Keychron K1 Max vs K8 UltraLow-Profile vs 8K
Choose the K1 Max for its low-profile, lighter form, or the K8 Ultra for 8000 Hz polling and a heavier aluminum-framed build.
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3.3 · 16 reviews
from$89at Keychron
Down 42% this monthDown 42% this month
5.0 · 4 reviews
from$119at MK
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K1 Max
Low-Profile
Build quality in the top 10% of 80% boards under $100.
- Low-profile design and 608 g weight make the K1 Max the lighter option.
- Supports Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz and wired connections.
- Offers hot-swappable switches, QMK/VIA support and multimedia keys.
- 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-ES. The other board is sold in those layouts.
Get the
Keychron K8 Ultra
8K
Build quality in the top 10% of 80% boards under $150.
- Lists an 8000 Hz polling rate for wired and 2.4 GHz connections.
- Build combines a CNC aluminum and ABS frame with a steel plate.
- Supports hot-swappable switches, QMK/VIA and screw-in stabilizers.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- Missing ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic. The other board is sold in those layouts.
Choose the K1 Max if you want a low-profile keyboard that is substantially lighter, or need one of its listed ISO-DE, ISO-Nordic or ISO-UK layouts. Choose the K8 Ultra if 8000 Hz polling, a steel plate and its heavier aluminum-framed construction matter more. Both support wireless and wired use, hot-swappable switches and key remapping, so layout and physical design are the clearest deciding factors.
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 K8 Ultra
Low profile
Yes
No
Max polling rate
1,000 Hz
8,000 Hz
Higher polling helps competitive FPS and does nothing for typing
Case material
ABS, Aluminum, Plastic
ABS, Aluminum, Metal
Mount style
PCB Mount, Plate Mount
Plate Mount
Weight
608 g
1,299 g
Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel
- Keychron K1 Max
- Keychron K8 Ultra
- Performance
- 8290
- Build quality
- 8283
- Productivity
- 9094
- Customizability
- 8992
- Portability
- 7477
- Layout size: 80%
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Battery: 4,000 mAh
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- QMK
What will you mostly use it for?
The K8 Ultra leads for gaming and content creation, with its higher polling rate and more detailed RGB controls, and suits modders looking for its listed construction components. The K1 Max is the more convenient pick when low profile and lower weight matter for office use or travel. Programming is a closer decision: both offer remapping tools, but their listed regional layouts differ. Check the layout you need before choosing either model.
Pick the Keychron K8 Ultra
- The K8 Ultra lists an 8000 Hz polling rate in wired and 2.4 GHz modes, compared with the K1 Max's 1000 Hz.
- Both keyboards support 2.4 GHz wireless and N-key rollover.
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 K8 Ultra
4 owner reviews
“The order is exactly what i had ordered, and exceeds everything i had expected”
Keychron K1 Max vs K8 Ultra 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 K8 Ultra
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
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 K8 Ultra
Keychron (DE)
ISO-ES
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 K8 Ultra: your questions
The K8 Ultra lists an 8000 Hz polling rate in wired and 2.4 GHz modes, while the K1 Max lists 1000 Hz. Both support 2.4 GHz wireless and N-key rollover.
The K1 Max weighs 608 g, while the K8 Ultra weighs 1299 g. That makes the K1 Max the lighter choice for carrying between locations.
Yes, both keyboards list Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz and wired connectivity. The K1 Max vendor description says Bluetooth can connect to up to three devices.
The K1 Max is listed as low profile and uses low-profile Gateron mechanical switches. The K8 Ultra is listed with a normal-profile layout.
No, the K1 Max compatibility rules specify low-profile switches and keycaps only, and say standard MX keycaps will not fit. Its north-facing LEDs may also interfere with Cherry-profile keycaps.
Both are listed as hot-swappable. The K1 Max compatibility rules restrict it to low-profile switches and keycaps, while the K8 Ultra vendor description says its switches can be changed without soldering.
The K1 Max lists ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-Nordic and ISO-UK layouts. The K8 Ultra lists ANSI, ISO and ISO-ES, so check the exact regional layout before purchasing.
Yes, the K8 Ultra vendor description specifies per-key RGB and Mix RGB lighting. Its south-facing LEDs mean shine-through legends stay dark.
Both keyboards support QMK/VIA and Keychron Launcher for key remapping and macros. The K8 Ultra lists ISO-ES, while the K1 Max lists ISO-DE, ISO-Nordic and ISO-UK, so layout preference may be decisive.
Both product listings specify a 4000 mAh battery. The K8 Ultra vendor description additionally states up to 760 hours with the backlight off.
The K8 Ultra lists a steel plate. The K1 Max lists a polycarbonate or plastic plate.
Its compatibility rules say south-facing LEDs leave shine-through legends dark. They also caution that some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
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