Keychron K1 Max vs K17 MaxTKL vs 96% Low Profile
Choose the K1 Max for a compact travel-friendly TKL layout or the K17 Max if you need a full numpad but still want a relatively compact footprint.
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3.3 (16)3.3 · 16 reviews
from$89at Keychron
Down 42% this monthDown 42% this month
4.8 (4)4.8 · 4 reviews
from$94at Keychron
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K1 Max
TKL
Build quality in the top 10% of 80% boards under $100.
- Significantly lighter at 608g for better portability.
- 4000mAh battery offers high capacity for extended wireless use.
- Compact 80% TKL layout saves desk space and improves mouse travel.
- Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps will not fit.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
- No numpad.
Get the
Keychron K17 Max
96% Low Profile
Build quality in the top 20% of 96% boards under $100.
- 96% layout includes a full number pad and navigation cluster.
- Knob support adds physical control for volume or other functions.
- Heavier 750g build provides a more solid typing platform.
- 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-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic. The other board is sold in those layouts.
- Compact full-size layout. The numpad is present, the gaps of a full-size board are not.
Your choice boils down to layout and battery: the K17 Max offers more keys for productivity with a knob, while the K1 Max is lighter and has a larger battery for travel. If you frequently work with numbers or need extra macro keys, the K17 Max is the better fit. If compact size and all-day wireless use are priorities, the K1 Max is the stronger option.
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 K17 Max
Layout size
80%
96%
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
Knob
No
Yes
- Keychron K1 Max
- Keychron K17 Max
- Performance
- 8283
- Build quality
- 8281
- Productivity
- 9093
- Customizability
- 8991
- Portability
- 7353
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Low profile
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- QMK
What will you mostly use it for?
The K17 Max wins for productivity tasks like office work and content creation due to its full 96% layout including a numpad and knob support. The K1 Max is better for travel and gaming because of its lighter weight and more compact TKL footprint. For modding, both keyboards are equally capable with hot-swap sockets and QMK/VIA support. Programming users benefit from the K17 Max's additional keys for shortcuts and navigation.
Pick the Keychron K1 Max
- Lighter 608g weight is easier to move for mouse space on a cluttered desk.
- TKL (80%) layout provides a more compact footprint for a lower-sensitivity gaming setup.
- Both have 1000 Hz polling on 2.4 GHz and wired modes.
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 K17 Max
4 owner reviews
“Wish it was metal but i do love the low profile keyboard”
Keychron K1 Max vs K17 Max specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
10 of 27 specs differ
Keychron K1 Max
Keychron K17 Max
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
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 K17 Max
Keychron
ISO
Out of stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO
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 K17 Max: your questions
The Keychron K1 Max is generally better for gaming due to its lighter 608g weight and compact TKL layout that frees up mouse space. Both keyboards offer the same 1000 Hz polling rate on 2.4 GHz and wired modes, so latency performance is identical.
Yes, the Keychron K17 Max features a 96% layout with 104 keys, including a full number pad. This makes it suitable for data entry and other numpad-dependent tasks.
Yes, both keyboards offer hot-swappable versions that support Gateron low-profile mechanical switches. The K1 Max is only available as hot-swappable, while the K17 Max has both hot-swappable and non-hot-swappable options.
The Keychron K1 Max has a larger 4000mAh battery, double the 2000mAh battery found in the K17 Max. This gives the K1 Max a significant advantage for extended wireless use without charging.
Yes, both the K1 Max and K17 Max support QMK firmware and are compatible with the Keychron Launcher web app for key remapping, macros, and customization. They also support VIA for on-the-fly configuration.
The Keychron K1 Max is more portable, weighing 608g and measuring 24 x 346 x 119 mm, compared to the K17 Max at 750g. Its smaller TKL footprint and larger battery make it a better travel companion.
Yes, both the K1 Max and K17 Max include keycaps for macOS and Windows, with a switchable layout. The Keychron Launcher allows you to configure separate keymaps for each operating system.
Both keyboards come with low-profile double-shot PBT keycaps designed for durability and oil resistance. The K1 Max uses LSA (low profile spherical-angled) profile keycaps.
Yes, the Keychron K17 Max supports a knob for volume control or other functions, as listed in its extra features. The K1 Max does not have a knob.
Both keyboards feature interior IXPE acoustic foam and latex foam for silent keystrokes and improved typing comfort. The vendor description indicates they use the same foam materials for sound dampening.
The K1 Max has an 80% TKL layout with 88 keys, while the K17 Max has a 96% layout with 104 keys. The K17 Max includes a number pad and additional navigation keys.
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