Keychron C1 vs V1TKL Wired vs 75% Custom
Choose the Keychron V1 for its QMK/VIA programmability and gasket mount design, choose the C1 for a lower price and traditional TKL layout.
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4.8 (180)4.8 · 180 reviews
from$39at Keychron
4.9 (64)4.9 · 64 reviews
from$44at Keychron
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron C1
TKL Wired
Build quality in the top 50% of 80% boards under $100.
- Lighter weight at 685g makes it more portable than the V1.
- Lower price entry point for a basic wired mechanical keyboard.
- Available with white and RGB backlight options including non-backlight version.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
- No numpad.
Get the
Keychron V1
75% Custom
Build quality in the top 5% of 75% boards under $50.
- Full QMK and VIA support for customizable keymaps and macros.
- Features a gasket mount design for improved typing feel and sound.
- Higher polling rate capability up to 8000 Hz for reduced latency.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- No numpad.
If you prioritize programmability, build quality, and a modern 75% layout, the Keychron V1 is the clear winner with QMK/VIA support and gasket mount design. If you need a lighter, more affordable TKL keyboard and don't require extensive customization, the C1 serves well as a basic daily driver. The choice ultimately hinges on how much you value open-source firmware and mod potential over upfront savings.
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
Keychron V1
Layout size
80%
75%
Max polling rate
1,000 Hz
8,000 Hz
Higher polling helps competitive FPS and does nothing for typing
Mount style
Tray Mount
Gasket Mount, Plate Mount, Tray Mount
Knob
No
Yes
Weight
685 g
995 g
Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel
- Keychron C1
- Keychron V1
- Performance
- 6691
- Build quality
- 6289
- Productivity
- 7798
- Customizability
- 7598
- Portability
- 5864
- Connection: Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Case material: ABS, Plastic
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
What will you mostly use it for?
Across most use cases, the Keychron V1 emerges as the stronger choice thanks to its QMK/VIA support, gasket mount, and higher polling rate option. The C1 wins only in portability due to its lighter weight. For gaming, office, programming, modding, and content creation, the V1's customizability and typing experience offer clear advantages. The C1 is a solid pick for a budget TKL or a lighter travel companion when programmability is not a priority.
Pick the Keychron V1
- Supports up to 8000 Hz polling rate for lower latency as per specifications.
- South-facing RGB LEDs reduce interference with thicker keycaps used in gaming.
- Gasket mount design can provide a more consistent typing feel during fast inputs.
- Pre-lubed K Pro switches offer smoother operation out of the box.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron C1
180 owner reviews
“This is my first mechanical keyboard. It is a fantastic keyboard and a fantastic typing experience. It seems extremely well built as well. Highly recommended.”
Keychron V1
64 owner reviews
“Even tho I live in the middle of Europe the shipping only took 11 working days. It feels and sounds great to type on. And the opening experience was also great.”
Keychron C1 vs V1 specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
15 of 26 specs differ
Keychron C1
Keychron V1
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
Display
Media keys
Connection
Max polling rate
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
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
Keychron V1
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW
In stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-FR, ISO-ES
In stockDoes not ship to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW
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 vs V1: your questions
No, the Keychron C1 does not support QMK or VIA firmware. Customer reviews confirm the lack of VIA support, requiring third-party software like Karabiner Elements on Mac or Windows settings for remapping.
The Keychron C1 uses an 80% tenkeyless (TKL) layout with 87 keys and no numpad, while the V1 uses a 75% layout which is more compact but retains a function row. The V1 is shorter in length (329 mm vs 357 mm) but wider in depth.
Yes, both keyboards support hot-swappable switches. The C1 offers hot-swappable versions of Gateron and Keychron mechanical switches, compatible with most MX-style 3-pin and 5-pin switches. The V1 also has hot-swappable sockets supporting 3-pin and 5-pin switches.
The Keychron V1 supports a polling rate up to 8000 Hz as per specification, compared to the C1's standard 1000 Hz. This higher rate can reduce input latency in competitive gaming scenarios.
The Keychron C1 comes with double-shot ABS keycaps (OEM profile) on backlit versions, while the V1 comes with double-shot PBT keycaps in an OSA profile (OEM height, SA shape). PBT is generally more resistant to wear and oil than ABS.
Yes, both keyboards include keycaps for macOS and Windows and feature a system toggle switch on the side. The vendor descriptions state they are built with Mac users in mind while retaining Windows compatibility.
The Keychron V1 is better for modding due to its gasket mount design, screw-in PCB stabilizers, and QMK/VIA firmware support. It is also available as a barebones kit without switches or keycaps, ideal for building a custom setup.
The Keychron C1 weighs approximately 685g, making it lighter and more portable. The Keychron V1 (fully assembled version) weighs about 995g, which is over 300g heavier.
The Keychron C1 is priced between approximately $39 and $117 from one vendor. The Keychron V1 is priced between $44 and $114 from multiple vendors. The V1 typically starts higher due to its features.
Yes, the Keychron V1 is available in versions with an aluminum programmable rotary knob. The knob can be customized via the Keychron Launcher web app for tasks like volume control or zooming.
Yes, both the Keychron C1 and V1 are wired-only keyboards. Their metadata confirms they support wired connectivity only, with no Bluetooth or wireless options.
The Keychron V1 uses screw-in PCB stabilizers, which are easier to customize and provide more stability. The C1 uses plate-mounted or integrated stabilizers typical of its tray mount design, but the specific type is not detailed in provided descriptions.
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