Keychron K1 Pro vs K3 HELow-Profile TKL vs Magnetic 75%
Choose the K1 Pro for a proven, customizable low-profile typing experience; choose the K3 HE for cutting-edge magnetic switch features and analog control.
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5.0 (5)5.0 · 5 reviews
from$67at Keychron
4.4 (8)4.4 · 8 reviews
from$119at Keychron
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K1 Pro
Low-Profile TKL
Build quality in the top 15% of 80% boards under $100.
- 80% tenkeyless layout provides dedicated navigation keys and a full function row
- Available in multiple layout standards including ISO, ANSI, and JIS for global users
- Double-shot PBT keycaps with excellent oil resistance for long-term durability
- 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 K3 HE
Magnetic 75%
Build quality in the top 10% of 75% boards under $150.
- Hall Effect magnetic switches with adjustable actuation from 0.2 to 2.9 mm
- Rapid Trigger, Snap Click, and analog mode for advanced gaming control
- Triple connectivity with 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth 5.2, and USB-C wired, all with 1000 Hz polling
- Magnetic switches only. Standard MX switches will not fit.
- 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-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW. The other board is sold in those layouts.
- No numpad.
The K1 Pro is the safer choice for typists and office workers who want a proven low-profile mechanical keyboard with broad layout support and solid QMK customization. The K3 HE is the better pick for gamers and those who want the latest magnetic switch technology with features like adjustable actuation and analog control. If you prioritize gaming performance and don't need a full function row, go with the K3 HE. If you want a versatile, everyday keyboard with more switch options and layout flexibility, the K1 Pro is the way to go.
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 K3 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
2,600 mAh
A larger battery means fewer cables during the day
- Keychron K1 Pro
- Keychron K3 HE
- Performance
- 8192
- Build quality
- 8086
- Productivity
- 8089
- Customizability
- 8889
- Portability
- 7382
- Hot-swappable
- Low profile
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Mount style: Tray Mount
- Weight: 580 g
- QMK
What will you mostly use it for?
The K3 HE dominates for gaming due to its magnetic switch features like adjustable actuation, rapid trigger, and analog mode. For office work, the K1 Pro's larger 80% layout and switch variety make it a more practical choice. Programming and content creation are ties, as both keyboards provide excellent programmability and low-profile comfort. The K3 HE edges ahead for travel with its smaller footprint and larger battery. Modders will prefer the K1 Pro for its broader switch compatibility and layout options.
Pick the Keychron K3 HE
- Hall Effect magnetic switches with adjustable actuation from 0.2 to 2.9 mm for custom response
- Rapid Trigger and Snap Click features for faster in-game reactions
- 2.4 GHz wireless with 1000 Hz polling rate for low-latency play
- Analog mode for variable input similar to a game controller
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 K3 HE
8 owner reviews
“I am happy with this keyboard! I needed some time to adjust my typing habits, but so far so good.”
“please add a custom firmware file in your as the app can not recognize the keyboard and apparently doesn't have a correct firmware. the reset buttons do not work as well”
Keychron K1 Pro vs K3 HE specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
15 of 28 specs differ
Keychron K1 Pro
Keychron K3 HE
Switch options
Hall effect (magnetic)
Rapid trigger
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Low profile
Sound dampening
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 K3 HE
Keychron
ISO-DE
In stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-FR, 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 Pro vs K3 HE: your questions
The K3 HE is better for wireless gaming because it offers a 2.4 GHz connection with 1000 Hz polling rate, while the K1 Pro's Bluetooth mode only reaches 90 Hz. The K3 HE also includes gaming-focused features like Rapid Trigger and adjustable actuation.
Yes, the K1 Pro comes with a Mac layout and includes extra keycaps for Windows, allowing you to switch between operating systems. It also supports different keymaps for each OS via the Keychron Launcher web app.
Yes, the K3 HE is hot-swappable, but it is only compatible with Keychron Ultra-Fast Lime Low-Profile magnetic switches. Unlike mechanical switches, these use magnetic sensors rather than physical contact.
The K3 HE has a larger 2600 mAh battery compared to the K1 Pro's 2000 mAh, which suggests potentially longer wireless runtime. However, actual battery life depends on usage, backlight settings, and connection type.
No, the K1 Pro only supports Gateron low-profile mechanical switches. The vendor notes that QMK does not support low-profile optical switches, so optical switches are not an option.
The main advantages are adjustable actuation points (0.2 to 2.9 mm), Rapid Trigger for faster key resets, Snap Click for seamless directional changes, and Analog Mode for variable input similar to a game controller.
The K3 HE is more compact with its 75% layout (318.62 x 126 mm) compared to the K1 Pro's 80% layout (346 x 119 mm). The K3 HE is also slightly lighter at 575g versus 580g.
Yes, both the K1 Pro and K3 HE support QMK and VIA, allowing full key remapping and macro creation through the Keychron Launcher web app. This works on macOS, Windows, and Linux.
The K1 Pro uses low-profile double-shot PBT keycaps, while the K3 HE uses LSA double-shot PBT keycaps. Both offer excellent oil resistance and durability, though the K3 HE's keycaps are noted as not shine-through.
The K1 Pro offers multiple layout standards including ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-Nordic, ISO-UK, JIS, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW, and ANSI. The K3 HE is only available in ANSI layout, making the K1 Pro much more versatile for international users.
Yes, the K3 HE includes sound-absorbing foam, a silicone bottom pad, bottom case PET film, and bottom case acoustic foam. These layers help reduce echo and unwanted noise for a cleaner typing sound.
The K1 Pro has a single 3-degree typing angle with three levels of adjustability mentioned in the description. The K3 HE offers three adjustable angles: 2 degrees, 4.5 degrees, and 7.5 degrees.
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