Keychron V1 Max vs Lemokey L1Plastic vs Aluminum 75%

The Lemokey L1 has a full CNC-machined 6030 aluminum frame finished with anodizing and sandblasting, which feels more premium than the V1 Max's ABS plastic housing. However, the V1 Max is still well-built with a gasket mount and screw-in stabilizers, but it lacks the heft and rigidity of the L1.

Yes, both keyboards support QMK firmware and VIA software for full key remapping and macro creation. The V1 Max also works with the Keychron Launcher web app. Note that the L1 currently requires manually importing a JSON file into VIA because its code is pending Github approval.

The Keychron V1 Max is much better for travel because it weighs only 770g compared to the Lemokey L1's 1887g. Its ABS plastic case is also less prone to denting when packed in a bag. The L1's all-aluminum frame is too heavy for regular transport.

Yes, both the Keychron V1 Max and the Lemokey L1 support 2.4 GHz wireless with a 1000 Hz polling rate. They also offer wired 1000 Hz via USB-C. In Bluetooth mode, both drop to a 90 Hz polling rate according to the manufacturer spec sheets.

The fully assembled V1 Max comes with double-shot OSA PBT keycaps that have an OEM height with an SA-like spherical shape. The Lemokey L1 comes with Cherry profile double-shot PBT keycaps, which are non-shine-through and advertised as durable and anti-oil by the vendor.

The V1 Max is designed for quiet operation with sound-absorbing foam and a gasket mount PC plate. The Lemokey L1 uses a double-gasket design with two layers of sound-dampening foam, which should also be quiet, but its full aluminum case may produce a different acoustic profile. Both are suitable for office use.

The Keychron V1 Max weighs about 770g for the fully assembled version, while the Lemokey L1 is significantly heavier at approximately 1887g. This makes the V1 Max nearly 1.1 kg lighter, a major factor for portability.

Yes, both keyboards support macOS and Windows. They include a system toggle switch and come with additional keycaps for both operating systems in the box, as noted in the vendor descriptions. They also work with Linux according to the specs.

Both keyboards have the same 4000mAh rechargeable li-polymer battery. The V1 Max claims up to 190 hours of use with backlight off, while the Lemokey L1 claims up to 200 hours under the same conditions. In practice, battery life will vary based on usage.

Both are excellent for modding as they are hot-swappable (3-pin and 5-pin MX), have screw-in stabilizers, and are fully disassemble-able. The Lemokey L1 has more acoustic potential out of the box with its double-gasket and two foam layers, while the V1 Max's plastic case is easier to modify with tape or foam mods.

Some user reviews on the Keychron product page report key chatter (especially the 'A' key) and the 2.4 GHz dongle failing after about 6 months. A few customers also mention difficulty connecting to the Launcher. It is worth noting these are customer-reported issues and may not affect all units.

The L1 uses Cherry profile keycaps, which have a uniform lower height and a slight sculpt. The V1 Max uses OSA profile keycaps, which are taller (similar to OEM height) but have an SA-like spherical top. The two profiles feel noticeably different when typing, so personal preference matters.