Key Takeaways
1. Keychron has launched the C1 Pro 8K and C3 Pro 8K, budget-friendly gaming keyboards with extensive customisation options.
2. Both keyboards feature an 8 kHz polling rate and compatibility with Linux, macOS, and Windows, supporting macros and RGB adjustments.
3. The C1 Pro 8K has a vintage design with OSA profile keycaps, while the C3 Pro 8K offers shine-through keycaps and north-facing RGB LEDs.
4. The C1 Pro 8K uses a tray-mount design, while the C3 Pro 8K features a gasket-mount design for improved sound and feel.
5. Both models are hot-swappable and utilize QMK firmware for personalisation, with the C1 Pro 8K offering more ergonomic support through adjustable typing angles.
Keychron has refreshed its range of budget-friendly gaming keyboards with the introduction of the Keychron C1 Pro 8K and the Keychron C3 Pro 8K. These latest keyboards present a rather straightforward hardware design, yet they offer a wide range of customisation options. The C1 Pro stands out with a distinctive look that is usually unexpected at its $55 price point. Both models boast 8 kHz polling rates and a built-in SOCD or Snap Tap feature, which is rare among mechanical keyboards. Moreover, they are highly compatible with Linux, macOS, and Windows, supporting on-board macros, key remapping, and RGB backlight adjustments.
Similarities in Design
At first glance, the C3 Pro 8K and C1 Pro 8K appear quite alike, even though the C1 Pro 8K has a more vintage design. Both keyboards come with a TKL layout, an 8 kHz polling rate, and options for Keychron Super Red, Brown, or Banana switches. The key differences between these two models relate to the keycap design, RGB setup, and internal structure, with the latter likely making the C3 Pro 8K a superior option.
Keycap and Lighting Differences
The C1 Pro 8K is equipped with the same OSA profile double-shot PBT keycaps that we appreciated in our K4 HE review, while the C3 Pro opts for shine-through double-shot PBT keycaps in a conventional Cherry profile. The shine-through keycaps work with the north-facing RGB LEDs on the C3 Pro 8K, in contrast to the south-facing LEDs on the C1 Pro 8K. This may not seem significant, but it allows for easier access to shine-through keycaps for the C3 Pro 8K compared to the C1.
Mounting Design and Features
The most notable distinction between the C1 Pro 8K and the C3 Pro 8K is that the C1 Pro 8K utilizes a tray-mount design with a metal plate, whereas the C3 Pro 8K employs a gasket-mount design with what appears to be a flex-cut PC plate. This results in a more flexible switch plate for the C3 Pro 8K compared to the C1 Pro 8K. The gasket mount significantly enhances the sound and feel of the keyboard by separating the switch plate and PCB from the plastic casing. Thankfully, both keyboards come with an array of case foams, films, and acoustic pads that act as sound-dampening materials to improve the acoustic characteristics of the keyboards.
Connectivity and Customisation
Both the Keychron C1 Pro 8K and C3 Pro 8K feature a specific hardware switch to toggle between macOS and Windows layouts, and they utilize USB type-C wired connectivity exclusively. Both models are hot-swappable and support 3- and 5-pin Cherry MX style switches. They also incorporate QMK firmware, allowing for personalisation through VIA or Keychron’s custom Launcher web app, which has consistently been a highlight in our reviews of Keychron keyboards. The C1 Pro 8K provides a bit more ergonomic support, featuring two-stage flip-out feet for adjustable typing angles of 4°, 8°, and 10°, while the C3 Pro 8K is limited to 4° and 8° angles.
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