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Keychron K1 vs K3

Which Keyboard Is Better?

    Top
    Main Differences
    Design
      DimensionsBuild QualityErgonomicsBacklightingCable & ConnectorWireless VersatilityExtra FeaturesIn The Box
    Typing Experience
      KeystrokesTyping QualityTyping NoiseLatency
    Software and Operating System
      Software & ProgrammingKeyboard Compatibility
    Comments

Products

Keychron K1
Keychron K3

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated May 30, 2025 04:29 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated May 30, 2025 03:57 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Keychron K1 Picture

Track

Keychron K3 Picture

Track

ConnectivityWireless
Size
TenKeyLess (80%)
Mechanical
Yes
ConnectivityWireless
Size
Compact (75%)
Mechanical
Yes

Our Verdict

Keychron K1

Keychron K3

The Keychron K1 and the Keychron K3 are both great gaming keyboards, but the K1 has a TenKeyLess layout whereas the K3 has a compact 75% layout. Otherwise, they have very similar features, although the K3 has a lower latency over Bluetooth. It also has a Caps Lock indicator light, which the K1 lacks. The K3 is available with many different switches, including optical ones, so you have a wider range of options to choose from. Neither keyboards have software to customize the backlighting or set macros.

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Variants

  • K1 (Black)
  • K1 (Light Gray)
  • K3 (Black (K3B3))

Review

See Keychron K1 Review
See Keychron K3 Review
0 
0 

Check Price

Black
K1
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black (K3B3)
K3
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Light Gray
K1
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black (K3B3)
K3
SEARCH
B&H
 
Black (K3B3)
K3
SEARCH
BestBuy.com
 
Black (K3B3)
K3
SEARCH
Keychron
 
Black (K3B3)
K3
SEARCH
Walmart.com

Main Differences for
Gaming

Threshold 

0.10

Gaming 
 

0.0
0.0
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Full Comparison

Design

Dimensions 
 

Top Picture  

Keychron K1 Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Keychron K3 Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Size 
 

Locked
Locked

Height 
 

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

Width  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

Depth 
 

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

Depth With Wrist Rest 
 

N/A
N/A

Weight 
 

Lock lbs (Lock kg)
Lock lbs (Lock kg)
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

N/A
N/A

Build Quality Close Up  

Keychron K1 Build Quality Close Up Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Keychron K3 Build Quality Close Up Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Keycap Material  

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Ergonomics 
 

N/A
N/A

Side Picture  

Keychron K1 Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Keychron K3 Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Board Design 
 

Locked
Locked

Minimum Incline 
 

Lock°
Lock°

Medium Incline 
 

N/A
N/A

Maximum Incline 
 

N/A
N/A

Wrist Rest  

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Backlighting 
 

N/A
N/A

Backlighting Picture  

Keychron K1 Backlighting Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Keychron K3 Backlighting Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

White Shot 
 

Keychron K1 White Shot Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Keychron K3 White Shot Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Brightness Max 
 

Keychron K1 Brightness Max Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Keychron K3 Brightness Max Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Brightness Min 
 

Keychron K1 Brightness Min Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Keychron K3 Brightness Min Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Backlighting  

Locked
Locked

Color 
 

Locked
Locked

Individually Backlit Keys 
 

Locked
Locked

Color Mixing 
 

Locked
Locked

Effects 
 

Locked
Locked

Programmable 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Cable & Connector  

Connectivity  

Locked
Locked

Detachable 
 

Locked
Locked

Length  

Lock ft (Lock m)
Lock ft (Lock m)

Connector (Keyboard side) 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Wireless Versatility 
 

N/A
N/A

Bluetooth 
 

Locked
Locked

Bluetooth Multi-Device Pairing 
 

Locked
Locked

Proprietary Receiver 
 

Locked
Locked

Battery Type 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Extra Features 
 

Extra Features  

Keychron K1 Extra Features Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Keychron K3 Extra Features Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Media Keys 
 

Locked
Locked

Macro Programmable Keys 
 

Locked
Locked

Trackpad / Trackball  

Locked
Locked

Wheel  

Locked
Locked

USB Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

Numpad  

Locked
Locked

Windows Key Lock 
 

Locked
Locked

Lock Indicator  

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

In The Box  

Bundle Picture  

Keychron K1 Bundle Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Keychron K3 Bundle Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Show Text 
Typing Experience

Keystrokes 
 

Key Switch Actuation Graph  

Keychron K1 Key Switch Actuation Graph Sample

SAMPLE

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Keychron K3 Key Switch Actuation Graph Sample

SAMPLE

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Key Switches 
 

Locked
Locked

Mechanical 
 

Locked
Locked

Feel 
 

Locked
Locked

Operating Force 
 

Lock gf
Lock gf

Actuation Force 
 

Lock gf
Lock gf

Pre-Travel 
 

Lock mm
Lock mm

Total Travel 
 

Lock mm
Lock mm
Show Text 

Typing Quality 
 

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Typing Noise 
 

Typing Sample  

Keychron K1 Typing Sample Sample

SAMPLE

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Keychron K3 Typing Sample Sample

SAMPLE

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Noise 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Latency 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency Video  

Keychron K1 Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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Keychron K3 Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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for videos & test results

Latency Wired 
 

Lock ms
Lock ms

Latency Receiver 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency Bluetooth 
 

Lock ms
Lock ms
Show Text 
Software and Operating System

Software & Programming 
 

N/A
N/A

Software Picture  

Keychron K1 Software Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Keychron K3 Software Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Software Name  

Locked
Locked

Account Required 
 

Locked
Locked

Profiles 
 

Locked
Locked

Onboard Memory 
 

Locked
Locked

Cloud Sync 
 

Locked
Locked

Macro Programming 
 

Locked
Locked

Ease Of Use 
 

Locked
Locked

Software Windows Compatible 
 

Locked
Locked

Software macOS Compatible 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Keyboard Compatibility 
 

N/A
N/A

Windows  

Locked
Locked

macOS  

Locked
Locked

Linux  

Locked
Locked

Android  

Locked
Locked

iOS  

Locked
Locked

iPadOS  

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Check Price

Black
K1
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black (K3B3)
K3
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Light Gray
K1
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black (K3B3)
K3
SEARCH
B&H
 
Black (K3B3)
K3
SEARCH
BestBuy.com
 
Black (K3B3)
K3
SEARCH
Keychron
 
Black (K3B3)
K3
SEARCH
Walmart.com
Back to Top

Keychron K1

Keychron K3

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 2 years ago

Keychron K1 vs Keychron K3: Main Discussion

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