Thomas Sibilly
The Keychron K10 Pro mechanical keyboard is a great pick for Apple users who want a 100% layout that doesn't break the bank.
Keychron makes mechanical keyboards in all sizes and price ranges. The K10 falls in the middle of the road between budget models like the C3 Pro and the more expensive Q5 Pro.
Whether you're all about customization or just want something to type on, the K10 brings something to the table. As-is, the typing and upkeep experience is fun and easy, and it's equally simple to mess around with key switches and macros.
Keychron K10 Pro review - Design
The K10 has eight layers in its design, from the keycaps to sound absorbing foam to the durable plastic casing that wraps it all up.
The PBT keycaps are oil-resistant that assist with lessened shine and durability. You can choose from Keychron's different switches: Keychron K Pro Red, Pro Brown, and Pro Banana switches for different typing preferences.
The K10 comes in black with red/navy keycaps or an all white option. The hot-swappable nature of the switches and keys means you can experiment if you want to change the look.
As such, the K10 comes with a set of extra keycaps for Windows, as well as a screwdriver, Allen wrench, and keycap/switch tool for customizing.
Keychron K10 Pro review: Back view shows USB-C port and switches for OS and connectivity.For digital customization, the K10 has QMK/VIA compatibility, which helps with adjusting macros and light settings. VIA can run on Chromium-based browsers, but Safari and Firefox users can download it here.
VIA lets you configure your keyboard through four layers: layer 0-1 is for Mac, and 2-3 is for Windows. Layer 0 is the default for Mac, but layer 1 can be activated by pressing the fn key in combination with the keys you've mapped.
Keychron K10 Pro review: The VIA overview for the keyboard.Keychron K10 Pro - Specs
| Product Detail | Spec |
|---|---|
| Weight | 4.29 pounds |
| Dimensions | 17.52 x 5.43 x 1.59 inches |
| Layout | 100% |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.1 and USB Type-C |
| Bluetooth Connection | Up to three devices |
| Keycaps | Double-shot PBT |
| Backlight | South-facing RGB |
| Compatibility | Mac, Windows, Linux |
Keychron K10 Pro review - Use
My Keychron K10 review unit came with K Pro Banana switches, which have more of a clicky sound than other switches but still provide a satisfying typing experience. They're described as having a tactile bump on top, which you can feel as you press into each key.
The PBT keycaps do a great job keeping the K10 at a matte finish, and the hot-swap feature makes it a joy to clean the whole keyboard as well. The typing experience and
Bluetooth pairing is easy, all you have to do is press fn+1, 2 or 3 to pair your devices. I would often connect the cable directly to my laptop or USB hub of choice.
Three devices being available via Bluetooth goes great for switching between different computers in your setup, especially when I wanted to elevate my iPad typing experience.
Keychron K10 Pro review: Wired connection to a MacBook Pro.The battery lasts a good while, with up to 100 hours on the lowest RGB brightness. This claim holds up with my testing experience over two months.
I usually kept the K10 on my desk paired wirelessly, and switched it back to wired when it needs a charge. On that note, as a 100% layout keyboard, I wouldn't call the K10 portable, I couldn't fit it in my backpack.
But, if you're bringing it from one room to another to use it, it's not that bad.
I didn't use much of the stands due to my typing style, but the three levels of adjustability is good for those who want ergonomic support.
Keychron K10 Pro review: Closeup of the keys.Keychron K10 Pro review - A good 100% keyboard for $100
I found that the K10, like other Keychrons, is a good all-rounder keyboard. You get customization and durability in a compact body that covers most of your desk needs.
Being able to make the choice between different switches and customizing your keyboard digitally appeals to enthusiasts or anyone who wants to optimize their keyboard for work or play.
Keychron K10 Pro review - Pros
- Good build quality
- Customizable keycaps/switches, VIA compatible
- Long battery life
Keychron K10 Pro review - Cons
- Too heavy for portability
- Large footprint on desk
Rating: 4 out of 5
Where to buy the Keychron K10 Pro
The Keychron K10 Pro (with RGB) is available on Amazon for $114.99, and the Keychron store for $109.99.
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2 Comments
After reading this review, I spent hours doing research on these keyboards and I ended up not buying anything. I don’t really like the multicolor aspect of it and I couldn’t find an all black option. I decided after all of my research that if did buy one, I would splurge for a Q6 Max, but another thing I was worried about were the KSA profile key caps. They are super high profile and I was worried that it would be too extreme of a difference from the Apple keyboards that I’m used to. The main reason why I’m even thinking about it is because I very often press multiple keys at the same time. So I guess that I was hoping for a keyboard where I don’t make so many mistakes. Apple’s Predictive Typing is not very good and when it changes a word, the choice makes absolutely no sense a large percentage of the time. I’m really hoping that Apple Intelligence will play a big role in Predictive Typing because of how bad it currently is.
What's with the PlayStation keys?