KeebFinder
Not sure which keyboard to choose? Try the Keyboard Finder now!

Head to head · Prices checked Oct 30, 2026

CKW CKW80 vs Keychron 81 Pro

Get the Keychron 81 Pro for knob and qmk.

KeebFinder may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.

Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

CKW CKW80

Build quality in the top 20% of 80% boards under $200.

Rules this board out

  • No numpad.
$189 at Velocifire

Get the

Keychron 81 Pro

Knob

Build quality in the top 5% of 75% boards under $150.

Rules this board out

  • South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
  • No numpad.
$145 at Input Gear

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.

CKW CKW80

Keychron 81 Pro

  • Layout size

    80%

    75%

  • Mount style

    Gasket Mount

    Gasket Mount, Plate Mount

  • Knob

    No

    Yes

  • Weight

    2,600 g

    1,887 g

    Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel

  • QMK

    No

    Yes

    The deep option when you want to remap every key

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • CKW CKW80
  • Keychron 81 Pro
Performance
65
82
Build quality
78
87
Productivity
57
97
Customizability
70
94
Portability
68
82

What they share

  • Connection: Bluetooth, Wired
  • Hot-swappable
  • Case material: Aluminum
  • VIA
See every spec side by side

Full specs

CKW CKW80 vs Keychron 81 Pro specs

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

13 of 27 specs differ

CKW CKW80

Keychron 81 Pro

Typing & switches

Switch options

—
Clicky, Linear, Tactile

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Gasket Mount
Gasket Mount, Plate Mount

Sound dampening

No
Yes

Screw-in stabilizers

No
Yes

Layout

Layout size

80%
75%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Knob

No
Yes

Display

None
None

Media keys

No
Yes

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Bluetooth, Wired
Bluetooth, Wired

Max polling rate

—
1,000 Hz

Battery

—
4,000 mAh

USB-C

No
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

Aluminum
Aluminum

Plate material

—
Polycarbonate

Keycaps

—
PBT

Weight

2,600 g
1,887 g

Dimensions

20 x 360 x 140 mm
47 x 338 x 151 mm

Typing angle

7°
—

Backlight

None
RGB, south-facing

Firmware & software

QMK

No
Yes

VIA

Yes
Yes

N-key rollover

Yes
Yes

Mac & Windows

No
Yes

Extras

Released

2024
2023

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.

CKW CKW802 stores
Keychron 81 Pro4 stores

Keep exploring

Not sold on either?

Still torn?

Answer a few quick questions and the keyboard finder ranks 2,000+ boards by how you will actually use yours.

Find my keyboardBrowse all keyboards