The Keychron K14 is a wireless, compact 70% keyboard. It's advertised as a smaller alternative to a TenKeyLess model that retains a set of dedicated arrow keys and most navigational keys but lacks a function row. It connects wirelessly via Bluetooth, and you can pair it with up to three devices simultaneously. The unit we tested has Gateron G Pro Brown switches that feel fairly light to type on and offer good tactile feedback. There are several other variants available with different materials and backlighting options. They come in a range of Gateron G Pro or Keychron Mechanical switches, depending on their configuration, and there's also a hot-swappable version available. Unfortunately, while its latency is decent, it's high compared to most dedicated gaming options. Also, while it has two incline settings, it lacks an included wrist rest.
Our Verdict
The Keychron K14 is good for gaming, but it isn't designed for this use. It has full RGB backlighting with individually-lit keys, and its latency is decent, but it isn't as low as on most dedicated gaming keyboards. The ergonomics are also just okay, as it lacks a wrist rest. The unit we purchased has Gateron G Pro Brown switches which feel light and responsive, but they have fairly high pre-travel. That said, this keyboard is also available with other Gateron and Keychron Mechanical switches, depending on the version you purchase. There's also a hot-swappable version available, so you can install the switches you prefer.
- Feels very well-built.
- Full RGB backlighting with individually-lit keys.
- Keys feel light and responsive.
- Latency is too high for competitive or fast-paced gaming.
- No companion software.
The Keychron K14 is decent for use with mobile devices. It connects via Bluetooth, and you can pair it with up to three devices simultaneously. It works without issues across Windows/Android and Mac/iOS, but certain function keys don't work in select operating systems. It also feels very well-made and has an aluminum frame. Unfortunately, it's heavy, and despite its relatively small overall footprint, it isn't ideal for carrying with you on the go.
- Feels very well-built.
- Supports multi-device pairing with up to three devices.
- The keyboard feels heavy.
- High-profile.
The Keychron K14 is good for office use. It has a fairly high profile and doesn't come with a wrist rest. That said, it feels very well-built and connects wirelessly via Bluetooth. Our unit has Gateron G Pro Brown switches which provide a light typing experience with good tactile feedback, and they're quiet enough for open office environments. You can get this keyboard in a variety of Gateron or Keychron Mechanical switches, and there's a hot-swappable version available, meaning you can install your own switches without soldering.
- Feels very well-built.
- Connects wirelessly via Bluetooth.
- Great typing quality.
- No wrist rest.
The Keychron K14 is good for programming. It has an aluminum frame and feels very well-built. It also has full RGB backlighting and works with any operating system. Unfortunately, the ergonomics are just okay, as it has a high profile and doesn't include a wrist rest. The unit we purchased has Gateron G Pro Brown switches which provide great typing quality, but it's also available in a range of other Gateron and Keychron Mechanical switches. There's also a hot-swappable version available, so you can use the switches you prefer. Unfortunately, there isn't any companion software, so you can't reprogram keys without relying on third-party software.
- Feels very well-built.
- Full RGB backlighting with individually-lit keys.
- Connects wirelessly via Bluetooth.
- Supports multi-device pairing with up to three devices.
- No companion software.
- No macro-programmable keys.
The Keychron K14 is adequate for use in a home theatre PC setup. It connects wirelessly with Bluetooth, and it has full RGB backlighting, so the keys are easy to see in a dark room. It also has a set of media hotkeys. Unfortunately, it doesn't have a trackpad, so you'll need a separate mouse to navigate on-screen menus.
- Full RGB backlighting with individually-lit keys.
- Connects wirelessly via Bluetooth.
- Lacks a trackpad.
- No volume wheel.
Check Price
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Keychron K14 we tested has Gateron G Pro Brown switches, an aluminum frame, and full RGB backlighting, but there are several other configurations available, including versions with or without the aluminum frame, backlighting, and hot-swappable switches. The default switch types available for this keyboard include clicky, tactile, and linear versions of both Gateron G Pro switches or Keychron Mechanical switches, depending on what configuration you choose. All configurations are listed in the table below.
| Version | Color Scheme | Gateron G Pro Mechanical | Keychron Mechanical Switches | Hot-Swappable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-Backlit | Beige/Retro | None | Red, Blue, Brown | No |
| Non-Backlit Aluminum Frame | Beige/Retro | None | Red, Blue, Brown | Yes/No |
| White Backlit | Black/Gray | Red, Blue, Brown | None | Yes/No |
| RGB Backlit | Black/Gray | Red, Blue, Brown | None | Yes/No |
| RGB Backlit Aluminum | Black/Gray | Red, Blue, Brown | None | Yes/No |
The configuration we tested is indicated in bold within the table above. We expect our test results to be broadly applicable to all configurations; however, your typing experience will depend on the switch type you select. If you have a variant of the Keychron K14 that doesn't correspond to our review, let us know in the discussions, and we'll update it. You can see the label for our unit here.
Popular Keyboard Comparisons
As is typical for Keychron keyboards, the Keychron K14 is similar in many ways to other models within their lineup. Much of the difference between them comes down to their size. This keyboard is a rare, compact 70% form factor, which Keychron advertises as being a smaller alternative to a TKL. Unfortunately, like other Keychron models, there isn't any proprietary software, so while there's some limited customization possible for the RGB lighting directly on the board, you need to rely on third-party software if you want to rebind keys.
For other recommendations, check out our picks for the best keyboards for typing, the best wireless keyboards, and the best mechanical keyboards. For more models from Keychron, see our choices for the best Keychron keyboards.
The Logitech MX Keys and the Keychron K14 are good wireless office keyboards. The Logitech is a low-profile, full-sized keyboard. It doesn't have any incline settings or an included wrist rest, but it has better ergonomics due to its low-profile, making it comfortable to type on for long periods. It has scissor switches with a tactile bump that requires a bit of force to get over, but they also feel very responsive thanks to a very low travel distance. It also has slightly lower latency, though neither board is very well-suited for gaming. On the other hand, the Keychron is a compact 70% keyboard available in a range of Gateron G Pro or Keychron Mechanical switches.
The Keychron K12 and the Keychron K14 are very similar mechanical keyboards in different sizes. The K12 is a Compact (60%) keyboard available with various stock Gateron and Keychron switches. On the other hand, the Keychron K14 is a compact (70%) keyboard available in a range of Gateron G Pro or Keychron switches. Both keyboards also have hot-swappable versions available.
The Keychron K6 and Keychron K14 are similar wireless mechanical keyboards in different sizes. The K6 is a compact 60% available with Gateron or LK Optical switches and lower latency, while the Keychron K14 is a compact 70% model with four additional navigation keys. It's available with Gateron G Pro or Keychron Mechanical switches. The ABS keycaps on the Keychron K14 also have a nicer finish and feel better to type on. Additionally, there are hot-swappable versions available of both keyboards.
The Keychron K3 and the Keychron K14 are similar wireless mechanical keyboards. The K3 is a low-profile, compact 75% keyboard available in a range of Gateron low-profile or Keychron low-profile Optical switches. It also has a row of ten function keys which the K14 lacks. On the other hand, the K14 is available in a range of Gateron G Pro or Keychron Mechanical switches. The K14 offers a better typing experience because its keys don't wobble as much, and its ABS keycaps aren't as slippery. However, you may prefer the responsiveness of the low-profile keys on the K3 instead, especially for gaming. Both keyboards also have a hot-swappable version available, so you can install the switches you prefer without soldering.
Test Results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
