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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 2, 2026

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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Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

DOIO KB12 01

Macro Pad

If you want

  • 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.

Rules this board out

  • 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.

If you want

  • 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.

Rules this board out

  • 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.

Bottom line

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.

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.

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

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • DOIO KB12 01
  • Keychron K3 Max
Performance
52
81
Build quality
77
86
Productivity
80
94
Customizability
84
91
Portability
72
77

What they share

  • Hot-swappable
  • QMK
  • VIA
See every spec side by side

Best for

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.

For gaming

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.

Full specs

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

Typing & switches

Switch options

—
Clicky, Linear, Tactile

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

—
Plate Mount

Low profile

No
Yes

Sound dampening

No
Yes

Screw-in stabilizers

No
Yes

Layout

Layout size

Macropad
75%

Layout standard

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

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Knob

Yes
No

Display

None
None

Media keys

No
Yes

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired

Max polling rate

—
1,000 Hz

Battery

Wired only
1,550 mAh

USB-C

Yes
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

Aluminum
ABS, Aluminum, Plastic, Wood

Plate material

—
Aluminum, Plastic, Polycarbonate

Keycaps

—
ABS, PBT

Weight

350 g
580 g

Dimensions

21 x 39 x 292 mm
22 x 306 x 116 mm

Typing angle

—
3°, 7°

Backlight

None
RGB, north-facing

Firmware & software

QMK

Yes
Yes

VIA

Yes
Yes

N-key rollover

No
Yes

Mac & Windows

Yes
Yes

Extras

Released

2023
2023

For EU buyers

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

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.

DOIO KB12 012 stores

FAQ

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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