Keychron C3 Pro vs Lemokey X38K vs Full Size
Choose the C3 Pro for its 8000 Hz polling rate and smaller TKL footprint, or the Lemokey X3 for a full-size layout with a numpad.
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4.8 · 4 reviews
from$40at MK
3.0 · 4 reviews
from$49at Keychron
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron C3 Pro
8K
Build quality in the top 10% of 80% boards under $100.
- 8000 Hz polling rate, compared with the X3's 1000 Hz.
- 80% ANSI TKL layout in a smaller listed footprint than the full-size X3.
- Hot-swappable switches with QMK and VIA support.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
- No numpad.
Get the
Keychron Lemokey X3
Full Size
Build quality in the top 10% of 100% boards under $100.
- 100% ANSI layout includes a numpad.
- Polycarbonate plate and ABS keycaps, with shine-through double-shot keycaps described by Keychron.
- Hot-swappable switches with QMK and VIA support.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
Pick the Keychron C3 Pro if your priority is its listed 8000 Hz polling rate or a TKL board that occupies less desk space. Choose the Lemokey X3 if you need a numpad or prefer its full-size layout and screw-in stabilizers. Both are wired, hot-swappable QMK/VIA keyboards, so layout and polling rate are the clearest reasons to decide.
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 C3 Pro
Keychron Lemokey X3
Layout size
80%
100%
Max polling rate
8,000 Hz
1,000 Hz
Higher polling helps competitive FPS and does nothing for typing
Weight
912 g
807 g
Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel
Plate material
Plastic, Steel
Polycarbonate
Keycaps
ABS, PBT
ABS
- Keychron C3 Pro
- Keychron Lemokey X3
- Performance
- 9183
- Build quality
- 8185
- Productivity
- 9195
- Customizability
- 8891
- Portability
- 5947
- Connection: Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Case material: ABS, Plastic
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- Mount style: Gasket Mount
- QMK
What will you mostly use it for?
The C3 Pro is the gaming and space-saving pick, with its higher listed polling rate and smaller TKL footprint. The X3 is more suitable if your work benefits from a numpad or you want its screw-in stabilizers. Programming is a close call because both offer QMK, VIA, and hot-swap support, with layout preference deciding between them. Both remain wired keyboards, so neither is the choice for wireless use.
Pick the Keychron C3 Pro
- The C3 Pro lists an 8000 Hz polling rate, compared with 1000 Hz on the X3.
- Both support N-key rollover, wired use, gasket mounting, and hot-swappable switches.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron C3 Pro
4 owner reviews
“I was waiting a lot of time Keychron to announce a TKL, only wired and RGB North-facing RGB LED!! Especially with Hot-swappable switches and Cherry profile double-shot PBT keycaps!!”
Keychron Lemokey X3
4 owner reviews
“After a disappointing experience with a razer blackwidow keyboard I wasn't sure where to turn. I got this lemokey and love it. I am not a fan of RGB products requiring a program to constantly run in the background. I consolidated all rgb accessories into one…”
“The Numpad enter never worked. The L is really hard to get to register. The base bends like paper and overall its really cheap quality.”
Keychron C3 Pro vs Lemokey X3 specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
9 of 24 specs differ
Keychron C3 Pro
Keychron Lemokey X3
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Display
Connection
Max polling rate
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.
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Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.
Keychron C3 Pro vs Lemokey X3: your questions
The C3 Pro lists an 8000 Hz polling rate, while the Lemokey X3 lists 1000 Hz. Both are wired, gasket-mounted keyboards with N-key rollover and hot-swappable switches.
No. The C3 Pro has an 80% TKL ANSI layout, and its compatibility rules specify that it has no numpad. The Lemokey X3 has a 100% full-size layout.
Yes. The Lemokey X3 is a 100% ANSI keyboard, while the C3 Pro's 80% TKL layout does not include a numpad.
No. Both keyboards are listed as wired-only, with USB-C connectivity in their feature lists. Neither is a wireless option.
Both models list hot-swappable switches. Keychron describes the C3 Pro as compatible with almost all 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style mechanical switches, while the X3's listing confirms hot-swap support.
Both list QMK and VIA support. Keychron's X3 product page notes that VIA setup may require loading a keymap JSON file because its VIA code is awaiting approval.
Both keyboards have north-facing LEDs, and their compatibility rules warn that Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing. Consider that clearance issue before choosing Cherry-profile replacement keycaps.
The C3 Pro metadata lists PBT or ABS keycaps, and Keychron describes its RGB version with shine-through double-shot PBT keycaps. The X3 lists ABS keycaps, with Keychron specifying OEM-profile shine-through double-shot ABS keycaps.
The C3 Pro is the smaller layout, at 80% TKL, compared with the X3's 100% full-size layout. Their listed dimensions are 21 x 365 x 138 mm for the C3 Pro and 42 x 446 x 138 mm for the X3.
The Lemokey X3 lists a polycarbonate plate. The C3 Pro's product metadata lists steel or plastic plate material.
The Lemokey X3 lists screw-in stabilizers as an extra feature. The C3 Pro's vendor specifications describe plate-mounted stabilizers.
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