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Keychron Q1 Max compared with Keychron Q12 HE
Spec

Keychron

Keychron Q1 Max

$230

“The 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth and wired 75% Q”

Keychron Q12 HE

Keychron

Keychron Q12 HE

$250

“Southpaw 96% magnetic Q for left-handed gamers”

Price , different $230 $250
Size , different 75% 96%
Type Pre-built Pre-built
Connectivity Wireless + Wired Wireless + Wired
Released , different 2023 2025
Mounting Gasket Gasket
Case , different 6063 Aluminum Aluminum
Colors , different — Carbon Black, Shell White
Weight , different 1.72kg (fully assembled) 2201 g ± 10 g
Dimensions , different 327.5 x 145mm 145.20 x 409.44 mm
Typing angle , different 5.2° Not listed
Front height , different 20.7mm Not listed
Switches , different Mechanical Hall Effect
Profile Standard Standard
Keycaps , different Double-shot PBT, KSA or OSA profile (fully assembled version) Double-shot PBT
PCB , different Hot-swap, South-facing RGB Hot-swap
Plates , different PC Aluminum
Battery , different 4000mAh (up to 180h, backlight off) 4000 mAh, up to 100 hours
Compatible switches , different MX-style 3-pin and 5-pin Keychron magnetic switches
Software QMK, Keychron Launcher QMK, Keychron Launcher
NKRO Yes Yes
RGB , different Yes No
Features , different QMK/VIA, Hot-swap, Double Gasket Mount, Aluminum Case, 2.4GHz + Bluetooth 5.1, South-facing RGB, Screw-in Stabilizers, 1000Hz Polling (2.4GHz & wired) 96% layout, Tri-mode, Hot-swap, QMK/VIA, Knob, Hall effect
Good for , different Typists who want a wireless 75% with a quiet, cushioned sound Users who want a low-latency dongle option without leaving the Q line People who like to open the board and adjust foam Left-handed gamers who want Rapid Trigger and a numpad Players who keep the mouse on the right and want the numpad away Typists who like soft, damped acoustics
Skip if , different Buyers who want a low-profile keycap shape or adjustable height Anyone who needs a travel keyboard People who want magnetic switches; the Q1 HE covers that Right-handed users who rely on the numpad Switch hobbyists Travelers
Pros , different Three connection modes: 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth 5.1 (three devices) and wired, with 1000 Hz on 2.4 GHz and wired Muffled sound with little case resonance from layered foam and a double-gasket design (AppleInsider) Thick aluminum shell that XDA Developers says will not move on the desk; Keychron lists 1,724 g PC plate, hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches, QMK/VIA and a knob Gateron Jupiter Red, Brown or Banana switches come pre-installed on the assembled version 4000 mAh battery, rated up to 180 hours by Keychron Southpaw full-size layout with Hall effect switches; Digital Chumps called a full-size Hall effect prebuilt rare Adjustable actuation, Rapid Trigger, SOCD and Dynamic Keystrokes (PC Guide) Soft, clacky sound with sturdy, wobble-free switches (Digital Chumps) Durable PBT double-shot keycaps (PC Guide) 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth and wired; user-friendly software (PC Guide)
Cons , different No adjustable feet; the angle is fixed at 5.2 degrees (AppleInsider) Wirecutter criticises the tall keycaps and the steep, non-adjustable case slope Keychron's 1000 Hz rating applies to 2.4 GHz and wired; the sibling Q1 HE drops to 90 Hz on Bluetooth (Tom's Guide) Heavy at about 1.7 kg, so not a portable 75% Wirecutter notes it costs more than its own upgrade pick, and AppleInsider's headline calls it costly Anyone who is not left-handed may struggle with the layout (Digital Chumps) No height adjustment (PC Guide) Keycap font looks a bit cheap and legends do not shine through (PC Guide) Heavy weight makes it less portable (PC Guide) Hall effect switches push the price up; PC Guide and Keychron disagree on hot-swap support
Research take , different The most complete mechanical 75% in the Q line: reviewers praised the build, the sound and the 2.4 GHz option. The tall caps and fixed slope are the recurring complaints, so a wrist rest is worth budgeting for. A distinctive board for left-handed users that two reviewers liked. Check the hot-swap point, because sources disagree, and expect to pay for the Hall effect parts.