Keychron K8 Wireless Mechanical Keyboard Review

Over the last few months, there has been quite a bit of buzz in the keyboard community regarding the Keychron K8 Wireless Mechanical Keyboard that offers modern looks as well as versatility and the build quality is phenomenal. No matter if you play games, type for work or are just an admirer of good mechanical keyboards, the Keychron K8 has features that can fit everyone. In this article, I will detail everything one would want to know about the K8 – its design & construction, functionality & performance, and overall usability.

Design and Build Quality

The Keychron K8 has a glamorously sleek look with compact build that can easily blend with any office environment. What you didn’t notice is that it is a TKL or tenkeyless keyboard, which does not have the numpad most standard keyboards have, thus it takes up far less space on your desk than a full-size one does. The keyboard is available in two frame options: metallic and non-metallic; namely the aluminum and the plastic. The aluminium frame comes as standard is more rigid and renders a value added appeal while the plastic frame is less bulky and portable.

The keytops are made with ABS material- a common material among most keyboards but may wear down with intensive use. Nonetheless, the keycaps are pretty sturdy and satisfactory to type on and it has a little texturized surface to it, making it easier to grip and type. The characters placed on the keycaps are sharp and very much visible and do not fade away with time.

Wireless and Wired Connectivity

The Keychron K8 particularly has hook-like connectivity, which makes it one of the most remarkable features. It also supports the possibility of the keyboard’s connection via Bluetooth 5. 1 or a USB Type-C cable or get the best of both worlds. Bluetooth features are used to enable that keyboard to be compatible with up to three other devices at the same time. This multi-device support is quite helpful for the users who use a laptop, tablet, and smartphone during the day, for instance. There are even keys designed for switching easily between the devices and it is rather convenient in comparison to other equipment.

The USB Type-C connection guarantees the solidity of connection and the absence of delays, which may be critical considering gaming or any other delicate tasks. Therefore, the incorporation of USB Type-C interface is another advantage offering, fast charging and a modern connectivity solution.

Mechanical Switches

The Keychron K8 offers three types of Gateron switches: It has three models namely Red, Blue, and Brown wherein each reflects distinct typing styles.

Gateron Red: The travel distance on these linear switches help in offering a glide feel and also the noise isolation makes it perfect for use in occasions such as games and business setting where more consideration is required for noise production.
Gateron Blue: As explained above, it is recommended for clicky and tactile feedback switches that makes typing more satisfying with each keystoke. however, the audible click may be inconvenience for those working in quite environment.
Gateron Brown: These switches are an ideal middle ground in terms of feedback and sound with a satisfying tactile feedback but lack of the loud click.

Key Features

RGB Backlighting

RGB backlighting is one of the K8’s most eye-catching design elements which is a plus. Offers 18 lighting modes and multiple levels of potential lighting to suit the equipments of the user or the temperament of the user. The illumination is bright and consistent throughout the keys so that even in low light you can easily get to see each key distinctly.

Hot-Swappable Switches

With added extras such as; hot-swappable key, this is a plus for those who desire to make certain tweaks in the typing experience. It enables the users to replace the mechanical switches without making solder joints, thus it is convenient to test the variety of switches, or replace the faulty ones. This feature come as a lifespan to the keyboards and is beneficial to those who would like to customize.

Compatibility

It is important to note that the Keychron K8 is aimed to support both MAC and Windows operating platforms. It has additional keycaps targeting MacOs such as the Command and the Option keys to optimize the keyboard for MAC. There is an ‘OS switch’ which is used to shift between Mac mode and Windows mode in case it is used by a user who uses both the systems.

Performance

There are several areas in performance that Keychron K8 delivers very well in multiple tasks. The mechanical switches deliver accurate actuation and a positive typing feedback. In wired mode latency is low and it is perfect for a game, and wireless mode still stays responsive no matter how quickly the action is.

The firmware of the keyboard permits the reassignment of keys and recording of multiple-key commands, enabling the users assign complex sequences to the individual key. This level of customization is especially advantageous for those users whose tasks involve a great deal of gaming as well as professionals who have to configure the keys in a particular way to increase efficiency.

Battery Life

Wireless keyboards usually present a challenge in their battery life and this is an area that Keychron K8 impresses. Powered by a 4000mAh battery, the keyboard can work for 72 hours with the RGB backlighting on and up to 9 days with the backlighting off if charging usage is based on. One of the most important aspects of battery life is the efficiency of such battery and less charging time required makes it suitable for long hours use.

User Experience

Most of the users of Keychron K8 reported a positive experience when using the keyboard. These features incorporated into the keyboard include legs that support three varying typing angles for easy typing for long periods. The absence of the number pad is welcomed by users who find tenkeyless layout to take less space on the desk than the full-sized keyboard with a number pad hence allowing the user to have more space for the mouse and other peripherals.

Particularly, multi-device connectivity is smooth in the K8 with fast connectivity and simple device switching. It is especially helpful where the user intends to manage many devices at once such as in home automation. First of all, build quality is high, switches are fully clickable, and customization options are more than enough for an enjoyable typing.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Sleek and compact design
• Dual connectivity (Bluetooth and wired)
• Choice of Gateron switches
• Customizable RGB backlighting
• Hot-swappable switches
• Long battery life
• Mac and Windows compatibility
• Multi-device pairing

Cons

• ABS keycaps may wear out over time
• No dedicated media keys
• Slightly higher price point compared to non-mechanical keyboards
• Clicky switches may be too loud for quiet environments

Comparison with Competitors

When compared to other keyboards falling under the same price bracket; the Keychron K8 fares incredibly well. These are the Anne Pro 2, the Logitech G Pro X, and the Ducky One 2 Mini.

Anne Pro 2: A portable and economic keyboard, the Anne Pro 2 offers 60% layout, full RGB lighting customization, and yet doesn’t support the hot-swapping functionality and Mac support the K8 possesses.
Logitech G Pro X: Provides hot-swappable switches and build quality but it is mostly for gamers and does not support more than one mouse same as the K8 does.
Ducky One 2 Mini: At the same time, this device is highly appreciated for its relevant build quality and size but does not have an opportunity for Wireless connection as well as the hot-swappable function.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Is it possible to use the Keychron K8 with different variants of operation systems like MAC and Windows?

Yes the Keychron K8 is fully compatible with both the Windows Operating system and the Apple Mac operating system. For Mac users it has additional keycaps such as the Command and the Option key cap that you can swap with the Caps lock key. There is a switch on the side of the keyboard which enables you to switch between Mac and windows keyboard and thus enables the use of both.

2. What are the ways that I may transfer from one device to the other when I am using Keychron K8 with Bluetooth?

It is possible to connect the Keychron K8 with three devices at a go using the Bluetooth connectivity features. To switch between paired devices, use the dedicated keys: In other words, the generation of FN + 1, FN + 2 and FN + 3. This is a factor that implies that your connection which may have been established between your computer, tablet is as well easily movable to the Smartphone or the Smartphone to the tablet or computer without going through the process of reconnection at any instance.

3. How many hours would there be on the battery of Keychron K8 and how long would I require to charge the same?

The battery capacity of Keychron K8 is 4000mAh which provides the device with the best battery life. The battery life differs and ranges from 3 days up to 72 hours if the RGB backlighting is enabled and from 9 days if the backlighting is disabled with moderate usage. It means you will not have to charge this keyboard as often thus making it very useful especially in cases where you will be using it for many hours.

4. Is the keyboard switches on the Keychron K8 hot-swappable? If yes, what does that imply?

Indeed, the Keychron K8 is designed with hot-swappable switch mechanisms to allow its mechanical switch upgrades without requiring soldering. This means that keyboard typing becomes customizable by trying out the switches or replacing the faulty ones, which also contributes to the durability of the keyboard.

5. If Keychron K8 has RGB backlighting, is it RGB backlighting customizable, and if it is, then how?

They also present RGB backlighting with an option to change the lighting which offers 18 lighting modes. As for the control, the brightness and lighting can be fixed and changed with the key combinations. It means that the customization of the keyboard can be done to match the aesthetic feel that one would want to have on his or her computer setup.

Conclusion

The K8 Wireless Mechanical Keyboard by Keychron is one of the best options available in the market for mechanical keyboards that provide a good blend of both, design and functionality that is helping a variety of users in their work. Several features such as the possibility of connectivity to both computer and tablet, availablity of individual switches and great battery life make it beneficial to use. Of course, it is slightly more expensive than the previous app, but the features and the whole experience is definitely worth it. No matter if you are a gamer, office employee, or just a person who needs a good keyboard, the Keychron K8 won’t leave you indifferent.