Gamakay K87 vs Keychron V1 MaxWired Acrylic vs Wireless Custom
Choose the Keychron V1 Max for wireless flexibility and deep customization, or the Gamakay K87 for a lower-cost, wired acrylic aesthetic.
Which one should you get?
Get the
Gamakay K87
Wired Acrylic
- Unique 360-degree translucent acrylic case for distinctive RGB lighting effects.
- Lower cost entry point for a hot-swappable mechanical keyboard.
- Includes a full set of 87 keys in a TKL layout.
- Wired-only connectivity limits placement and device switching.
- Software and firmware support appears less streamlined compared to QMK/VIA.
- Build materials and construction are simpler, focusing on the acrylic aesthetic.
Get the
Keychron V1 Max
Wireless Custom
- Triple-mode connectivity with 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth 5.1, and wired operation.
- Fully programmable via open-source QMK and VIA firmware with a web-based configurator.
- Superior typing foundation with gasket mount design, polycarbonate plate, and sound dampening foam.
- Higher price point compared to the Gamakay K87.
- Non-shine-through PBT keycaps may not showcase south-facing RGB LEDs as brightly with certain keycap sets.
- Some user reviews mention potential long-term reliability issues with key chatter.
For most users, the Keychron V1 Max is the recommended choice. The investment buys significant upgrades in daily usability through wireless connectivity, a premium typing feel, and unparalleled customization via QMK/VIA. Only choose the Gamakay K87 if your budget is strict, you have no need for wireless, and the specific look of its acrylic case is a primary deciding factor for your setup.
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.
Gamakay K87
Keychron V1 Max
Layout size
80%
75%
Connection
Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Case material
Acrylic
ABS, Plastic
Knob
No
Yes
Weight
810 g
770 g
- Gamakay K87
- Keychron V1 Max
- Performance
- 7783
- Build quality
- 4986
- Productivity
- 5497
- Customizability
- 6298
- Portability
- 5679
- Hot-swappable
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
What will you mostly use it for?
The Keychron V1 Max is the decisive winner for most professional and technical use cases, particularly office work, programming, and travel, due to its wireless versatility and software support. It also holds a clear edge for modders thanks to its open design and gasket mount. Gamers will benefit from its high polling rate. The Gamakay K87's primary advantage is its unique acrylic aesthetic, making it a contender for content creators or users who prioritize a specific visual style on a budget, though it is tied with the V1 Max for that specific use case.
Pick the Keychron V1 Max
- The Keychron V1 Max offers a 1000 Hz polling rate in its 2.4 GHz and wired modes for responsive input.
- Its wireless connectivity provides cable-free desk management.
- The manufacturer states its powerful MCU makes latency 'hardly noticeable even in competitive games'.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Gamakay K87
No owner reviews collected yet.
Keychron V1 Max
18 owner reviews
“Feels great, haven't got a new KB since my Novatouch. Great high end features and feel, DSA caps on it feel good.”
“The dongle does not work after 6 months of using it and they want me to pay to fix it. If you want to buy a keyboard that is good don’t go for keycron”
Gamakay K87 vs Keychron V1 Max specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
13 of 27 specs differ
Gamakay K87
Keychron V1 Max
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
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
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Gamakay K87 vs Keychron V1 Max: your questions
No, the Gamakay K87 is a wired-only mechanical keyboard. It connects via a USB Type-C cable and does not have Bluetooth or 2.4 GHz wireless capabilities.
Yes, the Keychron V1 Max fully supports key remapping and macro programming. It uses open-source QMK and VIA firmware, and can also be configured through the web-based Keychron Launcher without installing software.
The Keychron V1 Max is designed for a premium typing experience. Its listing highlights a gasket mount design with a polycarbonate plate and sound absorbing foam to reduce acoustic resonance and provide a softer, quieter feel. The Gamakay K87 uses a standard mount in an acrylic case, which will produce a different, likely more resonant, sound signature.
Yes. The Keychron V1 Max listing states it has Mac/Win support, includes a system toggle switch, and comes with an additional set of keycaps customized for both macOS and Windows layouts.
Both are hot-swappable and support a wide range of MX-style switches. The Gamakay K87 listing mentions Gateron switches. The fully assembled Keychron V1 Max comes with Gateron Jupiter switches (Red, Brown, or Banana), and its hot-swap PCB supports most 3-pin and 5-pin MX switches.
According to its specifications, the Keychron V1 Max has a 4000mAh battery. With RGB off, wireless working time is up to 190 hours. With RGB on at the lowest brightness, it lasts up to 100 hours. Charging takes around 5 hours.
The fully assembled Keychron V1 Max comes with OSA profile double-shot PBT keycaps. The manufacturer describes OSA as having a similar height to OEM profile with an SA-like spherical shape.
The Gamakay K87 case is made of acrylic (PMMA plexiglass), not standard plastic. The vendor description emphasizes this material for its full translucent properties and 'fantasy light effect'.
The Keychron V1 Max specifies a 1000 Hz polling rate in both its 2.4 GHz wireless and wired modes. The polling rate for the Gamakay K87 is not stated in the provided information.
Yes. Keychron offers a 'Barebone Knob' version of the V1 Max, which includes the case, PCB, plate, and stabilizers, but does not include keycaps or switches.
Yes, both the Gamakay K87 and Keychron V1 Max feature RGB backlighting. The Keychron V1 Max uses south-facing RGB LEDs, which are designed to prevent interference with Cherry-profile keycaps and provide better illumination from the typist's angle.
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