Keychron K2 (Version 2) vs K8

Which Keyboard Is Better?

Products

Keychron K2 (Version 2)
Keychron K8

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated May 30, 2025 04:32 PM

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Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated May 30, 2025 04:18 PM

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Amazon.com

Our Verdict

Keychron K2 (Version 2)

Keychron K8

The Keychron K2 (Version 2) and the Keychron K8 are essentially the same keyboard in two different sizes. The K2 is 75%, while the K8 is 80%. The K2 is available with various Gateron switches, but the K8 has both Gateron and Keychron Optical switch options. That said, both keyboards have a hot-swappable variant that lets you change the switches without soldering. Latency is better on the K8, but the difference shouldn't be noticeable to most people.

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Variants

  • K2 (Version 2) (Dark Gray)
  • K8 (Dark Gray)

Check Price

Dark Gray
K2 (Version 2)
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Amazon.com
Dark Gray
K8
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Dark Gray
K2 (Version 2)
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Dark Gray
K8
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Dark Gray
K2 (Version 2)
B&H
Dark Gray
K8
B&H
Dark Gray
K2 (Version 2)
BestBuy.com
Dark Gray
K8
BestBuy.com
Dark Gray
K2 (Version 2)
Keychron
Dark Gray
K8
Keychron

Main Differences for
Gaming

Threshold 

0.10

Gaming 
 

0.0
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Full Comparison

Design

Dimensions 
 

Top Picture  

Keychron K2 (Version 2) Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Keychron K8 Top Picture Sample

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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)
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Build Quality 
 

N/A
N/A

Build Quality Close Up  

Keychron K2 (Version 2) Build Quality Close Up Sample

SAMPLE

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Keychron K8 Build Quality Close Up Sample

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Keycap Material  

Locked
Locked
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Ergonomics 
 

N/A
N/A

Side Picture  

Keychron K2 (Version 2) Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Keychron K8 Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Board Design 
 

Locked
Locked

Minimum Incline 
 

Lock°
Lock°

Medium Incline 
 

Lock°
Lock°

Maximum Incline 
 

Lock°
Lock°

Wrist Rest  

Locked
Locked
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Backlighting 
 

N/A
N/A

Backlighting Picture  

Keychron K2 (Version 2) Backlighting Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Keychron K8 Backlighting Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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White Shot 
 

Keychron K2 (Version 2) White Shot Sample

SAMPLE

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Keychron K8 White Shot Sample

SAMPLE

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Brightness Max 
 

Keychron K2 (Version 2) Brightness Max Sample

SAMPLE

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Keychron K8 Brightness Max Sample

SAMPLE

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Brightness Min 
 

Keychron K2 (Version 2) Brightness Min Sample

SAMPLE

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Keychron K8 Brightness Min Sample

SAMPLE

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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 K2 (Version 2) Extra Features Sample

SAMPLE

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Keychron K8 Extra Features Sample

SAMPLE

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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 K2 (Version 2) Bundle Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Keychron K8 Bundle Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Show Text 
Typing Experience

Keystrokes 
 

Key Switch Actuation Graph  

Keychron K2 (Version 2) Key Switch Actuation Graph Sample

SAMPLE

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Keychron K8 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 K2 (Version 2) Typing Sample Sample

SAMPLE

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Keychron K8 Typing Sample Sample

SAMPLE

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Noise 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Latency 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency Video  

Keychron K2 (Version 2) Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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Keychron K8 Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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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 K2 (Version 2) Software Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Keychron K8 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

Dark Gray
K2 (Version 2)
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Dark Gray
K8
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Dark Gray
K2 (Version 2)
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Dark Gray
K8
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Dark Gray
K2 (Version 2)
B&H
Dark Gray
K8
B&H
Dark Gray
K2 (Version 2)
BestBuy.com
Dark Gray
K8
BestBuy.com
Dark Gray
K2 (Version 2)
Keychron
Dark Gray
K8
Keychron

Keychron K2 (Version 2)

Keychron K8

Comments

  1. Comparison

Keychron K2 (Version 2) vs Keychron K8: Main Discussion

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