Keychron K2 (Version 2) vs K12

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Jun 30, 2022 09:08 PM

See Keychron K2 (Version 2) Review

ConnectivityWireless

Size Compact (75%)

Mechanical Yes

ConnectivityWireless

Size Compact (60%)

Mechanical Yes

Our Verdict

Keychron K2 (Version 2)

Keychron K12

The Keychron K2 (Version 2) and the Keychron K12 are very similar wireless mechanical boards, but the K2 is a 75% board with a dedicated F-row and navigation keys, while the K12 is a 60% compact board. The K2 is available with white backlighting or RGB backlighting, and it's available with Gateron Red, Blue, or Brown switches. On the other hand, the K12 is available with the same K2 options, but it's also available with no backlighting at all, and it has more switch options, including Keychron mechanical and optical switches, as well as in a hot-swappable variant.

Variants

K2 (Version 2) (Dark Gray)

K12 (Black)

Review

See Keychron K12 Review

Check Price

Dark Gray

K2 (Version 2)

Black

K12

Dark Gray

K2 (Version 2)

Black

K12

Dark Gray

K2 (Version 2)

Black

K12

Dark Gray

K2 (Version 2)

Black

K12

Main Differences for

Gaming

Threshold

0.10

Gaming

7.7

7.5

Pre-Travel

2.3 mm

2.6 mm

Full Comparison

Gaming

7.7

7.5

Mobile/Tablet

7.5

7.9

Office

7.6

Programming

7.8

Entertainment / HTPC

6.6

Design

Dimensions

Top Picture

Size

Compact (75%)

Compact (60%)

Height

1.7" (4.2 cm)

1.5" (3.9 cm)

Width

12.4" (31.6 cm)

11.7" (29.8 cm)

Depth

5.0" (12.7 cm)

4.2" (10.7 cm)

Depth With Wrist Rest

N/A

Weight

1.74 lbs (0.787 kg)

1.47 lbs (0.667 kg)

Show Text

Build Quality

8.5

Build Quality Close Up

Keycap Material

ABS

Show Text

Ergonomics

6.5

Side Picture

Board Design

Straight

Minimum Incline

6.5°

4°

Medium Incline

8.5°

6°

Maximum Incline

11°

10°

Wrist Rest

Show Text

Backlighting

9.1

9.3

Backlighting Picture

White Shot

Brightness Max

Brightness Min

Backlighting

Yes

Color

RGB

Individually Backlit Keys

Yes

Color Mixing

Poor

Effects

Yes

Programmable

Show Text

Cable & Connector

Connectivity

Wireless

Detachable

Yes (Wired Mode and Charge)

Length

3.9 ft (1.2 m)

4.0 ft (1.2 m)

Connector (Keyboard side)

USB type-C

Show Text

Wireless Versatility

Bluetooth

Yes

Bluetooth Multi-Device Pairing

Proprietary Receiver

Battery Type

Rechargeable

Show Text

Extra Features

Media Keys

Hot Keys

Macro Programmable Keys

Trackpad / Trackball

Wheel

USB Passthrough

Numpad

Windows Key Lock

Lock Indicator

Caps Lock

Show Text

In The Box

Bundle Picture

Show Text

Typing Experience

Keystrokes

Key Switch Actuation Graph

See details

Key Switches

Gateron Brown

Mechanical

Yes

Feel

Tactile

Operating Force

44 gf

Actuation Force

36 gf

Pre-Travel

2.3 mm

2.6 mm

Total Travel

4.0 mm

Show Text

Typing Quality

8.0

Show Text

Typing Noise

Typing Sample

Noise

Quiet

Show Text

Latency

7.0

7.3

Latency Video

Latency Wired

15.7 ms

11.7 ms

Latency Receiver

N/A

Latency Bluetooth

25.3 ms

22.9 ms

Show Text

Software and Operating System

Software & Programming

0.0

Software Picture

Software Name

No Software

Account Required

No Software

Profiles

No Profile

Onboard Memory

Cloud Sync

Macro Programming

Ease Of Use

No Software

Software Windows Compatible

Software macOS Compatible

Show Text

Keyboard Compatibility

9.2

8.5

Windows

Full

macOS

Full

Partial

Linux

Partial

Android

Full

Partial

iOS

Partial

iPadOS

Partial

Show Text

Check Price

Dark Gray

K2 (Version 2)

Black

K12

Dark Gray

K2 (Version 2)

Black

K12

Dark Gray

K2 (Version 2)

Black

K12

Dark Gray

K2 (Version 2)

Black

K12