Keychron K11 Pro vs K12 ProAlice Layout or 60% Compact
Choose the K11 Pro for its ergonomic Alice layout and low-profile design, or the K12 Pro for deeper customization and a more traditional compact build.
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5.0 (2)5.0 · 2 reviews
from$74at Keychron
5.0 (2)5.0 · 2 reviews
from$67at Keychron
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K11 Pro
Build quality in the top 20% of 65% boards under $100.
- Ergonomic Alice layout reduces wrist strain during long typing sessions.
- Low-profile design with 31% slimmer switches makes it one of Keychron's thinnest wireless mechanical keyboards.
- Lightweight at 510g, highly portable for travel.
- 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 K12 Pro
Battery
Build quality in the top 5% of 60% boards under $100.
- Hot-swap PCB supports almost all 3pin and 5pin MX mechanical switches on the market, offering vast customization.
- Comes with pre-installed sound-absorbing foam and a silicone dampening pad for a quieter typing experience.
- Screw-in PCB stabilizers provide smoother and less wobbly big key presses.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- Compact layout only. No function row, dedicated arrow keys, or numpad.
Your choice comes down to ergonomics versus modding flexibility. The Keychron K11 Pro is the pick if you want an Alice layout for better typing posture, a slim travel-friendly form, and a convenient knob. The Keychron K12 Pro is the better option if you plan to heavily customize switches, prefer a standard layout, and value a heavier build with sound dampening out of the box.
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 Pro
Keychron K12 Pro
Layout size
65%
60%
Battery
2,000 mAh
4,000 mAh
A larger battery means fewer cables during the day
Low profile
Yes
No
Ergonomics
Alice
Standard
Case material
Aluminum, Plastic
ABS, Aluminum, Plastic
- Keychron K11 Pro
- Keychron K12 Pro
- Performance
- 8076
- Build quality
- 8287
- Productivity
- 8792
- Customizability
- 9296
- Portability
- 8989
- Connection: Bluetooth, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- Mount style: Tray Mount
- QMK
What will you mostly use it for?
For office work and travel, the K11 Pro's ergonomic Alice layout and lightweight design make it the clear choice. In programming, the K12 Pro's standard layout and wider switch compatibility appeal to users who want a predictable typing experience. For gaming, both are evenly matched due to identical polling rates and rollover support. Modders will prefer the K12 Pro's extensive switch support and included dampening materials, while content creators may favor the K11 Pro for its dedicated knob and arrow keys.
It's a tie
- Both offer a 1000 Hz polling rate in wired mode for low latency.
- Both support N-Key Rollover, ensuring all keypresses register.
- The K11 Pro's low-profile switches may feel faster for some, while the K12 Pro's standard switches offer more feedback.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron K11 Pro
2 owner reviews
“What's perfect: This is just what I wanted and I'm super happy with it. I really feel like I made the right choice buying this particular deck. The low profile keys are super comfortable for typing and I now see that all I ever wanted was a shorter travel…”
Keychron K12 Pro
2 owner reviews
“It was my first mechanical keyboard so i don't have much experience with mechanical keyboards, but this one seems like it's really high quality and it's working perfectly. I am really happy with it.”
Keychron K11 Pro vs K12 Pro specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
12 of 28 specs differ
Keychron K11 Pro
Keychron K12 Pro
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Low profile
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
Display
Media keys
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
Compare prices
Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.
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Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.
Keychron K11 Pro vs K12 Pro: your questions
No. The Keychron K11 Pro is only compatible with Gateron low-profile mechanical switches. Standard MX switches will not fit due to the low-profile switch socket design, as noted in the product specifications.
Yes. The K12 Pro's hot-swap PCB supports both 3-pin and 5-pin MX style switches. The vendor states it works with switches from Cherry, Gateron, Kailh, Panda, and others without soldering.
The Keychron K12 Pro has a larger 4000mAh battery compared to the K11 Pro's 2000mAh cell. This suggests the K12 Pro will last longer between charges, though actual battery life depends on usage and backlight settings.
Yes. Both the K11 Pro and K12 Pro support QMK firmware and the Keychron Launcher web app, which is compatible with macOS, Windows, and Linux for customizing keymaps and macros.
The K12 Pro has better factory sound dampening. It includes sound-absorbing foam and a thick silicone dampening bottom pad, while the K11 Pro does not list these features in its specifications.
Some users find the layout challenging, particularly the Fn2 key positioned next to the right space bar, which can lead to accidental presses. However, the ergonomic split design can be very comfortable once adjusted.
Yes. The K12 Pro is available as a Barebone (Barebone) version, which does not include switches or keycaps. This is ideal for modders who want to supply their own components from the start.
The K12 Pro uses south-facing RGB LEDs to better illuminate the keyboard from the typist's angle and avoid interference with Cherry-profile keycaps. The K11 Pro uses north-facing RGB LEDs, which provide brighter keycap shine-through but may conflict with some aftermarket keycaps.
Yes. Both keyboards support Mac and Windows and include keycaps for both operating systems. They also allow you to configure different keymaps for each OS through VIA.
The K12 Pro may be better for beginners due to its standard layout and wider switch and keycap compatibility, making it easier to learn on and customize later. The K11 Pro's Alice layout has a learning curve that some beginners may find frustrating.
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