Keychron K8 V2 vs K9 MaxTKL size or low profile
Choose the K8 V2 for its roomier 80% layout and larger battery, or the K9 Max for a lighter 60% low-profile design with 2.4 GHz connectivity.
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5.0 (1)5.0 · 1 reviews
from$89at Keychron
5.0 (2)5.0 · 2 reviews
from$137at Keychron (DE)
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K8 V2
Battery
Build quality in the top 10% of 80% boards under $100.
- 80% ANSI layout with multimedia keys.
- 4000mAh battery, with the vendor listing up to 190 hours.
- Hot-swap version supports almost all 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style switches, according to Keychron.
- 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 K9 Max
Build quality in the top 25% of 60% boards under $150.
- Compact 60% ANSI layout and low-profile design.
- 426g weight and 287 x 98 mm dimensions make it lighter and smaller than the K8 V2.
- 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth, and wired connectivity, with 1000 Hz polling on 2.4 GHz and wired modes.
- Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps will not fit.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
- Compact layout only. No function row, dedicated arrow keys, or numpad.
Choose the K8 V2 if you want a roomier 80% layout, a larger battery, or broader switch options in its hot-swap version. Choose the K9 Max if lower weight, a compact low-profile build, and 2.4 GHz wireless matter more. Check the exact hot-swap version before buying, since Keychron describes narrower switch compatibility for the K9 Max.
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 K8 V2
Keychron K9 Max
Layout size
80%
60%
Connection
Bluetooth, Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Battery
4,000 mAh
1,550 mAh
A larger battery means fewer cables during the day
Low profile
No
Yes
Case material
ABS, Aluminum
ABS
- Keychron K8 V2
- Keychron K9 Max
- Performance
- 8275
- Build quality
- 8175
- Productivity
- 8991
- Customizability
- 8992
- Portability
- 7387
- Hot-swappable
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- QMK
- VIA
- Sound dampening
What will you mostly use it for?
The K9 Max is the more travel-friendly option and has a clear connectivity advantage for wireless gaming through its 2.4 GHz mode. The K8 V2 suits buyers who want a larger layout for programming or content work, and its hot-swap version has broader stated switch compatibility. Office use is a close call: the K8 V2 offers more keys, while the K9 Max has specific acoustic foam features. Both provide QMK-based customization and multimedia keys.
Pick the Keychron K9 Max
- The K9 Max supports 2.4 GHz wireless at 1000 Hz polling, as well as wired connectivity.
- The K8 V2 lists 1000 Hz polling, and its vendor description specifies that rate for wired mode.
- Both list N-key rollover for wired and wireless use.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron K8 V2
1 owner reviews
“Moving from previous K8 to this new K8 v2 I can say that Keychron made unbelievable improvement! This midrange keyboard performs better than my colleagues custom keyboards for more than double the price. Me and my colleagues are amazed how good this keyboard…”
Keychron K9 Max
2 owner reviews
“The keyboard sounds and looks good on my desk. It works with my Mac.”
Keychron K8 V2 vs K9 Max specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
13 of 27 specs differ
Keychron K8 V2
Keychron K9 Max
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Low profile
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
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
ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
Keychron K8 V2
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-CH
In stockShips to you
Keychron K9 Max
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
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 K8 V2 vs K9 Max: your questions
The K8 V2 is an 80% keyboard with a 4000mAh battery, while the K9 Max is a 60% low-profile keyboard with a 1550mAh battery. The K9 Max adds 2.4 GHz connectivity and weighs less.
The K9 Max is smaller, measuring about 287 x 98 mm compared with the K8 V2 at 354 x 124 mm. It is also lighter at 426g, versus 800g for the K8 V2.
Yes, the K9 Max supports 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth, and wired connections. Keychron lists 1000 Hz polling for its 2.4 GHz and wired modes.
The K8 V2's listed connections are Bluetooth and wired, and Keychron's product description also identifies Bluetooth and wired connections. 2.4 GHz is listed for the K9 Max, not the K8 V2.
The K8 V2 has a 4000mAh battery, and Keychron lists up to 190 hours. The K9 Max has a 1550mAh battery, with Keychron listing up to 73 hours.
Both product listings include hot-swap support, but the vendor describes hot-swappable versions as options. Confirm the selected version before ordering, particularly for the K8 V2.
Keychron says the K8 V2 hot-swap version accepts almost all 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style switches. The K9 Max product description says its hot-swap version is currently compatible with Keychron Milk POM switches only.
Both list QMK and VIA support. Keychron also describes using its Launcher web app for key remapping and macros on both models.
The K8 V2's 80% layout may suit programmers who want more dedicated keys than the K9 Max's 60% layout. Both support QMK and Keychron Launcher for remapping keys and creating macros.
The K9 Max is the more portable option based on its 426g weight and smaller dimensions of 287 x 98 mm. The K8 V2 weighs 800g and measures 354 x 124 mm.
Keychron describes the K8 V2 with IXPE, PET, and EPDM foam layers. The K9 Max product description names IXPE and latex foam.
The K9 Max supports 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth, and wired connections. Its vendor description says Bluetooth can connect to up to three devices.
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