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

Head to head · Prices checked Nov 11, 2026

Double shell DoubleShell DS84i vs Keychron K3 Max SE

Get the Double shell DoubleShell DS84i for knob. Get the Keychron K3 Max SE for qmk and via.

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

Double shell DoubleShell DS84i

Knob

Build quality in the bottom 5% of 75% boards under $100.

Rules this board out

  • Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps will not fit.
$99 at Mechkeys

Get the

Keychron K3 Max SE

QMK

Build quality in the top 35% 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.
$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 DoubleShell DS84i

Keychron K3 Max SE

  • Switch options

    Linear, Tactile

    Clicky, Linear, Tactile

  • Knob

    Yes

    No

  • Weight

    798 g

    566 g

    Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel

  • QMK

    No

    Yes

    The deep option when you want to remap every key

  • VIA

    No

    Yes

    GUI remapping without compiling firmware

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Double shell DoubleShell DS84i
  • Keychron K3 Max SE
Performance
61
80
Build quality
40
74
Productivity
58
89
Customizability
59
86
Portability
74
80

What they share

  • Layout size: 75%
  • Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
  • Hot-swappable
  • Low profile
  • Keycaps: PBT
See every spec side by side

Full specs

Double shell DoubleShell DS84i vs Keychron K3 Max SE specs

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

10 of 24 specs differ

Double shell DoubleShell DS84i

Keychron K3 Max SE

Typing & switches

Switch options

Linear, Tactile
Clicky, Linear, Tactile

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Low profile

Yes
Yes

Sound dampening

No
Yes

Layout

Layout size

75%
75%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Knob

Yes
No

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

Yes
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

—
ABS, Wood

Plate material

—
Aluminum

Keycaps

PBT
PBT

Weight

798 g
566 g

Dimensions

25 x 153 x 314 mm
20 x 319 x 126 mm

Backlight

RGB
RGB, north-facing

Firmware & software

QMK

No
Yes

VIA

No
Yes

N-key rollover

Yes
Yes

Mac & Windows

No
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 DoubleShell DS84i2 stores
Keychron K3 Max SE3 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