Qwertykeys QK65 Mk3 vs QK80 Mk2Compact 65% vs Full-Featured TKL
Choose the QK65 Mk3 for portability and a playful screen, or the QK80 Mk2 for a larger layout, longer battery life, and a more extensive plate selection.
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4.4 (7)4.4 · 7 reviews
from$245at MK
3.0 (4)3.0 · 4 reviews
from$145at Divinikey
Which one should you get?
Get the
Qwertykeys QK65 Mk3
Compact 65%
Build quality in the top 45% of 65% boards under $300.
- Highly portable 65% layout with a 20.6mm front height.
- Interactive screen with themed animations (Cat and Dog, Animal Supermarket mini-game) that react to typing.
- Includes a comprehensive accessory kit with a carrying case, Mac keycaps, and multiple foam layers (tear-notched plate foam, IXPE, PET).
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
- 65% layout. No function row and no numpad.
Get the
Qwertykeys QK80 Mk2
Full-Featured TKL
Build quality in the top 5% of 80% boards under $150.
- Larger TKL (80%) layout provides dedicated arrow and navigation keys without layers.
- Higher capacity 4400mAh battery for extended wireless use.
- Extensive customization with multiple plate options (FR4, Aluminum, POM, PC, Carbon Fiber) and PCB choices.
- No numpad.
Your primary need dictates the choice. If a compact, portable keyboard with a unique, playful screen experience is the goal, the QK65 Mk3 is the better fit. If you require a full TKL layout with longer battery life, deeper hardware customization for modding, and can wait for production, the QK80 Mk2 is the more capable board. Consider current availability, as the QK65 Mk3 appears to be in high demand.
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.
Qwertykeys QK65 Mk3
Qwertykeys QK80 Mk2
Layout size
65%
80%
Battery
3,100 mAh
8,000 mAh
A larger battery means fewer cables during the day
Case material
Aluminum
Aluminum, Copper, Steel
Mount style
Gasket Mount
Gasket Mount, Plate Mount
Knob
Yes
No
- Qwertykeys QK65 Mk3
- Qwertykeys QK80 Mk2
- Performance
- 6568
- Build quality
- 6989
- Productivity
- 7984
- Customizability
- 7185
- Portability
- 8987
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Sound dampening
What will you mostly use it for?
The QK80 Mk2 is the more practical choice for office work and programming due to its larger TKL layout and extensive hardware customization. The QK65 Mk3 wins for travel thanks to its smaller size and included case. For gaming and content creation, the boards are closely matched on core features like connectivity and programmability, making the choice more subjective. Modders will find more component variety with the QK80 Mk2.
It's a tie
- Both offer tri-mode connectivity for wired or wireless low-latency play.
- Both are hot-swappable, allowing for switch customization to personal preference.
- Both feature per-key RGB backlighting.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Qwertykeys QK65 Mk3
7 owner reviews
“The board is really nice quality and visually stunning. I’m a huge fan of retro gaming so this felt like I necessary purchase. It feels nice to type on at the angle and height. This may become my daily driver for the home office.”
“I was really looking forward to the Qwertykeys QK65 Mk3 Prebuilt, but right out of the box, the left control key was completely unresponsive. After doing some of my own troubleshooting, I pulled the switch and found that one of the pins was bent a full 90…”
Qwertykeys QK80 Mk2
4 owner reviews
“I ordered a keyboard set and keycaps from divinikey the 2 sets go out of stock almost everytime so I decided to go with Divinikey and they game me a time frame of up to12 weeks which was perfectly fine and the package came in after 6-7 weeks I was super happy…”
“I'm not sure why the QK80 is getting the reviews it's getting. Let's go down the list of the brand new QK80 I have and what I'm regretting getting it: 1) The screen worked for all of five seconds before going blank. Nothing I do brings it back 2) You can't…”
Qwertykeys QK65 Mk3 vs QK80 Mk2 specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
9 of 20 specs differ
Qwertykeys QK65 Mk3
Qwertykeys QK80 Mk2
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
Display
Connection
Battery
USB-C
Case material
Plate material
Keycaps
Dimensions
Typing angle
Backlight
VIA
Mac & Windows
Released
ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
Qwertykeys QK65 Mk3
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
Qwertykeys QK80 Mk2
MonacoKeys
ISO-DE
In stockDoes not ship to you
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.
Qwertykeys QK65 Mk3 vs QK80 Mk2: your questions
The QK80 Mk2 has a larger battery capacity. It includes two 4400mAh internal batteries, while the QK65 Mk3 uses two 3100mAh batteries. This suggests the QK80 Mk2 will likely last longer between charges during wireless use.
Yes, both keyboards are compatible with Mac and Windows systems. The QK65 Mk3's vendor description explicitly mentions Mac/Win support and includes dedicated Mac modifier keycaps. The QK80 Mk2's listing also confirms compatibility with both operating systems.
The QK65 Mk3 is listed as a pre-built option, which includes Cherry profile dye-sub keycaps and linear switches. The QK80 Mk2 is typically sold as a DIY kit or barebones, requiring you to source your own keycaps and switches, though it includes a set of stabilizers.
Both have customizable screens. The QK65 Mk3's vendor page highlights interactive themes like a cat that mirrors your keystrokes and a typing mini-game. The QK80 Mk2 features a TFT LCD display with themes named Dynamic, Meow, and Code, and includes a Flappy Bird game.
The QK65 Mk3 is available as a pre-built, making it more beginner-friendly as it arrives ready to use. The QK80 Mk2 is often sold as a kit, requiring assembly of switches and keycaps, which is better suited for enthusiasts who want to customize their setup from the start.
Yes, both the Qwertykeys QK65 Mk3 and QK80 Mk2 feature hot-swap sockets. This allows you to change mechanical switches without soldering, making it easy to experiment with different switch types.
Both keyboards are programmable using Qwertykey's customized VIA web configurator. This software allows you to remap keys, create layers, and assign macros directly from a browser without installing dedicated software.
The QK65 Mk3 uses a gasket mount design. The QK80 Mk2 utilizes a leaf-spring mount, which the vendor describes as providing a 'bouncier' typing feedback. Both are designed to improve acoustics and typing feel.
According to the vendor, the QK80 Mk2 kit includes a protective case, switch and keycap pullers, a screwdriver, a USB-C cable, a full foam set (PET, IXPE, PCB, case foam), and an accessory pack with spare parts like a silicone gasket and replacement screws.
The listed weight for the QK65 Mk3 is 1471 grams (over 3.2 lbs), which is substantial for a 65% board due to its aluminum case and stainless steel weight. A specific weight is not provided for the QK80 Mk2, but its larger TKL size and aluminum/copper case options suggest it is also a heavy keyboard.
The QK80 Mk2 offers more hardware options to alter the typing feel. It provides a choice between flex-cut and non-flex cut PCBs and a wider array of plate materials, including FR4, Aluminum, POM, PC, and Carbon Fiber, allowing for greater customization.
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