Keychron K1 Max vs K13 Pro
Choose the K1 Max for its 2.4 GHz gaming performance, or the K13 Pro if a dedicated numpad is essential for your workflow.
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3.3 (16)3.3 · 16 reviews
from$89at Keychron
Down 42% this monthDown 42% this month
3.8 (10)3.8 · 10 reviews
from$83at Keychron
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K1 Max
Battery
Build quality in the top 10% of 80% boards under $100.
- Has a 2.4 GHz wireless connection with a 1000 Hz polling rate for gaming.
- Includes advanced acoustic foam (IXPE and latex) for a quieter typing sound.
- Features a larger 4000mAh battery for extended wireless use.
- 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 K13 Pro
Build quality in the top 10% of 80% boards under $100.
- Features a dedicated numpad in an 80% layout, ideal for number-heavy tasks.
- Uses a tray mount system, which can offer a consistent typing feel.
- Offers a wide range of ISO layout options including UK, German, and Nordic.
- Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps will not fit.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
Your decision hinges on your need for a numpad versus a faster wireless connection. If you require a dedicated numpad for office work, finance, or data entry, the Keychron K13 Pro is the obvious choice. If your priority is low-latency wireless gaming and you prefer a more compact TKL layout, the Keychron K1 Max is the stronger option. Both offer excellent customization through QMK and VIA, ensuring either can be tailored to your workflow.
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 Pro
Connection
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Bluetooth, Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Battery
4,000 mAh
2,000 mAh
A larger battery means fewer cables during the day
Mount style
PCB Mount, Plate Mount
Plate Mount, Tray Mount
Weight
608 g
580 g
Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel
Sound dampening
Yes
No
- Keychron K1 Max
- Keychron K13 Pro
- Performance
- 8281
- Build quality
- 8281
- Productivity
- 9079
- Customizability
- 8988
- Portability
- 7373
- Layout size: 80%
- Hot-swappable
- Low profile
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Case material: ABS, Aluminum, Plastic
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
What will you mostly use it for?
For gaming, the K1 Max is the clear winner due to its dedicated 2.4 GHz connection and higher polling rate. The K13 Pro takes the lead in office and content creation use cases thanks to its dedicated numpad. For programming, the K1 Max's responsive connection and TKL layout are advantageous. Both keyboards tie for modding potential as they share QMK/VIA support and hot-swappable low-profile switches. The K1 Max is a more travel-friendly choice with its TKL layout and larger battery.
Pick the Keychron K1 Max
- Supports a 2.4 GHz wireless connection with a 1000 Hz polling rate for lower latency.
- Includes interior IXPE acoustic foam and latex foam for a quieter typing experience.
- Described as offering peak gaming performance on the fly with its 2.4 GHz connection.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron K1 Max
16 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…”
“Beware of the double-clicking issue. I have got 2 units of this. They're both having the same problem and worse.”
Keychron K13 Pro
10 owner reviews
“Bought this for my wife in June 2023 (she needed the numpad, personally I'd have gone for a 75%/TKL or a 60%, but here we are). Nearly 3 years later, zero issues. The Low Profile Gateron Red switches are excellent: smooth, responsive and they've held up…”
“Quality is the same as other keychron but one major downside... they included the numpad but it is locked and there is no numlock button on the keyboard to unlock it!”
Keychron K1 Max vs K13 Pro specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
9 of 26 specs differ
Keychron K1 Max
Keychron K13 Pro
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 Pro
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic
In stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic
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 K1 Max vs K13 Pro: your questions
The Keychron K1 Max is generally better for gaming because it offers a 2.4 GHz wireless connection with a 1000 Hz polling rate, which can result in lower latency. The K13 Pro only has a 1000 Hz polling rate in wired mode and uses Bluetooth for wireless, which is often slower. The K1 Max also features advanced interior foam to help quiet the typing experience during gameplay.
No, they have different layouts. The Keychron K1 Max is a TKL (80%) keyboard without a dedicated numpad. The Keychron K13 Pro, on the other hand, features an 80% layout that includes a numpad, making it an excellent choice for users who frequently work with numbers.
Yes, both the Keychron K1 Max and K13 Pro are available with hot-swappable PCBs. This allows you to change switches without soldering. They are compatible with Gateron low-profile mechanical switches, and the K1 Max also supports Keychron's own low-profile switches.
The Keychron K1 Max has a larger battery capacity of 4000mAh, which will likely provide longer use on a single charge compared to the K13 Pro's 2000mAh battery. Actual battery life will also depend on factors like backlight usage and connection type.
Yes, both keyboards fully support QMK and VIA. This allows you to remap any key, create macros, program layers, and adjust lighting directly from the Keychron Launcher web app or the VIA software. This makes them highly customizable for any workflow.
The main difference is that the Keychron K1 Max offers three connection modes: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz wireless, and wired. The Keychron K13 Pro offers Bluetooth and wired modes but lacks a dedicated 2.4 GHz receiver. The K1 Max's 2.4 GHz mode is optimized for lower latency.
Both keyboards are designed with Mac users in mind. They include keycaps for both macOS and Windows and have the same multimedia and function key functions as Apple keyboards. Both can be configured with different keymaps for each operating system via Keychron Launcher.
Both keyboards use low-profile double-shot PBT keycaps. This material is known for its durability and excellent oil resistance, which helps prevent the keys from developing a shiny appearance over time. The K1 Max uses an LSA (low-profile spherical-angled) profile.
The Keychron K1 Max is slightly more portable for travel due to its TKL layout, which is more compact and easier to fit in a bag than the K13 Pro's numpad layout. However, the K13 Pro is lighter at 580 grams compared to the K1 Max's 608 grams. The K1 Max's larger battery is also a benefit for travel.
Based on the available price ranges, the Keychron K13 Pro is the more affordable option. Its starting price is lower than the Keychron K1 Max, making it a cost-effective choice for users who want a numpad and the core features of a low-profile mechanical keyboard.
The Keychron K1 Max features a PCB mount and plate mount construction with a polycarbonate plate. The Keychron K13 Pro uses a tray mount and plate mount system with a plastic plate. This can affect the overall typing feel and sound.
Yes, both keyboards are available with RGB backlighting. The K1 Max is described as having more than 22 types of RGB backlight settings, along with a static white backlight option. The K13 Pro has the same RGB features and also offers a white backlight version.
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