Keychron R3 vs Vortex Multix 87Wireless or Hot-Swap
Choose the Keychron R3 for its 4000mAh battery and QMK support, or the Vortex Multix 87 for hot-swappable switches and south-facing RGB.
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Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron R3
QMK
Build quality in the bottom 30% of 80% boards under $100.
- 4000mAh battery.
- QMK support.
- Pre-built 80% ANSI layout with multi-media keys.
- Switches are soldered. Swapping them means soldering.
Get the
Vortex Multix 87
Hot-swappable
Build quality in the top 40% of 80% boards under $100.
- Hot-swap sockets accept 3-pin and 5-pin switches.
- South-facing RGB and N-key rollover.
- PBT keycaps and a silicone sound-dampening pad.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
Pick the R3 if a 4000mAh battery and QMK support matter more than changing switches without soldering. Choose the Multix 87 if you want hot-swap sockets, RGB, and N-key rollover, and are comfortable with its wired-only connection. The R3's switches are soldered, while the Multix's south-facing LEDs have specific shine-through and keycap-clearance limitations.
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 R3
Vortex Multix 87
Hot-swappable
No
Yes
Switch changes without soldering
Switch options
Linear, Tactile
Clicky, Linear, Silent, Tactile
QMK
Yes
No
The deep option when you want to remap every key
Sound dampening
No
Yes
Screw-in stabilizers
No
Yes
Easier to tune than the plate-mount stabs you get prebuilt
- Keychron R3
- Vortex Multix 87
- Performance
- 4467
- Build quality
- 5264
- Productivity
- 4678
- Customizability
- 4870
- Portability
- 5056
- Layout size: 80%
What will you mostly use it for?
The Multix 87 has the clearest edge for switch experimentation and offers N-key rollover and RGB for gaming setups. The R3 is a more fitting choice when its battery and QMK support are the priority, though its switches are soldered. Office and content-creation choices are closer because both share the same layout size and media-key feature. For travel, the battery-equipped R3 is the more practical pick based on the listed features, while the Multix 87 requires a wired connection.
Pick the Vortex Multix 87
- The Multix 87 lists N-key rollover, while the R3 has no rollover feature specified.
- The Multix 87 includes south-facing RGB; the R3 is listed without RGB.
- The Multix 87 is wired only, while the R3's connectivity is not specified in its metadata.
Keychron R3 vs Vortex Multix 87 specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
9 of 20 specs differ
Keychron R3
Vortex Multix 87
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Display
Media keys
Connection
Battery
Case material
Plate material
Keycaps
Backlight
QMK
N-key rollover
Mac & Windows
Released
Compare prices
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Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.
Keychron R3 vs Vortex Multix 87: your questions
The Multix 87 lists N-key rollover and south-facing RGB, both relevant features for a gaming setup. The R3 is listed without RGB, and its metadata does not specify rollover.
The R3's switches are soldered, so changing them requires soldering. The vendor description mentions an optional hot-swappable version, but the R3 listing identifies soldered switches.
Yes. The Multix 87 has Gateron hot-swap sockets that accept 3-pin and 5-pin switches.
Yes, the R3 is listed with a 4000mAh battery. Its listed features also include QMK support and multi-media keys.
No. The Multix 87 is listed as wired only. Its product details specify a wired connection.
The R3 is listed as having no RGB. The Multix 87, by contrast, is listed with south-facing RGB.
The Multix 87 is listed with PBT keycaps and a plastic case and plate. Its vendor description also identifies a silicone sound-dampening pad.
The compatibility note says shine-through legends stay dark with its south-facing LEDs. It also warns that some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
Both are listed as 80% keyboards with a normal ergonomic layout and ANSI standard. Both also have multi-media keys.
Yes, QMK support is listed for the R3. The Multix 87 listing does not specify QMK support.
The Multix 87 is easier to customize because its sockets support hot-swapping 3-pin and 5-pin switches. Switches on the R3 are soldered and require soldering to replace.
Not sold on either?
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