Keychron K12 vs K13 Max60% vs 80% Low-Profile Keyboard Choice
Choose the K12 for maximum portability and battery life, or the K13 Max for a unique low-profile layout with advanced firmware support.
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4.8 · 192 reviews
from$39at Keychron
4.5 · 4 reviews
from$109at Keychron
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K12
60%
Build quality in the top 20% of 60% boards under $100.
- Superior portability with a compact 60% layout.
- Larger 4000mAh battery for extended wireless use.
- Hot-swappable sockets compatible with a wide range of MX-style 3-pin and 5-pin switches.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
- 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 K13 Max
80% Low-Profile Keyboard Choice
Build quality in the top 15% of 80% boards under $150.
- Unique 80% layout includes a numpad while saving space.
- Native support for QMK and VIA firmware via the Keychron Launcher web app.
- Low-profile design with Gateron low-profile mechanical switches and double-shot PBT keycaps.
- Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps will not fit.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
- No numpad.
Your primary need dictates the choice. If you value the smallest possible footprint and the longest battery life for use on the go, the Keychron K12 is the logical pick. If you work primarily at a desk and want a unique, space-efficient layout with a numpad, advanced programmability, and a low-profile typing experience, the Keychron K13 Max is worth the extra investment. Consider how much you'll miss dedicated arrow keys and a numpad versus how often you'll carry the keyboard.
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
Keychron K13 Max
Layout size
60%
80%
Connection
Bluetooth, Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Battery
4,000 mAh
2,000 mAh
A larger battery means fewer cables during the day
Low profile
No
Yes
Case material
ABS, Aluminum, Plastic
ABS, Aluminum
- Keychron K12
- Keychron K13 Max
- Performance
- 5880
- Build quality
- 7479
- Productivity
- 6988
- Customizability
- 7389
- Portability
- 9076
- Hot-swappable
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
What will you mostly use it for?
The K13 Max is the more versatile choice for most stationary use cases, winning in gaming, office work, programming, modding, and content creation due to its unique layout, firmware support, and included features. Its primary trade-off is size and battery life, which makes the K12 the clear winner for travel and portability. If your desk never changes, the K13 Max offers more tools. If you move around frequently, the K12's compact form is more practical.
Pick the Keychron K13 Max
- The K13 Max offers a 1000 Hz polling rate on its 2.4 GHz wireless connection, which the K12 lacks.
- Its 80% layout includes arrow keys and a numpad, useful for certain games without requiring a separate layer.
- The K13 Max features sound dampening with IXPE and latex foam for a quieter experience.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron K12
192 owner reviews
“I have recently bought a Keychron K12, and I'm really satisfied with it. You can say that the build quality is high, and I love the sound of the switches.”
“Bought this in December 2023. The good first: - the typing experience is genuinely fantastic. The plastic case creates this resonant, almost bass-cabinet effect that makes every keystroke satisfying. - Gateron G Pro Red switches are solid as always. For pure…”
Keychron K13 Max
4 owner reviews
“Bought the K13 max to substitute my K1SE. The K1 worked flawlessly, but i needed a number pad for workflow. The build quality with the metal body is great, wifi connectivity is a nice addition, keycaps are larger and have less empty space between each other…”
Keychron K12 vs K13 Max specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
13 of 26 specs differ
Keychron K12
Keychron K13 Max
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Low profile
Sound dampening
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
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
ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
Keychron K12
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
Keychron K13 Max
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW
In stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-SW
Out of 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 K12 vs K13 Max: your questions
Both keyboards include keycaps for macOS and are listed as compatible with Mac and Windows. The K13 Max manufacturer specifically notes it offers a Mac layout with the same multimedia and function key functions as Apple keyboards. The K12 also includes Mac keycaps.
You can use Cherry MX switches on the hot-swappable version of the Keychron K12, as its sockets are listed as compatible with MX-style 3-pin and 5-pin switches. The K13 Max, however, is currently stated to be compatible only with Gateron and Keychron low-profile mechanical switches.
Yes, both keyboards feature a USB-C port for wired connectivity, which implies the use of a removable USB-C cable. The K13 Max's specifications confirm a wired connection mode.
The Keychron K12 uses a 60% layout, which omits the function row, navigation cluster, and numpad. The K13 Max uses an 80% layout, which includes arrow keys and a numpad but removes the function row and navigation cluster, creating a more compact board than a full-size while retaining the numpad.
The Keychron K13 Max is significantly more customizable via software. It supports open-source QMK firmware and the VIA-compatible Keychron Launcher web app for remapping keys and creating macros. The K12 lacks native support for these advanced programming tools.
The K13 Max has a 3-degree typing angle and offers three levels of adjustable feet for ergonomic support. The K12 features two-level adjustable feet and an inclined bottom frame, but its specific typing angle is not listed in the provided specifications.
The manufacturer describes the K13 Max's keycaps as "non-shine-through PBT material." This means the legends are not translucent, so the RGB backlighting will shine around the keys rather than through the letters.
The K13 Max offers more wireless options, supporting Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and wired connections. The K12 supports Bluetooth and wired modes, but a 2.4 GHz dongle connection is not mentioned in its provided specifications.
The K12 has a 1000 Hz polling rate in wired mode, which is standard for gaming. However, its wireless polling rate is 90Hz, and it lacks a dedicated 2.4 GHz mode, which may introduce more latency for competitive wireless gaming compared to the K13 Max's 2.4 GHz option.
According to the manufacturer's description, the K13 Max features IXPE acoustic foam for sound dampening and latex foam for key switch support and responsiveness. The K12's specifications do not mention internal sound-dampening foam.
The provided specifications for the K13 Max list ANSI as one of its supported layout standards, alongside multiple ISO layouts. The vendor page shown focuses on its ISO Layout Collection, but ANSI appears to be an available option based on the metadata.
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