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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 10, 2026

Zerodate K87 vs Keychron C1

Get the Zerodate K87 for qmk. Get the Keychron C1 for hot-swappable.

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Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Zerodate K87

QMK

Build quality in the top 30% of 80% boards under $100.

Rules this board out

  • Switches are soldered. Swapping them means soldering.

Get the

Keychron C1

Hot-swappable

Build quality in the top 50% of 80% boards under $100.

Rules this board out

  • North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.

What actually differs

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.

Zerodate K87

Keychron C1

  • Hot-swappable

    No

    Yes

    Switch changes without soldering

  • Case material

    ABS

    ABS, Plastic

  • Switch options

    Linear

    Clicky, Linear, Tactile

  • Weight

    560 g

    685 g

    Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel

  • QMK

    Yes

    No

    The deep option when you want to remap every key

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Zerodate K87
  • Keychron C1
Performance
69
66
Build quality
70
62
Productivity
66
77
Customizability
75
75
Portability
52
59

What they share

  • Layout size: 80%
  • Connection: Wired
  • Keycaps: ABS
See every spec side by side

Full specs

Zerodate K87 vs Keychron C1 specs

Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.

12 of 20 specs differ

Zerodate K87

Keychron C1

Typing & switches

Switch options

Linear
Clicky, Linear, Tactile

Hot-swappable

No
Yes

Mount style

—
Tray Mount

Layout

Layout size

80%
80%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Display

None
None

Media keys

No
Yes

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Wired
Wired

Max polling rate

—
1,000 Hz

USB-C

No
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

ABS
ABS, Plastic

Keycaps

ABS
ABS

Weight

560 g
685 g

Dimensions

35 x 350 x 130 mm
27 x 130 x 357 mm

Backlight

RGB
RGB, north-facing

Firmware & software

QMK

Yes
No

VIA

Yes
No

Mac & Windows

No
Yes

Extras

Released

2025
2020

Where to buy

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.

Zerodate K872 stores
Keychron C13 stores

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