluetooth, wired, and wireless connectivity.
- Hot-swappable and pre-built.
- PBT keycaps and RGB lighting.
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
Get the
Keychron K8 V2
QMK
Build quality in the top 10% of 80% boards under $100.
- QMK and VIA support, with Keychron describing key remapping and macros through its Launcher web app.
- Listed in ANSI and multiple ISO layouts, including ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-CH, ISO-FR, and ISO-ES.
- Hot-swappable, with Keychron describing compatibility with 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style switches on the hot-swappable version.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
Choose the Keychron K8 V2 if QMK and VIA support, a 1000 Hz polling rate, or ISO layout availability matters to you. The ATK A87 covers the shared essentials of an 80% hot-swappable keyboard with Bluetooth and RGB, but its listed layout is ANSI only. Check the K8 V2 LED orientation compatibility rule before selecting keycaps.
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.
ATK A87
Keychron K8 V2
QMK
No
Yes
The deep option when you want to remap every key
VIA
No
Yes
GUI remapping without compiling firmware
Sound dampening
No
Yes
Layout standard
ANSI
ANSI, ISO, ISO-CH, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-Nordic, ISO-UK
ISO and JIS exist so regional layouts fit
Keycaps
PBT
PBT, PC
- ATK A87
- Keychron K8 V2
- Performance
- 4982
- Build quality
- 3982
- Productivity
- 5189
- Customizability
- 5489
- Portability
- 6473
- Layout size: 80%
- Connection: Bluetooth, Wired
- Hot-swappable
What will you mostly use it for?
The K8 V2 has the clearer edge for gaming, office use, programming, modding, and content creation, mainly through its listed polling rate, productivity controls, layout options, and remapping support. Travel is a draw based on the available evidence: both are 80% and offer wireless connectivity, but only the K8 V2 has a listed weight. The A87 remains a straightforward alternative if its ANSI layout and hot-swappable design cover your needs.
Pick the Keychron K8 V2
- The K8 V2 lists a 1000 Hz polling rate.
- It supports N-key rollover in wired and wireless modes.
- Both keyboards offer wired and wireless connectivity and RGB.
ATK A87 vs Keychron K8 V2 specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
11 of 25 specs differ
ATK A87
Keychron K8 V2
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
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.
ATK A87
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
Keychron K8 V2
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-CH
In stockShips to you
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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ATK A87 vs Keychron K8 V2: your questions
The K8 V2 adds QMK and VIA support, a listed 1000 Hz polling rate, and multiple ISO layout options. Both are 80% hot-swappable keyboards with Bluetooth, wired, and wireless connectivity.
No, the ATK A87 is listed with an ANSI layout only. Its compatibility rules specify that ISO-DE, ISO-UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
The Keychron K8 V2 lists both QMK and VIA support. Keychron also describes using its Launcher web app for remapping keys and creating macros.
Both keyboards are listed as hot-swappable. Keychron specifies that its hot-swappable K8 V2 version supports compatible 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style switches.
The Keychron K8 V2 lists a 1000 Hz polling rate. The ATK A87 listing does not specify a polling rate.
Both list Bluetooth, wired, and wireless connectivity. The Keychron vendor description specifies Bluetooth connection to up to three devices.
The K8 V2 compatibility rules warn that Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing with north-facing LEDs. Check the LED orientation of the specific version before choosing keycaps.
The K8 V2 compatibility rules warn that shine-through legends stay dark with south-facing LEDs. They also note that some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
The Keychron K8 V2 is listed in ANSI and multiple ISO layouts, including ISO-DE and ISO-UK. The ATK A87 is listed as ANSI only.
The ATK A87 is listed with PBT keycaps. The K8 V2 lists PC and PBT keycap materials, and Keychron describes its keycaps as double-shot PBT.
Keychron describes the K8 V2 with IXPE, PET, and EPDM acoustic foam layers. No foam layers are listed for the ATK A87.
The Keychron K8 V2 lists multi-media keys as an extra feature. No multi-media keys are listed for the ATK A87.
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