Elevate Your Typing Game: Keychron K8 Pro Wireless Mechanical Keyboard Review
For the past decade, I’ve been using the same wireless(non-Bluetooth) membrane keyboard as my daily ‘click-clack’. I’ve always viewed this keyboard as a reliable tool and never put too much thought into upgrading it. I’ve paid a small amount of attention to the mechanical keyboard world, having spent some time cruising the subreddits and reading the comments of users getting excited about switches and keycaps. Having never experienced a mechanical keyboard, it was up to my glorious brain to imagine what the experience must be like to draw the cult following that this tool has.
Recently, I spilled a cup of tea on my keyboard which forced me to finally indulge and purchase my first mechanical keyboard. I came across the Keychron brand a couple of years ago from a Youtube video that was about the K2, and the brand has always been in the back of my mind. After a lot of internal struggle, I decided to purchase the K8 Pro due to its layout size, and features.
I’ve found the K8 Pro to be sleek and visually stunning and boasts an impressive array of features that have completely transformed my typing experience. In this review, I'll be sharing my personal experience with the Keychron K8 Pro keyboard and why I believe it's the ultimate keyboard for anyone who spends a lot of time at their desk. From the tactile feel of the keys to the customizable RGB lighting, I'll be diving deep into what makes this keyboard so special and why I think it's the perfect addition to any workspace.
First, a little about Keychron
Keychron is a company that specializes in designing and manufacturing wireless mechanical keyboards. The company was founded in 2017 by a group of keyboard enthusiasts who wanted to create high-quality mechanical keyboards that were affordable and compatible with multiple devices.
Keychron's keyboards are designed to be sleek, compact, and ergonomic, with customizable RGB backlighting and a variety of switch options. They are also known for their wireless connectivity, offering both Bluetooth and USB-C options, which makes them popular among people who want a versatile keyboard that can be used with multiple devices.
One of Keychron's unique selling points is their commitment to sustainability. They use eco-friendly materials in their products, such as biodegradable PLA keycaps and recycled plastic cases. They also have a recycling program that allows customers to send back their old keyboards to be repurposed or recycled.
Mechanical vs Membrane....what are the advantages?
I won’t go into too much detail here as this subject warrants an entire blog post on its own, so here are a few key reasons why a mechanical keyboard is generally considered to be better than a membrane keyboard.
First of all, the individual switches used in a mechanical keyboard provide a more tactile and satisfying typing experience. This can lead to faster and more accurate typing, as well as reduced fatigue over long typing sessions.
Second, mechanical keyboards are often more durable than membrane keyboards, with many switches rated for tens of millions of keystrokes.
Third, mechanical keyboards often offer more customization options, such as hot-swappable switches and customizable RGB lighting, which can enhance the overall typing experience and make the keyboard feel more personal.
Design
The Keychron K8 Pro is a compact keyboard with a minimalistic design. It has an 80% TKL layout, TKL standing for "tenkeyless" which basically means it has all the keys except for the number pad. This layout makes the keyboard more compact and saves space on the desk.
The body of the keyboard comes in either plastic or aluminum and with either white or RGB lighting, your choice and your $$$.
One of the unique features of the K8 Pro is its hot-swappable switch design. This means you can replace the switches without any soldering. The keyboard supports both Gateron and Kailh switches. This feature allows the user to customize the typing experience by switching to different types of switches. For instance, some people prefer a tactile bump, while others prefer a linear feel.
The keyboard has a heavy-duty design internally, containing a silicone pad, sound-absorbing foam, and a steel plate which all work together to provide an amazing typing experience. The total weight of the keyboard is 1311 grams (just under 3lbs).
Adjustable legs on the bottom give 3 choices for typing angle
Keychron K8 Pro total weight
Performance
Responsive and Accurate Typing: The Keychron K8 Pro offers a highly responsive and accurate typing experience thanks to its high-quality mechanical switches, which provide tactile feedback and improved durability compared to traditional membrane keyboards. This means that you can type quickly and comfortably without worrying about missed keystrokes or accidental inputs, making the K8 Pro a great choice for professionals or gamers who require precision and speed.
Versatile Connectivity: The K8 Pro is designed to be highly versatile, with support for both wired and wireless connections. The wired version comes in the form of USB-C and Bluetooth 5.1 provides wireless connectivity. The K8 Pro can be used with a variety of devices, including laptops, desktops, tablets, and smartphones, making it a great option for anyone who needs to switch between different devices frequently.
Customizable RGB Lighting: Featuring customizable RGB lighting that allows you to create a personalized look for your keyboard. With pre-programmed controls for the RGB , you can choose from a variety of lighting effects, colors, and brightness levels to create a unique and eye-catching aesthetic.
Heavy-Duty Construction: The frame of the keyboard has a thoughtful and sturdy design that includes several layers, such as a sound-absorbing foam layer, a silicon bottom layer, a PCB-mounted plate, and a steel plate that all work together to provide a comfortable and quiet typing experience.
Battery Life: A built-in 4000mAh rechargeable battery, which provides a long battery life of up to 240 hours with the RGB lighting turned off and 100 hours with the RGB at its lowest brightness (according to Keychron).
Cons
No '“per-key” RGB
QMK / VIA needs USB-C connection to access
Height might be too high for some, wrist-pad needed for comfort
Pros
Good Battery Life
Solid, heavy construction
Hot-swappable
QMK / VIA support
Bluetooth 5.1 / USB-C
PC / Mac compatible
Good price
Freshly opened. Includes tools for removing keycaps and switches as well as a USB-C cable.
Where to buy?
There are a few options online to purchase from but I recommend the Official Keychron Amazon Store so you can avoid the high shipping cost (if you have Prime). The shipping cost for me here in Canada was $35 straight from the Keychron official website.
The Keychron K8 Pro is a great wireless mechanical keyboard that offers a lot of customization options. The hot-swappable switch design allows you to customize the typing experience according to your preference. The keyboard's wireless connectivity option makes it easy to connect to multiple devices, and the battery life is impressive. The keyboard's typing experience is excellent, and the RGB lighting is customizable. The VIA software provides a great level of customization to the user. Overall, the Keychron K8 Pro is an excellent option for those looking to step into the mechanical keyboard world.
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