Not sure which keyboard to choose? Try the Keyboard Finder now!

Head to head · Prices checked Nov 8, 2026

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.

KeebFinder may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.

Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Keychron C1 Pro

Wireless

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

If you want

  • 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.

Rules this board out

  • 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.

If you want

  • 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.

Rules this board out

  • 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.

Bottom line

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.

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 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

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Keychron C1 Pro
  • Keychron V1 Ultra
Performance
91
91
Build quality
82
84
Productivity
98
98
Customizability
91
94
Portability
57
79

What they share

  • Hot-swappable
  • Max polling rate: 8,000 Hz
  • Case material: ABS, Plastic
  • Knob
  • QMK
  • VIA
See every spec side by side

Best for

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.

For gaming

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.

From real owners

What owners say

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

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

Keychron V1 Ultra

5.0

1 owner reviews

Praise
“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.”
CamilleVerified buyer· via Keychron

Full specs

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

Typing & switches

Switch options

Clicky, Linear, Tactile
Linear, Tactile

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Tray Mount
Gasket Mount

Sound dampening

Yes
Yes

Screw-in stabilizers

Yes
Yes

Layout

Layout size

80%
75%

Layout standard

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

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Knob

Yes
Yes

Display

None
None

Media keys

No
Yes

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired

Max polling rate

8,000 Hz
8,000 Hz

Battery

Wired only
4,000 mAh

USB-C

Yes
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

ABS, Plastic
ABS, Plastic

Plate material

Plastic
Polycarbonate

Keycaps

PBT
PBT

Weight

830 g
770 g

Dimensions

20 x 357 x 131 mm
29 x 329 x 149 mm

Typing angle

11°
4°

Backlight

RGB, south-facing
RGB, south-facing

Firmware & software

QMK

Yes
Yes

VIA

Yes
Yes

N-key rollover

Yes
Yes

Mac & Windows

Yes
Yes

Extras

Released

2023
2026

For EU buyers

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

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 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.

Still torn?

Answer a few quick questions and the keyboard finder ranks 2,000+ boards by how you will actually use yours.