Compare
Pick two boards from the directory and see how they differ.
Shaded rows are where they differ.
| Spec |  Keychron Keychron Q1 Pro $168 “The Honda Civic of custom keyboards” Best Overall |  Keychron Keychron B1 Pro Ultra-Slim $40 “Ultra-slim 75% scissor-switch board with ZMK and no backlight” |
|---|---|---|
| Price , different | $168 | $40 |
| Size | 75% | 75% |
| Type | Barebones | Barebones |
| Connectivity | Wireless + Wired | Wireless + Wired |
| Released , different | 2023 | 2024 |
| Mounting , different | Gasket | Integrated Plate |
| Case , different | 6063 Aluminum | Plastic |
| Colors , different | Carbon Black, Shell White, Silver Grey, Navy Blue | Space Gray, Ivory White, Retro Blue, Retro Red |
| Weight , different | 1.74kg (fully assembled) | 425 g / 0.94 lbs |
| Dimensions , different | 327.5 x 145 x 35.8mm | 296 x 130 mm |
| Typing angle , different | 5.2° | Not listed |
| Front height , different | 22.6mm | Not listed |
| Switches , different | Mechanical | Scissor |
| Profile | Standard | Standard |
| Keycaps , different | Double-shot PBT, KSA profile (fully assembled version) | ABS |
| PCB , different | Hot-swap, South-facing RGB | Fixed switches |
| Plates , different | PC | Not listed |
| Battery , different | 4000mAh (up to 300h, backlight off) | 800 mAh |
| Compatible switches , different | MX-style 3-pin and 5-pin | Fixed scissor switches (not replaceable) |
| Software , different | QMK, VIA, Keychron Launcher | ZMK, Keychron Launcher |
| NKRO , different | Yes | No |
| RGB , different | Yes | No |
| Features , different | QMK/VIA, Hot-swap, Double Gasket Mount, Aluminum Case, Bluetooth 5.1 + USB-C, South-facing LEDs, Screw-in Stabilizers, 1000Hz Polling (wired) | 75% layout, Tri-mode |
| Good for , different | Heavy typists who want a soft, cushioned feel Buyers who want QMK programmability with Bluetooth People who switch between Mac and Windows Anyone who wants to swap switches or tune the build | Office and travel typists who want a laptop-style feel Anyone moving between a few devices People who want ZMK remapping on a cheap board |
| Skip if , different | Competitive gaming over wireless (90Hz polling) Anyone who needs a portable keyboard Buyers who want 2.4GHz wireless on this model People who prefer a low, flat keycap profile | Gamers who need NKRO or backlighting People who want a mechanical sound and feel Android users |
| Pros , different | Flexible PC plate and gasket mount give a soft, bouncy typing feel (Tom's Guide) Full CNC aluminum case at 1,736 g assembled, so it stays put on the desk Bluetooth 5.1 for up to 3 devices plus USB-C; MakeUseOf found the Bluetooth connection stable QMK firmware with the Keychron Launcher web app for remapping and macros Hot-swap sockets take 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style switches 4000 mAh battery, rated up to 300 hours with the backlight off; Tom's Guide saw two to three weeks per charge Programmable aluminum knob, plus a system toggle and both Mac and Windows keycaps | Springy, quiet scissor keys (WIRED, Tom's Guide) 75% layout in a thin board that fits in a bag Tri-mode connection with Mac/Windows layout switch and ZMK firmware support (Tom's Guide, Keychron) Rubber feet and a comfortable fixed angle (How-To Geek) |
| Cons , different | Wireless is Bluetooth only, at 90Hz polling; 1000Hz needs a USB-C cable No 2.4GHz option on the Pro; Keychron lists the Q1 Max for that Heavy for a 75% and not a board to carry around Tom's Guide heard a slightly hollow stock sound and occasional metallic pings Tall KSA keycaps raised mistype rates in Tom's Guide's typing test An r/Keychron owner report describes spacebar rattle from the stock stabilizers Tom's Guide called the $219 assembled price steep at review time (Nov 2024) | No backlight (WIRED, Tom's Guide) Plastic body; Tom's Guide found it a little heavy for an ultra-slim board Cheap-looking cable and dongle, and not compatible with Android (Tom's Guide) WIRED noted the physical mode switch is easy to knock when the board is tossed in a bag Scissor keys are fixed; no hot-swap and no NKRO listed |
| Research take , different | A comfort-first 75% that suits long typing sessions better than gaming or travel. Reviewers rate the build and typing feel highly and mark it down for weight, price and a stock sound that can ping. If you want 2.4GHz or magnetic switches, compare the Q1 Max and Q1 HE before buying. | A well-reviewed, inexpensive productivity board for people who like low-profile laptop-style keys. If you need backlighting or mechanical switches, look elsewhere; the B3 Pro is the closest sibling with Launcher support. |