Keychron K14 vs K8Compact 70% or TKL Layout
Choose the K14 for its more compact 70% layout and PBT keycap option, or the K8 for TKL navigation keys and broader layout availability.
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4.9 (29)4.9 · 29 reviews
from$52at Keychron
4.8 (623)4.8 · 623 reviews
from$59at Keychron
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K14
- 70% layout in a smaller footprint than the K8’s 80% TKL layout.
- 4000mAh battery and Bluetooth and wired connectivity.
- Hot-swappable version supports 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style mechanical switches, according to Keychron.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
Get the
Keychron K8
Build quality in the top 40% of 80% boards under $100.
- 80% TKL layout retains more keys than the K14’s 70% layout.
- Layout options include ANSI, JIS, and multiple ISO variants.
- 4000mAh battery and Bluetooth and wired connectivity.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
- No numpad.
Pick the Keychron K14 if reducing keyboard footprint is the priority, or if you want the listed PBT keycap material option. Choose the Keychron K8 if you need a TKL layout, ISO variants, or the vendor-listed Linux support. Both offer hot-swappable options and Bluetooth and wired connectivity, so those features alone do not decide the comparison.
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 K14
Keychron K8
Layout size
70%
80%
Layout standard
ANSI
ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-Nordic, ISO-UK, JIS
ISO and JIS exist so regional layouts fit
Keycaps
ABS, PBT
ABS
Released
2021
2020
- Keychron K14
- Keychron K8
- Performance
- 5661
- Build quality
- 6766
- Productivity
- 6065
- Customizability
- 7066
- Portability
- 8173
- Connection: Bluetooth, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Battery: 4,000 mAh
- Case material: Aluminum, Plastic
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- Mount style: Tray Mount
What will you mostly use it for?
The K14 is the more space-conscious choice, making it the clearer fit when a smaller layout matters for travel or a compact desk. The K8 takes the lead for office and programming workflows where ISO options, extra keys, or listed Linux support are useful. Gaming and content creation are close calls because both share wired and Bluetooth connectivity, switch options, and multimedia keys. For switch experimentation, both offer hot-swappable versions.
It's a tie
- Both list linear, tactile, and clicky switch types, plus wired and Bluetooth connectivity.
- The K14 lists a 1000 Hz polling rate in its metadata, and the K8 vendor specifications also list 1000 Hz for wired use.
- The K14’s 70% layout is smaller, while the K8’s TKL layout leaves out the numpad but retains more keys.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron K14
29 owner reviews
“Very easy to type on this keyboard. It has good color and presence. I think Mac users will find it especially easy to use. I am an engineer.”
Keychron K8
623 owner reviews
“This keyboard is exactly was I was looking for. Great keystroke, ability to be used wirelessly and wired, backlight, Mac and Windows Key Caps for a great price”
Keychron K14 vs K8 specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
4 of 17 specs differ
Keychron K14
Keychron K8
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Display
Media keys
Connection
Max polling rate
Battery
USB-C
Case material
Keycaps
Backlight
Mac & Windows
Released
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.
ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
Keychron K14
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
Keychron K8
- Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic
Out of stockShips to you
- Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-ES
Out of stockDoes not ship to you
Keychron K14 vs K8: your questions
Yes. The K14 is a 70% keyboard, while the K8 is an 80% TKL model. Keychron lists the plastic-frame K14 at 333 x 104 mm and the plastic-frame K8 at 355 x 123 mm.
Yes. The K8 metadata lists ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, and ISO-ES options, alongside ANSI and JIS. The K14 is listed as ANSI only.
The K14 metadata lists both ABS and PBT keycap materials. Its vendor specifications describe OEM Double-Shot ABS keycaps, so check the specific version or listing if PBT is essential.
Both product listings include hot-swappable versions. Keychron says the K14 hot-swappable mechanical version supports 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style switches, and describes similar support for the K8 mechanical hot-swappable version.
Both keyboards have north-facing LEDs, and their compatibility rules warn that Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing. Consider that before choosing Cherry-profile keycaps for either model.
No. The K8 is an 80% TKL keyboard, and its compatibility rules specify that it has no numpad. The K14 is a smaller 70% layout.
The K8 vendor listing names Linux support in addition to macOS and Windows. The K14 vendor listing names macOS and Windows.
Both metadata listings include Bluetooth and wired connectivity. Keychron’s product descriptions also identify USB-C wired connectivity.
Both keyboards are listed with a 4000mAh battery. Keychron’s vendor descriptions give different runtime details, so battery life may depend on model version and backlight use.
The K8’s 80% TKL layout has more keys than the K14’s 70% layout. Keychron describes the K8 layout as retaining function, navigation, and multimedia keys while removing the numpad.
Both metadata listings include RGB and white backlight options. Keychron describes adjustable four-level RGB backlighting for both models, though available versions can vary.
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