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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 11, 2026

Keychron K12 Pro vs K2 ProCompact 60% vs 75%

Choose the K12 Pro for a smaller 60% footprint, or the K2 Pro for a 75% layout with a function row and ISO options.

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Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Keychron K12 Pro

Compact 60%

Build quality in the top 5% of 60% boards under $100.

If you want

  • 60% layout with a compact 36 x 299 x 108 mm listed size.
  • At 870 g, it is lighter than the K2 Pro.
  • Hot-swappable switches, QMK support, and VIA support.

Rules this board out

  • South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
  • No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
  • Compact layout only. No function row, dedicated arrow keys, or numpad.

Get the

Keychron K2 Pro

75%

Build quality in the top 5% of 75% boards under $100.

If you want

  • 75% layout includes a function row.
  • ISO options include UK, German, Swiss, Nordic, French, and Spanish layouts.
  • Hot-swappable switches with QMK and VIA support.

Rules this board out

  • South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
  • No numpad.

Bottom line

Pick the K12 Pro if saving desk and bag space matters more than having dedicated function-row keys. Choose the K2 Pro if you want a 75% layout or need one of its listed ISO variants. Both retain hot-swap support, QMK and VIA, and wired and wireless connectivity.

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 K12 Pro

Keychron K2 Pro

  • Layout size

    60%

    75%

  • Mount style

    Tray Mount

    PCB Mount, Plate Mount, Tray Mount

  • Weight

    870 g

    1,070 g

    Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel

  • Layout standard

    ANSI

    ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-SW, ISO-UK, JIS

    ISO and JIS exist so regional layouts fit

  • Keycaps

    PBT

    ABS, PBT

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Keychron K12 Pro
  • Keychron K2 Pro
Performance
76
81
Build quality
87
90
Productivity
92
95
Customizability
96
96
Portability
89
79

What they share

  • Connection: Bluetooth, Wired
  • Hot-swappable
  • Battery: 4,000 mAh
  • Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
  • Case material: ABS, Aluminum, Plastic
  • Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
See every spec side by side

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

The K2 Pro has the edge when a function row or a regional ISO layout matters, making it a more versatile fit for desk work and creation workflows. The K12 Pro is the more compact and lighter option for travel. Gaming and modding are close: both share the listed polling rate, rollover, hot-swap support, and firmware options.

For gaming

It's a tie

  • Both list a 1000 Hz polling rate and N-key rollover.
  • Both offer linear, tactile, and clicky switch options, plus wired and wireless connectivity.

From real owners

What owners say

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

Keychron K12 Pro

5.0

2 owner reviews

Praise
“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.”
Artur B.Verified buyer· via Keychron

Keychron K2 Pro

4.9

16 owner reviews

Praise
“I have been using the keychron K2 V2 for more than a year so when this came out, I knew I had to get this. and boy I never imagined the smoothness and thock on this thing. I replaced the brown switches with lavender purples and it feels even better.”
Kalu E.Verified buyer· via Keychron

Full specs

Keychron K12 Pro vs K2 Pro specs

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

8 of 26 specs differ

Keychron K12 Pro

Keychron K2 Pro

Typing & switches

Switch options

Clicky, Linear, Tactile
Clicky, Linear, Tactile

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Tray Mount
PCB Mount, Plate Mount, Tray Mount

Sound dampening

Yes
Yes

Screw-in stabilizers

Yes
Yes

Layout

Layout size

60%
75%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-SW, ISO-UK, JIS

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Display

None
None

Media keys

Yes
Yes

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Bluetooth, Wired
Bluetooth, Wired

Max polling rate

1,000 Hz
1,000 Hz

Battery

4,000 mAh
4,000 mAh

USB-C

Yes
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

ABS, Aluminum, Plastic
ABS, Aluminum, Plastic

Plate material

Steel
Steel

Keycaps

PBT
ABS, PBT

Weight

870 g
1,070 g

Dimensions

36 x 299 x 108 mm
25 x 317 x 122 mm

Typing angle

12°
5°

Backlight

RGB, south-facing
RGB, south-facing

Firmware & software

QMK

Yes
Yes

VIA

Yes
Yes

N-key rollover

Yes
Yes

Mac & Windows

Yes
Yes

Extras

Released

2023
2022

For EU buyers

ISO layouts by store

Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.

Keychron K12 Pro

No ISO layout at the stores we track.

Keychron K2 Pro

  • Keychron

    ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW

    In stockShips to you

  • Keychron (DE)

    ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW

    In stockDoes not ship to you

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 K12 Pro vs K2 Pro: your questions

The K12 Pro uses a 60% layout, while the K2 Pro uses a 75% layout. The K2 Pro includes a function row, which the K12 Pro lacks.

No, the K12 Pro is a 60% keyboard and its compatibility details specify that it has no function row. The K2 Pro's 75% layout is the alternative if you want one.

Yes, the K2 Pro is listed in ISO variants including UK, German, Swiss, Nordic, French, and Spanish. The K12 Pro has no ISO layout option.

The K12 Pro weighs 870 g, while the K2 Pro weighs 1070 g. The K12 Pro is also smaller in its listed footprint.

Both list Bluetooth, wireless, and wired connectivity. Each also lists a 4000 mAh battery.

Yes, both list hot-swappable switches. Keychron says their sockets support most 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style switches without soldering.

Both list QMK and VIA support. Keychron also describes its Launcher web app as supporting key remapping and macros.

Both have south-facing LEDs, and their compatibility details warn that shine-through legends stay dark. The K2 Pro's ABS keycap option is described by Keychron as shine-through, while its PBT option is non-shine-through.

Both list a 1000 Hz polling rate and N-key rollover, and both offer linear, tactile, and clicky switches. The 60% K12 Pro is more compact, while the K2 Pro offers a function row.

Both list Mac and Windows support. Keychron says each includes keycaps for both operating systems.

Both list sound dampening as a feature. Keychron describes sound-absorbing foam and a thick silicone dampening bottom pad for each model.

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