Keychron K1 Max vs K1 UltraQMK or 8K polling?
Get the K1 Max for QMK customization and ISO layout choices, or the K1 Ultra for 8000 Hz wired and 2.4 GHz polling, a wood-and-metal frame, and a rotary knob.
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4.6 (10)4.6 · 10 reviews
from$89at Keychron
90-day lowLowest price in 90 days
5.0 (1)5.0 · 1 reviews
from$109at MK
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K1 Max
Battery
Build quality in the top 10% of 80% boards under $100.
- QMK and VIA support for key and macro customization.
- Listed ISO-DE, ISO-Nordic, ISO-UK, and other ISO layout options.
- 4000mAh battery capacity and a listed weight of 608g.
- Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps will not fit.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
Get the
Keychron K1 Ultra
polling rate
Build quality in the top 25% of 80% boards under $150.
- 8000 Hz polling in wired and 2.4 GHz modes.
- Rotary knob with customizable commands, including volume, zoom, and brush size.
- Aluminum-and-wood body, anodized aluminum plate, and a listed 490-hour runtime with the backlight off.
- Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps 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.
Choose the K1 Max if QMK/VIA support or an ISO layout matters, since those are features not listed for the K1 Ultra. Choose the K1 Ultra if you want 8000 Hz polling in wired and 2.4 GHz modes, a configurable rotary knob, or its aluminum-and-wood body. Both are low-profile boards, but the Ultra is limited to ANSI.
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 K1 Max
Keychron K1 Ultra
Battery
4,000 mAh
2,600 mAh
A larger battery means fewer cables during the day
Max polling rate
1,000 Hz
8,000 Hz
Higher polling helps competitive FPS and does nothing for typing
Case material
ABS, Aluminum, Plastic
ABS, Aluminum, Metal, Wood
Mount style
PCB Mount, Plate Mount
Plate Mount
Knob
No
Yes
- Keychron K1 Max
- Keychron K1 Ultra
- Performance
- 8289
- Build quality
- 8170
- Productivity
- 9084
- Customizability
- 8975
- Portability
- 7377
- Layout size: 80%
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Low profile
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- Sound dampening
What will you mostly use it for?
The K1 Ultra takes the lead for gaming and content workflows on the strength of its higher polling rate and configurable knob. For programming and modding, the K1 Max is a better fit for buyers who specifically want QMK/VIA or an ISO layout option. Travel is a close call: the Max is lighter and has a higher stated battery capacity, while the Ultra vendor description gives a longer-use claim with the backlight off. Office choice depends on whether the Ultra’s knob or the Max’s layout and firmware flexibility matters more.
Pick the Keychron K1 Ultra
- The K1 Ultra lists 8000 Hz polling in wired and 2.4 GHz modes, compared with 1000 Hz for the K1 Max.
- Both include N-key rollover and 2.4 GHz connectivity.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron K1 Max
10 owner reviews
“My first better keyboard and I am absolutely satisfied. We'll see how it works after a longer time. I just thought of one small thing, I have nowhere to hide the receiver when I leave with just the laptop and I want to leave the keyboard at home. Like you can…”
Keychron K1 Ultra
1 owner reviews
“Feels a little bit high after the MacBook keyboard, but one will get used to it. The quality is amazing.”
Keychron K1 Max vs K1 Ultra specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
13 of 27 specs differ
Keychron K1 Max
Keychron K1 Ultra
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Low profile
Sound dampening
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
Compare prices
Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.
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Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.
ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
Keychron K1 Max
- Go to Keychron
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic
Out of stockShips to you
- Go to Keychron (DE)
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK
Out of stockDoes not ship to you
Keychron K1 Ultra
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
Keychron K1 Max vs K1 Ultra: your questions
The K1 Ultra lists 8000 Hz polling in wired and 2.4 GHz modes, while the K1 Max lists 1000 Hz. Both include N-key rollover and 2.4 GHz connectivity.
Yes, the K1 Max metadata lists both QMK and VIA support. Keychron describes its Launcher web app for customizing keys and macros.
The K1 Ultra uses ZMK firmware, according to Keychron, rather than QMK. Its product description says the Keychron Launcher web app supports key remapping and macros.
Yes, the K1 Ultra includes a multi-function knob. Keychron says volume control is its default function, and the knob can be customized for tasks such as zoom or brush size.
The K1 Ultra is listed as ANSI only. The K1 Max listing includes ISO-DE, ISO-Nordic, ISO-UK, and other ISO layout options.
No. Both compatibility listings specify low-profile switches and keycaps only, so standard MX keycaps will not fit.
Both boards have north-facing LEDs, and their compatibility notes warn that Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing. Buyers considering that profile should account for this clearance issue.
The K1 Max lists a 4000mAh battery, while the K1 Ultra lists 2600mAh. Keychron claims up to 490 hours for the K1 Ultra with the backlight off, but no corresponding runtime figure is given for the K1 Max metadata.
The K1 Max is listed at 608g, and the K1 Ultra at 628.9g. The listed difference is small, so both remain relatively close in weight.
Keychron describes the K1 Ultra body as aluminum and wood, with an ABS plastic bottom case. Its plate is anodized aluminum alloy.
The K1 Max is the choice for buyers seeking QMK and VIA support. The K1 Ultra instead uses ZMK and has a configurable rotary knob, with both models listed as hot-swappable.
Both are listed as hot-swappable. Keychron specifies that the K1 Max hot-swap version supports Gateron or Keychron low-profile mechanical switches, and the K1 Ultra description says its Keychron Milk POM switches can be swapped without soldering.
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