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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 7, 2026

Chilkey ND104 vs Keychron V1 MaxFull-Size vs 75% Layout Choice

Choose the Chilkey ND104 for a premium full-size layout with unique features, or the Keychron V1 Max for a compact, more affordable 75% form factor.

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Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Chilkey ND104

Full-Size

Build quality in the top 5% of 100% boards under $200.

If you want

  • CNC-machined 6063 aluminum case for a premium, durable build.
  • Built-in LCD screen with calculator, clock, and dynamic background modes.
  • Full-size 106-key layout includes a numpad and F13 key.

Rules this board out

  • Missing ISO-DE, ISO-Nordic, ISO-FR. The other board is sold in those layouts.

Get the

Keychron V1 Max

75% Layout Choice

Build quality in the top 5% of 75% boards under $100.

If you want

  • Compact 75% layout saves considerable desk space while keeping arrow and function keys.
  • More affordable price point for a feature-rich wireless keyboard.
  • Lightweight at 770 grams and shorter (329mm long) for better portability.

Rules this board out

  • South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
  • No numpad.

Bottom line

Your decision hinges on layout needs and budget. If you require a numpad, value premium materials like aluminum, and want unique features like an LCD screen, the Chilkey ND104 is worth the investment. If you prefer a compact, space-efficient keyboard that offers excellent core functionality and programmability at a more accessible price, the Keychron V1 Max is the pragmatic choice. Both deliver on the promise of a high-quality, customizable wireless mechanical keyboard.

What actually differs

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.

Chilkey ND104

Keychron V1 Max

  • Layout size

    100%

    75%

  • Battery

    8,000 mAh

    4,000 mAh

    A larger battery means fewer cables during the day

  • Case material

    Aluminum

    ABS, Plastic

  • Switch options

    Clicky, Linear, Silent

    Clicky, Linear, Tactile

  • Mount style

    Gasket Mount, PCB Mount, Plate Mount

    Gasket Mount, Plate Mount

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Chilkey ND104
  • Keychron V1 Max
Performance
79
83
Build quality
89
86
Productivity
94
97
Customizability
90
98
Portability
65
79

What they share

  • Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
  • Hot-swappable
  • Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
  • Knob
  • VIA
  • Sound dampening
See every spec side by side

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

The Chilkey ND104 is the clear choice for office work and content creation where a numpad and extra utility features are prioritized. The Keychron V1 Max wins for travel and programming due to its compact, lightweight design. For gaming and modding, both keyboards are equally capable, offering high-performance wireless and deep customization. Your primary use case will heavily dictate which layout and feature set is more valuable.

For gaming

It's a tie

  • Both keyboards offer a 1000 Hz polling rate in wired and 2.4 GHz modes for low latency.
  • Both feature N-Key Rollover (NKRO) for simultaneous key presses.
  • The Chilkey ND104's full layout includes a dedicated numpad for macros or data entry in certain games.
  • The Keychron V1 Max's compact form saves desk space for larger mouse movements.

Full specs

Chilkey ND104 vs Keychron V1 Max specs

Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.

14 of 27 specs differ

Chilkey ND104

Keychron V1 Max

Typing & switches

Switch options

Clicky, Linear, Silent
Clicky, Linear, Tactile

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Gasket Mount, PCB Mount, Plate Mount
Gasket Mount, Plate Mount

Sound dampening

Yes
Yes

Screw-in stabilizers

Yes
Yes

Layout

Layout size

100%
75%

Layout standard

ANSI, ISO, ISO-UK
ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-IT, ISO-Nordic, ISO-PT, ISO-SW, ISO-UK

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Knob

Yes
Yes

Display

Yes
None

Media keys

No
Yes

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired

Max polling rate

1,000 Hz
1,000 Hz

Battery

8,000 mAhBetter
4,000 mAh

USB-C

Yes
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

Aluminum
ABS, Plastic

Plate material

FR4
Polycarbonate

Keycaps

PBT
ABS, PBT

Weight

—
770 g

Dimensions

34 x 438 x 140 mm
22 x 149 x 329 mm

Typing angle

—
4°

Backlight

RGB
RGB, south-facing

Firmware & software

QMK

No
Yes

VIA

Yes
Yes

N-key rollover

Yes
Yes

Mac & Windows

Yes
Yes

Extras

Released

2025
2023

For EU buyers

ISO layouts by store

Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.

Chilkey ND104

  • Input Gear

    ISO-UK

    Out of stockShips to you

Keychron V1 Max

  • Keychron

    ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW

    Out of stockShips to you

  • Keychron (DE)

    ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-IT, ISO-SW, ISO-PT

    In stockDoes not ship to you

Where to buy

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.

FAQ

Chilkey ND104 vs Keychron V1 Max: your questions

The Chilkey ND104 has a larger total battery capacity at 8000mAh (comprising two 4000mAh batteries), which suggests potentially longer usage between charges. The Keychron V1 Max has a single 4000mAh battery. Actual runtime depends on usage patterns like RGB brightness and connection mode.

Yes, both keyboards are listed as compatible with macOS and Windows. The Keychron V1 Max manufacturer specifically notes it includes keycaps for both systems and a toggle to switch between macOS and Windows layouts.

Yes, both the Chilkey ND104 and Keychron V1 Max offer triple-mode connectivity: wired USB-C, 2.4 GHz wireless, and Bluetooth. The Chilkey ND104 uses Bluetooth 5.4, while the Keychron V1 Max uses Bluetooth 5.1.

Yes, both the Chilkey ND104 and Keychron V1 Max feature hot-swappable PCBs. This allows you to change the mechanical switches without soldering, and both support standard 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style switches.

The Chilkey ND104 features a CNC-machined aluminum case, which is typically more premium and rigid. The Keychron V1 Max uses an ABS plastic case, which keeps it lighter and more affordable but may feel less substantial.

The Keychron V1 Max is significantly better for small desks. Its 75% layout measures 329mm in length, which is over 100mm shorter than the 438mm full-size Chilkey ND104. It also omits the numpad to save space.

Yes, both keyboards are fully programmable. They support the open-source QMK firmware and the VIA/VIAL configurator for easy key remapping and macro creation without coding.

Yes, the Keychron V1 Max is available in a version with a knob. The vendor description lists 'Fully Assembled Knob' and 'Barebone Knob' as available types.

The Chilkey ND104 has a built-in LCD screen above the numpad that can display a clock, calculator, or custom images/GIFs. It also features a modular area that can be reconfigured to hold a screen and knob, extra keys, or a storage tray.

The vendor descriptions do not specify if the screw-in stabilizers come pre-lubricated. However, both keyboards use screw-in PCB stabilizers, which are a standard, high-quality design favored by modders for their stability and ease of tuning.

Based on vendor descriptions, the Chilkey ND104 includes more extensive sound-dampening materials. It lists five layers of foam, including plate foam, switch foam, PET acoustic pads, and case foam. The Keychron V1 Max mentions sound-absorbing foam but does not detail the number or type of layers.

Both keyboards offer a 1000 Hz polling rate in their 2.4 GHz wireless mode and in wired mode. The Keychron V1 Max manufacturer specifies that its polling rate drops to 90 Hz when in Bluetooth mode.

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