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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 11, 2026

Keychron K1 V6 vs S1Wireless Low-Profile vs All-Metal

Choose the K1 V6 if you need wireless connectivity and a standard TKL layout; choose the S1 if you prioritize a heavier all-metal build and a compact 75% layout.

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All-Metal

Keychron S1

Keychron S1 QMK Custom Mechanical Keyboard

4.8 (12)

$82at Keychron

90-day low

Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Keychron K1 V6

Wireless Low-Profile

Build quality in the top 20% of 80% boards under $100.

If you want

  • Wireless connectivity via Bluetooth 5.2 and 2.4 GHz for cable-free setups.
  • Significantly lighter at 596g, making it easier to transport.
  • TKL (80%) layout provides dedicated navigation and function keys.

Rules this board out

  • 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 S1

All-Metal

Build quality in the top 15% of 75% boards under $100.

If you want

  • Full CNC machined aluminum body provides a premium, solid feel.
  • Heavier weight (960g) ensures excellent stability on a desk.
  • PBT keycaps offer superior oil resistance and durability.

Rules this board out

  • Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps will not fit.
  • North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
  • No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
  • No numpad.

Bottom line

Choose the Keychron K1 V6 if you need wireless connectivity, a lighter weight, and a standard TKL layout for on-the-go use. Opt for the Keychron S1 if you prefer a heavy, all-metal desk keyboard with a compact layout and will not miss wireless functionality. Both are excellent low-profile options, but your final decision should be guided by whether portability or a premium static build is your priority.

What actually differs

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 S1

  • Layout size

    80%

    75%

  • Connection

    Bluetooth, Wired

    Wired

    Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency

  • Case material

    ABS, Aluminum

    Aluminum

  • Mount style

    Top Mount

    Plate Mount, Tray Mount

  • Weight

    596 g

    960 g

    Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Keychron K1 V6
  • Keychron S1
Performance
81
82
Build quality
78
82
Productivity
80
80
Customizability
88
89
Portability
73
65

What they share

  • Hot-swappable
  • Low profile
  • Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
  • Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
  • QMK
  • VIA
See every spec side by side

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

The choice between the K1 V6 and S1 often comes down to connectivity and layout. The K1 V6 wins for office and travel use due to its lighter weight and wireless functionality. For gaming, programming, and modding, the two are essentially tied, as both offer the same high polling rate, QMK support, and hot-swappable switches. The S1's all-metal build makes it less suited for travel, but its robust construction is a clear advantage in a static setup. Ultimately, the K1 V6 is more versatile for mobile users, while the S1 excels as a premium desk fixture.

For gaming

It's a tie

  • Both offer a 1000 Hz polling rate in wired mode for competitive gaming.
  • The K1 V6 has Bluetooth 5.2 for casual gaming, but its wireless polling rate is 90 Hz.
  • Both feature N-Key Rollover (NKRO) for accurate key presses.

From real owners

What owners say

Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.

Keychron K1 V6

5.0

4 owner reviews

Praise
“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…”
Boris· via Keychron

Keychron S1

4.8

12 owner reviews

Praise
“Got it today, hands on my first mechanical keyboard and feels so good. And a lot of difference in day-to-day way of typing.”
Sai S.Verified buyer· via Keychron

Full specs

Keychron K1 V6 vs S1 specs

Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.

10 of 25 specs differ

Keychron K1 V6

Keychron S1

Typing & switches

Switch options

Clicky, Linear, Tactile
Clicky, Linear, Tactile

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Top Mount
Plate Mount, Tray Mount

Low profile

Yes
Yes

Layout

Layout size

80%
75%

Layout standard

ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, ISO-UK
ANSI

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Display

None
None

Media keys

Yes
Yes

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Bluetooth, Wired
Wired

Max polling rate

1,000 Hz
1,000 Hz

Battery

2,000 mAh
Wired only

USB-C

Yes
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

ABS, Aluminum
Aluminum

Plate material

Aluminum
Steel

Keycaps

ABS
PBT

Weight

596 g
960 g

Dimensions

25 x 346 x 119 mm
8 x 118 x 310 mm

Typing angle

3°
3°

Backlight

RGB, north-facing
RGB, north-facing

Firmware & software

QMK

Yes
Yes

VIA

Yes
Yes

N-key rollover

Yes
Yes

Mac & Windows

Yes
Yes

Extras

Released

2024
2022

For EU buyers

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 S1

No ISO layout at the stores we track.

Where to buy

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 S14 stores

FAQ

Keychron K1 V6 vs S1: your questions

No, the Keychron S1 is a wired-only keyboard. It uses a Type-C connection and comes with a Type-C cable and a Type-A to Type-C adapter. If you need wireless connectivity, the Keychron K1 V6 is a better option as it supports Bluetooth 5.2 and 2.4 GHz.

Yes, both the Keychron K1 V6 and Keychron S1 support QMK firmware and VIA software. This allows you to remap any key, create macros, and customize lighting effects. The K1 V6 also supports the Keychron Launcher web app, which requires Chrome, Opera, or Edge browsers.

The Keychron S1 has a more premium build quality due to its full CNC machined aluminum body, which is processed through 24 manufacturing stages. The K1 V6 uses an ABS and aluminum frame. User reviews note the S1 feels more solid and heavy, while the K1 V6 is lighter and more portable.

The Keychron K1 V6 uses ABS LSA profile keycaps that are shine-through, allowing RGB backlight to show clearly. The Keychron S1 uses double-shot PBT keycaps, which a user review notes are not shine-through, meaning the RGB lights are less visible through the legends.

Both keyboards support hot-swappable low-profile mechanical switches. The K1 V6 is compatible with Keychron Milk POM switches and Gateron/Keychron low-profile mechanical switches. The S1 is compatible with Gateron low profile mechanical switches. Neither supports low-profile optical switches.

The Keychron K1 V6 weighs 596 grams, while the Keychron S1 is much heavier at 960 grams. This makes the K1 V6 significantly lighter and easier to transport for travel, whereas the S1's weight adds to its stability on a desk but makes it less portable.

It is a matter of preference. The K1 V6's TKL (80%) layout has more space between key groups, which a user review mentioned can reduce error rates. The S1's 75% layout is more compact and may require adjustment. Both support QMK/VIA, so you can remap keys to suit your workflow.

No, the Keychron S1 is wired-only and does not have a built-in battery. The Keychron K1 V6, on the other hand, comes with a 2000mAh battery for wireless use. The S1 must be connected via USB-C at all times to function.

Yes, the Keychron K1 V6 is available in multiple ISO layouts including UK-ISO, German DE-ISO, Swiss-ISO, and Nordic-ISO, as well as ANSI. This makes it a great choice for international users. The Keychron S1 is only available in ANSI layout.

Both keyboards offer adjustable typing angles. The K1 V6 has three levels (3.37°, 4.2°, and 6.7°) and the S1 has two levels (3° and 6°). Both are designed to provide ergonomic support for your wrists.

Based on the provided information, neither the Keychron K1 V6 nor the Keychron S1 comes with a carrying case. The vendor description for the K1 V6 mentions a carrying case as a frequently bought add-on, but it is not included in the box.

For wired gaming, both are equal with a 1000 Hz polling rate and N-Key Rollover. The K1 V6's wireless mode has a 90 Hz polling rate, making it less suitable for competitive gaming when not plugged in. The S1 is wired-only, so it always maintains the 1000 Hz rate.

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