// PC GAMER — GAMING
Keychron K8 Ultra 8K review
A fantastic mechanical keyboard for most folks with a durable build, versatile connectivity and dependable features. Just watch out for the slightly inconsistent Brown switches if you opt for that variant.
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Keychron has carved out a wonderful niche in the now admittedly overcrowded mechanical keyboard space for offering fantastic all-round keyboards with all the features and robustness you could want for a surprisingly affordable price, given what's on offer.
The new K8 Ultra 8K might feel like I'm parroting a lot of the same thoughts as I have with the numerous other Keychron products I've tested simply because most products I've tested from them have been consistently excellent. This new model doesn't deviate from a lot of the established formula: hefty aluminium top case, PBT keycaps, versatile connectivity, web-based software. And let me tell you, that's no bad thing.
Okay, against the likes of the Lemokey L4 and Keychron Q3 Max, I can nitpick and say the entire case isn't the usual machined aluminium as there's a doubleshot ABS portion on the underside mated to an aluminium top piece. However, that is nitpicking of the highest order. The K8 Ultra 8K remains the type of keyboard you could use as a weapon. It's 1.2 kg in heft, which is a lot for a smaller form factor keyboard, and has a fantastically sturdy frame to boot.
To go with it, we've also got the usual doubleshot PBT keycaps for durability and an added touch of quality in an OSA profile, which gives them more of a spherical top edge to help with finger placement when typing.
Switch type: Keychron Apex Red, Brown or BananaKeycaps: PBT, doubleshotLighting: RGB, controllable in softwareOnboard storage: 4 profilesExtra ports: NoneConnection type: Wired USB-C/2.4 GHz/Bluetooth 5.2Cable: USB Type-C/USB Type-A, detachableWeight: 1.299 kg/2.86 lbsPrice: $120
The TKL layout here is familiar, and a good starting point if you're after a space-saving layout that won't immediately make you question your life choices if you've not used it before—that's reserved for the HHKB. It simply chops off the number pad and leaves the rest as-is, giving you more desk space without sacrificing too much functionality. With narrow bezels around the edge of the layout, this is also a little bit smaller than other TKL keyboards I've used, giving you even more desk space black.
Where the K8 Ultra 8K differs from some of its other keyboards is the fact it lacks much in the way of additional extras, such as the customary rotary volume knob I've come to expect from their products. The lack of something to fiddle and twiddle with is a bit of a shame, but you can turn the volume up and down with a combination of the Fn key and either F11 or F12 on the function row. There is the customary USB-C port on the left side for charging and wired connectivity, as well as a selector switch for either Bluetooth or 2.4 GHz connectivity and Windows or macOS.
Speaking of connectivity, this Keychron keyboard worked a charm over either wireless method, connecting with ease to either my MacBook over Bluetooth or my main Windows gaming PC over its 2.4 GHz receiver. With both, it was virtually effortless. Pairing over Bluetooth is as easy as holding the function key down with either 1, 2 or 3 on the number row depending on which Bluetooth channel you wish to use until the small blue light underneath the key flashes quickly. The keyboard should then show up in the pairing settings on the device you want to connect to. Press 'connect' and you should be off to the races in a matter of moments.