The Keychron K3 is a compact 75% keyboard with function and arrow keys, and it's light enough to carry around with you. It works properly with both macOS and Windows because it has an option to switch between modes according to which operating system you're using. It's similar to the Keychron K2 (Version 2) but with low-profile switches. It's available with Gateron Low Profile or Keychron Low Profile Optical switches, and you can choose from a variety of switch types. It has full RGB backlighting, but sadly, it doesn't have dedicated software to remap any keys. Keychron suggests using third-party software, but we don't test for that. The typing quality with the Gateron Low Profile Brown switches we tested is good. Note that it may be difficult to find it at retailers, and it's best to purchase this keyboard directly from Keychron's website.
Our Verdict
The Keychron K3 is great for gaming. The Gateron Low Profile Brown switches we tested are light to press and have a short pre-travel distance. It has full RGB backlighting, but there's no dedicated software to reprogram any keys or set macros. It also doesn't offer much in terms of ergonomics, but with its low profile, you shouldn't get tired using it for long gaming sessions.
- Full RGB backlighting.
- Low pre-travel distance.
- No dedicated software to remap keys.
- Doesn't come with a wrist rest.
The Keychron K3 is amazing for use with mobile devices. It's very light to carry around, and its compact size makes it easy to place in a bag. It has great build quality, and you shouldn't worry about damaging it while on-the-go. It can connect with up to three devices at once and works with most common operating systems; only a few function keys don't work on mobile devices.
- Lightweight and compact design.
- Great build quality.
- Multi-device pairing.
- Some function keys don't work on mobile devices.
The Keychron K3 is good for office use. It offers good typing quality, and the Gateron Low Profile Brown switches on our unit are quiet, but your experience may vary depending on which switch you get. It's well-built and is fully compatible with both macOS and Windows. It has decent ergonomics, but it doesn't have any incline settings or a wrist rest.
- Great build quality.
- Good typing quality.
- Doesn't come with a wrist rest.
The Keychron K3 is good for programming. It has full RGB backlighting and the Gateron Low Profile Brown switches on our unit offer a good typing experience, but you can get it in a variety of switches. It has decent ergonomics, but it lacks a wrist rest. Sadly, it doesn't come with dedicated software to reprogram any keys, so you can't set any macros.
- Full RGB backlighting.
- Good typing quality.
- No dedicated software to remap keys.
- Doesn't come with a wrist rest.
The Keychron K3 is okay for use with a home theater PC. You can connect it wirelessly via Bluetooth, and it has full RGB backlighting, making it easier to use it while watching a movie or gaming in the dark. That said, it lacks a trackpad, which means you need a dedicated mouse to navigate the user interface.
- Full RGB backlighting.
- Connects wirelessly.
- No trackpad.
Changelog
- Updated Nov 16, 2023: We've added a link to the newly-reviewed NuPhy Air75 V2 in theLatency section of this review.
- Updated Mar 05, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.0.
- Updated Jan 12, 2021: Fixed an error regarding hot-swappable switches and PBT keycaps.
- Updated Jan 07, 2021: Review published.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the Keychron K3 Low Profile Mechanical keyboard with Gateron Brown switches and RGB backlighting. It's also available with white backlighting and you can also get it with Gateron Low Profile Blue and Red switches. There's another variant with Keychron Optical switches, which has hot-swappable switches, so you can easily replace your switches without any soldering. Your typing experience and typing noise may change depending on which switches you get.
Keychron sells extra accessories for this keyboard. You can get a wrist rest and a set of premium ABS keycaps directly from their website, so your experience may vary with these extra parts.
| Model | Backlighting | Switches | Switch Type | Hot Swappable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low Profile Gateron Mechanical | RGB | Gateron Low Profile | Red, Blue, Brown | No |
| Low Profile Gateron Mechanical | White | Gateron Low Profile | Red, Blue, Brown | No |
| Low Profile Keychron Optical | RGB | Keychron Low Profile Optical | Red, Brown, Blue, White, Black, Orange | Yes |
| Low Profile Keychron Optical | White | Keychron Low Profile Optical | Red, Brown, Blue, White, Black, Orange | Yes |
If someone notices that their unit doesn't correspond to our review, please let us know in the discussions, and we'll update the review. You can see the label for our unit here.
Popular Keyboard Comparisons
The Keychron K3 is a good office keyboard and it's very similar to the Keychron K2 (Version 2), except it has low profile switches instead of regular-sized mechanical ones. Its multi-device pairing feature is a nice addition and it's compatible with most devices. However, gamers may be disappointed with the lack of macro-programmable keys and may want to look into other options, such as the Ducky One 2 SF or the Obinslab Anne Pro 2. Also see our recommendations for the best wireless keyboards, the best keyboards for Mac, and the best mechanical keyboards.
The Keychron K3 and the Keychron K2 (Version 2) are two very similar keyboards, except the K3 has low-profile switches while the K2 has normal-sized ones. The K3 has better ergonomics because its lower profile makes it comfortable to type on even without a wrist rest. It's also available in a wider range of switch types, including optical ones. However, the K2 offers better typing quality and feels better built.
The Keychron K6 and the Keychron K3 are both very good all-around keyboards with similar features. The main difference is in their designs. The K6 is a compact 65% keyboard with standard keycaps while the K3 is compact 75%, meaning it has a function row, and it has low profile switches. They're each available with clicky, tactile, and linear switches. Typing feels better overall on the K6, but some people may prefer the low profile switches instead. Latency is also lower on the K6.
The Keychron K3 and the NuPhy Air75 are both compact, low-profile mechanical keyboards intended for different uses. The Keychron is better suited for office use, whereas the Nuphy is better for gaming since it has better latency, and every key is macro-programmable. Also, it uses PBT keycaps rather than ABS. On the other hand, the key legends on the Keychron are shine-through, so you'll be about to see your keys in the dark. The NuPhy is hot-swappable, and the Keychron also comes in a hot-swappable variant, so you can change out the stock switches without soldering.
The Keychron K3 and the Keychron K7 are very similar wireless keyboards, but the K3 has more keys. The K3 is a 75% board with a dedicated F-row and a Control button on its right side, which the K7 lacks because of its second Fn key. On the other hand, the K7 is a 65% board with two incline settings, unlike the K3. Both boards are available with Gateron Low Profile and Keychron Low Profile Optical switches. The K3's hot-swappable variant is compatible with Keychron Low Profile Optical switches only, while the K7 is also available with Gateron Low Profile switches.
Test Results
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