Keychron K1 Max vs K2 MaxLow Profile or Steel Plate
Get the K1 Max for an ultra-slim low-profile build and lower weight, or the K2 Max for a steel plate, broader MX-style switch swapping, and south-facing RGB.
KeebFinder may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.
4.6 (10)4.6 · 10 reviews
from$89at Keychron
90-day lowLowest price in 90 days
4.5 (2)4.5 · 2 reviews
from$94at Keychron
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K1 Max
Build quality in the top 10% of 80% boards under $100.
- Ultra-slim low-profile design with low-profile Gateron mechanical switches.
- Lower listed weight of 608g and a 24mm height.
- Three levels of adjustable typing angle, according to the vendor.
- 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.
- No numpad.
Get the
Keychron K2 Max
Build quality in the top 10% of 75% boards under $100.
- Hot-swappable with almost all 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style mechanical switches.
- Steel plate with IXPE, PET, and EPDM acoustic foam layers.
- South-facing RGB and screw-in PCB stabilizers.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- No numpad.
Choose the K1 Max for its ultra-slim low-profile build, lower weight, and adjustable typing angles. Choose the K2 Max for its steel plate, multiple acoustic foam layers, screw-in stabilizers, and broader MX-style switch compatibility. Both offer a compact layout and the same listed polling rate for 2.4 GHz and wired use.
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 K2 Max
Layout size
80%
75%
Low profile
Yes
No
Case material
ABS, Aluminum, Plastic
ABS, Aluminum
Weight
608 g
940 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
ISO and JIS exist so regional layouts fit
- Keychron K1 Max
- Keychron K2 Max
- Performance
- 8281
- Build quality
- 8185
- Productivity
- 9095
- Customizability
- 8991
- Portability
- 7379
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Battery: 4,000 mAh
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- Mount style: PCB Mount, Plate Mount
What will you mostly use it for?
The K1 Max is a practical fit for buyers prioritizing a slim, lighter keyboard, while the K2 Max has the edge for switch and stabilizer changes. For gaming, their listed polling rates are the same, so the choice rests more on low-profile versus normal-profile typing and their different construction. The K2 Max's steel plate and foam layers distinguish it for buyers focused on its acoustic and structural components. Both are compact layouts without a numpad.
It's a tie
- Both list a 1000 Hz polling rate for 2.4 GHz and wired modes.
- The K1 Max has a low-profile design, while the K2 Max has a steel plate and south-facing RGB.
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 K2 Max
2 owner reviews
“Négatif: Le temps de livraison et la clareté des infos”
Keychron K1 Max vs K2 Max specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
11 of 27 specs differ
Keychron K1 Max
Keychron K2 Max
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Low profile
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
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
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.
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 K2 Max
- Go to Keychron
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW
In stockShips to you
- Go to Keychron (DE)
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-SW
Out of stockDoes not ship to you
Keychron K1 Max vs K2 Max: your questions
The K1 Max is an 80% low-profile keyboard, while the K2 Max is a normal-profile 75% keyboard. The K2 Max also has a steel plate and screw-in stabilizers, while the K1 Max is listed at a lower weight.
The K1 Max is lighter at 608g and measures 24mm in height. The K2 Max weighs 940g and measures 32mm in height, so the K1 Max is the more compact option by those listed dimensions.
The K1 Max compatibility notes specify low-profile switches and keycaps only, so standard MX keycaps will not fit. Its north-facing LEDs may also interfere with Cherry-profile keycaps.
The K2 Max vendor description says its hot-swappable version supports almost all 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style mechanical switches. The K1 Max is limited to Gateron or Keychron low-profile mechanical switches in its hot-swappable version.
Both list a 1000 Hz polling rate for 2.4 GHz and wired modes. The K1 Max vendor page additionally lists 90 Hz in Bluetooth mode.
The K2 Max has south-facing RGB. Its vendor description says this orientation is designed to illuminate the backlight from the typist’s angle, though the compatibility notes warn that shine-through legends stay dark.
The K2 Max has screw-in PCB stabilizers and supports third-party screw-in PCB stabilizers, according to its vendor description. The K1 Max description discusses redesigned stabilizers but does not list screw-in stabilizers.
Neither keyboard has a numpad, according to their compatibility notes. The K1 Max is an 80% layout and the K2 Max is a 75% layout.
The K2 Max has a steel plate, which its vendor associates with responsive feedback and a quieter typing sound. The K1 Max lists a polycarbonate or plastic plate.
The K2 Max lists ISO-SW among its layout options. The K1 Max compatibility notes identify ISO-SW as an unavailable layout.
Both list Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and wired connectivity. Each also has a listed 4000mAh battery.
The K2 Max is a strong option for switch and stabilizer changes because its hot-swappable version supports almost all 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style switches, and it has screw-in PCB stabilizers. The K1 Max allows switch changes in its hot-swappable version, but it is limited to low-profile Gateron or Keychron mechanical switches.
Not sold on either?
Still torn?
Answer a few quick questions and the keyboard finder ranks 2,000+ boards by how you will actually use yours.