Keychron K3 HE vs S1Hall Effect vs All-Metal 75%
Choose the K3 HE for wireless flexibility and magnetic switch features, or the S1 for a premium all-metal wired experience.
KeebFinder may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.
4.4 (8)4.4 · 8 reviews
from$119at Keychron
4.8 (12)4.8 · 12 reviews
from$82at Keychron
90-day lowLowest price in 90 days
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K3 HE
Hall Effect
Build quality in the top 10% of 75% boards under $150.
- Hall Effect magnetic switches with adjustable actuation from 0.2 to 2.9 mm and Rapid Trigger.
- Triple connectivity: Bluetooth 5.2, 2.4 GHz, and Type-C wired.
- Lightweight at 575g, suitable for portability.
- Magnetic switches only. Standard MX switches will not fit.
- Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps will not fit.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
Get the
Keychron S1
All-Metal 75%
Build quality in the top 10% of 75% boards under $100.
- Full CNC machined aluminum body and steel plate for a premium, sturdy build.
- 1000 Hz polling rate and wired-only connection ensures consistent low latency.
- Hot-swappable with Gateron low-profile mechanical switches, a widely available standard.
- Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps will not fit.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
If wireless flexibility, magnetic switch features, and portability matter most, the Keychron K3 HE is the clear choice. If you prioritize a solid, all-metal build and a stable wired connection for a premium typing feel, the Keychron S1 delivers. Both are excellent low-profile 75% keyboards, but your decision hinges on whether you want cutting-edge speed and portability or a heftier, more traditional mechanical experience.
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 K3 HE
Keychron S1
Hall effect (magnetic)
Yes
No
Adjustable actuation helps in games and not in normal typing
Rapid trigger
Yes
No
Faster resets help in games and not in normal typing
Connection
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Case material
ABS, Aluminum, Wood
Aluminum
Switch options
Clicky, Linear, Magnetic, Tactile
Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- Keychron K3 HE
- Keychron S1
- Performance
- 9282
- Build quality
- 8682
- Productivity
- 8980
- Customizability
- 8989
- Portability
- 8265
- Layout size: 75%
- Hot-swappable
- Low profile
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- QMK
- VIA
What will you mostly use it for?
The K3 HE wins for Gaming outright thanks to its magnetic switch technology and wireless performance, and it also leads for Travel due to its light weight and wireless options. In Office, Programming, Modding, and Content Creation, the two keyboards tie because both offer strong programmability and low-profile comfort, though each brings different strengths like wireless connectivity or an all-metal chassis. The S1's wired-only limitation prevents it from competing in travel scenarios.
Pick the Keychron K3 HE
- Hall Effect magnetic switches with adjustable actuation from 0.2 to 2.9 mm.
- Rapid Trigger and Last Key Priority for competitive FPS gameplay.
- 1000 Hz polling in wired and 2.4 GHz modes.
- Analog mode for game controller-like input.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron K3 HE
8 owner reviews
“I am happy with this keyboard! I needed some time to adjust my typing habits, but so far so good.”
“please add a custom firmware file in your as the app can not recognize the keyboard and apparently doesn't have a correct firmware. the reset buttons do not work as well”
Keychron S1
12 owner reviews
“Got it today, hands on my first mechanical keyboard and feels so good. And a lot of difference in day-to-day way of typing.”
Keychron K3 HE vs S1 specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
15 of 28 specs differ
Keychron K3 HE
Keychron S1
Switch options
Hall effect (magnetic)
Rapid trigger
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 K3 HE
Keychron
ISO-DE
In stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-FR, ISO-ES
In stockDoes not ship to you
Keychron S1
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
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 K3 HE vs S1: your questions
The K3 HE is better for gaming due to its Hall Effect magnetic switches with adjustable actuation from 0.2 to 2.9 mm, Rapid Trigger, and Last Key Priority support. It also offers 1000 Hz polling in wired and 2.4 GHz modes. The S1 is wired-only with 1000 Hz polling but lacks magnetic-switch gaming features.
Yes, both are hot-swappable. The K3 HE is compatible only with Keychron Ultra-Fast Lime Low-Profile magnetic switches, while the S1 supports Gateron low-profile mechanical switches. You can change switches without soldering on either model.
Yes, both keyboards support QMK firmware and VIA software for remapping keys, creating macros, and customizing shortcuts. The K3 HE also offers the Keychron Launcher web app for additional customization.
The K3 HE is significantly more portable at 575g compared to the S1's 960g. It also supports Bluetooth 5.2 and 2.4 GHz wireless, eliminating the need for a cable, while the S1 is wired-only.
Yes, the K3 HE is fully compatible with macOS, Windows, and Linux. It includes a Mac layout and system toggle, and the vendor states it supports both systems with dedicated keycaps.
Both keyboards come with low-profile double-shot PBT keycaps. The K3 HE uses LSA (low-profile spherical-angled) keycaps, and the S1 uses double-shot PBT low-profile keycaps. Neither set is shine-through.
Yes, the S1 features a full CNC machined aluminum body and a steel plate, as stated by the vendor. The K3 HE uses an aluminum and wood frame with an ABS plastic bottom case.
Yes, the K3 HE allows you to adjust actuation points from 0.2 to 2.9 mm with 0.1 mm sensitivity. This is a feature of its Hall Effect magnetic switches, which the S1 does not have.
The S1 is heavier at 960g, which provides a stable, non-slip typing experience on a desk. The K3 HE is lighter at 575g, making it easier to move or travel with but less resistant to sliding during fast use.
No, the S1 is a wired-only keyboard with a Type-C connection. It does not support Bluetooth or 2.4 GHz wireless. The K3 HE offers both wireless options in addition to wired connectivity.
The K3 HE offers per-key RGB and mix RGB with over 22 backlight settings, customizable via the Keychron Launcher. The S1 also includes 22 RGB effects, but both keyboards use non-shine-through keycaps, reducing visibility.
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.