Not sure which keyboard to choose? Try the Keyboard Finder now!

Head to head · Prices checked Nov 7, 2026

Keychron K3 V3 vs Q3Low-Profile Wireless vs Full-Size TKL

Choose the K3 V3 for extreme portability and wireless convenience, or the Q3 for a premium, heavy-duty typing experience with a knob.

KeebFinder may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.

Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Keychron K3 V3

Low-Profile Wireless

Build quality in the top 10% of 75% boards under $100.

If you want

  • Ultra-slim low-profile design at only 19mm thickness.
  • Supports Bluetooth 5.2 to connect with up to 3 devices wirelessly.
  • Lightweight at 540g, ideal for travel.

Rules this board out

  • 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 Q3

Full-Size TKL

Build quality in the top 5% of 80% boards under $100.

If you want

  • Full CNC machined 6063 aluminum body for premium durability.
  • Double-gasket design significantly reduces metal resonance and noise.
  • Includes a programmable aluminum rotary encoder knob.

Rules this board out

  • 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.

Bottom line

If you need a keyboard for on-the-go use with wireless freedom, the Keychron K3 V3 is the clear pick with its Bluetooth 5.2, slim profile, and light weight. For a desktop-centric user who values build quality, a programmable knob, and extensive modding options, the Keychron Q3 offers a superior typing foundation with its full aluminum body and double-gasket design. Invest in the K3 for mobility; invest in the Q3 for a premium, customizable workstation.

What actually differs

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 Q3

  • Layout size

    75%

    80%

  • Connection

    Bluetooth, Wired

    Wired

    Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency

  • Low profile

    Yes

    No

  • Case material

    ABS, Aluminum

    Aluminum

  • Switch options

    Clicky, Linear, Tactile

    Clicky, Linear, Silent, Tactile

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Keychron K3 V3
  • Keychron Q3
Performance
82
72
Build quality
83
91
Productivity
80
98
Customizability
89
98
Portability
77
57

What they share

  • Hot-swappable
  • Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
  • QMK
  • VIA
  • Keycaps: ABS, PBT
See every spec side by side

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

The Keychron K3 V3 wins clearly for travel wireless use due to its low weight, slim profile, and Bluetooth 5.2. The Keychron Q3 takes the lead for office, programming, modding, and content creation, as its TKL layout, double-gasket design, knob, and screw-in stabilizers deliver a more stable and customizable platform. Gaming is a tie since both offer 1000 Hz wired polling and N-key rollover. Overall, the Q3 is the more versatile desk keyboard, while the K3 is unmatched for portability.

For gaming

It's a tie

  • Both have a 1000 Hz polling rate on wired mode for responsive input.
  • The K3 V3 features low-profile Milk POM switches for faster actuation in a slim form.
  • The Q3 offers a double-gasket design for reduced resonance, potentially quieter gaming sessions.
  • Both support N-key rollover and RGB, but the K3 V3's low profile may feel different for fast-paced games.

Full specs

Keychron K3 V3 vs Q3 specs

Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.

17 of 28 specs differ

Keychron K3 V3

Keychron Q3

Typing & switches

Switch options

Clicky, Linear, Tactile
Clicky, Linear, Silent, Tactile

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

PCB Mount, Plate Mount, Top Mount
Gasket Mount, PCB Mount, Plate Mount

Low profile

Yes
No

Sound dampening

No
Yes

Screw-in stabilizers

No
Yes

Layout

Layout size

75%
80%

Layout standard

ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, ISO-UK
ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-SW, ISO-UK, JIS

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Knob

No
Yes

Display

None
None

Media keys

Yes
Yes

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Bluetooth, Wired
Wired

Max polling rate

1,000 Hz
1,000 Hz

Battery

1,550 mAh
Wired only

USB-C

Yes
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

ABS, Aluminum
Aluminum

Plate material

Aluminum
Steel

Keycaps

ABS, PBT
ABS, PBT

Weight

540 g
2,000 g

Dimensions

19 x 306 x 116 mm
20 x 137 x 365 mm

Typing angle

3°
5°

Backlight

RGB, north-facing
RGB, south-facing

Firmware & software

QMK

Yes
Yes

VIA

Yes
Yes

N-key rollover

Yes
No

Mac & Windows

Yes
Yes

Extras

Released

2024
2022

For EU buyers

ISO layouts by store

Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.

Keychron K3 V3

  • Keychron

    ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW

    In stockShips to you

  • Keychron (DE)

    ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-SW

    In stockDoes not ship to you

Keychron Q3

  • Keychron

    ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW

    In stockShips to you

  • Keychron (DE)

    ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW

    Out of stockDoes not ship to you

Where to buy

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 Q35 stores

FAQ

Keychron K3 V3 vs Q3: your questions

The Keychron K3 V3 is designed for wireless use with Bluetooth 5.2, connecting to up to 3 devices. The Keychron Q3 does not support wireless connectivity at all, it is wired-only via USB-C. For a cable-free setup, the K3 V3 is the only option.

No, the K3 V3 is only compatible with low-profile mechanical switches such as Keychron Milk POM or Gateron low-profile switches. Standard MX switches are taller and will not fit the low-profile PCB or keycaps.

Yes, the Keychron Q3 includes a programmable aluminum rotary encoder knob. You can customize it via VIA software to control volume, zoom, brush size, or backlight brightness among other functions.

The Keychron K3 V3 uses an ABS and aluminum frame, while the Keychron Q3 features a full CNC machined 6063 aluminum body. The Q3's all-metal construction provides a more solid and premium feel but adds significant weight.

The Keychron Q3 is easier to mod due to its hot-swappable PCB that supports 3 and 5 pin MX switches, screw-in stabilizers, and a gasket mount that can be tuned. The K3 V3 is hot-swappable but only with low-profile switches and has a more compact, less open structure.

Yes, both the Keychron K3 V3 and Keychron Q3 support QMK firmware and VIA software for full key remapping and macro creation. The K3 V3 uses the Keychron Launcher web app, while the Q3 can be configured with the desktop VIA software or Launcher.

The Keychron Q3 uses screw-in PCB stabilizers for increased stability and less wobble. The K3 V3 features redesigned plate-mount stabilizers that improve reliability on big keys but are not as rigid as screw-in ones.

The Keychron K3 V3 weighs only 540 grams, making it highly portable. The Keychron Q3 weighs approximately 2000 grams, more than three times heavier, due to its full aluminum construction.

Yes, both the K3 V3 and Q3 include a system toggle switch and come with extra keycaps for macOS and Windows. They are designed to work seamlessly with both operating systems.

Yes, the Q3 features a double-gasket design with silicone pads between the top and bottom cases to reduce acoustic resonance. It also includes sound dampening foam in the case to minimize echo and ping.

Both keyboards have RGB backlighting. The Keychron K3 V3 uses north-facing RGB LEDs, while the Keychron Q3 uses south-facing RGB LEDs to reduce interference with aftermarket keycap profiles like Cherry.

Yes, the Keychron Q3 is available in barebones versions (Carbon Black, Silver Grey, Navy Blue) that come without switches and keycaps, allowing you to build your own setup. The K3 V3 does not offer a barebones option.

Still torn?

Answer a few quick questions and the keyboard finder ranks 2,000+ boards by how you will actually use yours.