Keychron K1 V6 vs K17 Max
Choose the K1 V6 for a lighter, more compact 80% layout, or the K17 Max for a 96% layout with 2.4 GHz connectivity and double-shot PBT keycaps.
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5.0 (4)5.0 · 4 reviews
from$74at Keychron
4.8 (4)4.8 · 4 reviews
from$94at Keychron
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K1 V6
Build quality in the top 20% of 80% boards under $100.
- 80% layout and 596 g weight make it the lighter, narrower choice.
- Vendor lists up to 160 hours of battery life from its 2000 mAh battery.
- Shine-through ABS keycaps let the backlight show through the legends.
- 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 K17 Max
Knob
Build quality in the top 20% of 96% boards under $100.
- 96% layout includes more keys than the K1 V6's 80% layout.
- Adds 2.4 GHz wireless alongside Bluetooth and wired connections.
- Low-profile double-shot PBT keycaps are specified as non-shine-through and oil-resistant.
- 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-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic. The other board is sold in those layouts.
- Compact full-size layout. The numpad is present, the gaps of a full-size board are not.
Pick the K1 V6 if lower weight, a narrower 80% footprint, shine-through ABS keycaps, or longer vendor-listed battery life matters most. Choose the K17 Max if you want 2.4 GHz wireless, a 96% layout, double-shot PBT keycaps, or knob support. Both offer QMK, VIA, and hot-swappable versions, so those features alone do not separate them.
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 V6
Keychron K17 Max
Layout size
80%
96%
Connection
Bluetooth, Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Mount style
Top Mount
PCB Mount
Knob
No
Yes
Weight
596 g
750 g
Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel
- Keychron K1 V6
- Keychron K17 Max
- Performance
- 8183
- Build quality
- 7881
- Productivity
- 8093
- Customizability
- 8891
- Portability
- 7353
- Hot-swappable
- Battery: 2,000 mAh
- Low profile
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Case material: ABS, Aluminum
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
What will you mostly use it for?
The K17 Max has the edge for gaming over 2.4 GHz and for workflows that benefit from its 96% layout or knob. The K1 V6 is the more travel-friendly option based on its lower weight, narrower body, and longer vendor-listed battery life. Programming is a close call because both offer QMK, VIA, Launcher, and hot-swap versions, with layout preference likely deciding it. Modding favors the K17 Max for knob support, though both provide substantial switch and key remapping options.
Pick the Keychron K17 Max
- The K17 Max supports 2.4 GHz wireless, while the K1 V6 lists Bluetooth and wired connectivity.
- Both list 1000 Hz polling in wired mode, and the K17 Max also specifies 1000 Hz over 2.4 GHz.
- Both include N-key rollover for wired and wireless modes.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron K1 V6
4 owner reviews
“Love it! My first mechanical, now typing is a beautiful experience, I enjoy coming back to the keyboard! Remapped with Makros, so I have my apps at the fingertip. I am experiencing some minor bugs like "Enter"-key "stuck", meaning the keyboard typed enter…”
Keychron K17 Max
4 owner reviews
“Wish it was metal but i do love the low profile keyboard”
Keychron K1 V6 vs K17 Max specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
10 of 27 specs differ
Keychron K1 V6
Keychron K17 Max
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Low profile
Sound dampening
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 V6
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW
In stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-SW
Out of stockDoes not ship to you
Keychron K17 Max
Keychron
ISO
Out of stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO
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 V6 vs K17 Max: your questions
The K1 V6 is an 80% keyboard weighing 596 g, while the K17 Max has a 96% layout and weighs 750 g. The K17 Max also adds 2.4 GHz connectivity and knob support.
Yes, the K17 Max supports 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth, and wired connections. Its vendor listing specifies 1000 Hz polling over 2.4 GHz and wired modes.
The K1 V6 is listed with Bluetooth and wired connectivity, but not 2.4 GHz. The K17 Max is the option here with a listed 2.4 GHz connection.
The K1 V6 weighs 596 g, while the K17 Max weighs 750 g. The K1 V6 is also narrower, at 346 mm compared with 387 mm for the K17 Max.
Both keyboards have a 2000 mAh battery. Keychron lists up to 160 hours for the K1 V6 and up to 95 hours for the K17 Max.
Both are offered in hot-swappable versions, and the hot-swap option is version-specific. The K1 V6 supports Keychron Milk POM or Gateron/Keychron low-profile mechanical switches, while the K17 Max specifies low-profile Gateron mechanical switches.
Both list QMK and VIA support, and their vendor descriptions also identify the Keychron Launcher web app for remapping and macros. Both support hot-swappable versions as well.
The K17 Max comes with low-profile double-shot PBT keycaps, described by Keychron as non-shine-through and oil-resistant. The K1 V6 uses shine-through ABS keycaps.
The K1 V6 has shine-through ABS keycaps, so its backlight can shine through the legends. The K17 Max's double-shot PBT keycaps are specified as non-shine-through.
Both list Mac/Windows support and include QMK and VIA. Keychron's vendor descriptions also state that the Launcher web app works with macOS, Windows, and Linux.
The K17 Max lists knob support, while the K1 V6 does not list that feature. Both keyboards include multimedia keys.
The K1 V6 is lighter at 596 g and narrower at 346 mm, making it the more compact choice between these two. Its vendor-listed battery life is also longer, up to 160 hours versus up to 95 hours for the K17 Max.
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