Keychron K13 Max vs K8 MaxLow-Profile or Steel
Get the K13 Max for its low-profile design and numpad in an 80% layout, or the K8 Max for its steel plate, wider MX switch compatibility, and screw-in stabilizers.
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4.5 (4)4.5 · 4 reviews
from$109at Keychron
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K13 Max
Build quality in the top 15% of 80% boards under $150.
- Low-profile design with low-profile switches and LSA keycaps.
- Numpad included in its 80% layout.
- Listed weight of 600 g.
- Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps will not fit.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
- Missing ISO-CH. The other board is sold in those layouts.
Get the
Keychron K8 Max
Battery
Build quality in the top 5% of 80% boards under $150.
- Steel plate with IXPE, PET, and EPDM foam layers listed by Keychron.
- Hot-swap support for most 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style mechanical switches.
- Screw-in PCB stabilizers, with support for third-party screw-in stabilizers.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- Missing ISO-Nordic. The other board is sold in those layouts.
Choose the K13 Max for a low-profile board with a numpad and a much lower listed weight. Choose the K8 Max for its steel plate, broader MX-style switch compatibility, and screw-in stabilizers. Check the layout and keycap compatibility restrictions before buying either board.
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 K13 Max
Keychron K8 Max
Battery
2,000 mAh
4,000 mAh
A larger battery means fewer cables during the day
Low profile
Yes
No
Case material
ABS, Aluminum
ABS, Aluminum, Steel
Mount style
PCB Mount
PCB Mount, Plate Mount
Weight
600 g
1,308 g
Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel
- Keychron K13 Max
- Keychron K8 Max
- Performance
- 8080
- Build quality
- 7987
- Productivity
- 8894
- Customizability
- 8991
- Portability
- 7676
- Layout size: 80%
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- QMK
What will you mostly use it for?
For gaming, the shared 1000 Hz polling rate in 2.4 GHz and wired modes leaves the choice to layout and typing preference. The K13 Max is the more travel-oriented pick based on its listed weight and low-profile construction, while its numpad also suits number-heavy office work. Programming and switch-focused modding lean toward the K8 Max because of its broader MX-style switch support and screw-in stabilizers. Content creators who use a numpad may prefer the K13 Max, though the K8 Max offers a steel plate and multiple foam layers.
It's a tie
- Both list a 1000 Hz polling rate for 2.4 GHz and wired modes.
- Both offer 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth, and wired connections.
- The K13 Max is a low-profile option, while the K8 Max has a steel plate and standard-height layout.
Keychron K13 Max vs K8 Max specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
10 of 27 specs differ
Keychron K13 Max
Keychron K8 Max
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Low profile
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
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
Compare prices
Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.
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Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.
ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
Keychron K13 Max
- Go to Keychron
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW
In stockShips to you
- Go to Keychron (DE)
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-SW
Out of stockDoes not ship to you
Keychron K8 Max
- Go to Keychron
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-CH
In stockShips to you
- Go to Keychron (DE)
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-CH
Out of stockDoes not ship to you
Keychron K13 Max vs K8 Max: your questions
The K13 Max is a low-profile 80% board with a numpad, while the K8 Max is a standard-height 80% TKL board with a steel plate. The K8 Max also supports a broader range of MX-style switches in its hot-swappable version.
Yes. Keychron describes the K13 Max as an 80% layout with a numpad. The K8 Max is listed as an 80% TKL layout.
The K13 Max is listed at 600 g, while the K8 Max is listed at 1308 g. The K13 Max also has smaller listed dimensions.
No. The K13 Max’s compatibility rules specify low-profile switches and keycaps only, and say standard MX keycaps will not fit. Keychron describes its included caps as low-profile double-shot PBT.
Keychron says the hot-swappable K8 Max supports almost all 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style mechanical switches. Its listed switch options include Keychron Super Red, Super Brown, and Super Banana.
Both models list Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and wired connectivity. Both also list a 1000 Hz polling rate for 2.4 GHz and wired modes.
The K8 Max is the more suitable choice based on Keychron’s description, which says its south-facing RGB avoids interference with Cherry-profile alternative keycaps. The K13 Max has north-facing LEDs, and its compatibility rules warn that Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
Both product listings include hot-swap support. The K13 Max is limited to Gateron or Keychron low-profile mechanical switches, while Keychron describes broader 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style compatibility for the K8 Max.
The K8 Max lists screw-in PCB stabilizers and supports third-party screw-in PCB stabilizers. The K13 Max vendor description discusses redesigned stabilizers but does not list screw-in stabilizers.
The K13 Max lists ISO-UK, ISO-DE, ISO-SW, and ISO-Nordic, while the K8 Max lists ISO-UK, ISO-DE, ISO-SW, and ISO-CH. The K13 Max vendor description also mentions JIS and ANSI among layout standards.
The K8 Max lists a steel plate, and Keychron describes IXPE, PET, and EPDM foam layers. The K13 Max vendor description names IXPE and latex foam.
Both metadata listings include QMK support and VIA support. Keychron’s product descriptions also discuss QMK and its Launcher web app for customization.
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