Keychron B6 Pro vs K17 Max
Get the B6 Pro for its full-size layout, lighter weight, and ISO-DE availability; choose the K17 Max for hot-swappable switches, QMK/VIA support, PBT keycaps, and sound-dampening foam.
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4.8 (10)4.8 · 10 reviews
from$35at MK
4.8 (4)4.8 · 4 reviews
from$94at Keychron
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron B6 Pro
Build quality in the bottom 15% of 100% boards under $100.
- Full-size layout with ISO-DE listed among its layout options.
- Listed weight of 623g and vendor-described battery life of up to 1200 hours.
- Switches are soldered. Swapping them means soldering.
- Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps will not fit.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
Get the
Keychron K17 Max
Hot-swappable
Build quality in the top 20% of 96% boards under $100.
- Hot-swappable version supports compatible low-profile Gateron and Keychron mechanical switches.
- QMK and VIA support for key customization.
- PBT keycaps and IXPE and latex foam are specified in the vendor description.
- Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps will not fit.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
- Missing ISO-DE. The other board is sold in those layouts.
- Compact full-size layout. The numpad is present, the gaps of a full-size board are not.
Choose the B6 Pro for its full-size layout, ISO-DE option, and lower listed weight. Choose the K17 Max for its hot-swappable version, QMK/VIA support, PBT keycaps, and sound-dampening foam. Both are low-profile boards, so neither is suitable if you require standard MX keycaps.
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.
Keychron B6 Pro
Keychron K17 Max
Layout size
100%
96%
Hot-swappable
No
Yes
Switch changes without soldering
Battery
1,200 mAh
2,000 mAh
A larger battery means fewer cables during the day
Case material
ABS, Plastic
ABS, Aluminum
Mount style
Plate Mount
PCB Mount
- Keychron B6 Pro
- Keychron K17 Max
- Performance
- 5383
- Build quality
- 4581
- Productivity
- 6893
- Customizability
- 5291
- Portability
- 5153
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Low profile
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
What will you mostly use it for?
The K17 Max has the edge for buyers prioritizing switch changes, programmable layouts, or the listed knob support. The B6 Pro is the more travel-oriented option based on its lower listed weight and vendor-described long battery life. Office use is a closer call: the B6 Pro offers a full-size layout, while the K17 Max combines a compact full-size layout with sound-dampening foam. Layout preference and ISO-DE availability may matter more than category labels for everyday work.
Pick the Keychron K17 Max
- The K17 Max supports hot-swappable low-profile mechanical switches in its hot-swappable version.
- It supports N-Key Rollover in wired and wireless modes.
- The K17 Max vendor description specifies a 1000 Hz polling rate in 2.4 GHz and wired modes.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron B6 Pro
10 owner reviews
“Great ultra slim keyboard. Would like to see a similar design as this with backlighting and maybe legs for adjustable height.”
Keychron K17 Max
4 owner reviews
“Wish it was metal but i do love the low profile keyboard”
Keychron B6 Pro vs K17 Max specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
16 of 27 specs differ
Keychron B6 Pro
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
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.
ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
Keychron B6 Pro
- Go to Keychron
Keychron
ISO-DE
In stockShips to you
- Go to Keychron (DE)
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE
In stockDoes not ship to you
- Go to MonacoKeys
MonacoKeys
ISO-DE
Out of stockDoes not ship to you
Keychron K17 Max
- Go to Keychron
Keychron
ISO
Out of stockShips to you
- Go to Keychron (DE)
Keychron (DE)
ISO
In stockDoes not ship to you
Keychron B6 Pro vs K17 Max: your questions
The B6 Pro has a full-size layout and lists ISO-DE among its layout options. The K17 Max uses a compact full-size 96% layout and offers a hot-swappable version, QMK/VIA support, and PBT keycaps.
A hot-swappable version of the K17 Max is available. Keychron says it supports Gateron and Keychron low-profile mechanical switches, while the B6 Pro's switches are soldered.
No, both models are limited to low-profile keycaps according to their compatibility details. Standard MX keycaps will not fit.
The B6 Pro is listed as a 100% keyboard. The K17 Max has a compact full-size 96% layout with a numpad but without the gaps of a full-size board.
Yes, ISO-DE is listed among the B6 Pro's layout options. ISO-DE is not listed for the K17 Max.
The B6 Pro is listed at 623g, while the K17 Max is listed at 750g. Keychron also describes the B6 Pro as lightweight and ultra-thin.
Both keyboards list Mac/Win support. Their product descriptions also mention a Mac layout and configuring keymaps for Mac and Windows.
The K17 Max lists QMK and VIA support. The B6 Pro vendor description instead identifies ZMK customization and Keychron Launcher.
Both models list Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and wired connectivity. The K17 Max vendor description specifies 1000 Hz polling in 2.4 GHz and wired modes.
The K17 Max vendor description names IXPE acoustic foam and latex foam. Sound-dampening foam is not listed for the B6 Pro.
The K17 Max is listed with PBT keycaps, and its vendor description specifies low-profile double-shot PBT keycaps. The B6 Pro is listed with ABS keycaps.
Both boards have north-facing LEDs, and their compatibility details warn that Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing. Low-profile keycaps are the stated fit for both models.
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