Keychron K2 QMK V3 vs K3 V3
Choose the K2 for its larger 4000mAh battery and PBT keycaps, or the K3 for its low-profile design and lower 540g weight.
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K2 QMK V3
Battery
- 4000mAh battery.
- PBT keycaps, listed as double-shot PBT by the vendor.
- Hot-swappable version supports 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style mechanical switches, according to the vendor.
- At about 813g, it weighs more than the K3's listed 540g.
- It is not described as low-profile.
- The vendor lists a lower 1000 Hz polling rate without specifying a wireless-mode rate.
Get the
Keychron K3 V3
- Low-profile design and a listed weight of 540g.
- 1000 Hz wired and 90 Hz wireless polling rates are specified by the vendor.
- Hot-swappable version supports Keychron Milk POM and compatible low-profile mechanical switches.
- The 1550mAh battery is smaller than the K2's 4000mAh battery.
- The product listing specifies shine-through ABS keycaps.
- Hot-swap compatibility is limited to low-profile mechanical switches, according to the vendor.
Choose the Keychron K2 QMK V3 if battery capacity, PBT keycaps, or broader switch options for its hot-swappable version matter most. Choose the K3 V3 if you want a low-profile keyboard with a lower listed weight and clearly specified wired and wireless polling rates. Both provide QMK, Bluetooth and wired connectivity, and a 75% layout.
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 K2 QMK V3
Keychron K3 V3
Battery
4,000 mAh
1,550 mAh
Low profile
No
Yes
Case material
Aluminum
ABS, Aluminum
Mount style
PCB Mount
PCB Mount, Top Mount
Layout standard
ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, ISO-UK
ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, ISO-UK
- Keychron K2 QMK V3
- Keychron K3 V3
- Performance
- 8282
- Build quality
- 7982
- Productivity
- 8170
- Customizability
- 8989
- Portability
- 8074
- Layout size: 75%
- Connection: Bluetooth, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- QMK
- VIA
What will you mostly use it for?
The K2 is the more suitable fit for buyers who value its larger battery, PBT keycaps, and broader stated switch compatibility on the hot-swappable version. The K3 stands out for travel with its lower listed weight and low-profile construction. Gaming and programming are close calls because both share wired polling-rate, N-key rollover, and QMK features, though the K3's wireless polling rate is specified separately. For office and content creation, the K2's battery and keycap materials give it the clearer edge.
It's a tie
- Both support N-key rollover in wired and wireless modes.
- Both vendors describe a 1000 Hz wired polling rate.
- The K3 vendor specifies 90 Hz polling in wireless mode, while the K2 vendor lists 1000 Hz without separating modes.
Keychron K2 QMK V3 vs K3 V3 specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
9 of 24 specs differ
Keychron K2 QMK V3
Keychron K3 V3
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Low profile
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Display
Media keys
Connection
Max polling rate
Battery
USB-C
Case 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.
Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.
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.
Keychron K2 QMK V3 vs K3 V3: your questions
The K2 has a 4000mAh battery and PBT keycaps, while the K3 is a low-profile model listed at 540g with shine-through ABS keycaps. Both are 75% wireless keyboards with QMK support.
The K3 V3 is listed at 540g. The K2 vendor lists its weight at about 813g, making the K3 the lighter option.
The K2 QMK V3 has a 4000mAh battery, compared with 1550mAh in the K3 V3. The K3 vendor lists up to 124 hours of battery life.
Both offer hot-swappable versions, but the feature depends on the selected version. The K2 vendor describes support for 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style mechanical switches, while the K3 vendor specifies compatible low-profile mechanical switches.
The K3 vendor describes its hot-swap option as compatible with Keychron Milk POM or Gateron and Keychron low-profile mechanical switches. It does not claim compatibility with standard-height MX-style switches.
The K3 V3 is listed at 540g and described as ultra-slim and low-profile, making it the more travel-oriented choice by those characteristics. The K2 has the larger 4000mAh battery if battery capacity is a higher priority.
Yes, both product listings include QMK support, and both vendors describe QMK firmware with the Keychron Launcher web app. The vendor descriptions say Launcher supports key remapping and macros.
The K2 vendor lists a 1000 Hz polling rate. The K3 vendor specifies 1000 Hz in wired mode and 90 Hz in wireless mode.
Both listings identify Bluetooth and wired connectivity. Their vendors describe USB-C or wired connections and Bluetooth connections, including connection to up to three devices.
The K2 metadata lists PBT keycaps, and its vendor describes double-shot PBT keycaps. The K3 vendor specification lists shine-through ABS keycaps.
Both product listings include ISO layout options. The K2 metadata lists several regional ISO variants, and the K3 metadata lists ISO along with several named regional options.
Both have N-key rollover and a vendor-listed 1000 Hz wired polling rate. The K3 vendor also specifies 90 Hz wireless polling, while the K2 vendor does not separate its listed polling rate by connection mode.
Not sold on either?
Still torn?
Answer a few quick questions and the keyboard finder ranks 2,000+ boards by how you will actually use yours.