AULA F99 Pro vs Keychron K17 Max: Low-Profile vs Gasket Mount

Compare AULA F99 Pro vs Keychron K17 Max Differences Side by Side

This comparison is for buyers deciding between two feature-rich 96% wireless mechanical keyboards. The AULA F99 Pro emphasizes a premium acoustic experience with a gasket mount and a large battery, while the Keychron K17 Max focuses on an ultra-slim, low-profile form factor with professional-grade firmware support. The decision is difficult because both offer tri-mode connectivity, hot-swappable options, and sound dampening, but prioritize fundamentally different typing feels and user workflows.

Model
Rating	4.7 stars (40 reviews)	4.7 stars (3 reviews)
Purchase Options
Main differences	Has Linear switch options Built with the ANSI layout standard Uses a Gasket Mount mounting style Equipped with a 8000 mAh battery Weighs about 1023 g Sized at 43 x 146 x 390 mm Made with a ABS case Offers Yes, Rgb, South-face, Rgb South-face RGB lighting	Has Linear, Tactile, Clicky switch options Features a low-profile design Built with the ISO, ANSI layout standard Provides dedicated media keys Supports QMK firmware Supports VIA configuration Features N-key rollover Uses a PCB Mount mounting style Runs at a 1000 Hz polling rate Equipped with a 2000 mAh battery Weighs about 750 g Sized at 27 x 119 x 387 mm Made with a ABS, Aluminum case Features PBT keycaps Offers Yes, Rgb, White, North-face, Rgb North-face, White North-face RGB lighting
Score	Scores Performance: 66.8 Build Quality: 63.6 Productivity: 84.1 Customizability: 67.6 Portability: 63.4	Scores Performance: 83.9 Build Quality: 81.8 Productivity: 93.3 Customizability: 93 Portability: 54.5
Name	Name AULA F99 Pro	Name Keychron K17 Max
Release year	Release year 2024	Release year 2024
Switch Options	Switch Options Linear	Switch Options Linear, Tactile, Clicky
Profile	Profile Normal Profile	Profile Low Profile
Hot Swappable	Hot Swappable	Hot Swappable
Layout Size	Layout Size 96%	Layout Size 96%
Layout Standard	Layout Standard ANSI	Layout Standard ISO, ANSI
Layout Ergonomics	Layout Ergonomics Normal	Layout Ergonomics Normal
Knob Support	Knob Support	Knob Support
Display Support	Display Support	Display Support
Mac/Win Support	Mac/Win Support	Mac/Win Support
Multi-Media Keys	Multi-Media Keys	Multi-Media Keys
USB-C	USB-C	USB-C
USB passthrough	USB passthrough	USB passthrough
Connection	Connection Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless	Connection Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless
Polling Rate	Polling Rate -	Polling Rate 1000 Hz
Battery capacity	Battery capacity 8000 mAh	Battery capacity 2000 mAh
Hall Effect Support	Hall Effect Support	Hall Effect Support
QMK Support	QMK Support	QMK Support
VIA Support	VIA Support	VIA Support
VIAL Support	VIAL Support	VIAL Support
N-Key Rollover	N-Key Rollover	N-Key Rollover
Rapid Trigger	Rapid Trigger	Rapid Trigger
Mount Style	Mount Style Gasket Mount	Mount Style PCB Mount
Screw in Stabilizers	Screw in Stabilizers	Screw in Stabilizers
Sound Dampening	Sound Dampening	Sound Dampening
Backlight	Backlight Rgb, South-face	Backlight Rgb, White, North-face
Case Colors	Case Colors	Case Colors
Case Material	Case Material ABS	Case Material ABS, Aluminum
Keycaps Material	Keycaps Material -	Keycaps Material PBT
Dimensions	Dimensions 43 x 146 x 390 mm	Dimensions 27 x 119 x 387 mm
Weight	Weight 1023g	Weight 750g

Select a keyboard to compare

4.7 stars (40 reviews)

4.7 stars (3 reviews)

Has Linear switch options
Built with the ANSI layout standard
Uses a Gasket Mount mounting style
Equipped with a 8000 mAh battery
Weighs about 1023 g
Sized at 43 x 146 x 390 mm
Made with a ABS case
Offers Yes, Rgb, South-face, Rgb South-face RGB lighting

Has Linear, Tactile, Clicky switch options
Features a low-profile design
Built with the ISO, ANSI layout standard
Provides dedicated media keys
Supports QMK firmware
Supports VIA configuration
Features N-key rollover
Uses a PCB Mount mounting style
Runs at a 1000 Hz polling rate
Equipped with a 2000 mAh battery
Weighs about 750 g
Sized at 27 x 119 x 387 mm
Made with a ABS, Aluminum case
Features PBT keycaps
Offers Yes, Rgb, White, North-face, Rgb North-face, White North-face RGB lighting

Scores

Performance: 66.8
Build Quality: 63.6
Productivity: 84.1
Customizability: 67.6
Portability: 63.4

Scores

Performance: 83.9
Build Quality: 81.8
Productivity: 93.3
Customizability: 93
Portability: 54.5

Name

AULA F99 Pro

Name

Keychron K17 Max

Release year

2024

Release year

2024

Switch Options

Linear

Switch Options

Linear, Tactile, Clicky

Profile

Normal Profile

Profile

Low Profile

Hot Swappable

Layout Size

96%

Layout Size

96%

Layout Standard

ANSI

Layout Standard

ISO, ANSI

Layout Ergonomics

Normal

Layout Ergonomics

Normal

Knob Support

Display Support

Mac/Win Support

Multi-Media Keys

USB-C

USB passthrough

Connection

Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless

Connection

Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless

Polling Rate

1000 Hz

Battery capacity

8000 mAh

Battery capacity

2000 mAh

Hall Effect Support

QMK Support

VIA Support

VIAL Support

N-Key Rollover

Rapid Trigger

Mount Style

Gasket Mount

Mount Style

PCB Mount

Screw in Stabilizers

Sound Dampening

Backlight

Rgb, South-face

Backlight

Rgb, White, North-face

Case Colors

Case Material

ABS

Case Material

ABS, Aluminum

Keycaps Material

PBT

Dimensions

43 x 146 x 390 mm

Dimensions

27 x 119 x 387 mm

Weight

1023g

Weight

750g

Pros and Trade-offs

Your primary need dictates the choice. If you value an ultra-thin, travel-friendly keyboard with the deepest level of firmware customization for workflows and gaming, the Keychron K17 Max is the clear selection. If your priority is a keyboard with a premium, acoustically-tuned typing experience and you want to forget about charging for weeks, the AULA F99 Pro is the better option, especially for content creators.

AULA F99 Pro

+Exceptionally large 8000mAh battery for extended wireless use.
+Gasket mount structure with five layers of sound-dampening materials for a tuned typing feel and sound.
+Includes a flex-cut PC plate and hot-swappable PCB for a softer typing experience.
+South-facing RGB LEDs are compatible with a wider range of keycap profiles.

−Heavier and thicker than the K17 Max, making it less portable.
−Customization is limited to the proprietary AULA Driver software, lacking open-source firmware support.
−Only available with linear switch options out of the box.

Keychron K17 Max

+Ultra-slim low-profile design with an aluminum frame, making it very portable.
+Full support for QMK and VIA open-source firmware for limitless key remapping and macros.
+Officially lists a 1000 Hz polling rate for its 2.4 GHz and wired connections.
+Comes with double-shot PBT keycaps and offers switch options in linear, tactile, and clicky variants.

−Significantly smaller 2000mAh battery requires more frequent charging.
−North-facing RGB LEDs may cause interference with some Cherry-profile keycaps.
−The hot-swappable version is listed as compatible only with Gateron or Keychron low-profile mechanical switches.

Which Keyboard Is Better for Your Needs?

The Keychron K17 Max wins for gaming, programming, travel, and modding, primarily due to its low-latency wireless, QMK support, slim form factor, and open-source firmware. The AULA F99 Pro takes the lead for content creation thanks to its exceptional battery life and focused acoustic design. For general office use, both keyboards are equally capable, offering the core features needed for productivity.

GamingKeychron K17 Max

•The Keychron K17 Max lists a 1000 Hz polling rate in its 2.4 GHz and wired modes for potentially lower latency.
•Its low-profile switches and keycaps may allow for faster keypress registration due to shorter travel.
•The manufacturer states its 2.4 GHz connection is for 'peak gaming performance'.

OfficeTie

•Both keyboards offer tri-mode connectivity (Bluetooth, 2.4GHz, wired) for flexible device switching.
•Both include Mac and Windows support and a knob for media control.
•The K17 Max has a slimmer, lighter profile for a cleaner desk, while the F99 Pro's larger battery requires less frequent charging.

ProgrammingKeychron K17 Max

•The Keychron K17 Max supports QMK and VIA firmware for deep, open-source key remapping and macro programming.
•Its low-profile design and PBT keycaps may reduce finger fatigue during long typing sessions.
•It offers both ANSI and ISO layout options for international users.

TravelKeychron K17 Max

•The Keychron K17 Max is significantly thinner (27mm vs 43mm) and lighter (750g vs 1023g).
•Its low-profile design is more compact and easier to pack.
•The AULA F99 Pro's heavier weight and greater thickness make it less portable.

ModdingKeychron K17 Max

•The Keychron K17 Max's QMK/VIA support allows for extensive firmware-level customization.
•It features a hot-swappable PCB (on the RGB version) and uses a PCB mount style.
•The AULA F99 Pro is also hot-swappable and uses a gasket mount, but its customization is limited to its proprietary AULA Driver software.

Content CreationAULA F99 Pro

•The AULA F99 Pro's massive 8000mAh battery vastly outlasts the K17 Max's 2000mAh battery for untethered use.
•Its gasket mount structure and five layers of sound-dampening foam, including sandwich foam and a PET film, are designed for a quieter, more pleasant acoustic signature during recording.
•The included rotary knob provides quick control for media editing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)