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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4.5 (4)4.5 · 4 reviews
from$89at Keychron
4.9 (16)4.9 · 16 reviews
from$99at Keychron
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K11 Max
Knob
Build quality in the top 20% of 65% boards under $100.
- Programmable rotary encoder for customizing keys and macros.
- 520 g weight and a 65% layout for a lighter, more compact setup.
- 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.
- 75% layout with more keys than a 65% board.
- Vendor-described support for configuring keymaps for Mac and Windows.
- Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps will not fit.
- No numpad.
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.
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
- Keychron K11 Max
- Keychron K15 Max
- Performance
- 7981
- Build quality
- 8180
- Productivity
- 9393
- Customizability
- 9288
- Portability
- 8979
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Battery: 2,000 mAh
- Low profile
- Ergonomics: Alice
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
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.
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.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron K11 Max
4 owner reviews
“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…”
Keychron K15 Max
16 owner reviews
“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.”
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
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Low profile
Sound dampening
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
Display
Media keys
Connection
Max polling rate
Battery
USB-C
Case material
Keycaps
Weight
Dimensions
Typing angle
Backlight
QMK
VIA
N-key rollover
Mac & Windows
Released
Compare prices
Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.
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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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