Keychron K1 Pro vs K2 HELow Profile vs Magnetic Switches
Choose the K1 Pro for a slim, light low-profile typing board, or the K2 HE for magnetic switches with Rapid Trigger and adjustable actuation.
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5.0 (5)5.0 · 5 reviews
from$67at Keychron
4.8 (49)4.8 · 49 reviews
from$129at Keychron
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K1 Pro
Low Profile
Build quality in the top 15% of 80% boards under $100.
- Low-profile Gateron switches in a slim aluminum and ABS frame, at 580g and 8mm thick.
- Optional hot-swappable Gateron low-profile switch version for solder-free switch changes.
- QMK firmware and the Keychron Launcher web app for remapping, with Mac, Windows and Linux support.
- 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-CH. The other board is sold in those layouts.
- No numpad.
Get the
Keychron K2 HE
Magnetic Switches
Build quality in the top 5% of 75% boards under $150.
- Gateron Double-Rail Magnetic switches with Rapid Trigger and adjustable actuation from 0.2 to 3.8mm at 0.1mm sensitivity.
- 2.4GHz wireless at 1000Hz alongside Bluetooth and wired, plus a 4000mAh battery rated up to 110 hours.
- Screw-in PCB stabilizers, an aluminum plate, and EVA, EPDM, IXPE, PET and silicone acoustic layers.
- Magnetic switches only. Standard MX switches 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.
Pick the K1 Pro if you want a slim, light 80% board for typing on the move, and can live with wired mode for the 1000Hz polling rate. Pick the K2 HE if magnetic switches, Rapid Trigger and adjustable actuation matter more than weight, and you are willing to accept a 1743g board. The primary differentiator is switch technology: conventional low-profile mechanical versus magnetic Hall Effect.
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 K2 HE
Layout size
80%
75%
Hall effect (magnetic)
No
Yes
Adjustable actuation helps in games and not in normal typing
Rapid trigger
No
Yes
Faster resets help in games and not in normal typing
Connection
Bluetooth, Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Battery
2,000 mAh
4,000 mAh
A larger battery means fewer cables during the day
- Keychron K1 Pro
- Keychron K2 HE
- Performance
- 8193
- Build quality
- 8091
- Productivity
- 7997
- Customizability
- 8898
- Portability
- 7381
- Hot-swappable
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- QMK
- VIA
What will you mostly use it for?
The K2 HE takes gaming, programming, modding and content creation on the strength of its magnetic switches, adjustable actuation and Rapid Trigger. The K1 Pro counters in office and travel work because it is far lighter and slimmer, with a low-profile typing feel and broad ISO availability. Neither board is a clear loser, the split follows profile and switch technology more than price tier.
Pick the Keychron K2 HE
- The K2 HE supports Rapid Trigger and adjustable actuation from 0.2 to 3.8mm, which the K1 Pro does not offer.
- A 1000Hz polling rate is available over both wired and 2.4GHz wireless on the K2 HE, while the K1 Pro's 1000Hz figure applies to wired mode.
- Gateron Double-Rail Magnetic switches, LKP and Snap Click features in the Launcher app target competitive play.
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 K2 HE
49 owner reviews
“Lowering the actuation depth improved my reaction time in competitive games. Analog mode in racing titles feels surprisingly natural. The mouse glide is smooth.”
Keychron K1 Pro vs K2 HE specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
18 of 30 specs differ
Keychron K1 Pro
Keychron K2 HE
Switch options
Hall effect (magnetic)
Rapid trigger
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Low profile
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
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 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 K2 HE
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-CH
In stockShips to you
Input Gear
ISO-DE
Out of stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-CH
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 K2 HE: your questions
No. The K1 Pro uses Gateron low-profile mechanical switches, and Rapid Trigger is a magnetic switch feature listed for the K2 HE. The K1 Pro instead relies on QMK and the Keychron Launcher for remapping and macros.
The K1 Pro uses Gateron low-profile mechanical switches in linear, tactile or clicky options. The K2 HE uses Gateron Double-Rail Magnetic Nebula switches, which measure actuation depth and support features like adjustable actuation and Rapid Trigger.
The K1 Pro is the more travel-friendly option because it weighs 580g and is 8mm thick in a low-profile chassis. The K2 HE weighs 1743g, which is much heavier to carry, though both offer Bluetooth and USB-C wired connectivity.
Yes. The K2 HE supports 2.4GHz wireless at a 1000Hz polling rate, alongside Bluetooth and wired modes. The K1 Pro lists Bluetooth and wired connectivity but no 2.4GHz option.
Keychron rates the K2 HE's 4000mAh battery at up to 110 hours, with the caveat that lab results vary by use. The K1 Pro uses a smaller 2000mAh battery.
Both offer hot-swap options, but the K1 Pro's hot-swap version is limited to Gateron low-profile mechanical switches. The K2 HE is hot-swappable with compatible magnetic switches, and compatibility depends on whether you have the Version 1 or Version 2 switch.
Both boards list QMK support and the Keychron Launcher web app for key remapping and macros, and both list VIA support. Keychron states the Launcher works with macOS, Windows and Linux via a wired connection.
The K2 HE lists multiple acoustic layers including EVA foam, EPDM foam, IXPE, PET and a silicone pad, plus pre-lubed switches. The K1 Pro does not list the same dampening stack, so its sound depends more on the chosen Gateron low-profile switch type.
The K1 Pro is an 80% TKL offered in ANSI plus a wide ISO spread including ISO-UK, ISO-DE, ISO-Nordic, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW and JIS. The K2 HE is a 75% board offered in ANSI and ISO variants including ISO-UK, ISO-DE, ISO-Nordic, ISO-Swiss, ISO-FR and ISO-ES.
Yes, the K2 HE is listed at 1743g, well above the K1 Pro's 580g. That weight comes with an aluminum frame, and the Special Edition adds wood accents.
Yes. Keychron lists adjustable actuation from 0.2 to 3.8mm with 0.1mm sensitivity on the K2 HE, configurable through the Launcher app. The K1 Pro's mechanical switches do not offer adjustable actuation.
Both list north-facing RGB with more than 20 backlight modes, and the K2 HE cites 22 plus modes tunable in the Launcher app. The K1 Pro also offers a white backlight version with 14 backlight settings if you prefer a simpler look.
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