Keychron K3 Max vs K8 MaxLow-Profile or TKL?
Choose the K3 Max for a slimmer, lighter 75% board, or the K8 Max for a standard-height TKL layout, larger battery, and broader switch and keycap options.
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4.3 (15)4.3 · 15 reviews
from$89at MK
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K3 Max
Build quality in the top 5% of 75% boards under $100.
- 75% low-profile layout in a 580 g body.
- Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and wired connectivity, with 1000 Hz polling over 2.4 GHz and wired.
- Hot-swap, QMK, VIA, N-key rollover, and screw-in stabilizers are listed.
- 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.
- No numpad.
Get the
Keychron K8 Max
Battery
Build quality in the top 5% of 80% boards under $150.
- 80% TKL layout with ISO-CH among the listed layout options.
- 4000 mAh battery, with vendor-listed runtime of up to 190 hours.
- Hot-swap supports almost all 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style mechanical switches, according to Keychron.
- 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.
- No numpad.
Pick the K3 Max if low-profile typing, lower weight, smaller dimensions, or ISO-Nordic availability matter most. Choose the K8 Max if you want a standard-height TKL, longer vendor-listed battery runtime, or broader MX-style switch and keycap customization. Check the specific keycap set against each board's LED orientation before buying.
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 Max
Keychron K8 Max
Layout size
75%
80%
Battery
1,550 mAh
4,000 mAh
A larger battery means fewer cables during the day
Low profile
Yes
No
Case material
ABS, Aluminum, Plastic, Wood
ABS, Aluminum, Steel
Mount style
Plate Mount
PCB Mount, Plate Mount
- Keychron K3 Max
- Keychron K8 Max
- Performance
- 8180
- Build quality
- 8687
- Productivity
- 9494
- Customizability
- 9191
- Portability
- 7776
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- QMK
- VIA
What will you mostly use it for?
The K3 Max is the more travel-friendly and compact choice, and it has an advantage for buyers who need ISO-Nordic. The K8 Max suits users who want more keys and wider MX-style switch options for customization. Gaming and content creation are close calls because the models share key connectivity, polling, and customization features, with layout and typing height driving the choice. Consider the LED orientation if replacement keycaps and shine-through legends matter.
It's a tie
- Both list 1000 Hz polling over 2.4 GHz and wired connections, plus N-key rollover for wired and wireless use.
- K3 Max is the smaller 75% low-profile option, while K8 Max offers a standard-height 80% TKL layout.
Keychron K3 Max vs K8 Max specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
13 of 27 specs differ
Keychron K3 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
ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
Keychron K3 Max
Input Gear
ISO-DE
Out of stockShips to you
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW
Out of stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-SW
In stockDoes not ship to you
Keychron K8 Max
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-CH
In stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-CH
Out of stockDoes not ship to you
Compare prices
Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.
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Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.
Keychron K3 Max vs K8 Max: your questions
The K3 Max is a 75% low-profile keyboard, while the K8 Max is an 80% standard-height TKL. The K3 is smaller and lighter, and the K8 has a larger battery and wider MX-style switch compatibility for hot-swap versions.
The K3 Max is listed at 22 x 306 x 116 mm, while the K8 Max is listed at 43 x 359 x 129 mm. The K3 Max also uses a 75% layout rather than the K8 Max's 80% TKL layout.
The K3 Max is listed at 580 g, while the K8 Max is listed at 1308 g. Based on those listed weights and dimensions, the K3 Max is the more portable choice between the two.
Both support Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz wireless, and wired connections. Keychron's vendor descriptions say each can connect to up to three Bluetooth devices.
Keychron lists the K3 Max with a 1550 mAh battery and up to 73 hours of use. The K8 Max has a 4000 mAh battery and vendor-listed runtime of up to 190 hours.
Both list 1000 Hz polling over 2.4 GHz and wired connections, as well as N-key rollover for wired and wireless modes. The K3 Max is low-profile and 75%, while the K8 Max is a standard-height 80% TKL, so choose based on your preferred typing height and layout.
The K3 Max compatibility rules specify low-profile switches and keycaps only, so standard MX keycaps will not fit. Its north-facing LEDs may also cause Cherry-profile keycaps to hit the switch housing.
The K8 Max hot-swap version supports almost all 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style mechanical switches, according to Keychron. The K3 Max hot-swap version is limited to low-profile Gateron or Keychron mechanical switches.
Both list QMK and VIA support, and Keychron describes its Launcher web app for remapping keys and macros. The vendor says Launcher use requires a wired connection to the keyboard.
ISO-Nordic appears in the K3 Max layout options. It is not listed for the K8 Max, which includes ISO-CH instead.
Neither model has a numpad, according to its compatibility rules. The K3 Max is 75%, and the K8 Max is an 80% TKL.
The K8 Max has south-facing LEDs, and its compatibility rules say shine-through legends stay dark. Keychron describes the south-facing lighting as compatible with Cherry-profile alternative keycaps, but some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
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