Keychron K3 Max – Review

According to Keychron, the K3 Max is one of the thinnest mechanical keyboards in the world, but it is certainly not the smallest one. The Keychron K3 Max offers more function, while boasting less form. If you are looking for a tactile typing experience and want a keyboard you can take on the go, then this wireless one is a good option.

Design

Given that it is a 75% keyboard, the K3 Max comes off as a cute device. It has eliminated most of what you will find on the right side of a standard keyboard and has also shed most of the frame around it. This means that you get an edgeless keyboard that is extremely thin in every respect and it does not waste a single millimeter. It is angled up slightly to offer a more ergonomic shape.

The back also has retractable legs that you can use to prop up the keyboard when needed. With the exception of the ESC key, it remains uniform in terms of color, as it is light grey/black device that looks smart on your desk. There are tiny toggles on the back for selecting your connectivity option. You can charge with a USB-C port, or go for cabled use. There is also a second dial that lets you choose the operating system.

Performance

There is minimal gap between every key on the Keychron K3 Max, which makes typing a breeze. As long as you do not need a number pad, the keyboard is great for work, but not designed for gaming. The keys do not have a lot of angle and the little distance between them can result in accidental movements.

It comes with acoustic foam, which means that every stroke remains quiet, even when you keep it on a hard surface. The versatility of the keyboard is also very impressive. If you want to use low-profile switches or keycaps, you can do it without any hassle.

As far as battery life is concerned, no estimate has been provided, but it mostly depends on the set up. It can last for a solid week with full-on lighting.

Lighting and Software

The swappable model of the Keychron K3 Max comes with RGB Lighting, but you can also go with the simple white per-key backlighting if you want to save money. You can choose from presets and also make adjustments to the brightness. The VIA app can be used for additional customization. Thanks to the slim design, the lighting is able to push through properly. As the keys and the deck are not angled in the same way as other boards, it proves to be a better fit. Had there been the option of adding some lighting to the edge, it would have helped created the illusion of a frame. Either way, it manages to look good on your desk.