Keychron K10 Full Size - Hot swappable Review

This high-ranking mechanical keyboard is by far the best for office and gaming versatility. Hot-swappable mechanical switches provide a customizable typing experience, while direct wired and wireless options provide a fast and reliable connection. Top it off with loads of high-end features, and you have a truly outstanding wireless keyboard.

Performance Comparison

Connectivity and Ease of Use

The Keychron K10 excels in intuitively forming a robust wireless connection to any Bluetooth-enabled device but lost points for not coming with proprietary key customization software.

Whether you're rocking a Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, or Android device, this keyboard has you covered with a reliable Broadcom Bluetooth 5.1 connection that has a longer range, faster speed, and requires less energy than the Bluetooth 4.0 frequently found in other keyboards.

Moreover, we did not experience any connectivity issues throughout the workday, but we did notice a variable lag upon wake-up. Sometimes, it would immediately wake up and register our keystrokes, while other times, it could take up to 10 seconds. If you prefer no lag, you can connect the keyboard directly to your computer with the included USB-C cable. The wired mode offers a 1000 hertz polling rate, an important consideration for gamers needing every swift keystroke to register.

Speaking of keystrokes, typing on this keyboard is incredibly fun. It has square, swooped keys supported by robust mechanical switches, a feature not commonly found in wireless keyboards. Users get to choose between three switch options: red (linear, quiet), blue (tactile, clicky sound), or brown (tactile, gentle sound). We chose the brown switches, which provided a highly satisfying keypress but had a barely noticeable bump, feeling more like linear switches. Overall, we enjoyed typing on the keyboard but found it to sit a little high for our wrists. This may not be a problem for some users, but others may find the optional Keychron wrist rest essential for a comfortable experience.

Lastly, while the keys can be fully remapped with third-party software, we prefer proprietary software, which is typically easier to use. The K10's user manual recommends using Sharpkeys for Windows or Karabiner for Mac.

Features

The K10 is a true, feature-rich powerhouse! Its full-size layout offers a plethora of time-saving keys to keep you on track with work, while its N-key rollover, adjustable backlight, and hot-swappable keys will thrill gamers. Our only minor complaint is that multiOS or multi-device users may not find the experience as convenient as it could be, but it still offers options for that.

If you regularly multitask on your phone, laptop, and desktop, you'll be pleased to know that the Keychron connects up to three wireless devices. While it lacks dedicated keys to conveniently swap between the devices, you can still easily switch between your devices by simultaneously pressing the Fn key plus the number one, two, or three.

Another caveat: if you switch between operating systems, you'll need to swap out the included Mac and Windows keycaps (or keep a mental note of which keys perform which actions on either system). Conveniently located toggles at the side of the keyboard allow you to switch between Bluetooth and cable connections and Windows and Mac modes.

Being a full-size keyboard, the K10 boasts a ten-key pad and loads of navigation buttons, hotkeys, and media controls. If you're a Windows user, you'll have use the Fn key to access the hotkeys and media controls. Or, set a function lock (Fn+X+L) for direct access. For Mac users, the media/hotkeys are dedicated, but if you prefer dedicated function keys, you can edit the settings. There are also indicator lights for Mac or Windows operating systems, Caps Lock, and Number Lock to keep you in the know.

One of the best features of the Keychron? The entire typing feel and sound can be fully customized thanks to hot-swappable switches! So, if you want to replace a broken switch, change the behavior of an individual key, or fully revamp all 104 keys, you can easily pop the switches in and out. Since the K10 is compatible with nearly all MX style 3- and 5-pin switches, the options are endless. Another form of customizability is the ability to swap out the included ABS keycaps. So, whether you want a more grippy surface, colorful display, or durable imprint, you can make that happen, too. Included with your purchase is a keycap and switch puller, but you'll have to buy supplemental keycaps and switches separately.

The keyboard also has an alluring backlight in your choice of white or RGB. It has four brightness levels and up to 18 settings to suit your aesthetic. We opted for the cheaper white light with fewer settings but were still impressed with its mesmerizing glow that shines through the keycaps. The backlight is easily controlled with the dedicated backlight button, or press Fn plus the light bulb key to turn the light off and preserve battery life.

For you gamers out there, we measured an impressive N-key rollover, trumping most other wireless keyboards. It passed our test with “flying colors,” reaching up to 40 simultaneous keypresses before the keyboard couldn't register anymore. Plus, it has rubber feet (and an adjustable height) to keep the keyboard from sliding around in the midst of your fury.

Portability

Clearly, advanced features took precedence over portability when Keychron engineered this stellar device. As such, it had a substellar score in our portability metric.

At 17 inches long, it has a bulky layout that better serves as an office mainstay. But, if you insist on toting this keyboard around, just make sure your bag is long enough. Keychron also offers an optional carrying case that may better suit some customers.

Characterized as a high-profile board, the keyboard measures about 1.5 inches high, and the keys naturally stick out farther than subdued low-profile designs featuring membrane-scissor switches. Mechanical switches are the cause of its thick design, as there's a lot going on under the hood.

The K10's high-quality and feature-loaded frame was on the heftier side when it comes to weight, measuring in at just under two pounds (31.8 ounces to be exact). If you want to shave off half a pound, opt for the RGB backlight version with an aluminum frame. It's the priciest option, but it won't increase the overall price by much.

Battery Life

This keyboard features a rechargeable battery that Keychron claims can last up to 240 hours with the backlight turned off. While we cannot confirm these claims, this translates to nearly two months with 40 hours of use each week. With the backlight on, you can expect the battery to drain much faster, lasting only about 70 hours. While these numbers may seem short, you can recharge the battery while using the keyboard. And since you typically use a keyboard at a desk, finding a power source shouldn't be a big deal. The K10 has an auto sleep function to help preserve battery life and a battery indicator light that blinks red when the level is running low.

Should You Buy the Keychron K10 Full Size-Hot swappable?

Bottom line, the K10 is not just a keyboard; it's an immersive experience for Mac and Windows users. We thoroughly enjoyed using this versatile device and were impressed with its advanced and customizable features. But all those features add extra bulk that make the Keychron difficult to use on the go. So, it's not the best for someone seeking portability or a sleek design. Still, its cutting-edge capabilities distinguish it from many other wireless keyboards on the market, making it an ideal choice for someone who needs a keyboard they can work and play on.

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