What is the main difference between the Keychron K1 V5 and K3 Pro?

The K1 V5 has an 80% layout and a 2000mAh battery. The K3 Pro has a 75% layout, QMK/VIA support, PBT keycaps, and a 1550mAh battery.

Does the Keychron K3 Pro support QMK and VIA?

Yes, QMK and VIA support are listed for the K3 Pro. Keychron also describes using its Launcher web app for key remapping and macros.

Is the Keychron K1 V5 hot-swappable?

Hot-swappable is listed as a feature for the K1 V5. The product listing describes a hot-swappable Keychron optical switch option, so check the specific version and switch type when ordering.

Which keyboard has the larger battery, K1 V5 or K3 Pro?

The K1 V5 has a 2000mAh battery, compared with 1550mAh in the K3 Pro. The K1 V5 vendor description lists up to 190 hours, but that figure is not listed for the K3 Pro.

Which keyboard is smaller and lighter?

The K3 Pro is listed at 525g and measures 306 x 116 mm. The K1 V5 is about 650g and measures 355 x 120 mm.

What keycaps come on the Keychron K1 V5 and K3 Pro?

The K1 V5 is listed with ABS keycaps, and its vendor description identifies them as LSA ABS that are not shine-through. The K3 Pro uses low-profile double-shot PBT keycaps, while its Special Edition uses dye-sublimated PBT.

Which keyboard has a 1000 Hz polling rate?

Both vendor descriptions list a 1000 Hz polling rate. The K3 Pro listing specifies 1000 Hz in wired mode and separately gives a 90 Hz wireless polling rate.

Can the Keychron K3 Pro connect to multiple devices?

The K3 Pro vendor description says it can connect wirelessly to up to three devices via Bluetooth. The K1 V5 is listed with Bluetooth, but a device count is not specified.

Which keyboard is better for switch swapping?

Both keyboards have hot-swappable options, but the K3 Pro vendor description specifies compatibility with Gateron low-profile mechanical switches. The K1 V5 listing describes a hot-swappable Keychron optical option, so verify the switch version before buying.

Does the Keychron K3 Pro come in ISO layouts?

The K3 Pro metadata lists ISO variants, including ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, and ISO-UK, as well as ANSI and JIS. Its vendor description presents an ANSI version, so confirm the layout of the specific listing.

Are the K1 V5 and K3 Pro compatible with Mac and Windows?

Mac/Win support is listed for both keyboards. The K3 Pro vendor description also says it includes keycaps for macOS and Windows.

Which keyboard has more customization features?

The K3 Pro has QMK and VIA support, and its vendor description says Keychron Launcher can be used for remapping and macros. The K1 V5 is listed as hot-swappable, but QMK or VIA support is not listed for it.

Compare Keychron K1 V5 vs K3 Pro Differences Side by Side

This comparison is for shoppers choosing between two low-profile Keychron keyboards with Bluetooth and wired connectivity, hot-swappable options, and Mac/Windows support. The K1 V5 offers an 80% layout and 2000mAh battery, while the K3 Pro is a smaller 75% board with QMK/VIA support and PBT keycaps. Both have linear, tactile, and clicky switch options, so layout, customization, and keycap material are the main decision points. The K3 Pro also has listed ISO and JIS layout variants, alongside ANSI.

Model
	68	87	Select a keyboard to compare
Rating	4.8 stars (1458 reviews)	4.7 stars (54 reviews)
Purchase Options
Main differences	Released in 2020 Available in a 80% layout Built with the ANSI layout standard Equipped with a 2000 mAh battery Made with a Aluminum, Plastic case Features ABS keycaps Offers Yes, Rgb, White, North-face, Rgb North-face, White North-face RGB lighting	Released in 2022 Available in a 75% layout Built with the ISO, JIS, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, ISO-UK, ANSI layout standard Supports QMK firmware Supports VIA configuration Features N-key rollover Runs at a 1000 Hz polling rate Equipped with a 1550 mAh battery Weighs about 525 g Sized at 15 x 306 x 116 mm Made with a Aluminum, Plastic, ABS case Features ABS, PBT keycaps Offers Yes, Rgb, South-face, Rgb South-face, White, North-face, Rgb North-face, White North-face RGB lighting
Score	Scores Performance: 64 Build Quality: 67.3 Productivity: 66.8 Customizability: 69.4 Portability: 73.6	Scores Performance: 81.1 Build Quality: 81.4 Productivity: 79.9 Customizability: 88 Portability: 76.9
Name	Name Keychron K1 V5	Name Keychron K3 Pro
Release year	Release year 2020	Release year 2022
Switch Options	Switch Options Linear, Tactile, Clicky	Switch Options Linear, Tactile, Clicky
Profile	Profile Low Profile	Profile Low Profile
Hot Swappable	Hot Swappable	Hot Swappable
Layout Size	Layout Size 80%	Layout Size 75%
Layout Standard	Layout Standard ANSI	Layout Standard ISO, JIS, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, ISO-UK, ANSI
Layout Ergonomics	Layout Ergonomics Normal	Layout Ergonomics Normal
Knob Support	Knob Support	Knob Support
Display Support	Display Support	Display Support
Mac/Win Support	Mac/Win Support	Mac/Win Support
Multi-Media Keys	Multi-Media Keys	Multi-Media Keys
USB-C	USB-C	USB-C
USB passthrough	USB passthrough	USB passthrough
Connection	Connection Bluetooth, Wired, Wireless	Connection Bluetooth, Wired, Wireless
Polling Rate	Polling Rate -	Polling Rate 1000 Hz
Battery capacity	Battery capacity 2000 mAh	Battery capacity 1550 mAh
Hall Effect Support	Hall Effect Support	Hall Effect Support
QMK Support	QMK Support	QMK Support
VIA Support	VIA Support	VIA Support
VIAL Support	VIAL Support	VIAL Support
N-Key Rollover	N-Key Rollover	N-Key Rollover
Rapid Trigger	Rapid Trigger	Rapid Trigger
Mount Style	Mount Style Tray Mount	Mount Style Tray Mount
Screw in Stabilizers	Screw in Stabilizers	Screw in Stabilizers
Sound Dampening	Sound Dampening	Sound Dampening
Backlight	Backlight Rgb, White, North-face	Backlight Rgb, South-face, White, North-face
Case Colors	Case Colors	Case Colors
Case Material	Case Material Aluminum, Plastic	Case Material Aluminum, Plastic, ABS
Keycaps Material	Keycaps Material ABS	Keycaps Material ABS, PBT
Dimensions	Dimensions -	Dimensions 15 x 306 x 116 mm
Weight	Weight -	Weight 525g

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Pros and Trade-offs

Pick the K1 V5 if you want an 80% layout and prioritize its larger 2000mAh battery. Choose the K3 Pro if you want QMK/VIA customization, PBT keycaps, or a smaller, lighter board. For switch changes on the K3 Pro, check that you are buying its hot-swappable version.

Keychron K1 V5

+80% ANSI layout provides more keys than the K3 Pro's 75% layout.
+2000mAh battery, larger than the K3 Pro's 1550mAh battery.
+Bluetooth, wired, and wireless connectivity are listed.
+Hot-swappable option and linear, tactile, and clicky switch types are listed.
+Aluminum and plastic case with ABS keycaps.

−No QMK or VIA support is listed, unlike on the K3 Pro.
−The listed ABS keycaps differ from the K3 Pro's PBT keycaps.
−At about 650g, it weighs more than the K3 Pro's 525g.

Keychron K3 Pro

+QMK and VIA support, with Keychron Launcher for remapping and macros.
+75% layout and 525g listed weight make it smaller and lighter than the K1 V5.
+Low-profile double-shot PBT keycaps, with dye-sublimated PBT on the Special Edition.
+1000 Hz polling rate and N-key rollover for wired and wireless modes are listed.
+Hot-swappable option for Gateron low-profile mechanical switches.

−Its 1550mAh battery is smaller than the K1 V5's 2000mAh battery.
−The 75% layout is more compact than the K1 V5's 80% layout.
−The hot-swappable option is limited to Gateron low-profile mechanical switches.

Which Keyboard Is Better for Your Needs?

The K3 Pro has the clearer edge for customization, travel, and macro-oriented workflows, while the K1 V5 offers a larger layout and bigger battery for desk use. Both provide multimedia keys, Bluetooth and wired connectivity, and hot-swappable options. The K3 Pro's listed 1000 Hz polling rate and N-key rollover suit buyers who prioritize those gaming-related features. Neither is a universal choice, the preferred layout and customization options decide most comparisons.

GamingKeychron K3 Pro

•The K3 Pro lists a 1000 Hz polling rate and N-key rollover for wired and wireless modes.
•Its 75% layout is smaller than the K1 V5's 80% layout.

OfficeKeychron K1 V5

•The K1 V5's 80% layout is larger than the K3 Pro's 75% layout.
•Its 2000mAh battery is larger than the K3 Pro's 1550mAh battery.

ProgrammingKeychron K3 Pro

•The K3 Pro supports QMK and VIA, with Keychron Launcher for key remapping and macros.
•Its hot-swappable option supports Gateron low-profile mechanical switches.

TravelKeychron K3 Pro

•The K3 Pro weighs 525g, compared with about 650g for the K1 V5.
•Its dimensions are 306 x 116 mm, while the K1 V5 measures 355 x 120 mm.

ModdingKeychron K3 Pro

•QMK and VIA support give the K3 Pro key remapping and macro options through Keychron Launcher.
•The K3 Pro's hot-swappable version supports Gateron low-profile mechanical switches.

Content CreationKeychron K3 Pro