DOIO KB12 01 vs Keychron Q8 ProMacropad or Alice
Choose the DOIO for a compact set of programmable controls, or the Keychron for a complete Alice-layout keyboard with wireless connectivity.
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No reviews
from$75at WhatGeek
5.0 · 1 reviews
from$159at Keychron
Which one should you get?
Get the
DOIO KB12 01
- 12 keys and one knob provide dedicated macro-pad controls.
- VIA and QMK support allow programmable key functions.
- Hot-swappable sockets support most 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style switches, according to the vendor.
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
- Macropad only. This is not a full keyboard.
Get the
Keychron Q8 Pro
Sound dampening
Build quality in the top 5% of 65% boards under $200.
- 65% Alice layout is available in ANSI and ISO variants.
- Supports Bluetooth and wired USB-C connectivity, with a 4000 mAh battery.
- Aluminum case, gasket mount, and polycarbonate plate.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- 65% layout. No function row and no numpad.
Choose the DOIO KB12 01 if you already have a main keyboard and want a compact, programmable pad with a knob. Choose the Keychron Q8 Pro if you need a complete Alice-layout keyboard, particularly if wireless use or an ISO option matters. Both support hot-swapping and QMK/VIA, so the deciding factor is the device's role and layout rather than basic programmability.
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 Q8 Pro
Layout size
Macropad
65%
Connection
Wired
Bluetooth, Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Ergonomics
Standard
Alice
Weight
350 g
1,657 g
Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel
Sound dampening
No
Yes
- DOIO KB12 01
- Keychron Q8 Pro
- Performance
- 5278
- Build quality
- 7889
- Productivity
- 8198
- Customizability
- 8496
- Portability
- 7289
- Hot-swappable
- Case material: Aluminum
- Knob
- QMK
- VIA
What will you mostly use it for?
The Q8 Pro is the more suitable choice when you need a main keyboard for gaming, office work, or programming. Its full 65% layout, wireless option, and additional build features make it more versatile for those roles. The lighter, smaller KB12 01 is a better fit for travel or as a separate bank of programmable controls. For customization, both offer hot-swapping and QMK/VIA, but the Q8 Pro adds a barebones option and more construction details.
Pick the Keychron Q8 Pro
- The Q8 Pro is a complete 65% keyboard, while the KB12 01 is a 12-key macro pad rather than a full keyboard.
- The Q8 Pro lists N-key rollover and a 1000 Hz polling rate for wired use.
DOIO KB12 01 vs Keychron Q8 Pro specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
10 of 26 specs differ
DOIO KB12 01
Keychron Q8 Pro
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
Display
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 Q8 Pro
Keychron
ISO
In stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO
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 Q8 Pro: your questions
No. The KB12 01 is a macropad with 12 keys and one knob, so it is intended for extra controls rather than full-time typing. The Keychron Q8 Pro is the full 65% keyboard in this comparison.
Yes. The Q8 Pro uses an Alice ergonomic layout in a 65% size. Its layout options include ANSI and ISO.
No wireless connection is listed for the KB12 01; it uses a wired USB-C connection. The Q8 Pro supports Bluetooth as well as wired USB-C.
Yes. Keychron lists Bluetooth connectivity for the Q8 Pro, along with a wired USB-C mode. The vendor says Bluetooth can connect to up to three devices.
Yes, both models are listed as hot-swappable. The DOIO vendor specifies support for most 3-pin and 5-pin mechanical switches, and Keychron gives the same general pin compatibility for the Q8 Pro.
Both models list QMK and VIA support. The DOIO vendor describes VIA programming with distinct function layers, while Keychron describes remapping and macros through QMK and its Launcher web app.
Yes. The Q8 Pro has south-facing RGB LEDs, and Keychron lists multiple backlight settings. Its compatibility notes warn that shine-through legends stay dark with this lighting.
The KB12 01 is listed without RGB. Its vendor description highlights the 12-key, one-knob layout, VIA programming, hot-swappable sockets, and CNC aluminum case instead.
The KB12 01 weighs 350 g, while the Q8 Pro weighs 1657 g. The DOIO is also much smaller in its listed dimensions, but it is a macropad rather than a complete keyboard.
No. The Q8 Pro's 65% layout has neither a function row nor a numpad. The KB12 01 is even more limited as a 12-key macropad.
Yes. Keychron lists a barebones option, and the product metadata identifies a DIY kit or barebones configuration. The vendor says the barebones version does not include keycaps or switches.
The DOIO KB12 01 is specifically a 12-key macro pad with a knob and VIA-programmable layers, making it the direct choice for adding dedicated controls. The Q8 Pro also supports macros through QMK and Keychron Launcher, but it is a full 65% Alice keyboard.
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