Keychron B33 vs K9 Max: 80% TKL vs 60% Low-Profile Keyboard

Compare Keychron B33 vs K9 Max Differences Side by Side

This comparison is for buyers deciding between two distinct low-profile wireless keyboards from Keychron. The choice is difficult because both offer tri-mode connectivity and quiet operation but target different user priorities. The B33 provides a more traditional 80% TKL layout with a unique scissor switch mechanism, while the K9 Max focuses on a minimal 60% footprint with advanced QMK firmware and hot-swappable switch support. Your decision hinges on whether you value a larger, ready-to-use layout or a smaller, highly customizable platform.

Model
Rating	4.7 stars (3 reviews)	0.0 stars (0 reviews)
Purchase Options
Main differences	Available in a 80% layout Uses a Gasket Mount mounting style Equipped with a 4000 mAh battery Weighs about 1977 g Sized at 33 x 370 x 146 mm Made with a Metal, ABS case Features PBT, ABS keycaps Offers No RGB lighting	Supports hot-swappable switches Available in a 60% layout Supports QMK firmware Supports VIA configuration Equipped with a 1550 mAh battery Weighs about 426 g Sized at 25 x 287 x 98 mm Made with a ABS case Features PBT keycaps Offers Yes, Rgb, White, North-face, Rgb North-face, White North-face RGB lighting
Score	Scores Performance: 56.4 Build Quality: 65.7 Productivity: 85.3 Customizability: 52.2 Portability: 73.6	Scores Performance: 75.2 Build Quality: 75.6 Productivity: 91 Customizability: 92.6 Portability: 87.4
Name	Name Keychron B33	Name Keychron K9 Max
Release year	Release year 2025	Release year 2025
Switch Options	Switch Options Linear, Tactile, Clicky	Switch Options Linear, Tactile, Clicky
Profile	Profile Low Profile	Profile Low Profile
Hot Swappable	Hot Swappable	Hot Swappable
Layout Size	Layout Size 80%	Layout Size 60%
Layout Standard	Layout Standard ANSI	Layout Standard ANSI
Layout Ergonomics	Layout Ergonomics Normal	Layout Ergonomics Normal
Knob Support	Knob Support	Knob Support
Display Support	Display Support	Display Support
Mac/Win Support	Mac/Win Support	Mac/Win Support
Multi-Media Keys	Multi-Media Keys	Multi-Media Keys
USB-C	USB-C	USB-C
USB passthrough	USB passthrough	USB passthrough
Connection	Connection Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless	Connection Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless
Polling Rate	Polling Rate 1000 Hz	Polling Rate 1000 Hz
Battery capacity	Battery capacity 4000 mAh	Battery capacity 1550 mAh
Hall Effect Support	Hall Effect Support	Hall Effect Support
QMK Support	QMK Support	QMK Support
VIA Support	VIA Support	VIA Support
VIAL Support	VIAL Support	VIAL Support
N-Key Rollover	N-Key Rollover	N-Key Rollover
Rapid Trigger	Rapid Trigger	Rapid Trigger
Mount Style	Mount Style Gasket Mount	Mount Style -
Screw in Stabilizers	Screw in Stabilizers	Screw in Stabilizers
Sound Dampening	Sound Dampening	Sound Dampening
Backlight	Backlight	Backlight Rgb, White, North-face
Case Colors	Case Colors	Case Colors
Case Material	Case Material Metal, ABS	Case Material ABS
Keycaps Material	Keycaps Material PBT, ABS	Keycaps Material PBT
Dimensions	Dimensions 33 x 370 x 146 mm	Dimensions 25 x 287 x 98 mm
Weight	Weight 1977g	Weight 426g

Keychron K9 Max QMK Wireless Custom Mechanical Keyboard

Select a keyboard to compare

4.7 stars (3 reviews)

0.0 stars (0 reviews)

Available in a 80% layout
Uses a Gasket Mount mounting style
Equipped with a 4000 mAh battery
Weighs about 1977 g
Sized at 33 x 370 x 146 mm
Made with a Metal, ABS case
Features PBT, ABS keycaps
Offers No RGB lighting

Supports hot-swappable switches
Available in a 60% layout
Supports QMK firmware
Supports VIA configuration
Equipped with a 1550 mAh battery
Weighs about 426 g
Sized at 25 x 287 x 98 mm
Made with a ABS case
Features PBT keycaps
Offers Yes, Rgb, White, North-face, Rgb North-face, White North-face RGB lighting

Scores

Performance: 56.4
Build Quality: 65.7
Productivity: 85.3
Customizability: 52.2
Portability: 73.6

Scores

Performance: 75.2
Build Quality: 75.6
Productivity: 91
Customizability: 92.6
Portability: 87.4

Name

Keychron B33

Name

Keychron K9 Max

Release year

2025

Release year

2025

Switch Options

Linear, Tactile, Clicky

Switch Options

Linear, Tactile, Clicky

Profile

Low Profile

Profile

Low Profile

Hot Swappable

Layout Size

80%

Layout Size

60%

Layout Standard

ANSI

Layout Standard

ANSI

Layout Ergonomics

Normal

Layout Ergonomics

Normal

Knob Support

Display Support

Mac/Win Support

Multi-Media Keys

USB-C

USB passthrough

Connection

Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless

Connection

Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless

Polling Rate

1000 Hz

Polling Rate

1000 Hz

Battery capacity

4000 mAh

Battery capacity

1550 mAh

Hall Effect Support

QMK Support

VIA Support

VIAL Support

N-Key Rollover

Rapid Trigger

Mount Style

Gasket Mount

Mount Style

Screw in Stabilizers

Sound Dampening

Backlight

Rgb, White, North-face

Case Colors

Case Material

Metal, ABS

Case Material

ABS

Keycaps Material

PBT, ABS

Keycaps Material

PBT

Dimensions

33 x 370 x 146 mm

Dimensions

25 x 287 x 98 mm

Weight

1977g

Weight

426g

Pros and Trade-offs

Your primary need dictates the choice. If you want a ready-to-use, quiet keyboard with a familiar TKL layout for office tasks or programming, the Keychron B33 is the straightforward option. If you prioritize portability, desire deep customization through QMK and hot-swappable switches, and are comfortable with a 60% layout, the Keychron K9 Max offers a more advanced and compact platform. Consider the B33 for its larger form and silent scissor switches, and the K9 Max for its slim profile and modding potential.

Keychron B33

+80% TKL layout retains arrow keys, function row, and navigation cluster.
+Features a unique scissor switch mechanism designed for silent, stable typing.
+Larger 4000mAh battery capacity for extended wireless use.
+Includes adjustable typing angles (5° and 7° per metadata) for ergonomics.
+Vendor description highlights plug-and-play 2.4 GHz receiver with magnetic storage.

−Much heavier at 1977g, making it less portable.
−Lacks RGB backlighting and hot-swappable switch support.
−Does not support open-source QMK or VIA firmware for advanced customization.

Keychron K9 Max

+Extremely compact and light 60% layout, weighing only 426g.
+Supports QMK and VIA firmware for deep, open-source customization.
+Hot-swappable switch sockets (on RGB version) allow easy switch changes.
+Includes north-facing RGB backlighting with multiple effect options.
+Features interior IXPE and latex acoustic foam for sound dampening.

−60% layout lacks dedicated arrow keys, function row, and navigation cluster, requiring use of layers.
−Smaller 1550mAh battery may require more frequent charging.
−Currently more expensive than the B33, based on listed price ranges.

Which Keyboard Is Better for Your Needs?

The B33 wins for office work, programming, and content creation, largely due to its more expansive 80% TKL layout that provides dedicated arrow, function, and media keys. The K9 Max is the superior choice for travel and modding, thanks to its ultra-compact 60% size, lighter weight, and support for hot-swapping and QMK firmware. For gaming, the K9 Max has a slight edge with its detailed low-latency components and internal foam, though both share a high polling rate.

GamingKeychron K9 Max

•The K9 Max lists a 1000 Hz polling rate for its 2.4 GHz and wired modes, matching the B33.
•Its listing mentions an ARM MCU with 256KB Flash for low latency, a detail not specified for the B33.
•The K9 Max includes interior IXPE and latex acoustic foam, which may provide a more consistent sound profile.

OfficeKeychron B33

•The B33's 80% TKL layout retains arrow keys and function row, which are often used in office applications.
•Its vendor description emphasizes silent typing with a scissor mechanism, ideal for shared workspaces.
•The B33 has a larger 4000mAh battery (per metadata) compared to the K9 Max's 1550mAh, suggesting longer wireless runtime.

ProgrammingKeychron B33

•The B33's 80% layout includes dedicated arrow keys and a navigation cluster, which are frequently used in coding.
•Its TKL form factor provides more immediate key access than a 60% layout that requires layers for basic functions.
•Both support key remapping via Keychron Launcher, but the B33's larger layout reduces the need for extensive layer programming.

TravelKeychron K9 Max

•The K9 Max is significantly lighter at 426g versus the B33's 1977g.
•Its dimensions (287 x 98 mm) are much smaller than the B33's (370 x 146 mm), taking up less bag space.
•The K9 Max is described as 'ultra-slim' with switches 33% slimmer than conventional ones, contributing to a thinner profile.

ModdingKeychron K9 Max

•The K9 Max explicitly lists hot-swappable switch support (for the RGB version) and QMK/VIA firmware support.
•Its vendor description details interior IXPE and latex foam, and redesigned stabilizers, indicating a mod-friendly design.
•The B33's metadata does not list hot-swappable switches or open-source firmware like QMK.

Content CreationKeychron B33

•The B33's layout includes dedicated multimedia keys for controlling volume, play/pause, and brightness, as per its vendor description.
•Its TKL layout offers more direct access to F-keys for software shortcuts without relying on function layers.
•The silent scissor switch mechanism is suited for environments where microphone pick-up of keyboard noise is a concern.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)