Keychron K3 Max vs V3 MaxLow Profile or Gasket
Choose the K3 Max for a low-profile 75% board, while the V3 Max suits buyers who want a gasket mount, knob support, and broader MX switch compatibility.
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4.3 (15)4.3 · 15 reviews
from$89at MK
4.8 (4)4.8 · 4 reviews
from$150at Keychron (DE)
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K3 Max
Build quality in the top 5% of 75% boards under $100.
- Low-profile 75% design with a listed weight of 580g.
- Adjustable typing angles listed at 3° and 7°.
- 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-FR, ISO-ES. The other board is sold in those layouts.
- No numpad.
Get the
Keychron V3 Max
Battery
Build quality in the top 10% of 80% boards under $200.
- Gasket mount design with a polycarbonate plate.
- Knob support for an additional physical control.
- Hot-swap support for most 3-pin and 5-pin MX mechanical switches.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- No numpad.
Get the K3 Max for its low-profile 75% layout and lighter 580g build. Choose the V3 Max for its gasket mount, knob support, and broader stated compatibility with MX mechanical switches, or if you need ISO-FR or ISO-ES. Both are listed without a numpad.
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 V3 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, Plastic
Mount style
Plate Mount
Gasket Mount, Plate Mount
- Keychron K3 Max
- Keychron V3 Max
- Performance
- 8182
- Build quality
- 8686
- Productivity
- 9498
- Customizability
- 9198
- 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 V3 Max has the clearest edge for modding and content creation because of its wider MX switch compatibility and knob support. It also suits office use when a gasket-mounted typing feel or ISO-FR and ISO-ES layout options matter. The K3 Max is the lighter, low-profile choice for buyers who value a more compact travel board. Gaming is a close call, since both list the same polling rate for 2.4 GHz and wired use, but differ in layout and mounting design.
It's a tie
- Both list a 1000 Hz polling rate for 2.4 GHz and wired connections.
- The K3 Max has a 75% low-profile layout, while the V3 Max has a gasket mount and knob support.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron K3 Max
15 owner reviews
“Noce keyboard, i appreciate the level of customization QMK provides. One thing was little disappointing - the tactile feeling comparing to K3. Other than that its very good kb!”
“I sold my k3 pro and got this. The one I got drops connection intermittently or doesn't type or respond right away. It sounds nice, but stiff reds are not as pleasant to type on as previous keyboards reds. I really thought I ordered hotswap RGB max but seems…”
Keychron V3 Max
4 owner reviews
“This keyboard has been great. My first keyboard I've ever had. I had faulty switch, but you guys just gave me a whole new keyboard. Thanks a lot! -Mack”
Keychron K3 Max vs V3 Max specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
13 of 28 specs differ
Keychron K3 Max
Keychron V3 Max
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Low profile
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
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.
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 K3 Max
- Go to Input Gear
Input Gear
ISO-DE
Out of stockShips to you
- Go to Keychron
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW
Out of stockShips to you
- Go to Keychron (DE)
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-SW
In stockDoes not ship to you
Keychron V3 Max
- Go to Keychron
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW
Out of stockShips to you
- Go to Keychron (DE)
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW
In stockDoes not ship to you
Keychron K3 Max vs V3 Max: your questions
The K3 Max is a low-profile 75% keyboard listed at 580g. The V3 Max is an 80% board with a gasket mount, knob support, and compatibility with most 3-pin and 5-pin MX mechanical switches.
Yes, the K3 Max is listed as a low-profile keyboard and uses low-profile switches and keycaps. Standard MX keycaps will not fit it.
The V3 Max lists knob support, and Keychron offers a fully assembled knob version. The K3 Max's listed features do not include knob support.
The K3 Max is listed at 580g, while the V3 Max is listed at 895g. That makes the K3 Max the lighter option by the listed weights.
The K3 Max's compatibility notes specify low-profile switches and keycaps only. Its vendor description says hot-swapping is for Gateron or Keychron low-profile mechanical switches.
Keychron says the V3 Max supports most 3-pin and 5-pin MX mechanical switches, including examples such as Gateron, Cherry MX, and Kailh. Its hot-swap sockets allow switches to be changed without soldering.
Both list a 1000 Hz polling rate for 2.4 GHz and wired connections. The vendor descriptions list 90 Hz in Bluetooth mode for both models.
The V3 Max has a gasket mount design and a polycarbonate plate. Keychron says this combination reduces acoustic resonance for a softer, quieter typing experience.
Its south-facing LEDs and non-shine-through PBT keycaps mean shine-through legends stay dark, according to the compatibility notes. The K3 Max has north-facing LEDs, which can cause Cherry-profile keycaps to hit the switch housing.
The V3 Max lists both ISO-FR and ISO-ES. Those layouts are not listed for the K3 Max.
The K3 Max is the lighter option at 580g and has a low-profile 75% layout. The V3 Max weighs 895g and has an 80% layout, so the listed size and weight favor the K3 Max for buyers prioritizing portability.
Both models are listed without a numpad. The K3 Max has a 75% layout, while the V3 Max has an 80% layout.
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