Keychron Launches K3 Max SE QMK Low Profile Mechanical Keyboard To Match Ultra 8K Variant

Keychron recently launched the K3 Ultra and K3 HE wireless, low-profile mechanical and TMR keyboards on Kickstarter, both featuring the same plastic, metal, and wood construction and slated for a full launch around June. However, if you’re looking to get in on the low-profile action and don’t mind losing some of the specialty features of the K3 HE and Ultra, Keychron has just announced the K3 Max SE, a new QMK-powered keyboard that features a nearly identical design to the K3 Ultra. Unlike the K3 Ultra and HE, the K3 Max SE is available as of the time of writing for a relatively affordable $104.99 on the Keychron store, which is $5 cheaper than the pre-order price of the K3 Ultra and $15 cheaper than the HE.

Obviously, the K3 Max SE doesn’t have the same analog input features as the K3 HE, but it is nearly identical to the K3 Ultra but for one small distinction—the battery life and firmware. The K3 Max SE is a traditional QMK keyboard, like Keychron’s traditional Max keyboards have long been, while the K3 Ultra is part of Keychron’s move to ZMK firmware, which is known to be significantly more efficient than QMK. The end result is that, while the K3 Ultra and K3 Max SE have the same battery capacity of 1,550 mAh, the K3 Ultra is rated for 550 hours on a charge, and the K3 Max SE is only rated for 120 hours. The other measurable difference between the two is that the K3 Ultra has 8 kHz polling, where the K3 Max SE tops out at 1 kHz—not that this is particularly important on a mechanical keyboard, anyway.

Aside from those minor differences, the K3 Max SE has the same aluminium frame, plastic bottom case, and rosewood accent panels as the K3 Ultra. The keycaps, likewise, are the same LSA profile with double-shot PBT construction and white-on-black or black-on-white lettering—the K3 Max SE is only available in black. Buyers can also choose between the Keychron Milk POM Red, Brown, and Banana (linear, tactile, and sharp tactile) switches, same as the K3 Ultra, and the K3 Max SE has the same Bluetooth 5.2, 2.4 GHz, and USB-C wired connectivity options as the K3 Ultra.