Keychron K3 Pro Review: A Compact, High-Quality Keyboard with Vast Customizability
The Keychron K3 Pro is a standout compact keyboard, providing premium features, diverse compatibility, and vast customizability. Whether you are typing, gaming, or programming, this high-quality keyboard with PBT keycaps, Gateron switches, and customizable RGB backlighting is designed to enhance your computing experience.
Welcome to our comprehensive review of the Keychron K3 Pro, the latest addition to the Keychron family. We offer insights into the usability, durability, and overall performance of this fascinating keyboard. Our goal is to provide you with unbiased, authentic information to help you make informed decisions.
Keychron has gained immense popularity among mechanical keyboard enthusiasts, largely due to their commitment to quality and attention to detail. The K3 Pro is no exception, boasting a series of impressive features. It's loaded with attributes like customizable RGB backlighting, durable PBT keycaps, and innovative Gateron low-profile mechanical switches. Furthermore, its compatibility with multiple operating systems and versatile connectivity options adds to its appeal.
The K3 Pro exhibits Keychron's characteristic blend of style and functionality. It carries a robust build quality, with its ABS+Aluminum frame and PBT keycaps offering a solid and pleasant typing experience. The design is not just about aesthetics, but also about enhancing user experience and productivity.
We're excited to delve into the ins and outs of the Keychron K3 Pro. We hope you are too! Keep reading as we uncover the results of our extensive testing and share the thoughts of other users who have put this keyboard to the test.
The Keychron K3 Pro is targeted towards individuals who value a blend of comfort, convenience, and customization. It's perfect for typists and gamers alike, who spend a significant amount of time on their computers and demand a premium, ergonomic typing experience. Additionally, its compatibility with various devices and OS makes it a strong contender for both home and office use, as well as for people on the go due to its portability.
- Offers highly customizable keys with VIA programming
- Compact and travel-friendly design
- High-quality build with PBT keycaps and Gateron switches
- Supports both wireless and wired connectivity
- Broad compatibility with Windows, MacOS, and Linux
- Bluetooth connectivity may not be ideal for gaming due to latency
- Keychron K3 Pro comes with a Type-A to Type-C cable, some users may prefer a Type-C to Type-C
- The programming setup with QMK or VIA could be slightly complex for some users
If you're looking for a high-quality, portable and customizable keyboard, the Keychron K3 Pro is a strong option. It offers an excellent balance between comfort, portability and the ability to customize according to your needs. It may not be the best for latency-sensitive gaming, but it's great for most other tasks. With its high-quality build, it provides a premium typing experience.
Test Results
Design
Let's start with the design of the Keychron K3 Pro, which strikes a balance between a compact form factor and robust build quality. We'll look into its dimensions, build quality, ergonomics, backlighting, connectivity, and extra features in detail.
The Keychron K3 Pro is designed for portability and comfort. Its dimensions are 306 x 116 mm, with an impressively slim profile. The keyboard height measures just 22mm without the dual-stage feet, making it compact and travel-friendly.
Keychron didn't skimp on build quality. The K3 Pro is made with durable PBT plastic keycaps, an upgrade over the previous ABS plastic. Furthermore, the frame is constructed with ABS+Aluminum, ensuring robustness and longevity.
The Keychron K3 Pro shines in terms of ergonomics. Its 75% layout is similar to most laptops, striking a balance between productivity and gaming. The keyboard rises only 17mm in the front and 22mm in the back, providing a comfortable typing experience even without a palm rest.
The K3 Pro's backlighting is a highlight. It offers 22 types of RGB options, which can be customized through VIA programming. Additionally, it boasts a robust battery life, with the RGB backlighting lasting over a week and potentially months without it.
Keychron K3 Pro's connectivity is quite versatile. It features Bluetooth wireless connectivity and USB-C charging. Additionally, the keyboard is compatible with various devices, including Windows, MacOS, and Linux. It also uses a Type-A to Type-C cable for connection.
The Keychron K3 Pro is packed with a number of extra features. It has a 1550 mAh rechargeable li-polymer battery, multimedia keys, and N-Key Rollover for both wireless and wired modes. Furthermore, the keys can be remapped and custom macros can be set according to preference.
Typing Experience
Next, we'll examine the Keychron K3 Pro's typing experience. This will involve a deep dive into the keystrokes, typing quality, noise levels, and latency. Let's see how this keyboard fares in delivering a satisfying typing experience.
The K3 Pro's keycaps, made from high-quality PBT plastic, result in a deeper sound and premium feel. Gateron’s low-profile mechanical switches offer a similar typing sensation to full-size switches, thanks to their shorter travel distance (2.5mm vs 4mm). The keycaps and switches combined contribute to a pleasant and accurate typing experience, due to the mechanical feedback and visible gaps between keys.
Reviewers note an enhancement in typing quality and accuracy with the K3 Pro. The quality PBT keycaps, coupled with Gateron’s mechanical switches, yield a superior typing feel. Additionally, the lubed stabilizers minimize key rattle, further improving the overall typing experience. However, it's worth noting that the initial experience may be unfamiliar to some users, and may require a period of adjustment.
The K3 Pro offers switch options to cater to varying noise preferences. You can choose from linear (Red), clicky (Blue), or less noisy clicky (Brown) switches. The thick PBT keycaps result in a deeper sound, while the lubed stabilizers reduce noise from larger keys.
The Keychron K3 Pro provides a 1000Hz (1ms) connection speed for wired mode, delivering near-instant response times. In wireless mode, the latency is higher at 90Hz, which may not be ideal for high-speed gaming.
Software
Lastly, we'll look into the Keychron K3 Pro's software attributes. This will cover programming capabilities and compatibility with various devices and operating systems. It's time to see how flexible and user-friendly this keyboard is.
The Keychron K3 Pro stands out with its extensive customization abilities. VIA, a browser-based tool, enables instant key remapping, macro programming, and control of per-key RGB backlighting. Despite the slight complexity in setup, the software promotes intuitive control and personalization of the keyboard's features. The customization potential gives users more control over their keyboard usage, improving their experience. However, the complex setup may be challenging for users without prior knowledge of programming keyboards.
The Keychron K3 Pro is built with versatility in mind. Its compatibility spans various devices, owing to its Bluetooth wireless connectivity and USB-C charging. It offers native support for both Windows and MacOS, and also works with Linux. Users can swap keys to match with either OS using a switch on the back of the keyboard. This adaptability adds to its appeal across a range of user preferences.
Customer Reviews
Diving into the ocean of customer opinions often uncovers treasures of insights. The Keychron K3 Pro, in this respect, has inspired various emotions among users. Let's unravel the common themes within the reviews to better grasp the product's real-world performance.
Benefits
Many users applauded the Keychron K3 Pro for its sleek design and impressive functionality. The low-profile design combined with hot-swappable keys created an enjoyable and efficient typing experience. Users especially praised the keyboard's build quality, labelling it as sturdy and solid. The customizability, both in terms of physical aspects and software programming via QMK, won considerable appreciation as well.
Several customers vouched for the keyboard's efficient typing experience, comparing it favorably with Apple's and laptop keyboards. As per reviews, the Gateron switches and the PBT keycaps played a pivotal role in enhancing the typing quality and speed. Portability emerged as another plus point, with some customers selecting this as their go-to travel keyboard.
Complaints
However, like every product, the Keychron K3 Pro wasn't devoid of criticisms. A few users experienced issues with the Bluetooth functionality and battery lifespan. Some customers faced connectivity issues with M1 MacBooks, while others reported battery failure within a short span post-purchase. The absence of 2.4GHz wireless support was mentioned by one user as a drawback as well.
Another critique revolved around QMK/VIA compatibility and programming. Some customers pointed out that the keyboard lacked full macro support and the promised functionality was not 100% as advertised. They also voiced dissatisfaction with Keychron's customer support responsiveness regarding these issues.
A niche complaint came from users frequently utilizing terminal commands, who found the position of the right shift key less than ideal for their specific use case.
Customer Conclusion
Despite some minor complaints, the majority of customers speak highly of the Keychron K3 Pro. Its design, customization, and typing experience seem to satisfy users across different use-cases. On the other hand, customers hope for better support and a more seamless experience with advanced software functionalities. Overall, the keyboard's appreciation by both beginners and experienced users testifies to its quality and versatility. Potential customers should consider their specific needs and preferences when making the purchase decision.
Conclusion
Having explored the various aspects of the Keychron K3 Pro, we now present you with the key takeaways. This keyboard is a remarkable blend of superior build quality, appealing design, and effective performance. The top-notch PBT keycaps and the low-profile mechanical switches from Gateron make it an ideal tool for both gaming and productivity.
It excels in connectivity, boasting compatibility with multiple operating systems and devices. Whether you're a Windows user, a Mac enthusiast, or a Linux fan, this keyboard has you covered. And with both wired and wireless options, you're always connected. The use of Bluetooth 5.1 allows for seamless switching among up to three devices, a feature few keyboards in the market offer.
One of the stand-out attributes is the customizable RGB backlighting, which offers 22 lighting options that can last over a week without recharge. Add to this the efficient battery life, multimedia keys, and the ability to program and customize keys using VIA, and you get a keyboard that ticks almost all the boxes.
In conclusion, the Keychron K3 Pro is a robust, high-performance keyboard that delivers on many fronts. Its thoughtful design, excellent construction, and user-friendly features make it a worthwhile investment for any tech enthusiast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Keychron K3 Pro good?
The Keychron K3 Pro is indeed a good keyboard offering an excellent balance of features, durability, and aesthetics. Constructed with high-quality PBT plastic keycaps and equipped with Gateron's low-profile mechanical switches, it delivers a pleasant typing experience. It offers diverse compatibility and vast customizability through its 22 types of customizable RGB backlighting. The keyboard supports both Bluetooth 5.1 for wireless connection and USB-C for wired connection. Furthermore, it is compatible with various devices and operating systems including Windows, MacOS, and Linux. Lastly, it supports programming through the VIA software, allowing for key remapping, macro programming, and control of per-key RGB backlighting.
Are Keychron K3 Pro switches good?
Yes, the Keychron K3 Pro uses Gateron's low-profile mechanical switches which are considered to be very good. These switches mimic the feeling of full-sized alternatives, providing a pleasing tactile feedback when typing. Moreover, the Keychron K3 Pro offers switch color options - red (linear), blue (clicky), or brown (tactile), enabling you to choose the type of switch that best suits your typing preference. The switches have a shorter travel distance than normal Gateron switches, but still manage to deliver a similar feel to their full-size counterparts.
Is Keychron still worth it?
Yes, Keychron keyboards, including the K3 Pro, are still considered a good investment, especially for those seeking a balance of functionality, durability, and aesthetics in a keyboard. They provide a premium feel, high-quality materials, and versatile compatibility. Additionally, the K3 Pro, for instance, allows for extensive customization, including key remapping, macro programming, and per-key RGB backlighting control. However, the final decision will always depend on your specific needs and budget.
How long does the battery last on the Keychron K3 Pro?
The Keychron K3 Pro comes with a 1550mAh rechargeable li-polymer battery that offers up to 100 hours of usage with the backlight off and up to 33 hours with RGB at its lowest brightness. However, the actual battery life may vary based on the usage and backlight settings.
Is the Keychron K3 Pro suitable for gaming?
The Keychron K3 Pro can be used for gaming, but it's important to note that it's not specifically designed as a gaming keyboard. It has a polling rate of 1,000Hz in wired mode, which is ideal for fast-paced gaming. However, its wireless mode uses Bluetooth connectivity, which may not be as fast as wired connections and can potentially cause latency issues. Still, its 75% compact layout and customizable key functions may appeal to some gamers.
What software does the Keychron K3 Pro use for programming?
The Keychron K3 Pro uses the VIA software for programming. This allows for easy key remapping, macro programming, firmware-level key rewriting, and per-key RGB backlighting control. This makes the keyboard highly customizable, catering to a wide range of user preferences and needs.