Apos Gizmo Engineering GK6 vs Keychron Q3 MaxOrtholinear vs Wireless TKL
Choose the Apos GK6 for a compact, ortholinear typing experiment, or the Keychron Q3 Max for a versatile, wireless-ready TKL with extensive features.
KeebFinder may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.
No reviews
from$244at Apos
4.5 (13)4.5 · 13 reviews
from$209at Keychron
Which one should you get?
Get the
Apos Gizmo Engineering GK6
Ortholinear
Build quality in the top 40% of Numpad boards under $300.
- Unique 50% ortholinear layout for ergonomic, compact typing.
- Premium build with a unibody machined aluminum case and Cerakote finish.
- Offers a choice between a steel or anodized aluminum plate.
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
- Numpad only. This is not a full keyboard.
Get the
Keychron Q3 Max
Wireless TKL
Build quality in the top 5% of 80% boards under $300.
- Triple-mode connectivity with 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth 5.1, and wired USB-C.
- Feature-rich with a programmable aluminum knob, screw-in stabilizers, and multiple acoustic foams.
- Available in multiple ISO layouts (UK, DE, Nordic, Swiss) with Mac/Windows keycaps.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- No numpad.
Your primary need dictates the choice. If you want to experiment with an ergonomic, space-saving ortholinear layout and value a unique, premium kit, the Apos GK6 is a compelling project. For virtually everyone else seeking a high-performance, wireless-ready keyboard with a traditional layout, extensive modding support, and useful features like a knob, the Keychron Q3 Max is the more practical and versatile option.
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.
Apos Gizmo Engineering GK6
Keychron Q3 Max
Layout size
Numpad
80%
Connection
Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Ergonomics
Ortholinear
Standard
Case material
Aluminum, Steel
Aluminum
Knob
No
Yes
- Apos Gizmo Engineering GK6
- Keychron Q3 Max
- Performance
- 6680
- Build quality
- 7288
- Productivity
- 8596
- Customizability
- 8098
- Portability
- 7778
- Hot-swappable
- QMK
- Sound dampening
- Keycaps: PBT
What will you mostly use it for?
The Keychron Q3 Max is the more versatile choice, winning in Gaming, Office, Modding, and Content Creation due to its wireless features, traditional layout, and programmable knob. The Apos GK6's primary advantage is for Travel, thanks to its ultra-compact size and lighter weight. For Programming, it's a tie, as both offer the deep programmability of QMK, leaving the choice to layout preference.
Pick the Keychron Q3 Max
- The Keychron Q3 Max has a specified 1000 Hz polling rate in its 2.4 GHz and wired modes.
- Its traditional TKL layout provides dedicated arrow and function keys without layers.
- It offers wireless connectivity for a cleaner desk setup.
Apos Gizmo Engineering GK6 vs Keychron Q3 Max specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
14 of 27 specs differ
Apos Gizmo Engineering GK6
Keychron Q3 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
ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
Apos Gizmo Engineering GK6
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
Keychron Q3 Max
Input Gear
ISO-DE
Out of stockShips to you
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic
Out of stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK
In stockDoes not ship to you
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.
- Check on Amazon
Amazon
Check price
Apos Gizmo Engineering GK6 vs Keychron Q3 Max: your questions
The Keychron Q3 Max is the safer choice for beginners. It comes pre-built with switches and keycaps, has a familiar TKL layout, and offers wireless connectivity. The Apos GK6's ortholinear layout requires significant adaptation and is sold primarily as a kit.
You can, but it may not be ideal. The GK6 lacks a specified high polling rate and its ortholinear layout requires using layers for many gaming keys, which can be less intuitive than the dedicated keys on the Keychron Q3 Max.
Yes. The Keychron Q3 Max listing states it includes keycaps for both macOS and Windows systems and has a toggle to switch between the operating systems. The Apos GK6 is also listed as compatible with both.
Both are highly customizable with QMK support and hot-swap sockets. However, the Keychron Q3 Max adds VIA support for easier programming, a gasket mount, a polycarbonate plate, and multiple foam layers, offering more avenues for sound and feel customization out of the box.
No. The Apos Gizmo Engineering GK6 is a wired-only keyboard, according to its specifications. It connects via a USB-C cable.
Keychron's specifications list a 4000mAh battery. The vendor page states a wireless working time of up to 180 hours with the backlight off, and up to 100 hours with RGB at the lowest brightness, based on lab tests.
The Apos GK6 includes PBT keycaps in the XDA profile, which are uniform in height. The Keychron Q3 Max (Fully Assembled version) comes with OSA profile double-shot PBT keycaps, which have a sculpted shape similar to OEM.
Yes, both keyboards feature per-key RGB lighting. The Keychron Q3 Max specifically uses south-facing RGB LEDs, which prevent interference with Cherry-profile keycaps.
The Fully Assembled version of the Keychron Q3 Max comes with Gateron Jupiter switches, which are pre-lubed. Options include linear (Red), tactile (Brown), and tactile (Banana) variants.
An ortholinear layout, like on the Apos GK6, arranges keys in a straight grid without the staggered rows found on traditional keyboards. This is intended to reduce finger stretching but requires relearning typing muscle memory.
Yes, the Keychron Q3 Max is listed as being available in a DIY Kit/Barebones version, meaning you can purchase it without switches and keycaps.
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.