Keychron K1 Max vs K17 ProLayout vs Key Count Face-Off
Choose the K1 Max for its 2.4 GHz gaming performance and massive battery, or the K17 Pro if you need a numpad and a rotary knob in a compact frame.
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3.3 (16)3.3 · 16 reviews
from$89at Keychron
Down 42% this monthDown 42% this month
5.0 (2)5.0 · 2 reviews
from$69at Keychron
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K1 Max
Layout
Build quality in the top 10% of 80% boards under $100.
- Ultra-slim 80% TKL design with 2.4 GHz connection at 1000 Hz polling rate for low-latency gaming.
- Large 4000mAh battery, doubling the K17 Pro's capacity for extended wireless use.
- Includes IXPE acoustic foam and latex foam inside for quieter keystrokes.
- 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 Pro
Key Count Face-Off
Build quality in the top 20% of 96% boards under $100.
- 96% layout packs 103 keys including a numpad, ideal for number-heavy workflows.
- Includes a rotary knob for convenient volume or scroll adjustment.
- Supports multi-device Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity across up to 3 devices.
- 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.
- Compact full-size layout. The numpad is present, the gaps of a full-size board are not.
The K1 Max is the better choice for gamers and travelers who prioritize wireless performance and long battery life, thanks to its 2.4 GHz support and 4000mAh battery. The K17 Pro is ideal for office workers and content creators who need a numpad and a rotary knob in a compact frame. If you can sacrifice the numpad, the K1 Max offers more gaming-ready features; if you need dedicated keys for data entry, the K17 Pro is the practical pick.
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 Pro
Layout size
80%
96%
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
Tray Mount
Knob
No
Yes
- Keychron K1 Max
- Keychron K17 Pro
- Performance
- 8284
- Build quality
- 8281
- Productivity
- 9086
- Customizability
- 8991
- Portability
- 7354
- Hot-swappable
- Low profile
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Case material: ABS, Aluminum, Plastic
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- QMK
What will you mostly use it for?
The K1 Max wins for Gaming and Travel thanks to its 2.4 GHz connection, lighter weight, and double the battery capacity. The K17 Pro takes Office and Content Creation due to its numpad and rotary knob. Both are equally capable for Programming and Modding since each offers full QMK/VIA customization and hot-swappable switches. The key tiebreaker is whether you need a numpad and knob (K17 Pro) or prefer superior wireless gaming performance and battery life (K1 Max).
Pick the Keychron K1 Max
- Supports 2.4 GHz wireless connection with a 1000 Hz polling rate out of the box.
- Includes interior IXPE acoustic foam and latex foam for a quieter gaming experience.
- Larger 4000mAh battery supports longer wireless gaming sessions.
- Three-level adjustable typing angle for ergonomic wrist support during long sessions.
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 Pro
2 owner reviews
“I love this keyboard. It works very well with my setup. The key switches and the knob are perfect. My only feedback is that I wish there was a southpaw version of this keyboard. As a person working with numbers and creativity, the K17 Pro Southpaw version…”
Keychron K1 Max vs K17 Pro specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
12 of 27 specs differ
Keychron K1 Max
Keychron K17 Pro
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 Pro
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
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 Pro: your questions
The Keychron K1 Max has a 4000mAh battery, which is double the 2000mAh battery found in the K17 Pro. This gives the K1 Max significantly longer runtime between charges, especially important for heavy wireless use.
No, the K17 Pro does not support 2.4 GHz connectivity. It connects via Bluetooth or wired USB-C. The K1 Max offers both Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz wireless, making it better for low-latency gaming without a cable.
Yes, both the K1 Max and K17 Pro have hot-swappable versions that let you change switches without soldering. They are compatible with Gateron and Keychron low-profile mechanical switches only, not optical switches.
The K17 Pro has 103 keys in its 96% layout, while the K1 Max has 88 keys in its 80% TKL layout. The K17 Pro includes a dedicated numpad and more function keys for data entry.
Yes, both the K1 Max and K17 Pro are QMK and VIA compatible. You can remap keys, create macros, and configure shortcut layers using the Keychron Launcher web app on macOS, Windows, or Linux.
The K1 Max is better for gaming because it supports a 2.4 GHz wireless connection at 1000 Hz polling rate, while the K17 Pro only offers Bluetooth or wired modes. The K1 Max also has a larger battery for longer gaming sessions.
The K1 Max is available in multiple ISO layouts including UK-ISO, DE-ISO (German), Swiss-ISO, and Nordic-ISO. The K17 Pro is only available in ANSI layout, which may be a deciding factor for users in regions that prefer ISO.
Both keyboards come with double-shot PBT keycaps that are not shine-through, meaning the RGB backlighting may not be clearly visible through the legends in the dark. A K17 Pro user review notes this as a limitation of the stock keycaps.
The Keychron K1 Max is lighter at 608g compared to the K17 Pro at 679g. Its smaller 80% TKL size and lower weight make it a better choice for travel or fitting into bags.
The K17 Pro includes a rotary knob for volume or function control, as confirmed by user reviews and its extra features list. The K1 Max does not have a knob.
The K1 Max features interior IXPE acoustic foam for quieter typing and resilient latex foam for improved key switch support and responsiveness. This foam is not mentioned in the K17 Pro's specifications.
Yes, both the K1 Max and K17 Pro are designed for Mac and Windows use. They include keycaps for both operating systems and allow you to configure different keymaps for each OS using the Keychron Launcher web app.
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