Epomaker Galaxy100 vs Keychron K17 MaxLow-Profile vs Gasket Mount
Choose the Epomaker Galaxy100 for a premium, thocky typing experience and massive battery life, or the Keychron K17 Max for an ultra-slim, low-profile form factor with ISO layout options.
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4.6 · 68 reviews
from$98at Epomaker
4.8 · 4 reviews
from$94at Keychron
Which one should you get?
Get the
Epomaker Galaxy100
Low-Profile
Build quality in the top 10% of 96% boards under $100.
- Massive 8000mAh battery for extended wireless use.
- Gasket mount structure with five specific sound-dampening foam layers (Poron, IXPE, EMDP, PET).
- Full aluminum alloy case for a premium, weighty feel.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
Get the
Keychron K17 Max
Gasket Mount
Build quality in the top 20% of 96% boards under $100.
- Ultra-slim, low-profile design with switches 31% slimmer than standard, per the vendor.
- Significantly lighter at 750g, enhancing portability.
- Offers ISO layout options (German, UK) in addition to ANSI.
- Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps will not fit.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
Your priority dictates the choice. If you want a deeply customizable, acoustically tuned typing experience with marathon battery life and don't mind the heft, the Epomaker Galaxy100 is the compelling option. If you need a portable, sleek keyboard with a low typing height and require ISO layouts, the Keychron K17 Max is the better fit, accepting its trade-off in battery capacity.
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.
Epomaker Galaxy100
Keychron K17 Max
Battery
8,000 mAh
2,000 mAh
A larger battery means fewer cables during the day
Low profile
No
Yes
Case material
Aluminum
ABS, Aluminum
Switch options
Clicky, Linear
Clicky, Linear, Tactile
Mount style
Gasket Mount
PCB Mount
- Epomaker Galaxy100
- Keychron K17 Max
- Performance
- 8383
- Build quality
- 8481
- Productivity
- 9393
- Customizability
- 8891
- Portability
- 6253
- Layout size: 96%
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Knob
- QMK
What will you mostly use it for?
The Galaxy100 wins for office use and content creation primarily due to its exceptional battery life, while also being the stronger choice for modders thanks to its detailed gasket-mounted construction. The K17 Max is the clear winner for travel due to its significantly lower weight and slim profile. For gaming and programming, the keyboards are evenly matched on core performance and programmability features, making it a tie.
It's a tie
- Both offer a 1000 Hz polling rate in wired and 2.4 GHz modes for low latency.
- Both feature N-key rollover for simultaneous key presses.
- Both include a knob for quick volume or macro control.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Epomaker Galaxy100
68 owner reviews
“Amazing keyboard, via support could be better, but it works! i love the knob, its so nice. this has to be the worst financial decision ive ever made and i dont regret it”
“The keyboard has been great but when I received it a couple keys were broken. I had to glue the inside connector back together as it had broken apart. Otherwise the keyboard has functions very well.”
Keychron K17 Max
4 owner reviews
“Wish it was metal but i do love the low profile keyboard”
Epomaker Galaxy100 vs Keychron K17 Max specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
11 of 27 specs differ
Epomaker Galaxy100
Keychron K17 Max
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Low profile
Sound dampening
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
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.
Epomaker Galaxy100
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
Keychron K17 Max
Keychron
ISO
Out of 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.
Epomaker Galaxy100 vs Keychron K17 Max: your questions
The Epomaker Galaxy100 has a significantly larger 8000mAh battery compared to the Keychron K17 Max's 2000mAh battery. Based on the specifications, the Galaxy100 will last much longer between charges, making it better for extended wireless use.
No, the Keychron K17 Max is a low-profile keyboard. The manufacturer states that the hot-swappable version is currently compatible only with Gateron or Keychron low-profile mechanical switches. It does not support standard MX-style switches or low-profile optical switches.
Yes, both the Epomaker Galaxy100 and Keychron K17 Max list Mac and Windows support. The K17 Max vendor description specifically notes it offers a Mac layout with matching multimedia keys and allows configuration for both operating systems via its Launcher app.
The Galaxy100 uses a traditional gasket mount design with multiple foam layers aimed at creating a soft, thocky sound. The K17 Max uses a low-profile switch and PCB mount in a slimmer chassis, offering a different, more compact tactile response. The choice is between a cushioned, traditional feel and a modern, shallow profile.
The Keychron K17 Max is much more portable. It weighs only 750g compared to the Galaxy100's 2000g, and its low-profile design makes it thinner. The Galaxy100's full aluminum case and large battery add substantial weight.
For the Epomaker Galaxy100, the vendor description states the PBT keycaps are not shine-through. For the Keychron K17 Max, the description also specifies the double-shot PBT keycaps are made of non-shine-through material. On both, the backlighting will shine around the keys, not through the legends.
Yes, both keyboards fully support QMK and VIA for advanced key remapping, layer editing, and macro creation. The Galaxy100 uses the VIA software, while the K17 Max can be programmed via the Keychron Launcher web app or QMK/VIA.
The Epomaker Galaxy100 uses plate-mount stabilizers, and its specifications note they are not compatible with screw-in stabilizers. The Keychron K17 Max vendor description mentions redesigned stabilizers for less wobble but does not specify the mount type.
According to the technical specifications in its vendor description, the Epomaker Galaxy100 is explicitly listed as not compatible with PS4, PS5, or Nintendo Switch. Compatibility for the Keychron K17 Max with consoles is not stated.
The Galaxy100 has south-facing LEDs (facing the user), which often prevents interference with the sculpted profiles of Cherry-style keycaps. The K17 Max has north-facing LEDs (facing away from the user), which can sometimes cause interference with certain keycap profiles but may offer brighter legend illumination with shine-through caps.
Neither keyboard includes a wrist rest in the base package as listed. However, the Keychron vendor page shows a separate low-profile silicone palm rest as a frequently bought-together accessory specifically designed for the K17 Max's form factor.
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