OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Keyboards Methodology v1.0
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Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are evaluated mathematically under Frontumo Keyboards Methodology v1.0 using verified laboratory benchmarks, technical specifications, and authentic consumer ratings with 0% commercial bias.
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Keychron K1 Max QMK VIA Wireless Review | 64 Data compared

Avg. price:~£110Layout size:TKLConnection type:USB / 2.4GHz / BluetoothSwitch type:mechanicalPolling rate:1000 Hz

Keychron K1 Max QMK VIA Wireless Review: Compare 64 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Keyboards category and whether it is worth buying.

7.4

Overall score

Score
7.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the keyboard's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best keyboards on the market.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 72% of models
Score components

80%

7.3

Technical score

20%

7.9

User score

▲Better than 72% of keyboards
7.3

Technical score

Technical score
7.3/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Keyboards category across these key areas: Switches, Design, Connectivity & Power, Features, Materials.
When it matters
When you want to compare keyboards based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 73% of models
Score components

34%

8.0

Connectivity & Power

28%

4.4

Switches

20%

10

Materials

12%

7.2

Features

6%

7.8

Design

▲Better than 73% of keyboards
7.9

User score

User score
7.9/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the keyboard.
When it matters
When you want to understand how a keyboard performs in daily use or gaming and how reliable it is in terms of typing feel, noise level, comfort, and long-term durability.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 68% of models
Score components

70%

8.2

User ratings

30%

7.1

Number of reviews

Based on 314 buyer reviews from online shops.
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
▼Worse than 68% of keyboards
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Best prices

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Best rankings

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of keyboard Keychron K1 Max QMK VIA Wireless

Technical score
Technical score
7.3/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Keyboards category across these key areas: Switches, Design, Connectivity & Power, Features, Materials.
When it matters
When you want to compare keyboards based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 73% of models
Score components:

34%

8.0

Connectivity & Power

28%

4.4

Switches

20%

10

Materials

12%

7.2

Features

6%

7.8

Design

7.3
User score
User score
7.9/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the keyboard.
When it matters
When you want to understand how a keyboard performs in daily use or gaming and how reliable it is in terms of typing feel, noise level, comfort, and long-term durability.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 68% of models
Score components

70%

8.2

User ratings

30%

7.1

Number of reviews

Based on 314 buyer reviews from online shops.
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
7.9
Popularity
Popularity
7.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the keyboard.
When it matters
When you prefer a keyboard that has already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 59% of models
Popularity:
Keychron K1 Max QMK VIA Wireless has a popularity score of 7.1 points, which is higher than that of 59.4% of products in this category.
7.1
Value for money
Value for money
8.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the keyboard's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a keyboard that offers a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 76% of models
Score components:

60%

7.4

Overall score

40%

9.9

Price

8.2
Switch type
mechanical
Switch feel
linear / tactile
Switch name
?
Actuation force
50 g
Min actuation distance
1.7 mm
Min actuation distance
1.7 mm
▼ Worse than 48% of models
Market range: <0.1 mm – >2 mm
This keyboard has a minimum actuation distance of 1.7 mm, which is shorter than 47.1% of keyboards and equal to 5.1% of keyboards.
Show more
Keyboard type
mechanical
Layout size
TKL
Layout standard
?
N. of keys
87
N. of keys
87
▲ Better than 45% of models
Market range: <64 – >108
This keyboard has 87 keys, which is more than 44.6% of keyboards and equal to 18% of keyboards.
Profile
low-profile
Show more
Connection type
USB / 2.4GHz / Bluetooth
Connection type
USB / 2.4GHz / Bluetooth
▲ Better than 57% of models
This keyboard offers USB / 2.4GHz / Bluetooth connectivity, which is more versatile than 57.3% of keyboards and equal to 42.7% of keyboards.
Multi-device pairing
yes
Multi-device pairing
yes
▲ Better than 4% of models
This keyboard supports multi-device pairing. 4.5% of keyboards support multi-device pairing.
Bluetooth version
5.1
Bluetooth version
5.1
▲ Better than 67% of models
This keyboard uses Bluetooth 5.1, which is newer than 67% of keyboards and equal to 23.5% of keyboards.
Mac compatibility
yes
Mac compatibility
yes
▲ Better than 58% of models
This keyboard is Mac compatible. 58% of keyboards are Mac compatible.
Battery life
166 h
Battery life
166 h
▼ Worse than 52% of models
Market range: <30 h – >512 h
This keyboard lasts 166 h on a charge, which is shorter than 51.5% of keyboards and equal to 0.6% of keyboards.
Show more
RGB lighting
yes
RGB lighting
yes
▲ Better than 12% of models
This keyboard has RGB lighting. 12.4% of keyboards have RGB lighting.
Per-key RGB
yes
Per-key RGB
yes
▲ Better than 28% of models
This keyboard has per-key RGB lighting. 27.6% of keyboards have per-key RGB lighting.
RGB zones
87
RGB zones
87
▲ Better than 58% of models
Market range: <0 – >104
This keyboard has 87 RGB zones, which is more than 58.4% of keyboards and equal to 11.6% of keyboards.
Underglow / side lighting
no
Underglow / side lighting
no
▼ Worse than 8% of models
This keyboard does not include underglow lighting. 8% of keyboards include underglow lighting.
Backlight direction
north-facing
Show more
Case material
aluminum/plastic
Plate material
polycarbonate
Keycap material
PBT
Keycap profile
LSA
Legend method
double-shot
Legend method
double-shot
▲ Better than 25% of models
This keyboard uses double-shot legends, which are more durable than 25.1% of keyboards and equal to 74.9% of keyboards.
Show more

Keychron K1 Max QMK VIA Wireless vs the average keyboard

246810TotalDesignConnectivity & PowerSwitchesMaterialsFeatures
  • 1 mm shorter key travel
    Total travel distance
    3 mm
    ★ Better than 95% of models
    Market range: <3.2 mm – >4 mm
    This keyboard has 3 mm of total travel, while the average keyboard has 4 mm.
    3 mm vs 4 mm
  • 2 h shorter charging time
    Charging time
    3 h
    ▲ Better than 58% of models
    Market range: <2.5 h – >6 h
    This keyboard charges faster than the average keyboard (3 h vs 5 h). The average keyboard takes 5 h to charge.
    3 h vs 5 h
  • Works with Mac
    Mac compatibility
    yes
    ▲ Better than 58% of models
    This keyboard is Mac compatible, the average keyboard is not. 42.3% of keyboards are Mac compatible.
  • 0.3 mm shorter actuation distance
    Max actuation distance
    1.7 mm
    ▲ Better than 83% of models
    Market range: <1.6 mm – >4 mm
    This keyboard has a longer maximum actuation distance than the average keyboard (1.7 mm vs 2 mm). The average keyboard has a maximum actuation distance of 2 mm.
    1.7 mm vs 2 mm
  • Supports QMK
    QMK support
    yes
    ▲ Better than 71% of models
    This keyboard supports QMK, the average keyboard does not. 28.8% of keyboards support QMK.
  • 37.8% lower weight
    Weight
    608 g
    ▲ Better than 88% of models
    Market range: <605 g – >1.6k g
    This keyboard weighs less than the average keyboard (608 g vs 978 g). The average keyboard weighs 978 g.
    608 g vs 978 g
  • Supports VIA
    VIA support
    yes
    ▲ Better than 74% of models
    This keyboard supports VIA, the average keyboard does not. 26.3% of keyboards support VIA.
  • 1.6 ° lower typing angle
    Typing angle
    3.4 °
    ▲ Better than 74% of models
    Market range: <3 ° – >7 °
    This keyboard has a lower typing angle than the average keyboard (3.4 ° vs 5 °). The average keyboard has a typing angle of 5 °.
    3.4 ° vs 5 °
  • 37.8% lower weight
    Weight
    608 g
    ▲ Better than 88% of models
    Market range: <605 g – >1.6k g
    This keyboard weighs less than the average keyboard (608 g vs 978 g). The average keyboard weighs 978 g.
    608 g vs 978 g
  • 1.6 ° lower typing angle
    Typing angle
    3.4 °
    ▲ Better than 74% of models
    Market range: <3 ° – >7 °
    This keyboard has a lower typing angle than the average keyboard (3.4 ° vs 5 °). The average keyboard has a typing angle of 5 °.
    3.4 ° vs 5 °
  • 14.15 mm lower keyboard height
    Height
    24.1 mm
    ▲ Better than 89% of models
    Market range: <24.1 mm – >44 mm
    This keyboard is lower than the average keyboard (24.1 mm vs 38.25 mm). The average keyboard height is 38.25 mm.
    24.1 mm vs 38.25 mm
  • 2 h shorter charging time
    Charging time
    3 h
    ▲ Better than 58% of models
    Market range: <2.5 h – >6 h
    This keyboard charges faster than the average keyboard (3 h vs 5 h). The average keyboard takes 5 h to charge.
    3 h vs 5 h
  • Works with Mac
    Mac compatibility
    yes
    ▲ Better than 58% of models
    This keyboard is Mac compatible, the average keyboard is not. 42.3% of keyboards are Mac compatible.
  • 1 mm shorter key travel
    Total travel distance
    3 mm
    ★ Better than 95% of models
    Market range: <3.2 mm – >4 mm
    This keyboard has 3 mm of total travel, while the average keyboard has 4 mm.
    3 mm vs 4 mm
  • 0.3 mm shorter actuation distance
    Max actuation distance
    1.7 mm
    ▲ Better than 83% of models
    Market range: <1.6 mm – >4 mm
    This keyboard has a longer maximum actuation distance than the average keyboard (1.7 mm vs 2 mm). The average keyboard has a maximum actuation distance of 2 mm.
    1.7 mm vs 2 mm
  • Supports QMK
    QMK support
    yes
    ▲ Better than 71% of models
    This keyboard supports QMK, the average keyboard does not. 28.8% of keyboards support QMK.
  • Supports VIA
    VIA support
    yes
    ▲ Better than 74% of models
    This keyboard supports VIA, the average keyboard does not. 26.3% of keyboards support VIA.
  • 50% smaller battery capacity
    Battery capacity
    2000 mAh
    ▼ Worse than 82% of models
    Market range: <2k mAh – >5.9k mAh
    This keyboard has a smaller battery than the average keyboard (2000 mAh vs 4000 mAh). The average keyboard has a battery capacity of 4000 mAh.
    2,000 mAh vs 4,000 mAh
  • Older Bluetooth version
    Bluetooth version
    5.1
    ▲ Better than 67% of models
    This keyboard uses an older Bluetooth version than the average keyboard (5.1 vs 5.2). The average keyboard uses Bluetooth 5.2.
    5.1 vs 5.2
  • 14 h shorter battery life
    Battery life
    166 h
    ▼ Worse than 52% of models
    Market range: <30 h – >512 h
    This keyboard lasts less long on a charge than the average keyboard (166 h vs 180 h). The average keyboard lasts 180 h on a charge.
    166 h vs 180 h
  • 50% smaller battery capacity
    Battery capacity
    2000 mAh
    ▼ Worse than 82% of models
    Market range: <2k mAh – >5.9k mAh
    This keyboard has a smaller battery than the average keyboard (2000 mAh vs 4000 mAh). The average keyboard has a battery capacity of 4000 mAh.
    2,000 mAh vs 4,000 mAh
  • Older Bluetooth version
    Bluetooth version
    5.1
    ▲ Better than 67% of models
    This keyboard uses an older Bluetooth version than the average keyboard (5.1 vs 5.2). The average keyboard uses Bluetooth 5.2.
    5.1 vs 5.2
  • 14 h shorter battery life
    Battery life
    166 h
    ▼ Worse than 52% of models
    Market range: <30 h – >512 h
    This keyboard lasts less long on a charge than the average keyboard (166 h vs 180 h). The average keyboard lasts 180 h on a charge.
    166 h vs 180 h

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

W
wccftech.com
20/01/2024
Summary of the review
Keychron K1 Max Review -- The Best Low Profile Mechanical Keyboard
R
rtings.com
24/04/2025
Summary of the review
Keychron K5 Max [K1 Max, K3 Max, etc.] Review - RTINGS.com
R
rtings.com
08/04/2025
Summary of the review
Keychron K8 Max [K2 Max, K10 Max, etc.] Review
T
tech-place.fr
Date de publication non précisée
Summary of the review
Keychron K1 Max - Low profile mechanical keyboard
(Translated)Show original
L
leveltech.fr
19/05/2025
Summary of the review
Keychron K1 Max Review: A Stylish and High-Performance Keyboard
(Translated)Show original
R
rtings.com
24/04/2025
Summary of the review
Keychron Max Series Review [K1 Max, K3 Max, K5 Max]", "Analysis of the Keychron Max Series [K1 Max, K3 Max, K5 Max]
(Translated)Show original

Third-party reviews

Based on 314 buyer reviews from online shops.
Reviews last updated: June 2026 · How we calculate this
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →

What we like about Keychron K1 Max QMK VIA Wireless

  • Ultra-slim, low-profile design improves ergonomics and can help reduce wrist pain
  • Highly customizable with QMK/VIA support and hot-swappable switches
  • Premium build quality with a sturdy aluminum frame and minimal flex
  • Versatile tri-mode connectivity (2.4 GHz, Bluetooth 5.1, and USB-C)
  • Improved typing experience with double-shot PBT keycaps and acoustic dampening foam
  • Responsive performance with a 1000Hz polling rate on 2.4 GHz and wired modes

What we don't like about Keychron K1 Max QMK VIA Wireless

  • Reports of reliability issues, including key chattering and double-clicking switches after a few months
  • Occasional connectivity bugs on 2.4 GHz mode, such as 'stuck' keys or missed keyup events
  • Stock stabilizers on some units are described as low quality or 'rattly'
  • Non-shine-through PBT keycaps can make the RGB backlighting less effective in the dark
  • Potential for keycap 'shine' or wear to appear quickly despite being PBT
  • The center-top USB-C port placement can be awkward for certain desk cable setups

Verdict

The Keychron K1 Max is an ultra-slim, low-profile wireless mechanical keyboard featuring a tenkeyless (80%) layout and a 1000 Hz polling rate for high-speed performance across 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth 5.1, and wired connections. It is highly customizable via QMK/VIA firmware, includes hot-swappable Gateron low-profile switches, and is constructed with a durable aluminum body and double-shot PBT keycaps for a premium typing experience. Main pros include its versatile triple-mode connectivity, extensive cross-platform compatibility with macOS, Windows, and Linux, and advanced internal acoustic foam for improved sound dampened typing. Potential cons include limited compatibility to specific low-profile switches, non-shine-through keycaps which can make legends difficult to read in the dark, and reported software complexity for certain advanced customization tasks.

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