Keychron K3 Max SE vs S1Wireless or Aluminum
Choose the K3 Max SE for Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz flexibility, or the S1 for its full CNC aluminum body and steel plate.
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5.0 (2)5.0 · 2 reviews
from$104at Keychron
4.8 (12)4.8 · 12 reviews
from$82at Keychron
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Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K3 Max SE
Sound dampening
Build quality in the top 35% of 75% boards under $150.
- Offers 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth, and wired connectivity.
- Weighs 566 g and has a 1550 mAh battery, with Keychron listing up to 120 hours of wireless use.
- Uses an aluminum plate with ABS and wood case materials.
- 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
Build quality in the top 15% of 75% boards under $100.
- Full CNC-machined aluminum body with a steel plate.
- Supports QMK and VIA, plus hot-swappable low-profile Gateron mechanical switches.
- Includes low-profile double-shot PBT keycaps and north-facing RGB lighting.
- Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps will not fit.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
Pick the K3 Max SE if wireless connectivity, lower weight, or multi-device Bluetooth use matters most. Choose the S1 if you prefer a full CNC aluminum body and steel plate and are comfortable with a wired-only keyboard. For either model, check the specific switch and backlight version before buying, since the vendor listings describe different available options.
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 SE
Keychron S1
Connection
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Case material
ABS, Wood
Aluminum
Weight
566 g
960 g
Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel
Sound dampening
Yes
No
Plate material
Aluminum
Steel
- Keychron K3 Max SE
- Keychron S1
- Performance
- 8082
- Build quality
- 7482
- Productivity
- 8980
- Customizability
- 8689
- Portability
- 8065
- Layout size: 75%
- Hot-swappable
- Low profile
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- QMK
What will you mostly use it for?
The K3 Max SE is the more flexible choice for gaming across connection modes, office use, travel, and multi-device workflows. The S1's appeal is its CNC aluminum construction and steel plate, rather than wireless convenience. Programming and modding are close calls because both keyboards support QMK/VIA and hot-swapping, though their switch types and case materials differ. Neither has an obvious category advantage when customization is the main priority.
Pick the Keychron K3 Max SE
- The K3 Max SE supports 2.4 GHz wireless as well as wired use, while the S1 is wired-only.
- Both list a 1000 Hz polling rate, and the K3 Max SE vendor specifies it for 2.4 GHz and wired modes.
- Both are hot-swappable and support N-key rollover.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron K3 Max SE
2 owner reviews
“Beautiful service from yourselves, got updates at every point required. Product is amazing and arrived wrapped well. Only issue was the courier delivering the parcel by throwing it into the house rather than handing it in person. Already reviewed their poor…”
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 Max SE vs S1 specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
8 of 26 specs differ
Keychron K3 Max SE
Keychron S1
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.
Keychron K3 Max SE vs S1: your questions
Yes. It supports Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and wired USB-C connections. Keychron says Bluetooth can connect to up to three devices.
No, the S1 is listed as wired-only, using a Type-C connection. It does not offer the Bluetooth or 2.4 GHz modes listed for the K3 Max SE.
The K3 Max SE weighs 566 g, while the S1 weighs 960 g. That makes the K3 Max SE the lighter option for carrying between locations.
The K3 Max SE combines ABS and wood with an aluminum plate. The S1 has a full CNC-machined aluminum body and a steel plate.
Yes, both are listed as hot-swappable. The K3 Max SE uses Keychron Milk POM switches, while Keychron says the S1 hot-swap PCB supports Gateron low-profile mechanical switches.
Both list QMK and VIA support. Keychron describes its Launcher web app for remapping and macros on the K3 Max SE, and QMK/VIA programming for the S1.
The K3 Max SE is lighter at 566 g and supports Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz wireless use. The S1 weighs 960 g and requires a wired connection.
Both list a 1000 Hz polling rate. Keychron specifies the K3 Max SE's 1000 Hz rate for 2.4 GHz and wired modes.
No. Both vendor descriptions identify their low-profile double-shot PBT keycaps as not shine-through. Both keyboards have backlighting, but the legends are not described as transmitting the light.
Yes, it has a 1550 mAh battery. Keychron lists up to 120 hours of wireless working time.
Keychron describes two S1 angles, 3° and 6°, enabled by its extra feet. The K3 Max SE's listed specifications do not describe matching adjustable angles.
Keychron describes EPDM and bottom-case acoustic foam in the K3 Max SE, along with sound-dampening features. The S1 listing identifies its CNC aluminum body and steel plate but does not describe acoustic foam.
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