Keychron K10 HE vs K8 HEFull-Size vs Tenkeyless Magnetic Keyboard
Choose the K10 HE for a dedicated number pad and full-size layout, or the K8 HE for a more compact desk footprint with the same core magnetic switch technology.
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4.2 (18)4.2 · 18 reviews
from$134at MK
5.0 (6)5.0 · 6 reviews
from$129at MK
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K10 HE
Full-Size
Build quality in the top 5% of 100% boards under $150.
- Full 100% layout includes a dedicated number pad for data entry.
- Offers three adjustable typing angles (3.5°, 7.7°, 11°).
- Special Edition models feature an aluminum case with natural rosewood accents.
- Magnetic switches only. Standard MX switches will not fit.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
Get the
Keychron K8 HE
Tenkeyless Magnetic Keyboard
Build quality in the top 5% of 80% boards under $150.
- Compact 80% (TKL) layout saves considerable desk space.
- Lighter weight, with the Standard Version at approximately 1185g.
- Special Edition models also feature an aluminum and wood construction.
- Magnetic switches only. Standard MX switches will not fit.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
- Missing ISO-DE, ISO-UK. The other board is sold in those layouts.
- No numpad.
Your choice between the Keychron K10 HE and K8 HE should be dictated by your need for a number pad and desk space. If you regularly work with numbers or value a full-size keyboard, the K10 HE is the logical pick. If you prefer a cleaner, more portable setup and rarely use the numpad, the K8 HE delivers the same advanced magnetic switch experience in a more compact form. Their core performance and customization features are otherwise indistinguishable.
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 K10 HE
Keychron K8 HE
Layout size
100%
80%
Connection
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Wired, Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Case material
ABS, Aluminum, Plastic, Wood
ABS, Aluminum, Wood
Switch options
Clicky, Linear, Magnetic, Silent, Tactile
Clicky, Linear, Magnetic, Tactile
Weight
1,320 g
1,009 g
Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel
- Keychron K10 HE
- Keychron K8 HE
- Performance
- 9292
- Build quality
- 8987
- Productivity
- 9494
- Customizability
- 9489
- Portability
- 5676
- Hall effect (magnetic)
- Rapid trigger
- Hot-swappable
- Battery: 4,000 mAh
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Mount style: Tray Mount
What will you mostly use it for?
The K10 HE is the clear choice for office work and content creation where a number pad is essential. The K8 HE wins for travel and portability due to its smaller size and lower weight. For gaming, programming, and modding, the keyboards are functionally identical, offering the same magnetic switch performance and customization software, making the decision purely about layout preference.
It's a tie
- Both feature identical 1000 Hz polling rate in wired and 2.4 GHz modes.
- Both offer the same gaming-focused features: Rapid Trigger, Analog Mode, and Last Key Priority.
- Both use the same Gateron Double-Rail Magnetic switches with adjustable actuation from 0.2 to 3.8 mm.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron K10 HE
18 owner reviews
“Fantastically smooth design with sturdy make, elegant look and satisfying typing experience. The clicking is just right, and the keyboard feels incredible to type with.”
“caps lock, num lock and win/mac indicators don't work. Keychron support has no fix and a no free return policy that will cost me to return. Not worth it to send it back. One of the worst keyboards I have ever used and will wind up putting it in the trash.”
Keychron K8 HE
6 owner reviews
“Order arrived quickly with no damage to the packaging. Has a very premium feel and overall excellent piece of hardware.”
Keychron K10 HE vs K8 HE specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
8 of 27 specs differ
Keychron K10 HE
Keychron K8 HE
Switch options
Hall effect (magnetic)
Rapid trigger
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Display
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 K10 HE
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK
In stockDoes not ship to you
Keychron K8 HE
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 K10 HE vs K8 HE: your questions
The primary difference is the layout size. The K10 HE is a full-size 100% keyboard with a number pad, while the K8 HE is an 80% tenkeyless (TKL) keyboard that omits the number pad. This makes the K8 HE more compact and portable.
Yes. Both keyboards come with pre-lubed Gateron Double-Rail Magnetic Nebula switches. According to Keychron, both models are exclusively compatible with this specific magnetic switch type and do not support other magnetic switches.
Both are designed with gaming in mind. They share a 1000 Hz polling rate in wired and 2.4 GHz modes, Rapid Trigger, Analog Mode, and adjustable actuation points from 0.2 to 3.8 mm. For gaming performance, they are functionally identical.
Yes. Both feature north-facing RGB LED lights with over 22 backlight modes. You can customize the hue, saturation, brightness, and effect speed using the Keychron Launcher web app.
Both keyboards support the open-source QMK firmware and are compatible with the VIA and Keychron Launcher configuration tools. This allows for extensive key remapping, macro creation, and adjustment of the magnetic switch settings.
Both have a 4000mAh rechargeable battery. The manufacturer lists a wireless working time of up to 120 hours for the K10 HE and up to 110 hours for the K8 HE in lab tests, though actual use will vary.
The keycap profiles differ by edition. Both keyboards offer a Standard Version with shine-through Cherry profile double-shot PBT keycaps and a Special Edition with non-shine-through OSA profile double-shot PBT keycaps. Both include keycaps for Mac and Windows.
For the Standard Version, the K10 HE uses an aluminum case, while the K8 HE uses an aluminum top case with an ABS plastic bottom case. The Special Edition for both models combines an aluminum case with natural rosewood accents.
Yes. Both the K10 HE and K8 HE offer triple-mode connectivity: 2.4 GHz wireless, Bluetooth 5.2 (capable of connecting to three devices), and wired USB-C. The Bluetooth polling rate is 125 Hz.
According to the vendor descriptions, the fully assembled version of each includes the keyboard PCB, the case, an aluminum plate, keycaps for both Mac and Windows systems, and the Gateron Double-Rail Magnetic switches. A USB-C cable is also assumed but not explicitly listed.
No. Keychron's product description explicitly states that the K10 HE and K8 HE are compatible exclusively with the Gateron Double-Rail Magnetic Switch. They do not support other magnetic switches, such as Gateron Magnetic Jade or KS-20 switches.
The Keychron K8 HE is better for a small desk. Its 80% layout measures approximately 359mm in width, which is over 80mm narrower than the 440mm wide K10 HE. This saves significant space without sacrificing primary typing or gaming functionality.
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