Keychron K3 Pro vs Q3 ProLow Profile or TKL
Choose the K3 Pro for a slim, lighter low-profile keyboard, or the Q3 Pro for a heavier aluminum TKL with a gasket mount and programmable knob.
KeebFinder may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.
4.8 (52)4.8 · 52 reviews
from$67at Keychron
4.8 (24)4.8 · 24 reviews
from$149at Keychron
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K3 Pro
Build quality in the top 15% of 75% boards under $100.
- Low-profile 75% layout and 525 g listed weight make it the lighter, slimmer option.
- Hot-swap version accepts Gateron low-profile mechanical switches without soldering.
- Supports Bluetooth and USB-C wired connectivity, with Bluetooth connections to up to three devices in the vendor description.
- Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps will not fit.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- No numpad.
Get the
Keychron Q3 Pro
Battery
Build quality in the top 5% of 80% boards under $150.
- Full CNC-machined aluminum body with gasket mount, PC plate, and silicone pads between the case halves.
- Hot-swappable switches support most 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style mechanical switches, according to the vendor.
- The programmable knob can be assigned to creative actions such as zooming or adjusting brush size.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- No numpad.
Pick the Keychron K3 Pro if low-profile typing, lower weight, and a compact 75% layout are your priorities. Choose the Q3 Pro if you want an aluminum gasket-mount build, broader MX-style switch compatibility, or the knob and Special Edition macro keys for customized workflows. Both cover wired and Bluetooth use and support QMK and VIA, so the core choice is portability versus a more substantial, feature-rich TKL design.
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 Pro
Keychron Q3 Pro
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
Aluminum
Mount style
Plate Mount, Tray Mount
Gasket Mount, Plate Mount
- Keychron K3 Pro
- Keychron Q3 Pro
- Performance
- 8281
- Build quality
- 8189
- Productivity
- 8097
- Customizability
- 8998
- Portability
- 7876
- Connection: Bluetooth, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- QMK
- VIA
What will you mostly use it for?
The Q3 Pro leads for office work, programming, modding, and content creation, chiefly through its knob, broader switch compatibility, and heavier customization options. The K3 Pro is the more practical pick for travel because it is much lighter and uses a low-profile 75% layout. Gaming is a close call on the listed wired polling rate and rollover features, with switch compatibility and form factor as the more meaningful distinctions. Both provide wireless and wired use along with QMK and VIA support.
It's a tie
- Both list a 1000 Hz polling rate and N-key rollover for wired and wireless modes.
- Both offer hot-swappable switches, though the K3 Pro is limited to Gateron low-profile mechanical switches while the Q3 Pro supports most 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style switches.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron K3 Pro
52 owner reviews
“For anyone buying this, remember to toggle the switch to the correct operating system. Other than that, the feel is good and it comes with a good feature set for a low price”
Keychron Q3 Pro
24 owner reviews
“I ordered this keyboard for myself and it sounds and feels amazing. I love the clacky feel over the clicky keyboard I had before!”
Keychron K3 Pro vs Q3 Pro specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
13 of 28 specs differ
Keychron K3 Pro
Keychron Q3 Pro
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
ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
Keychron K3 Pro
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW
Out of stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW
Out of stockDoes not ship to you
Keychron Q3 Pro
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW
In stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW
In stockDoes not ship to you
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 Pro vs Q3 Pro: your questions
The K3 Pro is a low-profile 75% keyboard weighing 525 g, while the Q3 Pro is an 80% TKL model with a full aluminum case and a gasket mount. The Q3 Pro adds a programmable knob and, in the Special Edition, four left-side macro keys.
The K3 Pro is the more travel-oriented choice, weighing 525 g and using a low-profile 75% layout. The fully assembled Q3 Pro is listed at 2300 g and has an 80% TKL layout.
Both keyboards support Bluetooth and wired USB-C connectivity. Keychron's vendor descriptions say each can connect wirelessly to up to three devices.
The Q3 Pro has broader stated hot-swap compatibility, supporting most 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style mechanical switches. The K3 Pro hot-swap version is limited to Gateron low-profile mechanical switches.
Both models support QMK and VIA, and Keychron describes using its Launcher web app for key remapping and macros. The Q3 Pro also has a programmable knob, while the Special Edition adds four assignable macro keys.
Both list a 1000 Hz wired polling rate and N-key rollover for wired and wireless modes. The K3 Pro vendor description lists 90 Hz in wireless mode, and the Q3 Pro description also lists 90 Hz wireless polling.
The Q3 Pro is listed with knob support, and its vendor description calls the knob a programmable aluminum rotary encoder. It can be assigned commands such as volume adjustment, zooming, or brush-size changes.
The K3 Pro vendor description lists low-profile double-shot PBT keycaps, with dye-sublimated PBT on the Special Edition. Q3 Pro keycaps depend on version: the vendor describes shine-through ABS on the Special Edition and non-shine-through double-shot PBT on the standard ISO model.
The K3 Pro has a 1550 mAh battery, while the Q3 Pro has a 4000 mAh battery. Keychron lists up to 300 hours of Q3 Pro Bluetooth use with the backlight off, with actual use varying.
Both product listings include Mac and Windows support, and Keychron describes system-specific keycaps and layouts for those platforms. The vendor descriptions also list macOS, Windows, and Linux support for their Launcher software.
The Q3 Pro is the stronger fit for switch modding because it supports most 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style switches and is offered in DIY kit or barebones configurations. Both support QMK and VIA, while the K3 Pro's hot-swap option is limited to Gateron low-profile mechanical switches.
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.