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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 7, 2026

Double shell DS102i vs Keychron K3 Max SE

Get the Keychron K3 Max SE for hot-swappable and qmk.

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Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Double shell DS102i

Build quality in the bottom 5% of 100% boards under $150.

Rules this board out

  • Switches are soldered. Swapping them means soldering.
  • Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps will not fit.
$119 at Mechkeys

Get the

Keychron K3 Max SE

Hot-swappable

Build quality in the top 30% of 75% boards under $150.

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.
$104 at Keychron

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.

Double shell DS102i

Keychron K3 Max SE

  • Layout size

    100%

    75%

  • Hot-swappable

    No

    Yes

    Switch changes without soldering

  • Case material

    Aluminum

    ABS, Wood

  • Switch options

    Linear, Tactile

    Clicky, Linear, Tactile

  • QMK

    No

    Yes

    The deep option when you want to remap every key

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Double shell DS102i
  • Keychron K3 Max SE
Performance
46
80
Build quality
41
74
Productivity
50
89
Customizability
50
86
Portability
48
80

What they share

  • Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
  • Low profile
  • Keycaps: PBT
See every spec side by side

Full specs

Double shell DS102i vs Keychron K3 Max SE specs

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

11 of 23 specs differ

Double shell DS102i

Keychron K3 Max SE

Typing & switches

Switch options

Linear, Tactile
Clicky, Linear, Tactile

Hot-swappable

No
Yes

Low profile

Yes
Yes

Sound dampening

No
Yes

Layout

Layout size

100%
75%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Display

None
None

Connectivity & battery

Connection

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

Max polling rate

—
1,000 Hz

Battery

—
1,550 mAh

USB-C

No
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

Aluminum
ABS, Wood

Plate material

—
Aluminum

Keycaps

PBT
PBT

Weight

—
566 g

Dimensions

—
20 x 319 x 126 mm

Backlight

RGB
RGB, north-facing

Firmware & software

QMK

No
Yes

VIA

No
Yes

N-key rollover

No
Yes

Mac & Windows

Yes
Yes

Extras

Released

2023
2026

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.

Double shell DS102i2 stores
Keychron K3 Max SE3 stores

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