DOIO KB12 01 vs Keychron K3 MaxMacro Pad vs 75%
Choose the DOIO for a compact 12-key-and-knob control pad, or the Keychron for a complete 75% keyboard with wireless connectivity.
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No reviews
from$75at WhatGeek
4.1 (16)4.1 · 16 reviews
from$89at MK
Which one should you get?
Get the
DOIO KB12 01
Macro Pad
- 12 keys and a knob provide dedicated programmable controls.
- CNC aluminum case, specified by the vendor as 6063 anodized aluminum.
- Hot-swappable sockets are described as compatible with most 3-pin and 5-pin mechanical switches, including Cherry, Gateron, Otemu, and Kailh types.
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
- Macropad only. This is not a full keyboard.
Get the
Keychron K3 Max
75%
Build quality in the top 5% of 75% boards under $100.
- 84-key, 75% layout with multimedia keys.
- Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and wired connectivity, with a stated 1550mAh battery.
- QMK and VIA support, hot-swapping, and N-key rollover in wired and wireless modes.
- 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.
Choose the DOIO KB12 01 if you already have a keyboard and want a wired macro pad with a knob, aluminum construction, and flexible switch compatibility. Choose the Keychron K3 Max if you need a complete low-profile keyboard, especially if wireless connectivity, an ISO variant, or an 84-key layout is important. Before buying the K3 Max, check that its low-profile switch and keycap restrictions fit your plans.
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.
DOIO KB12 01
Keychron K3 Max
Layout size
Macropad
75%
Connection
Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Low profile
No
Yes
Case material
Aluminum
ABS, Aluminum, Plastic, Wood
Knob
Yes
No
- DOIO KB12 01
- Keychron K3 Max
- Performance
- 5281
- Build quality
- 7786
- Productivity
- 8094
- Customizability
- 8491
- Portability
- 7277
- Hot-swappable
- QMK
- VIA
What will you mostly use it for?
The K3 Max is the more suitable primary keyboard for gaming, office work, programming, and travel, mainly because it provides a complete layout and wireless options. The DOIO is better considered as a supplementary macro controller, with its 12 keys and knob in a compact aluminum case. For modding, both offer hot-swap and firmware customization, but their switch compatibility differs substantially. Content creators can choose based on whether they need extra dedicated controls or a full keyboard.
Pick the Keychron K3 Max
- The K3 Max provides an 84-key, 75% layout, unlike the DOIO's 12 keys and knob.
- Its 2.4 GHz and wired modes support a stated 1000 Hz polling rate.
- The DOIO can add programmable macro controls, but is not a full keyboard.
DOIO KB12 01 vs Keychron K3 Max specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
13 of 28 specs differ
DOIO KB12 01
Keychron K3 Max
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Low profile
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
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.
DOIO KB12 01
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.
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Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.
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DOIO KB12 01 vs Keychron K3 Max: your questions
No. The DOIO KB12 01 is a macropad with 12 keys and a knob, not a full keyboard. Its compatibility rules specifically note that it is macropad-only.
Keychron lists the K3 Max as an 84-key, 75% keyboard. It also includes multimedia keys, but no numpad.
The K3 Max supports Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz wireless as well as wired use. The DOIO KB12 01 is wired only and connects over USB-C.
The K3 Max is listed with ISO variants including UK, DE, Nordic, and SW, as well as ANSI. The DOIO KB12 01 has no ISO layout options.
Both models list hot-swappable support. The DOIO vendor description specifies most 3-pin and 5-pin mechanical switches, while the K3 Max is restricted to Gateron or Keychron low-profile mechanical switches.
No. The K3 Max compatibility rules specify low-profile switches and keycaps only, so standard MX keycaps will not fit. Keychron describes its included caps as low-profile double-shot PBT.
The K3 Max has north-facing LEDs, and its compatibility rules warn that Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing. Consider that limitation before choosing replacement keycaps.
Both products list QMK and VIA support. The DOIO vendor description also identifies VIA programmable layers, while Keychron describes QMK and its Launcher web app for remapping and macros.
The K3 Max offers Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz wireless operation and has a stated 1550mAh battery. The DOIO is narrower, but its 12-key macropad layout and wired-only connection make it an accessory rather than a standalone travel keyboard.
No. The K3 Max compatibility rules specify that it has no numpad. Its layout is 75% with 84 keys.
The DOIO product description identifies it as a 12-key-plus-one-knob macro keyboard and describes customizable control functionality. The source does not specify a fixed default function for the knob.
The K3 Max is the more complete gaming option here, with an 84-key layout and a listed 1000 Hz polling rate in 2.4 GHz and wired modes. The DOIO is a 12-key macro pad, so it is better suited to adding controls alongside a separate keyboard.
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