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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 7, 2026

Keychron V1 vs Lemokey X175% Custom vs 80% Budget

Choose the Keychron V1 for its superior customizability and build, opt for the Lemokey X1 only if your budget is extremely tight and you need a basic TKL.

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Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Keychron V1

75% Custom

Build quality in the top 5% of 75% boards under $50.

If you want

  • Gasket mount design for a more cushioned and dampened typing feel compared to a traditional tray mount.
  • Programmable aluminum rotary knob for custom keybinds and macros like volume or zoom.
  • Supports both 1000 Hz and 8000 Hz polling rates for reduced gaming latency.

Rules this board out

  • South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
  • No numpad.

Get the

Keychron Lemokey X1

80% Budget

Build quality in the top 15% of 80% boards under $100.

If you want

  • Very low price point of $34, making it one of the most affordable programmable mechanical keyboards.
  • 80% TKL layout provides dedicated function and arrow keys for immediate usability.
  • Features 14+ red backlighting modes with shine-through keycaps for easy key visibility.

Rules this board out

  • Switches are soldered. Swapping them means soldering.
  • North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
  • No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
  • No numpad.

Bottom line

For the vast majority of users, the Keychron V1 is the clear recommendation due to its vastly superior customizability, gasket mount, programmable knob, and higher feature set. The Lemokey X1 is only worth considering if your budget is extremely constrained and you require a basic, functional TKL keyboard with QMK/VIA support. The V1 justifies its higher cost with tangible benefits across gaming, productivity, and modding that the X1 cannot match.

What actually differs

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 V1

Keychron Lemokey X1

  • Layout size

    75%

    80%

  • Hot-swappable

    Yes

    No

    Switch changes without soldering

  • Max polling rate

    8,000 Hz

    1,000 Hz

    Higher polling helps competitive FPS and does nothing for typing

  • Mount style

    Gasket Mount, Plate Mount, Tray Mount

    Tray Mount

  • Knob

    Yes

    No

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Keychron V1
  • Keychron Lemokey X1
Performance
91
71
Build quality
89
80
Productivity
98
93
Customizability
98
78
Portability
64
57

What they share

  • Connection: Wired
  • Case material: ABS, Plastic
  • Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
  • QMK
  • VIA
  • Sound dampening
See every spec side by side

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

The Keychron V1 is the winner across all use cases due to its superior flexibility, build quality, and features. It consistently provides better options for gaming with its higher polling rate, for office work with its compact layout and knob, and for modding with its gasket mount. The Lemokey X1 is only viable for users who prioritize the absolute lowest cost and need a no-frills TKL board. In every category considered, the V1 offers significant advantages that justify its higher price.

For gaming

Pick the Keychron V1

  • Offers a higher 8000 Hz polling rate option for lower latency.
  • Includes a programmable knob that can be mapped for in-game volume or zoom controls.
  • South-facing RGB avoids interference with thicker keycap profiles used by some gamers.
  • Gasket mount design may provide a more cushioned feel during long sessions.

Full specs

Keychron V1 vs Lemokey X1 specs

Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.

14 of 26 specs differ

Keychron V1

Keychron Lemokey X1

Typing & switches

Switch options

Clicky, Linear, Tactile
Clicky, Linear, Tactile

Hot-swappable

Yes
No

Mount style

Gasket Mount, Plate Mount, Tray Mount
Tray Mount

Sound dampening

Yes
Yes

Screw-in stabilizers

Yes
Yes

Layout

Layout size

75%
80%

Layout standard

ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, ISO-UK, JIS
ANSI

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Knob

Yes
No

Display

None
None

Media keys

Yes
No

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Wired
Wired

Max polling rate

8,000 HzBetter
1,000 Hz

USB-C

Yes
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

ABS, Plastic
ABS, Plastic

Plate material

Polycarbonate, Steel
Steel

Keycaps

ABS, PBT
ABS

Weight

995 g
837 g

Dimensions

18 x 149 x 329 mm
37 x 357 x 129 mm

Typing angle

4°
7°

Backlight

RGB, south-facing
Yes, north-facing

Firmware & software

QMK

Yes
Yes

VIA

Yes
Yes

N-key rollover

Yes
Yes

Mac & Windows

Yes
Yes

Extras

Released

2022
2024

For EU buyers

ISO layouts by store

Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.

Keychron V1

  • Keychron

    ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW

    In stockShips to you

  • Keychron (DE)

    ISO-DE, ISO-FR, ISO-ES

    In stockDoes not ship to you

  • Keychron (DE)

    ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW

    In stockDoes not ship to you

Keychron Lemokey X1

No ISO layout at the stores we track.

Where to buy

Compare prices

Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.

Prices in USD are converted to your currency and can change at any time. KeebFinder may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.

Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.

Keychron V14 stores

FAQ

Keychron V1 vs Lemokey X1: your questions

The Keychron V1 is better for gaming because it offers a higher optional 8000 Hz polling rate, which can lead to lower input latency. It also has a programmable knob for quick in-game adjustments and a gasket mount that can provide a more comfortable feel during extended sessions.

No, the Lemokey X1 does not come with a volume knob. Its vendor description only lists a standard 80% TKL layout without a knob. In contrast, the Keychron V1 includes a programmable rotary encoder knob that can be used for volume control or other custom functions.

Yes, both keyboards support 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style switches and use standard keycap stems, so Cherry MX keycaps are physically compatible. However, on the Lemokey X1, north-facing LEDs can cause interference with Cherry profile keycaps, whereas the V1's south-facing LEDs avoid this issue.

The Keychron V1 generally provides a better typing feel due to its gasket mount design, which offers more flex and sound dampening compared to the Lemokey X1's basic tray mount. The V1 also uses screw-in PCB stabilizers, which are more stable than the X1's plate-mounted stabilizers.

Yes, the Lemokey X1 is fully programmable. It supports QMK and VIA firmware, allowing users to remap every key, create macros, and configure backlighting. The vendor description notes that its VIA code is pending GitHub approval, requiring a manual JSON file import for recognition.

Both keyboards feature an ABS plastic case and a steel plate. The Keychron V1 also offers a polycarbonate plate option, which the X1 lacks. Additionally, the V1 comes with screw-in PCB stabilizers, while the Lemokey X1 uses plate-mounted stabilizers.

The Keychron V1 has a smaller footprint in terms of length at 329 mm, compared to the Lemokey X1's length of 357 mm. Despite having a slightly wider width (149 mm vs. 129 mm), the V1's 75% layout is more compact overall and takes up less desk space than the X1's 80% TKL layout.

Yes, the Keychron V1 is available as a barebones DIY kit, which does not include switches or keycaps. The vendor description lists 'Barebone Knob' and 'Barebone' options. This is not an option for the Lemokey X1, which is only sold as a fully assembled unit.

The Lemokey X1 features north-facing red LEDs with over 14 different backlight modes, including effects like flashing, breathing, and static. It uses shine-through ABS keycaps to enhance the visibility of the red lighting, as stated in the vendor description.

Yes, the vendor description for the Lemokey X1 mentions an 'Acoustic Foam Mod' that includes sound-absorbing foam and case foam. The Keychron V1 is noted to have 'Sound Dampening' as a feature, though specific foam mod accessories are not detailed in its description.

The Keychron V1 is more suitable for programming due to its higher customizability score, QMK/VIA support, and a programmable knob that can be mapped to specific coding actions. Its gasket mount and polycarbonate plate option also allow for more tailored typing feel, which some programmers may prefer.

Yes, the Keychron V1 is designed for both Mac and Windows users. It comes with a system toggle switch and includes additional keycaps for both operating systems. Its vendor description also highlights that users can save two different layouts, one for each system.

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