The Good
- Low profile and light.
- Comfortable writing experience
- Battery life is surprisingly solid, even with RGB on
- Hot-swappable switches, you can easily replace the ones you don’t like
The Bad
- Gatreon Reds are not ideal for my personal taste
- Dedicated screenshot button is not needed or wanted by anyone.
- High price here in Norway, around 1500 NOK.
Summary
- Low profile, light and wireless
- Comes with both Mac and Windows keycaps in the box
- Gateron Reds don’t work for me, but they’re hot-swappable
- Layout makes sense -except the dedicated screen shot button
- Battery life is solid, even with some RGB
- Easy to throw in the laptop bag when I’m heading out
- Gateron Reds are not for me
Disclaimer
I bought the Keychron K3 Max second-hand here in Norway out of curiosity, and to write this Keychron K3 Max review. This is a 100% independent review. No sponsorships, no affiliate links, and no one’s getting paid (including me).
Why I Bought the Keychron K3 Max
I’ve been into mechanical keyboards on and off for years. At home, I use a custom-built Laneware 67. It’s heavy, hand-soldered, and expensive. At work, I use the Apple Magic Keyboard, the keyboard on which I type the fastest on with the fewest mistakes.
Lately, I’ve been curious about low-profile mechanical keyboards, especially wireless ones. I hadn’t dove into mechanical keyboard hobby since 2023, and I knew the scene had evolved. When I saw a second-hand Keychron K3 Max for a good price, I figured it was the perfect chance to try something new: a compact, low-profile, battery-powered board with hot-swappable switches and Mac/Windows support.
It checked a lot of boxes—and buying it used meant I could resell it with minimal loss if it wasn’t a fit.
A Quick Look at Keychron
Keychron launched in 2017, aiming to bring mechanical keyboards to Mac users. Their first product, the Keytron, was crowdfunded and took off thanks to its wireless support, Mac layout, and low-profile design.
Fast forward to now, and Keychron has keyboards in nearly every size and style—traditional or low-profile, wireless or wired, hot-swappable, programmable via VIA and QMK, and compatible with macOS and Windows out of the box.
Mechanical keyboards in general exploded during the COVID lockdowns, with custom boards becoming more mainstream. Today, even brands like Razer, Logitech, and Asus offer enthusiast-style keyboards. It’s no longer just a niche for the super rich few.
Despite all the growth, Keychron had remained a brand I’d heard of but never tried—until now.
Price and Market
In Norway, a new Keychron K3 Max retails for around 1790 NOK. I paid 1200 NOK second-hand—roughly a 33% discount. In central Europe, it sells for around 159€.
With so many keyboards on the market today, it’s hard to compare value across the board, but I’d say 1200 NOK for what the K3 Max offers feels fair.
Keychron K3 Max: Core Features
The Keychron K3 Max is a 75% layout, low-profile mechanical keyboard. That includes the F-row, arrow keys, and a few navigation buttons, packed into a compact footprint.
It has:
- A 1550mAh battery (up to 80 hours with lights off, 35 with RGB on)
- Bluetooth, 2.4GHz, or USB-C connectivity
- VIA and QMK support for remapping and macros
- Double-shot PBT keycaps
- Hot-swappable low-profile switch support (on some models)
- A physical switch for OS mode (Windows/macOS)
It weighs just 525 grams and fits easily in a bag. Mine even fits in my messenger bag’s front pocket! Very neat.
You can choose between Gateron Low-Profile Reds (linear), Browns (tactile), or Blues (clicky). Mine came with Reds.
First Impressions
The build quality feels solid. It’s lightweight, which is great for portability but doesn’t give that heavy “premium” feeling some enthusiasts love.
The Gateron Reds are smooth but way too sensitive for me. I noticed more typos at first, especially since I tend to bottom out when I type. I strongly suspect I’d prefer Browns instead. That’s the main issue for me: the switches aren’t ideal for my writing style.
On the plus side, the keyboard is responsive and pleasant to use, especially for longer writing sessions. I’ve noticed fewer typos now that I’ve adapted a bit, but I still can’t shake the thought of switching… switches. And the same day as I got the K3 Max, I was looking up how much a set of browns would cost me.
Bluetooth, Keycaps, and sound
Bluetooth works great. I’ve paired it with my MacBook, iPhone, and iPad without issues. I haven’t experienced any wake-from-sleep problems others have reported. Battery life is solid—easily a week or two with the RGB turned off. MacOS even shows remaining battery level in the menu bar. Neat!
The keycaps are decent—not amazing, but fine for a board at this price. They feel a little “off,” but less slippery than the Apple Magic Keyboard. The box includes Windows and MacOS-specific keycaps and a more subtle Esc key, which is a nice touch.
The dedicated screenshot key is odd. I screenshot often, but I’ve hit it accidentally way more than intentionally. Fortunately, you can remap it with VIA.
The sound is satisfying—clacky, but not annoying. Not as refined as a modded custom board, but better than most off-the-shelf keyboards. You can also mod the K3 Max, if you’re into that.
RGB and Lighting
There are 20+ RGB modes available, including breathing, waves, and reactive effects. I’m not a fan of flashy lights, so I stick to a solid color—or turn it off entirely to save battery. You can customize everything with a few key combos—no software needed.
What’s in the Box
- The K3 Max keyboard
- USB-A to USB-C cable
- Keycap/switch puller
- 2.4GHz wireless receiver
- Extra switches and OS-specific keys
- Quick start guide
Everything you need to get going, with a few thoughtful extras.
Conclusion
I’ve enjoyed testing the Keychron K3 Max. It’s light, well-designed, and packed with features—great for writing on the go or casual gaming. It’s portable, responsive, and easy to configure with VIA or QMK.
That said, I don’t think it’s for me long-term. The Gateron Reds are just too sensitive, and I prefer something with a bit more tactile feedback. I’ll likely sell it and pick up a board with Browns instead.
Still, I’m glad I tried it. It reminded me why I love mechanical keyboards, taught me what I want in my next board, and scratched that curiosity itch.