This is the Keychron K3, the world's first low-profile, hot-swappable wireless optical RGB mechanical keyboard. It's available in six switch options and sports a 75% layout with 84 keys, including navigation keys and a function row. It has a battery life of up to two weeks, and it's compatible with Mac, Windows, and Android. and it can connect to up to three devices via Bluetooth It has ABS plastic keycaps and 15 RGB lighting effects. And it's available in a white backlit version for 70 or 80 with RGB I recommend it to you.
Are you someone who's coming from a membrane or Mac keyboard, or are you someone who likes mechanical keyboards? But not the long travel distance, high profile, or noise of a traditional mechanical keyboard. This keyboard is a great option for you.
Specs
Type: Ultra-slim
Option: Hot-swappable
Layout: 75%
Switches: Optical or gateron
Number of Keys : 84 Keys
Frame: Aluminum
Connects : Up to 3 Devices
BT Version : Bluetooth 5.1
Battery : 1550mAh
For: Mac and Windows
Plug: Type-C
Pros
Attractive slim design
Swappable switches
Mac and Windows-centric keycaps included
Pretty backlighting
Cons
Slim shell means short battery life
Exposed key design is not ideal for travel
Travel pouch is $25 extra
Keychron K3 is a sleek, Compact, and low-profile wireless mechanical keyboard. The mechanical keyboard is the most fascinating hobby on the Internet. I have been using the Keychron K3 for quite some time; this article about Keychron K3 Ultra-Slim Wireless Mechanical Keyboard Review.
Let us look at the keychron k3 keycaps, switches, look, and steps. This keychron K3 keyboard was initially built on a Mac layout. And you can use this Keychron K3 keyboard on multiple devices. You can use it on any device (Mac, Windows, Android, or Linux) that supports Bluetooth, and the wire is with it.
Keychron is a cloud-funded project that started on Kickstarter, and the K1 fast model became the most popular. This Keychron K3 ultra-slim keyboard is a world-fast, hot-swipe-able, low-profile optical wireless.
I remember MKBHD as an American YouTuber showing his setup using the K1 model, and this keyboard became more popular after that.
Suggestion: If you start typing on a mechanical keyboard, you will never return to a membrane keyboard. This is my own experience.
Table of Contents
You should buy it if…
Do you want a compact mechanical keyboard?
If your desk is small, this KeyChain Con3 Ultra-Slim Keyboard has a 75% layout, which takes up very little space. Then you will save a lot more to keep other valuable things along with the mouse.
Do you prefer low-profile keys?
Suppose you have been using a laptop or Apple Magic Keyboard but want to use a mechanical keyboard. I suggest this Keychron K3 Bluetooth keyboard. Its layout is slightly different to boot, much like the Apple Magic. Still, these wireless low-profile keys are very comfortable and offer a mechanical feel without being overwhelming.
You have options
Keycaps are still limited, but technically, regular Cherry MX-Stem caps should fit.
The best thing about this mechanical keyboard is that you can customize it to your liking. The most exciting part of this K3 wireless keyboard is its RGB backlight. It uses Gateron low-profile switches and is hot-swappable, but technically, regular Cherry MX-stem caps should fit.
You should not buy this if…
You don’t care for low-profile boards.
If you prefer traditional mechanical keyboards, this low-profile keyboard is not for you.
Does he need a number pad?
Assuming you are a typist and you have to input data regularly, I would recommend something other than this keyboard for them. Why? Because the layout of this Kon3 keyboard is 75%, there is no number pad on it. For this, you need to use a 96% layout keyboard. I suggest a 96% layout keyboard because it has a number pad.
My typing experience
When I started typing, my work felt weird because, when I shifted from membrane to mechanical keyboard, there was a lot of sound while typing on the mechanical keyboard.
My previous keyboard was so flat and minimal that I didn’t notice any bumps when I put my hand on the keyboard.
However, I always felt a bump on this keyboard. Initially, its typing sound was a little annoying; I don’t know why I’m getting addicted to it while typing, and I started liking this sound very much.
After that, I felt unfulfilled when I returned to the membrane keyboard. But the typing experience of this Kecharan K3 Ultra Slim keyboard is excellent, and you will like it very much.
Although I can’t say that I use many mechanical keyboards comparatively, in my experience, this K3 ultra-slim keyboard has been excellent.
I recommend this to those who are new to the world of mechanical keyboards and to those who know about mechanical keyboards and have a hobby, you will know about them.
But for those new to this mechanical keyboard world, selecting this keychron keyboard will be a wise decision.
A very low-profile minimal stick is a good-looking keyboard that you can easily carry around and fits nicely into your entire setup when placed on your desk.
I will share with you this keychron K3 actual typing sound.
Packaging and Bundle
Let’s talk about the Keychron K3 keyboard. First, let me tell you what comes with the box for this keyboard. Inside the box, you will get the fast keyboard, and then you will get the quick start manual card, which is very easy to understand later.
You will also get some extra keycaps. What are the keycaps? A metal keycap remover and switch puller are also available with this keyboard. Interestingly, you also get a keyboard case with this K3.
This device can be used via USB-C cable and Bluetooth. A very minimal stick is a keyboard; unlike mechanical keyboards that are not so minimal-looking, they are designed for heavy design.
There are two switches on the back side of the K3 keyboard: one is Bluetooth, and the other is cable mode. On the other hand, there are Windows and iOS in these two modes.
The keycaps that come with the Keychron K3 keyboard are mainly for Windows. If you’re using Windows, you’ll need to change the keycaps.
There are two stands at the back of this keyboard, and these stands come in two sizes: one is more significant, and the other is a little smaller so that you can work at the angle you like.
This keyboard comes in two variants: one is a Keychron optical switch, and the other is a Gateron mechanical switch. This gettering has three types: red, blue, and brown switches.
K3 Quick Start Guide
If you are a Windows user, please find the appropriate keycaps in the box, then follow the instructions below to find and replace the following keycaps.
Step 1: Connecting Bluetooth: Press fn+ (for 4 seconds) and pair it with a device named Keychron K3 or connect the cable. You have to switch the toggle on the cable on the back side of your keyboard.
Step 2:Change the light effect: Press the light effect key for the RGB version. Press FN + right arrow or left arrow to change the color.
Step 3:Switch between function and multimedia keys (F1-F2)
For Windows: Press fn + X + L (for 4 seconds) to switch
For Mac: Go to system settings > keyboard > and enable the function key. For F5 and F6 as function keys, press FN + K + C (for 4 seconds) and use the same shortcut to switch.
Step 4: Disable auto-sleep mode. The keyboard goes into auto-sleep mode after 10 minutes of sitting idle to save your keyboard battery. To turn off sleep mode, press FN + S + O (for 4 seconds) to turn off the auto-sleep mode. If you return to the auto-sleep mode, press FN + S + O for 4 seconds again.
Step 5: Remap keys – We have yet to get the official software to remap the keys. But you can use these two pieces of software to get the job done. (Except for the light effect key.)
For Mac: karabiner
For Windows: Sharp keys
We have a Linux user group on Facebook; please search “keychron Linux group” on Facebook. So you can have a better experience with this keychron ultra-slim keyboard.
Step 6: Turn off the backlight
If you are on a Mac, the default is to press the F5 key. If you are on Windows, the default is to press the +F5 key. Or, press the FN + light effect key.
Step 7: Factory Reset Troubleshooting?
I need to figure out what’s going on with the keyboards.
Try factory reset by pressing fn + J + Z (for 4 seconds)
Build Quality
This keyboard is made of full plastic, and that’s why many people don’t like it; the build quality could be better.
But premium-quality mechanical keyboards are usually made of aluminum, which is much more robust than this plastic.
The Keychron K3 portable is designed to be lightweight.
Battery life
This Keychron K3 keyboard comes with a USB-C cable, which is very sturdy. If you use the cable, you don’t need to charge; if you use it in Bluetooth mode, you have to pay the charge.
This keyboard has a battery life of 1550 MH, which can be used for 15 days if you use it with the RGB light off. It depends on how you use it. Using RGB lights will give you 4–5 days of battery backup.
Keychron K3 Software
One thing that seems lacking in this Keychron K3 keyboard is that there needs to be dedicated software for this Kon3 keyboard. I use a Logitech keyboard that has dedicated software that I can customize to my liking.
And I got a lot of information about the keyboard. However, no such popular keyboard software is a matter of thought. However, Keychron Company will come up with another solution very soon.
Keychron k3 Switch
The Keychron K3 mechanical keyboard has switches inside the keycaps, which are called part and parcel, or the heart of this keyboard. So these switches are of different types. Usually, this switch is divided into three parts.
Linear switch
Tactile switches
Clicky switch
Linear switch
The linear switch is easily pressed when clicked, and the key is registered. You don’t have to press too hard on this linear switch; it registers when you press it very lightly.
Tactile Switch
You will feel slightly bumpy when you click the tactile switch, which is very satisfying. You will realize that your keys have been registered.
Clicky switch
It is like one type of linear switch, but when you click, it makes a much louder sound than a linear switch.
Hot-Swappable Switches
There are many more categories of these switches; these three are used more. For example, many linear, tactile, and clicky switches are dented with color.
Cherry MX was the first manufacturer of these switches. They were the only company with the right to make this switch, and this was the only one who had.
But in 2004 their pattern expired, and then different companies started making this switch. Currently, countless companies now manufacture these mechanical keyboard switches.
But till now, Cherry Mx switches have been called the gold standard. Because they created the standard of this mechanical switch.
This keychron k3 ultra slim keyboard is called a world-fast hot swipe able low profile optical wireless mechanical keyboard.
So, this hot swipe ability means that you can remove the switches that it has with the keycap tool and modify them as you like.
But there are some keyboards whose key switches cannot be removed for the keycap puller. They are permanently attached to the board; these keys are soldered in.
And I have a problem with this keyboard. That is, if there is Bluetooth mode, it goes to sleep mode after a few minutes. The keyboard goes to auto sleep mode within 10 minutes of sitting idle to save your keyboard battery.
Suppose you leave the keyboard, go somewhere, and come back immediately. When you start typing on the keyboard, you will see that the keyboard is not working.
It takes 2-3 seconds to connect again, but if you turn the keyboard off and on again, it connects immediately, but it takes a while if it’s in sleep mode. If you want to avoid this sleep mode, turn off auto-sleep mode on your keyboard.
To turn off sleep mode, follow the steps mentioned above in the quick start guide.
K3 Non-Backlight
The most exciting thing about this Keychron K3 keyboard is its lighting, and now I will talk about this lighting. This keychron K3 light system is fascinating.
This K3 has over 15 lighting systems, including RGB lights, and the essential lights are very bright.
You can control the brightness in three stages. This keyboard has a light button, which lets you control the lighting system one after another.
75% layout keyboard
A full-size keyboard has buttons with a numpad, but this keyboard doesn’t have a numpad; it has all the keys, from arrow keys to utility keys.
This keychron K3 ultra-slim keyboard has a 75% layout and 84 keys. Worries that 75% of the keys on this keyboard have been shrunk so that 84 keys can be added.
Now, even smaller keyboards don’t have arrow keys, which is why 75% of keyboards are perfect.
Membrane and Mechanical Keyboards
I have used mechanical keyboards before but was surprised to recharge with this one recently. There are two types of keyboards: membrane keyboards and mechanical keyboards.
But when it comes to mechanical keyboards, there are many things to consider. Yes, right, You have to study many things. If you believe them seriously, mechanical keyboards are more complicated than comparable membrane keyboards.
We typically use this membrane keyboard because it is inexpensive, but higher-quality keyboards are also available. Buy a membrane keyboard and plug it into your computer; you don’t have to do much.
You will have a better experience if you use a high-quality membrane keyboard.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
Version
Keycap Color
Switches
Switch Type
Hot Swappable
RGB Backlight
Black
Keychron Low Profile Optical
Red, Blue, and Brown
Yes
White Backlight
Black
Keychron Low Profile Optical
Red, Blue, and Brown
Yes
RGB Backlight
Black
Gateron Low Profile Mechanical
Red, Blue, and Brown
No
White Backlight
Black
Gateron Low Profile Mechanical
Red, Blue, and Brown
No
RGB Backlight
White
Gateron Low Profile Mechanical
Red, Blue, and Brown
No
Table: Differences Between Sizes And Variants
Differences Between Mechanical and Membrane Keyboards
Let us now look at the differences between mechanical and membrane keyboards.
A mechanical keyboard has an automatic switch; if you click the button, this switch is connected, and your keys will be registered on the computer.
The basic theory of the membrane is that there is a rubber-type dome, like a rubber dome, so this rubber dome hits the circuit when you press.
When you press completely when the rubber hits, the key registers on your computer.
And this is the fundamental difference between mechanical and membrane keyboards.
FAQs
In this FAQs section, we answered five questions about the Keychron K3 ultra-slim mechanical keyboard.
How do I disassemble the Keychron K3 keyboard?
To disassemble the Keychron K3, refer to the official user manual or the guide available on the Keychron website for detailed instructions.
Is there a Quick Start Guide for the Keychron K3?
Yes, there is a Quick Start Guide for the Keychron K3, and you can find it on the official Keychron website.
How can I reset the firmware on the Keychron K3 Pro?
To reset the firmware on the Keychron K3 Pro, follow the instructions provided in the official user guide.
Where can I get support or a replacement for my Keychron K3 purchased from outside?
For support or replacement of Keychron K3 keyboards purchased outside, you can refer to the FAQ section on the Keychron website for detailed information.
Conclusion
In this article, we learn about the Keychron K3 ultra-slim wireless mechanical keyboard in an in-depth review.
So, a mechanical keyboard has switches, boards, circuits, keycaps, and different lubricants. You can spend $2000 on this mechanical keyboard if you buy and build them all together.
Mechanical keyboards are also available to be built, and experts in mechanical keyboards make them themselves. You can customize these keycaps. Another great advantage of mechanical keyboards is their customization ability.
The ability to customize means the ability to personalize. You can personalize this mechanical keyboard as you like. You can buy these keycaps online and customize them as you want.
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