Keychron K1 SE V5 vs K3 ProBudget Low-Profile vs Pro Features
Choose the K1 SE V5 for a more affordable, larger low-profile board, or the K3 Pro for advanced programmability, a 2.4 GHz connection, and more layout options.
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4.8 (166)4.8 · 166 reviews
from$59at Keychron
4.7 (54)4.7 · 54 reviews
from$67at Keychron
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K1 SE V5
Budget Low-Profile
Build quality in the top 35% of 80% boards under $100.
- Larger 80% tenkeyless layout provides more dedicated keys.
- Larger 2000mAh battery capacity compared to the K3 Pro's 1550mAh.
- Offers a hot-swappable option for both Gateron mechanical and Keychron optical low-profile switches.
- 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.
Get the
Keychron K3 Pro
Pro Features
Build quality in the top 15% of 75% boards under $100.
- Supports QMK and VIA firmware for extensive key remapping and macros.
- Includes a 2.4 GHz wireless connection in addition to Bluetooth and wired.
- Available in a wide array of ISO layouts (UK, DE, FR, Nordic, etc.).
- Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps will not fit.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- No numpad.
Your budget and need for advanced features are the deciding factors. If you want the most affordable low-profile Keychron with a larger layout, the K1 SE V5 is a solid pick. If you are willing to pay more for professional-grade customization via QMK/VIA, need a 2.4 GHz dongle for gaming, or require a specific ISO layout, the K3 Pro is the justified upgrade. Prioritize the K3 Pro for its software and connectivity, or the K1 SE for its value and size.
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 SE V5
Keychron K3 Pro
Layout size
80%
75%
Battery
2,000 mAh
1,550 mAh
A larger battery means fewer cables during the day
Case material
Aluminum, Plastic
ABS, Aluminum, Plastic
Mount style
Tray Mount
Plate Mount, Tray Mount
QMK
No
Yes
The deep option when you want to remap every key
- Keychron K1 SE V5
- Keychron K3 Pro
- Performance
- 6481
- Build quality
- 6781
- Productivity
- 6879
- Customizability
- 7088
- Portability
- 7477
- Connection: Bluetooth, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Low profile
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
What will you mostly use it for?
The K3 Pro is the clear choice for users who prioritize advanced customization, whether through hardware with its PBT keycap option and south-facing RGB, or through software with QMK/VIA support. It also wins for gaming due to its specified polling rate and 2.4 GHz wireless. The K1 SE V5 is a competent all-rounder that wins for content creation primarily due to its larger layout and is a strong value option for office use. For travel, the K3 Pro's slightly smaller size gives it an edge.
Pick the Keychron K3 Pro
- The K3 Pro lists a 1000 Hz polling rate in wired mode for potentially lower latency.
- The K3 Pro includes a 2.4 GHz wireless connection, which can offer a more stable, low-latency connection compared to Bluetooth alone.
- The K3 Pro's vendor description states its 1000 Hz polling rate is engineered for competitive gaming.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron K1 SE V5
166 owner reviews
“I got the optical banana switches, they feel very comfortable. Good job on the background lighting! Would give five stars if it came back from sleep a bit quicker...”
Keychron K3 Pro
54 owner reviews
“For anyone buying this, remember to toggle the switch to the correct operating system. Other than that, the feel is good and it comes with a good feature set for a low price”
“I was happy at the beginning but after few months of use I'm getting more and more frustrated. Keyboard just hangs sometimes and I'm not able to connect with BT. I use it to operate two laptops and using Fn+1 anf Fn+2 combination is great... when it works…”
Keychron K1 SE V5 vs K3 Pro specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
11 of 24 specs differ
Keychron K1 SE V5
Keychron K3 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
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 SE V5
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
Keychron K3 Pro
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW
Out of stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW
Out of 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 SE V5 vs K3 Pro: your questions
The core differences are in programmability, connectivity, and layout options. The K3 Pro supports QMK/VIA firmware for deep customization and adds a 2.4 GHz wireless connection. It also comes in many ISO layouts and offers PBT keycaps. The K1 SE V5 is a more basic, typically more affordable model with a larger 80% layout and a bigger battery.
The K3 Pro has advantages for gaming. Its vendor description states it has a 1000 Hz polling rate in wired mode, and it includes a 2.4 GHz wireless dongle which often provides a more stable, lower-latency connection than Bluetooth. The K1 SE V5 does not list a polling rate or offer 2.4 GHz wireless.
The vendor description for the K1 SE V5 does not mention QMK, VIA, or any advanced key remapping software. Its customization appears limited to hot-swapping switches and changing RGB lighting effects. For extensive key remapping and macros, the K3 Pro with its QMK/VIA support is the designed choice.
Yes, both the Keychron K1 SE V5 and K3 Pro are listed as compatible with Mac and Windows systems. Their vendor descriptions mention including keycaps for both operating systems and having a physical switch to change between OS modes.
Based on the listed specifications, the K1 SE V5 has a larger 2000mAh battery compared to the K3 Pro's 1550mAh battery. Actual battery life will vary with usage and backlight settings, but the K1 SE V5 has a higher capacity cell.
Both keyboards use low-profile switches with MX-style stems, so they are compatible with other low-profile MX keycaps. However, the K3 Pro's south-facing RGB design is specifically noted to avoid interference with Cherry-profile keycaps. The K1 SE V5's north-facing RGB may have compatibility issues with some keycap profiles.
The K3 Pro is available in a wide range of layouts. The metadata lists ISO, JIS, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, ISO-UK, and ANSI. The vendor page confirms specific versions for UK, German, Swiss, Nordic, French, and Spanish ISO layouts.
Yes, the K3 Pro is hot-swappable. Its vendor description notes it is compatible with Gateron low-profile mechanical switches. It also states that QMK does not support low-profile optical switches, implying the hot-swap socket is for mechanical switches only.
The K3 Pro is likely more portable due to its more compact 75% layout. It also has a listed weight of 930g, giving a concrete measurement for comparison. The K1 SE V5 has an 80% layout, which is slightly larger, though both are low-profile and wireless.
No. The connectivity listed for the Keychron K1 SE V5 is Bluetooth and Wired only. The 2.4 GHz wireless connection is a feature exclusive to the K3 Pro in this comparison.
Yes. According to the K3 Pro's vendor description, it is available in two versions: one with shine-through ABS keycaps and one with double-shot PBT keycaps. The PBT keycaps are noted as non-shine-through but offer better oil resistance.
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