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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 7, 2026

Keychron V3 Max vs Lemokey L3Plastic vs Aluminum 80%

Choose the V3 Max for lighter weight and more layout options at a lower price, or the Lemokey L3 for a premium full aluminum build with macro keys.

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Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Keychron V3 Max

Plastic

Build quality in the top 10% of 80% boards under $200.

If you want

  • Lighter weight (895g) makes it portable and easier to move around.
  • Available in multiple ISO layout versions (German, UK, Nordic, Swiss) plus ANSI.
  • Offers a barebones DIY kit version for users who want to supply their own switches and keycaps.

Rules this board out

  • South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.

Get the

Keychron Lemokey L3

Aluminum 80%

Build quality in the top 5% of 80% boards under $200.

If you want

  • Full CNC machined 6063 aluminum body with polished, anodized, and sandblasted finish provides a premium feel.
  • Includes 4 dedicated macro keys and an aluminum rotary encoder for easy shortcuts.
  • Double-gasket mount design for improved flex and dampened sound.

Rules this board out

  • South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
  • Missing ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic. The other board is sold in those layouts.

Bottom line

The Keychron V3 Max is the practical choice for those who need a lighter, travel-friendly keyboard with multiple layout options and a lower price tag. The Lemokey L3 is a premium investment for users who want a heavy, full metal chassis with dedicated macro keys and a double-gasket mount for a refined typing feel. If aluminum build quality and macro keys are your priority, choose the Lemokey L3; if weight, cost, and layout flexibility matter more, go with the V3 Max.

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 V3 Max

Keychron Lemokey L3

  • Case material

    ABS, Plastic

    Aluminum

  • Mount style

    Gasket Mount, Plate Mount

    Gasket Mount

  • Weight

    895 g

    1,976 g

    Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel

  • Layout standard

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

    ANSI, ISO, JIS

    ISO and JIS exist so regional layouts fit

  • Keycaps

    ABS, PBT

    PBT

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Keychron V3 Max
  • Keychron Lemokey L3
Performance
82
82
Build quality
86
88
Productivity
98
97
Customizability
98
96
Portability
76
76

What they share

  • Layout size: 80%
  • Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
  • Hot-swappable
  • Battery: 4,000 mAh
  • Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
  • Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
See every spec side by side

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

For gaming and programming, both keyboards perform equally well thanks to identical 1000 Hz polling, QMK/VIA support, and hot-swap sockets, making it a tie. The Lemokey L3 wins in office and content creation scenarios due to its dedicated macro keys and premium aluminum build. The V3 Max is the clear choice for travel because it is 1 kg lighter and its plastic case is more resilient to bumps. For modding, the V3 Max offers more flexibility with a barebones option and a case that is easier to customize.

For gaming

It's a tie

  • Both offer 1000 Hz polling rate on 2.4 GHz and wired modes for low latency.
  • Both have N-key rollover for reliable key presses.
  • Both support hot-swappable switches to choose preferred linear switches.

From real owners

What owners say

Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.

Keychron V3 Max

3.3

8 owner reviews

Praise
“This keyboard has been great. My first keyboard I've ever had. I had faulty switch, but you guys just gave me a whole new keyboard. Thanks a lot! -Mack”
MackStripes· via Keychron
Critique
“Stopped working in wired mode after a couple months. 2.4 connectivity spotty. I regret buying this keyboard”
NikVerified buyer· via Keychron

Keychron Lemokey L3

4.8

10 owner reviews

Praise
“The Lemokey L3 is a piece of industrial art. Solid build quality. Awesome typing experience. This could very well be the last keyboard I'll buy.”
G.M.· via Keychron

Full specs

Keychron V3 Max vs Lemokey L3 specs

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

8 of 27 specs differ

Keychron V3 Max

Keychron Lemokey L3

Typing & switches

Switch options

Clicky, Linear, Tactile
Clicky, Linear, Tactile

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Gasket Mount, Plate Mount
Gasket Mount

Sound dampening

Yes
Yes

Screw-in stabilizers

Yes
Yes

Layout

Layout size

80%
80%

Layout standard

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

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Knob

Yes
Yes

Display

None
None

Media keys

Yes
No

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired

Max polling rate

1,000 Hz
1,000 Hz

Battery

4,000 mAh
4,000 mAh

USB-C

Yes
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

ABS, Plastic
Aluminum

Plate material

Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate

Keycaps

ABS, PBT
PBT

Weight

895 g
1,976 g

Dimensions

24 x 149 x 368 mm
30 x 401 x 137 mm

Typing angle

4°
—

Backlight

RGB, south-facing
RGB, south-facing

Firmware & software

QMK

Yes
Yes

VIA

Yes
Yes

N-key rollover

Yes
Yes

Mac & Windows

Yes
Yes

Extras

Released

2024
2023

For EU buyers

ISO layouts by store

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

Keychron V3 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-SW

    In stockDoes not ship to you

Keychron Lemokey L3

  • Keychron

    ISO

    In stockShips to you

  • Keychron (DE)

    ISO

    In stockDoes not ship to you

  • Keychron (DE)

    ISO

    Out of stockDoes not ship to you

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.

FAQ

Keychron V3 Max vs Lemokey L3: your questions

The Keychron V3 Max is better for modding because it offers a barebones DIY kit version and an ABS plastic case that is easier to paint or modify. In contrast, the Lemokey L3 has a full CNC aluminum chassis that is very difficult to alter, and it is mainly available as a fully assembled or barebone unit (without keycaps).

Yes, both the Keychron V3 Max and the Lemokey L3 support QMK firmware and VIA software for remapping keys and creating macros. The vendor notes that for the L3, you may need to download a specific JSON file from the product page to get the keymap working in VIA until it is approved on Github.

Yes, both keyboards are compatible with macOS and Windows. The V3 Max is described as being built with Mac users in mind and includes a system toggle. The Lemokey L3 also comes with extra keycaps for Mac and supports macOS, Windows, and Linux.

Both the Keychron V3 Max and the Lemokey L3 support 1000 Hz polling rate when using the 2.4 GHz wireless connection. In Bluetooth mode, the polling rate drops to 90 Hz. The wired connection also maintains 1000 Hz.

The Lemokey L3 is significantly heavier at about 1976 grams, while the Keychron V3 Max weighs about 895 grams. This makes the V3 Max much more portable, while the L3's weight contributes to its premium, solid feel on a desk.

Yes, both the Keychron V3 Max and the Lemokey L3 have hot-swappable PCBs. The vendor states that both are compatible with most 3-pin and 5-pin MX style mechanical switches from brands like Gateron, Cherry MX, and Kailh.

The Lemokey L3 has a better build quality due to its full CNC machined 6063 aluminum body with anodized and sandblasted finish. The Keychron V3 Max uses an ABS plastic housing, which is lighter but less premium.

Both keyboards include a 4000 mAh rechargeable battery. According to the manufacturer, with the backlight off, the V3 Max can last up to 190 hours and the Lemokey L3 up to 200 hours. With RGB at lowest brightness, both are rated for up to 100 hours.

Yes, the Lemokey L3 features additional macro keys (total 91 keys in the unique TKL layout) and an aluminum rotary encoder. These can be customized via QMK/VIA to perform key commands, macros, or shortcuts like volume control or zoom.

The Keychron V3 Max is better for travel because it weighs only 895 grams versus the Lemokey L3's 1976 grams. The V3 Max's plastic case is also less likely to get scratched or dented during transport.

The Keychron V3 Max uses an OSA (OEM spherical angled) profile double-shot PBT keycap, which has an OEM height with an SA-like shape. The Lemokey L3 uses Cherry profile double-shot PBT keycaps, which are non-shine-through and designed for a comfortable typing angle.

Both keyboards come with a knob. The V3 Max is available in a 'Fully Assembled Knob' version, and the Lemokey L3 also comes with an aluminum rotary encoder (knob) that can be customized for functions like volume or zoom.

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