Keychron K1 Pro vs K13 ProNumpad vs TKL Decision
Choose the K1 Pro for a true tenkeyless layout with separated arrow keys, or the K13 Pro if you need a dedicated numpad in a compact form.
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5.0 (5)5.0 · 5 reviews
from$67at Keychron
3.8 (10)3.8 · 10 reviews
from$83at Keychron
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K1 Pro
Numpad
Build quality in the top 15% of 80% boards under $100.
- True TKL layout with separated arrow keys and navigation cluster.
- Lighter on desk space without a numpad, giving more mouse room.
- Separated arrow keys are better for keyboard-centric workflows like code editing.
- 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
TKL Decision
Build quality in the top 10% of 80% boards under $100.
- Dedicated numpad in a still-compact 80% form factor.
- Ideal for users who frequently input numbers or navigate timelines.
- Numpad is locked without a NumLock key, according to one user review.
- 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-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW. The other board is sold in those layouts.
If a separate arrow cluster is critical for your workflow, the Keychron K1 Pro is the obvious choice. If you need a numpad but still want a compact board, the Keychron K13 Pro offers that specific layout without sacrificing performance or build quality. Both are excellent, well-supported keyboards, so your decision should hinge entirely on which layout better suits your daily tasks.
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 Pro
Keychron K13 Pro
Mount style
Tray Mount
Plate Mount, Tray Mount
Layout standard
ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, ISO-UK, JIS
ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-Nordic, ISO-UK, JIS
ISO and JIS exist so regional layouts fit
- Keychron K1 Pro
- Keychron K13 Pro
- Performance
- 8181
- Build quality
- 8081
- Productivity
- 8079
- Customizability
- 8888
- Portability
- 7373
- Layout size: 80%
- Connection: Bluetooth, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Battery: 2,000 mAh
- Low profile
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
What will you mostly use it for?
The core trade-off between these two keyboards comes down to layout. The K1 Pro wins for gaming and programming due to its standard TKL layout with dedicated arrow and navigation keys. The K13 Pro takes the lead for office work and content creation where a numpad is more valuable than a separate arrow cluster. For portability and modding, they are effectively tied, sharing the same dimensions, weight, wireless features, and QMK/VIA customization potential.
Pick the Keychron K1 Pro
- Standard TKL layout with separated arrow keys is preferred for most games.
- 1000 Hz wired polling rate is identical on both boards.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron K1 Pro
5 owner reviews
“I realy like this keyboard. I feel is harder to make typos compared to the K3 v2. I decided to go with the K1 Pro instead of the K3 Pro and it's going to to take time to adjust to the new layout, but the feeling and shape of the keys is definitely better.”
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 Pro vs K13 Pro specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
2 of 25 specs differ
Keychron K1 Pro
Keychron K13 Pro
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Low profile
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 Pro
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW
In stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW
In 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 Pro vs K13 Pro: your questions
Both boards use an ABS frame with an aluminum top plate and the same tray mount construction, according to Keychron. Reviews and metadata show a very similar build quality score, with the K13 Pro scoring slightly higher at 81.4 versus the K1 Pro's 79.9, though real-world differences are negligible.
Yes, both keyboards offer a hot-swappable version that is compatible with Gateron low-profile mechanical switches. Keychron notes that they do not support low-profile optical switches due to QMK limitations.
Yes, both keyboards fully support QMK firmware and the Keychron Launcher web app (VIA-based) for remapping keys, creating macros, and adjusting RGB lighting. This is confirmed in the vendor descriptions for both models.
Both keyboards are equipped with a 2000mAh battery. The metadata lists the same battery capacity for both models, and the vendor describes them as having long battery life, though exact hour ratings are not provided.
Yes, both keyboards are fully compatible with Mac and Windows out of the box. They include keycaps for both operating systems and allow you to configure different keymaps for each in VIA.
The K1 Pro is likely the better choice for programmers because it has a standard TKL layout with separated arrow keys. The K13 Pro lacks a dedicated arrow row, which may require using a function layer for cursor movement.
No, the two keyboards share identical dimensions of 8 x 346 x 119 mm and the same weight of 580 grams. The K13 Pro fits a numpad into the same footprint by omitting the dedicated arrow key cluster.
Both keyboards feature a combination of an aluminum top frame and an ABS plastic bottom case, according to the vendor specifications. This gives them a sturdy feel while keeping weight manageable.
Both keyboards have a 1000 Hz polling rate in wired mode and a 90 Hz polling rate in wireless mode, as stated in the product specifications. This makes them suitable for competitive gaming when used wired.
The keycaps are made of double-shot PBT material that is designed to be durable and oil-resistant. However, one user review for the K13 Pro notes that the letters do not shine through, so the RGB lighting is visible only around the keycaps, not through them.
Yes, the K13 Pro includes a dedicated numpad, but a user review mentions that the numpad is locked and there is no dedicated NumLock button on the keyboard. This may require using a software or keymap workaround to unlock it.
The K1 Pro has a perfect 5/5 rating from 10 reviews, while the K13 Pro has a 4.5/5 rating from 8 reviews. Users praise the K1 Pro's typing feel and low profile, while the K13 Pro is well-regarded for its numpad integration.
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