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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 12, 2026

Keychron K11 Max vs K15 MaxKnob or 75% Layout

Choose the K11 Max for a lighter, more compact board with a programmable knob, or the K15 Max for its 75% layout and added keys.

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Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Keychron K11 Max

Knob

Build quality in the top 20% of 65% boards under $100.

If you want

  • Programmable rotary encoder for customizing keys and macros.
  • 520 g weight and a 65% layout for a lighter, more compact setup.

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.
  • 65% layout. No function row and no numpad.

Get the

Keychron K15 Max

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

If you want

  • 75% layout with more keys than a 65% board.
  • Vendor-described support for configuring keymaps for Mac and Windows.

Rules this board out

  • Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps will not fit.
  • No numpad.

Bottom line

Get the K11 Max for its programmable knob and lighter 65% format, features the K15 Max does not offer. Choose the K15 Max if you want its 75% layout and added keys, accepting its higher listed weight and lack of a programmable knob.

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 K11 Max

Keychron K15 Max

  • Layout size

    65%

    75%

  • Knob

    Yes

    No

  • Weight

    520 g

    700 g

    Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel

  • Backlight

    RGB, north-facing

    RGB

    RGB for looks and low light rather than speed

  • Dimensions

    11 x 346 x 115 mm

    29 x 370 x 143 mm

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Keychron K11 Max
  • Keychron K15 Max
Performance
79
81
Build quality
81
80
Productivity
93
93
Customizability
92
88
Portability
89
79

What they share

  • Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
  • Hot-swappable
  • Battery: 2,000 mAh
  • Low profile
  • Ergonomics: Alice
  • Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
See every spec side by side

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

The K15 Max is the more suitable pick when your priority is having more keys in a 75% layout, including for office use. The K11 Max leads for travel and creative or programming workflows where its lower weight, compact layout, and programmable knob are useful. For gaming, both specify a 1000 Hz polling rate, so the K15 Max's extra keys make the distinction. Modders may favor the K11 Max for its knob, though both offer QMK, VIA, and hot-swap features.

For gaming

Pick the Keychron K15 Max

  • Both list a 1000 Hz polling rate, and the K15 Max has a 75% layout with more keys.
  • The K15 Max's 75% layout gives you more keys than the K11 Max's 65% layout.

From real owners

What owners say

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

Keychron K11 Max

4.5

4 owner reviews

Praise
“A really well-made keyboard, compact and very comfortable to use. Despite its small size, it still offers good ergonomics and allows for a more natural typing position compared to many traditional keyboards. The keys are quiet, pleasant to press, and suitable…”
Matteo B.Verified buyer· via Keychron

Keychron K15 Max

4.9

16 owner reviews

Praise
“This keyboard is perfect for me. Combined with the side-scrolling mouse I purchased, it does everything I need it to do, and is extremely comfortable to use all day.”
JamesVerified buyer· via Keychron

Full specs

Keychron K11 Max vs K15 Max specs

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

5 of 26 specs differ

Keychron K11 Max

Keychron K15 Max

Typing & switches

Switch options

Clicky, Linear, Tactile
Clicky, Linear, Tactile

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

PCB Mount
PCB Mount

Low profile

Yes
Yes

Sound dampening

Yes
Yes

Layout

Layout size

65%
75%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI

Ergonomics

Alice
Alice

Knob

Yes
No

Display

None
None

Media keys

Yes
Yes

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired

Max polling rate

1,000 Hz
1,000 Hz

Battery

2,000 mAh
2,000 mAh

USB-C

Yes
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

ABS, Aluminum
ABS, Aluminum

Keycaps

PBT
PBT

Weight

520 g
700 g

Dimensions

11 x 346 x 115 mm
29 x 370 x 143 mm

Typing angle

3°
3°

Backlight

RGB, north-facing
RGB

Firmware & software

QMK

Yes
Yes

VIA

Yes
Yes

N-key rollover

Yes
Yes

Mac & Windows

Yes
Yes

Extras

Released

2024
2024

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.

FAQ

Keychron K11 Max vs K15 Max: your questions

The K11 Max is a 65% Alice keyboard with a programmable rotary knob. The K15 Max uses a 75% Alice layout with more keys.

The Keychron K11 Max is listed at 520 g, while the K15 Max is listed at 700 g. The K11 Max is the lighter option for a setup that may be carried between locations.

Yes. The vendor specifications list 90 keys for the K15 Max and 68 for the K11 Max, corresponding to their 75% and 65% layouts.

Yes, its aluminum rotary encoder can be customized for keys and macros through the Keychron Launcher web app. The K15 Max does not list a knob.

Both product descriptions say hot-swap is available on specified RGB backlight versions. Keychron says the hot-swap versions support low-profile Gateron or Keychron mechanical switches.

No, both keyboards require low-profile keycaps, and standard MX keycaps will not fit. The K11 Max also has north-facing LEDs, which can cause Cherry-profile keycaps to hit the switch housing.

Both list Mac/Win support in their product specifications. Keychron also describes the K11 Max as including keycaps for both operating systems, and the K15 Max as allowing keymaps for Mac and Windows.

Both list Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz wireless, and wired connectivity. The vendor descriptions also identify these connection types for each keyboard.

The K11 Max is lighter at 520 g and has a 65% layout, making it the more compact choice by layout size. The K15 Max is listed at 700 g and uses a 75% layout.

Both list a 1000 Hz polling rate in their product metadata. Keychron specifies that this rate applies to 2.4 GHz and wired modes, while its vendor specifications list a lower rate for Bluetooth mode.

Choose the K11 Max if you want its programmable rotary knob for keys and macros and prefer a 65% layout. Choose the K15 Max if its 75% layout and additional keys are more important.

Neither has a numpad, according to their compatibility details. The K11 Max is a 65% layout, while the K15 Max is a 75% layout.

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