Keychron K15 Max vs K3 V3Alice or ISO Layout
Get the K15 Max for its Alice layout and 2.4 GHz connectivity, or the K3 V3 for ISO layout options, a smaller footprint, and lower weight.
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4.9 (16)4.9 · 16 reviews
from$99at Keychron
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K15 Max
Battery
Build quality in the top 15% of 75% boards under $100.
- Alice ergonomic layout in a 75% keyboard.
- 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity, alongside Bluetooth and wired modes.
- IXPE and latex acoustic foam layers, as described by Keychron.
- Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps will not fit.
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
Get the
Keychron K3 V3
Build quality in the top 10% of 75% boards under $100.
- ISO layout options include ISO-UK, ISO-DE, ISO-SW, and ISO-Nordic.
- Aluminum plate and additional EPDM foam, as described by Keychron.
- Lighter 540g body with listed dimensions of 19 x 306 x 116 mm.
- Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps will not fit.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
Choose the K15 Max if you want an Alice layout, 2.4 GHz connectivity, and the vendor-described IXPE and latex foam layers. Choose the K3 V3 if ISO layout availability, its aluminum plate, and its lighter, smaller body matter more. Both list QMK, VIA, and hot-swap support, so those shared features do not separate them.
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 K15 Max
Keychron K3 V3
Connection
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Bluetooth, Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Battery
2,000 mAh
1,550 mAh
A larger battery means fewer cables during the day
Ergonomics
Alice
Standard
Mount style
PCB Mount
PCB Mount, Plate Mount, Top Mount
Weight
700 g
540 g
Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel
- Keychron K15 Max
- Keychron K3 V3
- Performance
- 8182
- Build quality
- 8083
- Productivity
- 9380
- Customizability
- 8889
- Portability
- 7977
- Layout size: 75%
- Hot-swappable
- Low profile
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Case material: ABS, Aluminum
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
What will you mostly use it for?
The K15 Max has the stronger case for gaming when wireless use matters, because it explicitly combines 2.4 GHz with a 1000 Hz polling rate. The K3 V3 is the more portable pick by listed dimensions and weight, and its ISO variants widen the layout choice. Office and content-creation preferences split between the K15 Max's Alice layout and extra wireless option and the K3 V3's smaller body. For programming and modding, both offer QMK, VIA, and hot-swap support, so layout preference is the deciding distinction.
Pick the Keychron K15 Max
- The K15 Max supports 2.4 GHz wireless at a stated 1000 Hz polling rate.
- The K3 V3 supports wired and Bluetooth connections, but its vendor description gives a 90 Hz polling rate in wireless mode.
- Both list a 1000 Hz polling rate, though the K3 V3 vendor description specifies that figure for wired mode.
Keychron K15 Max vs K3 V3 specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
10 of 26 specs differ
Keychron K15 Max
Keychron K3 V3
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
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 K15 Max
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
Keychron K3 V3
- 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
In stockDoes not ship to you
Keychron K15 Max vs K3 V3: your questions
The K15 Max has an Alice layout and supports 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth, and wired connections. The K3 V3 has a conventional layout with ISO variants available, and supports Bluetooth and wired connections.
Yes, its metadata lists ISO, ISO-UK, ISO-DE, ISO-SW, and ISO-Nordic options. The K15 Max is listed as ANSI only.
Yes, 2.4 GHz is listed alongside Bluetooth and wired connectivity. Keychron describes its 2.4 GHz mode as having a 1000 Hz polling rate.
The K3 V3 is listed at 540g, while the K15 Max is listed at 700g. The K3 V3 also has the smaller listed dimensions.
No. Both compatibility listings specify low-profile switches and keycaps only, and say standard MX keycaps will not fit.
Both list hot-swappable support, but Keychron describes hot-swap as an option for specific versions. The K15 Max hot-swappable version is described for Gateron and Keychron low-profile mechanical switches, while the K3 V3 version is described for Keychron low-profile 2.0 mechanical switches.
The K15 Max is the clearer choice if you want 2.4 GHz wireless, which is listed with a 1000 Hz polling rate. The K3 V3 supports Bluetooth and wired connections, and Keychron specifies 90 Hz polling in wireless mode.
Both metadata listings include QMK and VIA support. Keychron also describes Launcher-based remapping and macro customization for each keyboard.
The K15 Max is the Alice-layout model. The K3 V3 is listed with a normal layout and multiple ANSI and ISO variants.
The K3 V3 compatibility listing warns that its north-facing LEDs can cause Cherry-profile keycaps to hit the switch housing. Its keycap compatibility rule also limits use to low-profile keycaps.
Keychron describes the K3 V3 as having shine-through ABS keycaps. The K15 Max is listed with PBT keycaps, and its vendor description says they are non-shine-through.
Keychron describes IXPE and latex foam in the K15 Max, and IXPE, EPDM, and latex foam in the K3 V3. The K3 V3 therefore has the additional EPDM foam layer described by the vendor.
Not sold on either?
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