Epomaker Galaxy70 vs Keychron K17 MaxCompact vs Full-Featured
Choose the Epomaker Galaxy70 for a premium, compact typing experience, or the Keychron K17 Max for a full-featured, low-profile layout with extensive programmability.
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4.9 (100)4.9 · 100 reviews
from$84at Epomaker
90-day lowLowest price in 90 days
4.8 (4)4.8 · 4 reviews
from$94at Keychron
Which one should you get?
Get the
Epomaker Galaxy70
Compact
Build quality in the top 35% of 75% boards under $100.
- Full aluminum case with powder coating for a premium, durable feel.
- Gasket mount structure with five specified layers of sound-dampening foam (PORON, IXPE, PET, EMDP) for a tuned acoustic experience.
- Larger 4000mAh battery capacity for extended wireless use.
- 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.
- No numpad.
Get the
Keychron K17 Max
Full-Featured
Build quality in the top 20% of 96% boards under $100.
- 96% layout includes a full numpad in a relatively compact form factor.
- Supports QMK and VIA firmware for extensive key remapping and macro programming.
- Low-profile design with a 4° typing angle and compatible low-profile Gateron switches.
- Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps will not fit.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
- Compact full-size layout. The numpad is present, the gaps of a full-size board are not.
Your primary need dictates the choice. If you want a dense, acoustically tuned typing experience with a premium metal build and don't need a numpad, the Epomaker Galaxy70 is compelling. If your workflow requires a numpad, deep firmware customization with QMK/VIA, or you prefer a low-profile typing feel, the Keychron K17 Max is the more functional tool despite its smaller battery.
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 Galaxy70
Keychron K17 Max
Layout size
75%
96%
Battery
4,000 mAh
2,000 mAh
A larger battery means fewer cables during the day
Low profile
No
Yes
Case material
Aluminum
ABS, Aluminum
Mount style
Gasket Mount
PCB Mount
- Epomaker Galaxy70
- Keychron K17 Max
- Performance
- 7883
- Build quality
- 7281
- Productivity
- 7393
- Customizability
- 6591
- Portability
- 7553
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Knob
- Sound dampening
- Keycaps: PBT
What will you mostly use it for?
The Keychron K17 Max is the clear choice for office work, programming, and content creation due to its numpad and superior programmability. The Epomaker Galaxy70 is better suited for travel with its more compact size and larger battery. For gaming and modding, the two are closely matched, offering high performance and customization in different forms.
It's a tie
- Both offer a 1000 Hz polling rate in wired and 2.4 GHz modes for responsive input.
- The Galaxy70's vendor page cites low latency of 2.8ms (wired) and 5ms (2.4GHz).
- The K17 Max's 96% layout retains arrow and navigation keys useful for some games.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Epomaker Galaxy70
100 owner reviews
“The Galaxy70 is super thocky with the zebra switches. Great choice if that's the sound profile you're looking for! The alu case is super heavy and well built.”
“so I bought this keyboard, I was essentially really excited about it. looked good, nice price and from a company I trusted. The keyboard arrived, I plugged it in, and it didn't respond properly.The software could not be detected by my PC for whatever reason…”
Keychron K17 Max
4 owner reviews
“Wish it was metal but i do love the low profile keyboard”
Epomaker Galaxy70 vs Keychron K17 Max specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
14 of 27 specs differ
Epomaker Galaxy70
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 Galaxy70
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 Galaxy70 vs Keychron K17 Max: your questions
They offer distinctly different typing experiences. The Epomaker Galaxy70 uses a gasket mount with multiple foam layers for a cushioned, 'thocky' sound and feel. The Keychron K17 Max provides a low-profile, slimmer typing experience with redesigned stabilizers and IXPE foam for a quiet, responsive feel. The better choice depends on your preference for a traditional, cushioned stroke versus a low-profile, shallow keypress.
No, according to its vendor description, the Keychron K17 Max is currently compatible only with Gateron or Keychron low-profile mechanical switches. The product listing states that QMK does not support low-profile optical switches, and the hot-swap sockets are designed for this specific switch type.
The vendor description for the Epomaker Galaxy70 mentions a downloadable driver but does not specify advanced remapping features like QMK or VIA. Its programmability appears more limited compared to the Keychron K17 Max, which explicitly supports QMK and the Keychron Launcher web app for extensive customization.
Based on the specifications, the Epomaker Galaxy70 has a larger 4000mAh battery, while the Keychron K17 Max has a 2000mAh battery. This suggests the Galaxy70 will likely last longer on a single charge, which is a significant advantage for wireless use.
Yes, both keyboards use PBT keycaps. The Epomaker Galaxy70 uses double-shot or dye-sublimated PBT keycaps. The Keychron K17 Max uses low-profile, double-shot PBT keycaps designed for its specific switch height.
The Epomaker Galaxy70 is more compact in width (351mm vs. 387mm) but is significantly heavier (1790g vs. 750g). The Keychron K17 Max is much lighter and slimmer but wider. Portability depends on whether you prioritize a smaller footprint or a lighter weight in your bag.
Yes, both the Epomaker Galaxy70 and the Keychron K17 Max list knob support in their extra features. The K17 Max's vendor review confirms the scroll dial can be pressed to mute volume.
The Epomaker Galaxy70 uses a 75% layout, which removes the numpad and function row but keeps the arrow keys and a compact navigation cluster. The Keychron K17 Max uses a 96% layout, which squeezes a full numpad and navigation cluster into a condensed space, retaining almost all keys of a full-sized keyboard in a smaller form.
Yes, the Keychron K17 Max lists Mac/Win support. Its vendor description states it offers a Mac layout with matching multimedia and function keys, and you can configure keymaps for Mac via the Keychron Launcher app.
According to its vendor page, the Epomaker Galaxy70 uses five layers of material: PORON sandwich foam, an IXPE switch pad, a PET acoustic pad, EMDP switch foam, and a PET bottom pad. These are designed to work together for a noise-free, Hi-Fi auditory experience.
The Keychron K17 Max has a 1000 Hz polling rate in its 2.4 GHz and wired modes, which is suitable for gaming. Its vendor page also mentions the latency is hardly noticeable in competitive games. However, its Bluetooth polling rate is 90Hz, so for gaming, the 2.4 GHz or wired connection is recommended.
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