Keychron K3 V3 vs K5 Max75% or Full Layout
Get the K3 V3 for its lighter 75% footprint and ISO-SW option, or the K5 Max for its full-size layout, 2.4 GHz connection, and polycarbonate plate.
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Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K3 V3
Build quality in the top 10% of 75% boards under $100.
- 75% layout with a 540g listed weight and a shorter 306 mm width.
- ISO-SW layout option. The K5 Max's listed layouts do not include ISO-SW.
- The K3 V3 vendor describes IXPE, EPDM, and latex acoustic foam.
- Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps will not fit.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
- No numpad.
Get the
Keychron K5 Max
Battery
Build quality in the top 15% of 100% boards under $100.
- 100% layout with a numpad.
- 2.4 GHz wireless connection, in addition to Bluetooth and wired connectivity.
- Polycarbonate plate and a listed 2000mAh battery.
- 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-SW. The other board is sold in those layouts.
Choose the Keychron K3 V3 for its lighter, shorter 75% format and ISO-SW availability. Choose the Keychron K5 Max for its full-size layout, 2.4 GHz connection, larger battery, and polycarbonate plate. Both are low-profile boards, so plan on low-profile switches and keycaps.
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 V3
Keychron K5 Max
Layout size
75%
100%
Connection
Bluetooth, Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Battery
1,550 mAh
2,000 mAh
A larger battery means fewer cables during the day
Mount style
PCB Mount, Plate Mount, Top Mount
PCB Mount, Plate Mount
Weight
540 g
720 g
Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel
- Keychron K3 V3
- Keychron K5 Max
- Performance
- 8281
- Build quality
- 8381
- Productivity
- 8088
- Customizability
- 8988
- Portability
- 7753
- Hot-swappable
- Low profile
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Case material: ABS, Aluminum
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- QMK
What will you mostly use it for?
The K5 Max gets the edge for gaming when 2.4 GHz wireless matters, and for desk-based work that benefits from a numpad or larger battery. The K3 V3 is the more travel-oriented option based on its lower weight and shorter width. Both offer QMK, VIA, and hot-swap options, so their modding appeal is similar, subject to low-profile switch limits. For regional layout shoppers, the K3 V3 has the listed ISO-SW option.
Pick the Keychron K5 Max
- The K5 Max supports 2.4 GHz wireless, as well as wired and Bluetooth connections.
- Its 1000 Hz polling rate is specified for both 2.4 GHz and wired modes.
- The K3 V3's stated 1000 Hz polling rate applies to wired mode.
Keychron K3 V3 vs K5 Max specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
9 of 26 specs differ
Keychron K3 V3
Keychron K5 Max
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.
ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
Keychron K3 V3
- Go to Keychron
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW
In stockShips to you
- Go to Keychron (DE)
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-SW
In stockDoes not ship to you
Keychron K5 Max
- Go to Keychron
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic
In stockShips to you
- Go to Keychron (DE)
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK
In stockDoes not ship to you
Keychron K3 V3 vs K5 Max: your questions
The K3 V3 has a 75% layout and weighs 540g, while the K5 Max has a 100% layout with a numpad and weighs 720g. The K5 Max also adds 2.4 GHz connectivity, while the K3 V3 is listed with Bluetooth and wired connections.
Yes. The K5 Max is a 100% layout keyboard, and its listed 108-key layout includes a numpad. The K3 V3 is 75% and its compatibility details specify that it has no numpad.
The K3 V3 is the more compact and lighter option by its listed dimensions and weight: 306 mm wide and 540g. The K5 Max is 424 mm wide and weighs 720g.
Yes. The K5 Max supports 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth, and wired connections, and its vendor description specifies a 1000 Hz polling rate for 2.4 GHz and wired modes. The K3 V3 is listed with Bluetooth and wired connectivity.
No. Both boards' compatibility details specify low-profile switches and keycaps, and say standard MX keycaps will not fit.
Both list hot-swap support, but the vendor descriptions qualify this by version. The K3 V3 hot-swap version supports low-profile Gateron or Keychron mechanical switches, while the K5 Max hot-swap version supports low-profile Gateron or Keychron mechanical switches.
The K3 V3 lists ISO-SW among its layout options. ISO-SW is not among the K5 Max's listed layouts.
Both list QMK support and VIA support. The vendor descriptions also describe using Keychron Launcher for key customization.
The K5 Max is listed with a 2000mAh battery, compared with 1550mAh for the K3 V3. Battery capacity alone does not establish runtime.
The K5 Max is listed with a polycarbonate plate. The K3 V3 is listed with an aluminum plate.
Both boards have north-facing LEDs, and their compatibility details warn that Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing. Low-profile keycaps are specified for both.
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