Keychron K2 Max vs Keychron K3 Max

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

K2 Max compared with K3 Max
KeychronK2 MaxKeychronK3 Max
Overview
ReleasedJuly 2024November 2023
Typing
LayoutCompactCompact
SwitchesMechanicalLow-profile mechanical
BacklightRGBRGB
Keys labelled forMac, Windows and moreMac, Windows and more
Touch IDNoNo
SwitchesKeychron Super mechanical switches (Red, Brown or Banana), rated for 50 million clicks; south-facing; hot-swappable version accepts almost all 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style switchesGateron low-profile mechanical (Red, Blue or Brown; Banana on the white version) or Keychron low-profile mechanical (Red); north-facing; hot-swappable version accepts Gateron and Keychron low-profile mechanical switches only
KeycapsDouble-shot PBT, OSA profile; extra keycaps for Windows and macOSLow-profile double-shot PBT, LSA profile; keycaps for Windows and macOS plus extra Esc and Enter keys
Layouts84 keys (75%); ANSI (keychron.com); UK, Nordic, German and Swiss ISO (ISO Layout Collection; UK ISO on keychron.uk)84 keys (75%); ANSI (keychron.com); UK ISO (keychron.uk)
BacklightSouth-facing RGB with 22 effects, adjustable hue, saturation, brightness and speed; a white-backlight version is also sold22 RGB backlight effects, per-key RGB and two-zone Mix RGB; a white-backlight version is also sold
Special keys12 multimedia keys; Mac/Windows system toggle that keeps a separate layout for each; N-key rollover wireless and wired12 multimedia keys; separate keymaps for Mac and Windows; N-key rollover wireless and wired
Connections and battery
Connects byBluetooth, USB receiver and CableBluetooth, USB receiver and Cable
Devices it switches between33
PowerRechargeableRechargeable
Battery life (maker's claim)Up to 190 hoursUp to 73 hours
Receiver2.4 GHz USB receiver at 1,000 Hz polling; Bluetooth 5.2 (spec table; the page text says 5.1) at 90 Hz to up to three devices; USB-C wired at 1,000 Hz2.4 GHz USB receiver at 1,000 Hz polling; Bluetooth 5.1 at 90 Hz to up to three devices; USB-C wired at 1,000 Hz
Battery life detail4,000 mAh lithium-polymer battery; around 190 hours with the backlight off and around 100 hours with RGB at its lowest brightness (Keychron's lab tests)1,550 mAh lithium-polymer battery; around 73 hours with the backlight off and around 42 hours with RGB at its lowest brightness (Keychron's lab tests)
Works withmacOS, Windows and LinuxmacOS, Windows and Linux
SoftwareQMK firmware; Keychron Launcher web app for key remapping and macrosQMK firmware; Keychron Launcher web app for key remapping, macros and lighting
Design
Weight940 g525 g (better)
Width × depth × height311.54 × 121.54 × 41.54 mm306 × 116 × 22 mm
Size311.54 × 121.54 mm (plastic frame), 940 g; 316.62 × 126.56 mm (aluminium frame), 1,080 g; height with keycaps 32.06 mm at the front, 41.54 mm at the rear; typing angles of 5°, 9° and 12°306 × 116 mm, 525 g; 11 mm (front) and 15 mm (rear) high without keycaps, 17 mm and 22 mm with them; typing angles of 2.5°, 4.2° and 6.5°
MaterialsABS or ABS and aluminium frame; steel plate; IXPE, PET and EPDM foamsABS and aluminium frame; IXPE acoustic foam and latex foam
ColoursBlack, White (keychron.com)Black, White, White Gray (keychron.com)

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