AULA F87 Pro vs Keychron K8 MaxBudget Gasket vs Premium Custom
Choose the AULA F87 Pro for a budget-friendly, pre-tuned sound experience, or the Keychron K8 Max for extensive firmware customization and premium build materials.
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Which one should you get?
Get the
AULA F87 Pro
Budget Gasket
Build quality in the bottom 15% of 80% boards under $100.
- Gasket mount design with an extended silicone pad for a soft, elastic typing feel.
- Five-layered sound-absorbing padding structure, including IXPE and PORON Cotton, for a tuned acoustic profile.
- Lighter weight (1023g) enhances portability.
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
Get the
Keychron K8 Max
Premium Custom
Build quality in the top 5% of 80% boards under $150.
- Full QMK and VIA firmware support for extensive key remapping and macro programming.
- Premium construction with an aluminum case, steel plate, and screw-in PCB stabilizers.
- Supports a wide array of ISO layouts (DE, UK, Nordic, Swiss, Spain, FR) and includes Mac/Windows keycaps.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
Your budget and priorities define this choice. If you want a ready-to-use keyboard with a pleasant, pre-tuned sound and feel at a lower cost, the AULA F87 Pro is a compelling option. If you are willing to invest more for unparalleled customization through QMK/VIA, need specific ISO layouts, or value a metal-built keyboard with stated high-performance specs, the Keychron K8 Max is the superior tool.
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.
AULA F87 Pro
Keychron K8 Max
Case material
PBT, Silicone
ABS, Aluminum, Steel
Mount style
Gasket Mount
PCB Mount, Plate Mount
Weight
1,023 g
1,308 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
- AULA F87 Pro
- Keychron K8 Max
- Performance
- 4880
- Build quality
- 4787
- Productivity
- 6294
- Customizability
- 5291
- Portability
- 6977
- Layout size: 80%
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Battery: 4,000 mAh
- Sound dampening
- Keycaps: PBT
What will you mostly use it for?
The Keychron K8 Max is the clear choice for users who prioritize customization, programmability, and professional features like multi-layout support. It wins for Gaming, Office, Programming, and Modding due to its stated polling rate, QMK/VIA, and build. The AULA F87 Pro takes the lead for Travel due to its lower weight, and Content Creation is a tie, as both offer strong aesthetic and personalization features at their respective tiers.
Pick the Keychron K8 Max
- The Keychron K8 Max lists a 1000 Hz polling rate for its 2.4GHz and wired modes, which is a stated spec for gaming responsiveness.
- Its steel plate and aluminum case construction may provide a more stable, consistent platform for rapid key presses.
AULA F87 Pro vs Keychron K8 Max specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
14 of 26 specs differ
AULA F87 Pro
Keychron K8 Max
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
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.
AULA F87 Pro
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
Keychron K8 Max
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-CH
In stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-CH
Out of 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.
AULA F87 Pro vs Keychron K8 Max: your questions
The Keychron K8 Max has a significant advantage with full, open-source QMK and VIA firmware support, allowing for deep key remapping and macro creation via a web app. The AULA F87 Pro uses a proprietary driver that, according to its vendor page, only supports Windows.
Yes, both keyboards work with Mac and Windows. However, the Keychron K8 Max explicitly includes keycaps for both operating systems and states it offers the same multimedia keys as Apple keyboards for Mac users. The AULA F87 Pro's compatibility is not detailed to the same extent.
The AULA F87 Pro is more portable. It weighs 1023 grams, which is 285 grams lighter than the 1308-gram Keychron K8 Max. Both have the same 4000mAh battery and wireless connectivity options.
Yes, both the AULA F87 Pro and the Keychron K8 Max feature hot-swappable sockets, allowing you to change mechanical switches without soldering. The K8 Max vendor page specifies compatibility with both 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style switches.
The Keychron K8 Max uses an aluminum case and a steel plate, contributing to its heavier, more premium feel. The AULA F87 Pro uses a case made of PBT and silicone with a plastic plate, which is lighter and part of its gasket-mounted design for a softer typing experience.
Both keyboards feature sound-dampening materials. The AULA F87 Pro specifically mentions a five-layered padding structure with IXPE and PORON Cotton. The Keychron K8 Max lists multiple layers of acoustic foams including IXPE, PET, and EPDM. Both should offer quieter operation than non-dampened boards, with the final sound depending on switch choice.
According to its vendor specifications, the Keychron K8 Max has a 1000 Hz polling rate in its 2.4GHz and wired connection modes. The AULA F87 Pro's vendor description mentions a 3ms response time but does not specify a polling rate.
The AULA F87 Pro comes with dual-tone PBT keycaps, but the profile is not specified. The Keychron K8 Max offers keycaps in either OSA profile (spherical-angle OEM) or Cherry profile, both made of double-shot PBT material.
Yes. The Keychron K8 Max uses screw-in PCB stabilizers, which are generally preferred by enthusiasts for their stability and ease of modification. The type of stabilizers on the AULA F87 Pro is not specified in the provided information.
This is subjective and depends on preference. The AULA F87 Pro uses a gasket mount with a silicone pad aimed at a soft, elastic feel. The Keychron K8 Max uses a rigid steel plate mount within an aluminum case for a more solid and direct feedback. Try to test similar mounting styles if possible.
The Keychron K8 Max has extensive support, offering ISO layouts for Germany, UK, Nordic regions, Switzerland, Spain, and France. The AULA F87 Pro is listed with an ANSI layout standard, which is common in North America.
The AULA F87 Pro includes the keyboard, a 2.4G receiver, a switch puller, two spare switches, and a USB-C cable. The Keychron K8 Max's full contents aren't detailed, but its vendor page mentions it includes keycaps for both macOS and Windows, along with additional Esc and Enter keys.
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