Keychron C1 Pro vs V1 UltraWireless vs Wired TKL
Choose the Keychron C1 Pro for a budget-friendly wired TKL, or the V1 Ultra if you need wireless freedom and a gasket mount feel.
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4.8 (10)4.8 · 10 reviews
from$50at MK
5.0 (1)5.0 · 1 reviews
from$97at MK
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron C1 Pro
Wireless
Build quality in the top 10% of 80% boards under $100.
- Wired-only design with 8000 Hz polling rate ensures consistent low latency without battery concerns.
- Classic 80% TKL layout provides a separate arrow key cluster and function row.
- Three adjustable typing angles (4.8°, 8.5°, 10.7°) for ergonomic customization.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- Missing ISO-FR. The other board is sold in those layouts.
- No numpad.
Get the
Keychron V1 Ultra
Wired TKL
Build quality in the top 10% of 75% boards under $100.
- Triple connectivity (Bluetooth 5.3, 2.4 GHz, wired) with a 4000mAh battery lasting up to 660 hours.
- Gasket mount design with PC plate and multiple foam layers for a softer, quieter typing feel.
- 75% layout includes a knob and per-key RGB backlighting for enhanced functionality and aesthetics.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- Missing ISO-IT. The other board is sold in those layouts.
- No numpad.
If you primarily work at a single desk and want a reliable, wired keyboard without paying extra for wireless, the Keychron C1 Pro delivers everything you need in a classic TKL form. Choose the Keychron V1 Ultra if you value wireless freedom, a quieter gasket mount feel, and the convenience of a knob, even if it costs more. Your final pick should come down to whether portability and connectivity matter more than saving money.
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 C1 Pro
Keychron V1 Ultra
Layout size
80%
75%
Connection
Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Switch options
Clicky, Linear, Tactile
Linear, Tactile
Mount style
Tray Mount
Gasket Mount
Weight
830 g
770 g
Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel
- Keychron C1 Pro
- Keychron V1 Ultra
- Performance
- 9191
- Build quality
- 8284
- Productivity
- 9898
- Customizability
- 9194
- Portability
- 5779
- Hot-swappable
- Max polling rate: 8,000 Hz
- Case material: ABS, Plastic
- Knob
- QMK
- VIA
What will you mostly use it for?
For gaming, both keyboards match up well with identical 8000 Hz polling rates and N-Key Rollover, making either a solid choice. The V1 Ultra wins in office, travel, modding, and content creation thanks to its wireless options, gasket mount, and knob. Programming is a tie because both offer deep firmware customization and a function row. The C1 Pro's strength is its lower cost and straightforward wired TKL layout.
It's a tie
- Both support an 8000 Hz polling rate for low latency.
- Both offer hot-swappable switches and N-Key Rollover.
- The V1 Ultra adds wireless 2.4 GHz for a cable-free setup.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron C1 Pro
10 owner reviews
“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”
“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.”
Keychron V1 Ultra
1 owner reviews
“Keychron has the best keyboard for keyboard enthusiasts. This is my 3rd and I have no notes. Exactly what I wanted, versatility, thockiness, and portability.”
Keychron C1 Pro vs V1 Ultra specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
11 of 27 specs differ
Keychron C1 Pro
Keychron V1 Ultra
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.
Keychron C1 Pro
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-IT
In stockDoes not ship to you
Keychron V1 Ultra
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-FR, ISO-ES
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.
Keychron C1 Pro vs V1 Ultra: your questions
The V1 Ultra generally offers a softer and quieter typing experience thanks to its gasket mount design and PC plate, which reduce resonance. The C1 Pro uses a tray mount that gives a firmer, more traditional feel. Your preference depends on whether you like a cushioned or rigid typing response.
Yes, the V1 Ultra supports 2.4 GHz wireless with an 8000 Hz polling rate, which provides low latency suitable for competitive gaming. It also includes N-Key Rollover in wireless mode. The wired C1 Pro offers the same polling rate if you prefer a direct connection.
Yes, both keyboards are programmable via the Keychron Launcher web app. The C1 Pro uses QMK firmware, while the V1 Ultra uses ZMK firmware. Both allow key remapping, macro creation, and backlight customization without downloading software.
Both keyboards include a system toggle and additional keycaps for macOS and Windows. You can save separate layouts for each operating system using the Keychron Launcher. The C1 Pro comes with keycaps for both, and the V1 Ultra includes extra Mac and Windows keycaps in the box.
The C1 Pro uses plate-mounted stabilizers, while the V1 Ultra has screw-in PCB stabilizers. Screw-in stabilizers are generally more stable and less prone to wobble, and they are easier to replace or upgrade for modding enthusiasts.
The V1 Ultra has a 4000mAh battery that provides up to 660 hours of use with the backlight turned off, or up to 200 hours with RGB at the lowest brightness. It can be used while charging, so downtime is minimal.
The V1 Ultra is better for travel due to its lighter weight (770g), smaller 75% layout, and wireless connectivity (Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz) that eliminates cables. The C1 Pro is larger (80%) and wired only, making it less portable.
Yes, both keyboards feature south-facing RGB LEDs. This design helps illuminate the backlight from the typist's angle and is compatible with Cherry-profile keycaps without interference. The V1 Ultra also supports per-key RGB and Mix RGB effects via the Launcher.
Both keyboards are hot-swappable and accept 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style mechanical switches from brands like Cherry, Gateron, and Kailh. This allows you to swap switches without soldering to customize the typing feel.
The Keychron V1 Ultra comes with a knob that can be used for volume or other functions, while the C1 Pro does not have a knob. The V1 Ultra also includes additional multimedia keys for convenience.
Both keyboards use OSA profile double-shot PBT keycaps, which are resistant to oil and fading compared to ABS keycaps. The V1 Ultra also offers shine-through keycap sets as optional accessories for RGB visibility.
The C1 Pro weighs 830g, while the V1 Ultra is lighter at 770g. The V1 Ultra is also slightly smaller in dimensions, making it a better option for those who need a more portable keyboard.
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