Compare
Pick two boards from the directory and see how they differ.
Shaded rows are where they differ.
| Spec |  Keychron Keychron Q1 HE $240 “Magnetic-switch 75% Q with 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth” |  Keychron Keychron V3 $60–$70 “QMK support under $100 is absurd” Budget King |
|---|---|---|
| Price , different | $240 | $60–$70 |
| Size , different | 75% | TKL |
| Type | Pre-built | Pre-built |
| Connectivity , different | Wireless + Wired | Wired |
| Released , different | 2023 | 2022 |
| Mounting , different | Gasket | Tray Mount |
| Case , different | Aluminum | ABS Plastic |
| Colors , different | Carbon Black, Shell White | Frosted Black, Carbon Black |
| Weight , different | 1735 g ± 10 g (fully assembled) | 966g |
| Dimensions , different | 75% | 359 x 138.5 x 31mm |
| Typing angle , different | Not listed | 5.2° |
| Front height , different | Not listed | 22mm |
| Switches , different | Hall Effect | Mechanical |
| Profile | Standard | Standard |
| Keycaps , different | Double-shot PBT | Double-shot PBT, OSA Profile |
| PCB , different | Hot-swap | Hot-swap, South-facing RGB |
| Plates , different | Aluminum | Steel |
| Battery , different | 4000 mAh, up to 100 hours | — |
| Compatible switches , different | Keychron magnetic switches | MX-style 3-pin and 5-pin |
| Software , different | QMK, Keychron Launcher | QMK, VIA |
| NKRO | Yes | Yes |
| RGB , different | No | Yes |
| Features , different | 75% layout, Tri-mode, Hot-swap, QMK/VIA, Knob, Hall effect | QMK/VIA, 80% TKL with Knob, Hot-swap, Screw-in Stabs, Double-shot PBT, South-facing LEDs, 1000Hz Polling |
| Good for , different | Gamers who also type a lot and want Rapid Trigger on a premium metal board People who want adjustable actuation but a gasket, thocky feel Wireless users who want 1000 Hz over 2.4 GHz | A first QMK/VIA keyboard on a small budget Learning switch swapping without soldering Desk or office use where wireless is not needed TKL fans who want arrow keys and a nav cluster |
| Skip if , different | Switch hobbyists who want to try many switch types Anyone who wants a crisp, hard bottom-out Buyers who need an 8 kHz polling rate; the Q1 HE 8K covers that but is wired only | Anyone who needs wireless Buyers who want an aluminum case People who want a soft, flexy gasket-style feel Buyers who need a guaranteed in-stock listing |
| Pros , different | Rapid Trigger, 0.2 to 3.8 mm adjustable actuation and Dynamic Keystrokes (Keychron) 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth; 1000 Hz over 2.4 GHz and USB, 90 Hz over Bluetooth (Tom's Guide) Smooth, stable switches with little stem wobble (WIRED) Aluminum case at 1,735 g with gasket mount and acoustic foam; Tom's Guide called it the sturdiest Hall effect keyboard it had used Knob, QMK firmware and Mac and Windows keycaps included OSA-profile double-shot PBT keycaps with a cupped shape (Tom's Hardware) | QMK firmware with the Keychron Launcher web app for remapping and macros Hot-swap sockets, so switches can be changed without soldering Screw-in PCB stabilizers; Keychron says third-party screw-in stabilizers also fit Double-shot PBT keycaps and K Pro switches on the assembled version (pre-lubed except the clicky Blue) Steel plate with a tray mount, which reviewers of the V3 8K found stable and firm TKL layout with arrow keys and navigation keys, and an optional knob |
| Cons , different | Only Gateron Double-Rail magnetic switches fit; Keychron says Magnetic Jade and KS-20 do not Tom's Hardware noted stabilizer rattle (especially the space bar) and slightly dull bottom-out sounds WIRED found the bottom-out slightly dampened, so typing feels less crisp than a standard mechanical switch Battery is rated up to 100 hours, well below the Q1 Max's 180 Heavy, and no built-in height adjustment: it sits at a fixed 5.2-degree angle (Tom's Hardware) | Wired only; the V3 Max is the wireless version ABS plastic case rather than aluminum Tray mount feels stiffer than a gasket-mounted board (APH Networks, on the V3 8K) Keychron's page lists it as sold out, so availability is uncertain Little independent review coverage of this exact model |
| Research take , different | A well-built hybrid for typing and gaming that reviewers rated highly, with the trade-off that you are locked into one magnetic switch family. Pick it for Rapid Trigger plus wireless; skip it if you want to experiment with switches. | A plain wired TKL that, on Keychron's specs, gives QMK/VIA, hot-swap and screw-in stabilizers in a plastic case. Its trade-offs are the plastic build, a stiffer tray-mount feel and no wireless. Because reviews of this exact model are scarce and Keychron lists it as sold out, the V3 Max or V3 8K may be the more practical buy. |