Keychron S1 vs V1 MaxLow Profile Metal vs Wireless Gasket
Pick the S1 for its slim CNC aluminum low-profile build, or the V1 Max for tri-mode wireless and ISO layout options.
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4.8 (12)4.8 · 12 reviews
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4.9 (14)4.9 · 14 reviews
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Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron S1
Low Profile Metal
Build quality in the top 15% of 75% boards under $100.
- Full CNC machined aluminum body with steel plate gives a solid, heavy feel at 960g.
- Low-profile Gateron MX mechanical switches and double-shot PBT keycaps in LSA profile.
- Hot-swappable version supports Gateron low-profile MX switches without soldering.
- 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.
Get the
Keychron V1 Max
Wireless Gasket
Build quality in the top 5% of 75% boards under $100.
- Tri-mode connectivity: Bluetooth 5.1, 2.4 GHz, and wired, with 1000 Hz polling on 2.4 GHz and wired.
- 4000mAh battery offers up to 190 hours with backlight off.
- Gasket mount with PC plate and sound dampening foam for a softer, quieter typing feel.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
Choose the Keychron S1 if you want a slim, aluminum low-profile keyboard with a solid typing feel and QMK/VIA support, and you do not need wireless. Choose the Keychron V1 Max if you need Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz, a gasket mount, and wider switch and layout compatibility, especially for office, travel, or modding. The primary differentiator is connectivity and mounting: wired aluminum low-profile versus wireless gasket mount.
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 S1
Keychron V1 Max
Connection
Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Low profile
Yes
No
Case material
Aluminum
ABS, Plastic
Mount style
Plate Mount, Tray Mount
Gasket Mount, Plate Mount
Knob
No
Yes
- Keychron S1
- Keychron V1 Max
- Performance
- 8283
- Build quality
- 8286
- Productivity
- 8097
- Customizability
- 8998
- Portability
- 6579
- Layout size: 75%
- Hot-swappable
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- QMK
- VIA
What will you mostly use it for?
The V1 Max takes most categories due to its wireless connectivity, gasket mount, and broader switch and layout support. The S1 remains a strong pick for users who want a slim aluminum low-profile keyboard for typing, but its wired-only design and limited hot-swap compatibility narrow its appeal. Office and travel users benefit most from the V1 Max battery and Bluetooth, while modders appreciate its standard MX hot-swap and screw-in stabilizers. Gamers get 1000 Hz polling on both, but only the V1 Max offers it wirelessly.
Pick the Keychron V1 Max
- V1 Max offers 2.4 GHz wireless with 1000 Hz polling rate, plus wired mode.
- S1 is wired only with 1000 Hz polling, which is fine but less flexible.
- V1 Max includes south-facing RGB and QMK for per-key remapping.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron S1
12 owner reviews
“Got it today, hands on my first mechanical keyboard and feels so good. And a lot of difference in day-to-day way of typing.”
Keychron V1 Max
14 owner reviews
“Feels great, haven't got a new KB since my Novatouch. Great high end features and feel, DSA caps on it feel good.”
Keychron S1 vs V1 Max specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
15 of 28 specs differ
Keychron S1
Keychron V1 Max
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Low profile
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
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 S1
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
Keychron V1 Max
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW
Out of stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-IT, ISO-SW, ISO-PT
In stockDoes not ship to you
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 S1 vs V1 Max: your questions
The S1 is a wired-only low-profile keyboard with a CNC machined aluminum body and steel plate. The V1 Max is a gasket-mount keyboard with ABS plastic case, tri-mode wireless (Bluetooth 5.1, 2.4 GHz, wired), and a 4000mAh battery.
Both offer a 1000 Hz polling rate, but the V1 Max provides it over 2.4 GHz wireless as well as wired. The S1 is wired only, so the V1 Max offers more flexibility for gaming setups. Neither keyboard is specifically marketed as a gaming keyboard.
No, the Keychron S1 is a wired-only keyboard with a USB-C connection. It does not include Bluetooth or 2.4 GHz wireless. The V1 Max is the wireless option in this comparison.
Yes, the V1 Max is hot-swappable and supports both 3-pin and 5-pin MX mechanical switches, including Gateron, Cherry MX, and Kailh. The S1 hot-swap version is limited to Gateron low-profile MX switches.
The V1 Max has a 4000mAh battery rated for up to 190 hours with backlight off, or up to 100 hours with RGB at lowest brightness. Charging takes around 5 hours via USB-C.
Yes, the S1 is available with RGB backlight and offers up to 22 light effects. Note that the included PBT keycaps are not shine-through, so the lighting is mostly underglow. A white backlight version is also available.
The S1 uses a full CNC machined aluminum body and a steel plate, while the V1 Max uses an ABS plastic case and a polycarbonate plate. The S1 is heavier at 960g versus 770g for the V1 Max, which contributes to a more solid feel.
Yes, the S1 is compatible with low-profile, XDA, and DSA keycaps according to Keychron. The keycap stems and stabilizers are aligned to support these profiles. The V1 Max uses standard MX-compatible keycaps.
Yes, the V1 Max includes a system toggle and additional keycaps for both macOS and Windows. It also supports Linux according to the specifications. The S1 similarly supports Mac and Windows with a system toggle.
The V1 Max is available in ANSI and multiple ISO layouts including ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-IT, and ISO-PT. The S1 is ANSI only.
Yes, the V1 Max is offered as a barebone knob version without keycaps and switches. This allows you to choose your own switches and keycaps. The S1 is sold as a fully assembled keyboard.
The V1 Max uses a gasket mount with a polycarbonate plate and sound dampening foam, which Keychron says reduces acoustic resonance for a softer, quieter typing experience. The S1 has a steel plate and aluminum case, which may produce a sharper sound. Actual noise depends on switch choice.
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