Keychron K1 Max vs K13 MaxTKL vs Numpad Layout
Choose the K1 Max if you want a compact TKL layout with double the battery capacity, or the K13 Max if you need a built-in numpad in an 80% form factor.
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4.6 (10)4.6 · 10 reviews
from$89at Keychron
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4.5 (4)4.5 · 4 reviews
from$109at Keychron
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K1 Max
TKL
Build quality in the top 10% of 80% boards under $100.
- Larger 4000mAh battery capacity compared to the K13 Max's 2000mAh battery.
- Compact TKL layout saves more desk space than the K13 Max.
- Comes with a polycarbonate plate option which may offer a different typing feel compared to the K13 Max.
- Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps will not fit.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
- Missing ISO-SW. The other board is sold in those layouts.
Get the
Keychron K13 Max
Numpad Layout
Build quality in the top 15% of 80% boards under $150.
- Integrated numpad in an 80% layout, ideal for spreadsheet work and numeric input without needing a separate numpad.
- Offers JIS layout support, providing a wider range of regional options than the K1 Max.
- Based on one customer review, users report the keyboard works well with Mac systems and allows for key remapping.
- Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps will not fit.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
Your choice between the Keychron K1 Max and K13 Max hinges on layout preference and battery needs. Pick the K1 Max if you want a traditional TKL with double the battery life for longer wireless use and a compact footprint. Choose the K13 Max if you need a built-in numpad for data entry but want to keep a smaller overall size compared to a full-size keyboard.
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 K13 Max
Battery
4,000 mAh
2,000 mAh
A larger battery means fewer cables during the day
Case material
ABS, Aluminum, Plastic
ABS, Aluminum
Mount style
PCB Mount, Plate Mount
PCB Mount
Weight
608 g
600 g
Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel
Layout standard
ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-Nordic, ISO-UK
ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, ISO-UK, JIS
ISO and JIS exist so regional layouts fit
- Keychron K1 Max
- Keychron K13 Max
- Performance
- 8280
- Build quality
- 8179
- Productivity
- 9088
- Customizability
- 8989
- Portability
- 7376
- Layout size: 80%
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Low profile
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
What will you mostly use it for?
For gaming and programming, the two keyboards are essentially tied, sharing the same core gaming specs and QMK/VIA customization capabilities. The K13 Max wins in office and content creation use cases thanks to its integrated numpad, which is a practical advantage for data entry tasks. The K1 Max edges ahead for travel due to its larger 4000mAh battery, offering longer intervals between charges. For modding, both are equally capable with the same hot-swap sockets, acoustic foams, and QMK support.
It's a tie
- Both feature 1000 Hz polling rate on 2.4 GHz and wired modes for low latency gaming.
- Both support N-Key Rollover over wireless and wired connections.
- Both use the same low-profile Gateron switches for fast actuation.
- Both have an aluminum frame for stability during intense gaming sessions.
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 K13 Max
4 owner reviews
“Bought the K13 max to substitute my K1SE. The K1 worked flawlessly, but i needed a number pad for workflow. The build quality with the metal body is great, wifi connectivity is a nice addition, keycaps are larger and have less empty space between each other…”
Keychron K1 Max vs K13 Max specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
7 of 26 specs differ
Keychron K1 Max
Keychron K13 Max
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Low profile
Sound dampening
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
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 K1 Max
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic
Out of stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK
Out of stockDoes not ship to you
Keychron K13 Max
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW
In stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-SW
Out of stockDoes not ship to you
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 K1 Max vs K13 Max: your questions
No, the K1 Max and K13 Max are different models. The K1 Max is a TKL layout without a numpad, while the K13 Max is an 80% layout that includes a numpad column. Both share the same low-profile design, wireless connectivity, and QMK support.
The Keychron K1 Max has a 4000mAh battery, which is double the 2000mAh battery found in the K13 Max. This gives the K1 Max a significant advantage for users who want longer periods between charges, especially when traveling.
Yes, both keyboards use the same Gateron low-profile MX 2.0 mechanical switches available in Red (linear) and Brown (tactile) options. Both are hot-swappable, allowing you to change switches without soldering, but only with Gateron or Keychron low-profile mechanical switches.
Yes, the K13 Max is suitable for gaming. It offers a 1000 Hz polling rate on 2.4 GHz and wired modes, N-Key Rollover support, and low-profile switches for fast actuation. Performance scores between the K1 Max and K13 Max are nearly identical for gaming.
Yes, the K13 Max comes with LSA keycaps and supports both Mac and Windows layouts out of the box. According to customer reviews and the product description, it includes keycaps for macOS function keys and allows easy switching between operating systems.
Both the Keychron K1 Max and K13 Max have a 1000 Hz polling rate on 2.4 GHz wireless and wired modes. On Bluetooth mode, the polling rate drops to 90 Hz, which is typical for wireless connections.
Yes, both the K1 Max and K13 Max feature advanced IXPE acoustic foam for silent keystrokes and latex foam for key switch support. This sound dampening helps reduce echo and hollowness in the low-profile chassis.
Yes, the K13 Max supports over 22 types of RGB backlight settings, including a static white option. You can adjust hue, saturation, brightness, and effect speed using the Keychron Launcher web app, the same app used for key remapping and macros.
The K1 Max is a standard TKL layout with 88 keys, omitting the numpad. The K13 Max features a unique 80% layout that includes a numpad column, totaling 90 keys. Both support ISO layouts including UK, German, Swiss, and Nordic, but only the K13 Max also offers JIS.
Both keyboards have QMK and VIA support, allowing full key remapping, macro creation, and customization. The customization is done through the Keychron Launcher web app, which is compatible with macOS, Windows, and Linux. There is no difference in functionality between the two models.
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