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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 10, 2026

Keychron C0 HE vs C1 ProMagnetic vs TKL

Choose the C0 HE for a compact magnetic gaming keypad, or the C1 Pro for a full TKL layout and broader mechanical-switch customization.

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Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Keychron C0 HE

Magnetic

Build quality in the bottom 40% of 40% boards under $150.

If you want

  • One-handed 40% format with Hall Effect magnetic switches.
  • 8000 Hz polling rate and vendor-described adjustable actuation points through Keychron Launcher.
  • Integrated silicone palm rest.

Rules this board out

  • Magnetic switches only. Standard MX switches will not fit.
  • North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
  • No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
  • Compact layout only. No function row, dedicated arrow keys, or numpad.

Get the

Keychron C1 Pro

TKL

Build quality in the top 10% of 80% boards under $100.

If you want

  • 80% TKL layout with ANSI and several ISO layout variants listed.
  • QMK support and Keychron Launcher for key remapping and macros.
  • Hot-swappable support for 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style mechanical switches.

Rules this board out

  • South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
  • No numpad.

Bottom line

Choose the C0 HE if you specifically want a compact gaming keypad with Hall Effect switches, adjustable actuation, and an integrated palm rest. Pick the C1 Pro if you need a conventional TKL layout, PBT keycaps, QMK customization, or broad MX-style switch compatibility. Both are wired and offer an 8000 Hz polling option, so those features do not settle the choice.

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.

Keychron C0 HE

Keychron C1 Pro

  • Layout size

    40%

    80%

  • Hall effect (magnetic)

    Yes

    No

    Adjustable actuation helps in games and not in normal typing

  • Case material

    Plastic

    ABS, Plastic

  • Switch options

    Clicky, Linear, Magnetic, Tactile

    Clicky, Linear, Tactile

  • Knob

    No

    Yes

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Keychron C0 HE
  • Keychron C1 Pro
Performance
85
91
Build quality
56
82
Productivity
58
98
Customizability
59
91
Portability
67
57

What they share

  • Connection: Wired
  • Hot-swappable
  • Max polling rate: 8,000 Hz
  • Mount style: Tray Mount
  • Sound dampening
See every spec side by side

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

The C0 HE is the more focused pick for gaming with a compact one-handed format and magnetic actuation adjustment. The C1 Pro takes the broader office, programming, modding, and content-creation roles because it combines a TKL layout with QMK and wider mechanical-switch compatibility. The C0 HE is lighter and smaller, which favors carrying it, although both models require a wired connection. Both have an 8000 Hz polling option, so layout and switch type are more decisive than that shared headline spec.

For gaming

Pick the Keychron C0 HE

  • The C0 HE is a one-handed magnetic gaming keypad, a form factor intended to leave more desk space for mouse movement.
  • Its Hall Effect switches measure actuation depth, and the vendor lists adjustable actuation points through Keychron Launcher.
  • Both keyboards are wired and listed with an 8000 Hz polling rate.

From real owners

What owners say

Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.

Keychron C0 HE

4.7

6 owner reviews

Praise
“The layout is more comfortable than the razor. The pad isn't very soft and it would be nice if it had a tilt adjustment. I like that it includes shine through keycaps unlike their backlit keyboards. I'm happy I bought it.”
DarryllVerified buyer· via Keychron

Keychron C1 Pro

4.8

10 owner reviews

Praise
“My son loves it. Upgrade from an implosion cap version. Not used to the US layout but he it learning some python. Might as well use a US Keyboard”
TheodorVerified buyer· via Keychron
Critique
“Looks great and sounds amazing but keys gets stuck/don’t work or double press too often. When I remove the key caps to clean, it still doesn’t fix the problem. Example, my 7 key doesn’t work when pressed and my G key when pressed wrotes two g’s instead of one.”
Z.D.Verified buyer· via Keychron

Full specs

Keychron C0 HE vs C1 Pro specs

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

17 of 26 specs differ

Keychron C0 HE

Keychron C1 Pro

Typing & switches

Switch options

Clicky, Linear, Magnetic, Tactile
Clicky, Linear, Tactile

Hall effect (magnetic)

Yes
No

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Tray Mount
Tray Mount

Sound dampening

Yes
Yes

Screw-in stabilizers

No
Yes

Layout

Layout size

40%
80%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-IT

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Knob

No
Yes

Display

None
None

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Wired
Wired

Max polling rate

8,000 Hz
8,000 Hz

USB-C

No
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

Plastic
ABS, Plastic

Plate material

Aluminum
Plastic

Keycaps

ABS
PBT

Weight

450 g
830 g

Dimensions

39 x 149 x 245 mm
20 x 357 x 131 mm

Typing angle

—
11°

Backlight

RGB, north-facing
RGB, south-facing

Firmware & software

QMK

No
Yes

VIA

No
Yes

N-key rollover

No
Yes

Mac & Windows

Yes
Yes

Extras

Released

2026
2023

For EU buyers

ISO layouts by store

Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.

Keychron C0 HE

No ISO layout at the stores we track.

Keychron C1 Pro

  • Keychron (DE)

    ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-IT

    In stockDoes not ship to you

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.

FAQ

Keychron C0 HE vs C1 Pro: your questions

The C0 HE is the more specialized gaming choice, with a one-handed layout and Hall Effect magnetic switches that measure actuation depth. The C1 Pro is a conventional TKL keyboard and also lists an 8000 Hz polling rate.

The C0 HE is a compact one-handed magnetic gaming keypad, while the C1 Pro is an 80% TKL mechanical keyboard. The C0 HE uses magnetic switches, whereas the C1 Pro supports hot-swappable 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style mechanical switches.

Yes. The C0 HE is listed with Hall Effect magnetic switches, and Keychron describes its switches as sensing keypress depth with magnetic sensors. Keychron Launcher is described as supporting actuation-point adjustments.

Keychron says the C0 HE is compatible with its Ultra-fast Lime Magnetic Switches only. Its product description specifically excludes Gateron Magnetic Jade and KS-20 switches.

Keychron says the C1 Pro supports hot-swapping 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style mechanical switches, naming Cherry, Gateron, Kailh, and Panda as examples. The C0 HE uses a different magnetic switch system with more limited compatibility.

The C1 Pro metadata lists QMK and VIA support, and Keychron describes QMK firmware and Launcher-based key remapping and macro configuration. The C0 HE vendor description instead identifies Keychron Launcher for its customization.

The C0 HE is listed at 450 g, while the C1 Pro is listed at 830 g. Both are wired keyboards, so the C0 HE's lower weight is the clearest portability distinction between them.

Both are listed with an 8000 Hz polling option. The C1 Pro vendor description says its polling rate is adjustable, while Keychron describes the C0 HE Launcher as offering 1000 Hz, 4000 Hz, and 8000 Hz selections.

No, both are listed as wired-only keyboards. The C0 HE vendor specifications describe a non-detachable USB-A cable, while the C1 Pro listing identifies USB-C connectivity.

The C0 HE has OEM-profile shine-through double-shot ABS keycaps. Keychron specifies that the C1 Pro's OSA-profile double-shot PBT keycaps are not shine-through.

Yes, the C0 HE has an integrated silicone palm rest. The C1 Pro does not list an integrated wrist rest, and Keychron presents palm rests for it as separate add-ons.

The C1 Pro is the more suitable option for general programming because it has an 80% TKL layout and supports QMK and Keychron Launcher remapping and macros. The C0 HE is a one-handed 40% keypad, a more specialized format.

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