Keychron K3 V3 vs UGREEN KU101
Get the Keychron K3 V3 for QMK customization, hot-swappable options and ISO layouts; choose the UGREEN KU101 for its stated battery life of up to 180 hours with backlighting off.
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Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K3 V3
Hot-swappable
Build quality in the top 10% of 75% boards under $100.
- QMK support with Keychron Launcher for remapping, macros and shortcuts.
- Optional hot-swappable version for compatible low-profile mechanical switches.
- ISO layout options, including UK, German, Nordic and Swiss variants.
- 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
UGREEN KU101
Build quality in the bottom 5% of 75% boards under $100.
- Vendor-listed battery life of up to 180 hours with backlighting off.
- Exclusive emoticon key, as described by the vendor.
- Switches are soldered. Swapping them means soldering.
- Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps will not fit.
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
Get the Keychron K3 V3 if QMK customization, optional hot-swapping or ISO layouts matter, features the KU101 does not offer. Choose the UGREEN KU101 if its vendor-listed battery life of up to 180 hours with backlighting off and dedicated emoticon key suit your priorities. Both require low-profile switches and keycaps, so neither is a fit for standard MX parts.
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
UGREEN KU101
Hot-swappable
Yes
No
Switch changes without soldering
Switch options
Clicky, Linear, Tactile
Clicky, Tactile
QMK
Yes
No
The deep option when you want to remap every key
VIA
Yes
No
GUI remapping without compiling firmware
Layout standard
ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, ISO-UK
ANSI
ISO and JIS exist so regional layouts fit
- Keychron K3 V3
- UGREEN KU101
- Performance
- 8242
- Build quality
- 8338
- Productivity
- 8059
- Customizability
- 8945
- Portability
- 7774
- Layout size: 75%
- Connection: Bluetooth, Wired
- Low profile
What will you mostly use it for?
The K3 V3 is the more flexible pick for gaming, office workflows, programming, modding and content-creation setups, largely because it adds QMK and hot-swap options. For travel, the KU101 has a stated battery-life figure that may suit buyers prioritizing fewer charging stops. Neither offers unrestricted parts compatibility, so check the low-profile switch and keycap requirements before buying.
Pick the Keychron K3 V3
- The K3 V3 lists a 1000 Hz polling rate in wired mode.
- Its vendor description says N-Key Rollover works in both wired and wireless modes.
- The hot-swappable version allows compatible low-profile switches to be changed without soldering.
Keychron K3 V3 vs UGREEN KU101 specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
10 of 25 specs differ
Keychron K3 V3
UGREEN KU101
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Low profile
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.
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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
UGREEN KU101
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
Keychron K3 V3 vs UGREEN KU101: your questions
The Keychron K3 V3 has an optional hot-swappable version, which supports compatible low-profile mechanical switches without soldering. The UGREEN KU101's switches are soldered, so replacing them requires soldering.
Yes, the K3 V3 lists QMK support. Keychron says its Launcher tool can be used to configure key remapping, macros and shortcuts.
The vendor listing claims up to 180 hours with the backlight off and up to 15 hours with it on. These are vendor-stated figures, not a guarantee for every use pattern.
Yes, the K3 V3 is listed in multiple ISO variants, including UK, German and Nordic layouts, and its vendor page also mentions Swiss. The KU101 is listed as ANSI only.
No, both keyboards require low-profile keycaps, and standard MX keycaps will not fit. The K3 V3 also has north-facing LEDs, which may cause Cherry-profile keycaps to hit the switch housing.
The K3 V3 supports QMK and its vendor says Keychron Launcher can configure macros, shortcuts and key remapping. The KU101's listed features do not include QMK or macro configuration.
Keychron says the K3 V3 can connect wirelessly to up to three devices and switch among them. Its product metadata also lists Bluetooth and wired connectivity.
The KU101 is listed with a 6° typing angle, while the K3 V3 metadata lists 3°. Keychron's vendor description also describes three adjustable angles for the K3 V3, with figures that differ from the metadata listing.
The KU101 metadata lists white lighting, and the vendor description describes white backlighting with 15 lighting effects and four brightness levels. The K3 V3 is listed with RGB or white backlight options.
The K3 V3 metadata lists a 1000 Hz polling rate, and Keychron specifies that this applies in wired mode. The KU101 listing does not specify a polling rate.
No, the KU101 switches are soldered, so switch replacement requires soldering. The K3 V3's hot-swappable option provides a solder-free way to change compatible low-profile mechanical switches.
Both keyboards list Mac and Windows support in their product metadata. Keychron additionally says the K3 V3 has Mac and Windows keymaps, while the KU101 vendor listing also names Linux, Android and iOS.
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