- Table of Contents
- Intro
- Our Verdict
- Test Results
- Differences
- Compared To Others
- Deals
- Discussions
For most uses, the Keychron K6 is an okay wireless mechanical keyboard, and it's essentially a compact version of the Keychron K4. Its small design and ability to pair with up to three devices over Bluetooth make it an excellent choice for using with your smartphone or tablet. Despite the long pre-travel distance of the Gateron Brown switches, they feel great to type with, and surprisingly, the keyboard doesn't cause any fatigue. It has a great build quality and full RGB backlighting that you can customize directly on the board. Unfortunately, it doesn't have any macro-programmable keys and no companion software to customize the board to your liking.
Our Verdict
The Keychron K6 is decent for mixed usage. Its compact design and wireless capabilities make it an excellent choice for using with your smartphone or tablet. It's a decent choice for programmers and office use, as it has passable ergonomics due to its two incline settings, and provides a great typing experience. However, there's no customization software or any macro-programmable keys. Also, the long pre-travel distance makes it a disappointing choice for gamers.
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Full RGB backlighting.
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Responsive switches.
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Sturdy build.
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No macro-programmable keys.
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No companion software.
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Mediocre ergonomics.
The Keychron K6 is a sub-par keyboard for gaming. The Gateron Brown switches on our unit don't require a lot of force to actuate. However, its high pre-travel distance makes the keyboard feel less responsive. It has full RGB backlighting, acceptable ergonomics, and provides a great typing experience. That said, there's no customization software or macro-programmable keys.
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Full RGB backlighting.
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Responsive switches.
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Sturdy build.
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No macro-programmable keys.
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No companion software.
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Mediocre ergonomics.
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High pre-travel distance.
The Keychron K6 is excellent to use with your smartphone or tablet. It can be used wirelessly over Bluetooth and can be paired with up to three devices. Its compact design makes it easy to carry in your laptop bag.
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Multi-device pairing.
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Sturdy build.
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Mediocre ergonomics.
The Keychron K6 is decent for office use. Even though it doesn't have a wrist rest, ergonomics are still passable due to it having two incline settings. It feels light to type on since the switches don't need much force to actuate. Despite the compact design, there's no fatigue when typing. The Gateron Brown switches on our unit don't cause a lot of typing noise and shouldn't disturb those around you, but it can get a lot louder if you get the keyboard with tactile and clicky switches.
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Responsive switches.
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Sturdy build.
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No companion software.
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Mediocre ergonomics.
The Keychron K6 is decent for programming. It has impressive typing quality, as the switches don't need a lot of force to actuate. Despite the compact design, it doesn't feel cramped to type on and isn't tiring to use. While it has full RGB backlighting, there's no companion software to customize it, and there are no macro-programmable keys.
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Full RGB backlighting.
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Multi-device pairing.
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Responsive switches.
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Sturdy build.
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No macro-programmable keys.
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No companion software.
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Mediocre ergonomics.
- 7.0 Mixed usage
- 5.5 Gaming
- 8.8 Mobile/Tablet
- 7.4 Office
- 7.4 Programming
- Update 1/4/2021: Updated the Build Quality score.
Test Results
The Keychron K6 is very compact and doesn't have a numeric pad or function keys. For similarly-sized keyboards, check out the Vortex Race 3 and the Razer Huntsman Mini. For a TenKeyLess alternative, consider the Keychron K1.
Update 01/04/2021: We upgraded the build quality score because we discovered there are two versions of this keyboard: one with a plastic frame and the other with an aluminum frame. Our unit has the aluminum frame.
Its build quality is excellent. It's made of plastic with an aluminum frame that feels very solid, and all keys feel quite stable. Unfortunately, the keycaps are made of ABS plastic, which feels rather cheap and attracts oil from your fingers, making them feel rather slippery.
The ergonomics are mediocre. It has two incline settings, which can help in preventing fatigue. Despite the small size, it doesn't feel cramped to type on. The feet are very sturdy, but they're also prone to sliding around when force is applied.
The Keychron K6 has outstanding RGB backlighting. You can control the colors and lighting effects directly via hotkeys. However, the backlight isn't that bright and isn't that noticeable in a mildly-lit room.
The Keychron K6 comes with a short detachable, braided USB-C cable.
The Keychron K6 has wireless capabilities. You can use it over Bluetooth, and it can be paired with up to three devices simultaneously. It has a rechargeable battery and can be used while charging.
It doesn't have too many extra features. It lacks dedicated media controls, function keys, and macro-programmable keys. That being said, it does have media hotkeys and navigation keys. It's mentioned in the user manual that you can remap the keys through third-party software, but we haven't tested this claim. The media hotkeys are on the numbers row, but if you prefer something with a dedicated function row, then check out the Keychron K2.
- Keychron K6 keyboard
- USB-C cable
- Keycap remover
- Extra keycaps for Windows
- User manual
- Keyboard layout guide
The unit we did our tests on has Gateron Brown switches. If you don't want the Brown switches, it's also available in Red and Blue, which are linear and quiet, and clicky and tactile, respectively. The switches don't require a lot of force to actuate, which makes typing feel light. The pre-travel distance is quite high, making the keyboard feel less responsive. If you'd prefer a keyboard that feels faster and more responsive, check out the Drop ENTR.
The Gateron Brown switches we did our tests with provide a great typing experience. The switches feel light and give nice tactile feedback. Also, it doesn't feel tiring to type on, which is nice considering how compact the keyboard is. That said, the ABS plastic keycaps feel slippery and cheap.
Typing isn't too loud and should be suitable for an office environment.
Unfortunately, the Keychron K6 wireless mechanical keyboard doesn't have software support. It mentions in the user manual that you can remap the keys through third-party software, but isn't officially supported, and we haven't tested it.
The Keychron K6 has excellent compatibility. It's fully compatible with Windows, but on macOS, the screen brightness buttons don't work. Likewise, Bluetooth doesn't work with Linux, and we had to use the keyboard plugged in. Also, F3 and F4 don't work on iOS and Android.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the Keychron K6 with an aluminum frame, RGB backlighting, and Gateron Brown switches. There's a variant with a plastic frame, which you can get with white or RGB backlighting. You can also get the keyboard with Gateron Blue or Red switches, LK Optical Brown, Red, or Blue switches, or hot-swappable switches, so you can put in whichever switches you prefer.
Compared To Other Keyboards
The Keychron K6 is a compact and wireless keyboard that makes for a great companion for use with your cellphone or tablet. It can be used wired or wirelessly over Bluetooth and can be paired with up to three different devices. This is a smaller version of the Keychron K4 but with full RGB backlighting, while the K4 only has a white backlight. There are two incline settings, unlike the Keychron K1, which has none.
For other options, you can also check out our recommendations for the best gaming keyboards, the best wireless keyboards, and the best mechanical gaming keyboards.
The Keychron K2 is better for most uses than the Keychron K6, but they're similar overall. The K2 is slightly bigger because it has a function row, and it's fully compatible with macOS and Android. However, the K6 is also available with optical switches, so you have more options to choose from.
The Keychron K8 is a slightly better wireless keyboard than the Keychron K6. The K8 is a TenKeyLess (80%) keyboard that has a shorter pre-travel with Gateron Brown switches. That said, the K6 has a compact design (65%) and is fully compatible with Windows.
The Ducky One 2 SF is a better keyboard than the Keychron K6. The Ducky offers a better typing experience and uses doubleshot PBT keycaps that feel great. It has software support and all its keys are macro-programmable. That said, the Keychron has much quieter switches and can be used wirelessly over Bluetooth.
The Keychron K4 is a better keyboard than the Keychron K6. The K6's Gateron Brown switches have a lighter actuation force than the LK Optical switches on the K4. While the K4 has only white backlighting, the K6 has customizable full RGB backlighting. That said, the K4 is fully compatible with macOS.
The Obinslab Anne Pro 2 is a better wireless keyboard than the Keychron K6. The Obinslab can be paired with up to four devices, has on-board memory, and has software compatibility. That said, the Keychron has media hotkeys and two incline settings.
The Drop ENTR is a better keyboard than the Keychron K6. The Drop feels better-built, and its Halo True switches have a short pre-travel distance which makes it feel more responsive. You can also lock the Window Key on the ENTR, unlike on the Keychron. However, the Keychron is better for mobile devices thanks to its outstanding wireless versatility and compact size, and it has full RGB lighting.
The Razer Huntsman Mini is a better keyboard than the Keychron K6. The Razer offers a better typing experience and has doubleshot PBT keycaps that feel great to type on. Also, the Razer has software to customize the RGB lighting and to program macros. On the other hand, the Keychron can be used wirelessly over Bluetooth.
The Keychron K6 is a slightly better keyboard than the Keychron K1. The K6 has two incline settings for a more comfortable typing experience. That said, the K1 has a larger, TenKeyLess design, which may be preferable for some people.
The Razer BlackWidow Tournament Edition Chroma V2 is a better keyboard than the Keychron K6. The Razer comes with a detachable wrist rest and has macro-programmable keys. That said, the Keychron can be used wirelessly over Bluetooth and paired with up to three devices.
| Retailers' prices | Amazon.com | BestBuy.com | B&H |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Keychron K6 |
SEE PRICE
|
Unavailable
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