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 K2 $50–$70 “K2, from Keychron's store” |
|---|---|---|
| Price , different | $168 | $50–$70 |
| Size | 75% | 75% |
| Type | Barebones | Barebones |
| Connectivity | Wireless + Wired | Wireless + Wired |
| Released , different | 2023 | 2019 |
| Mounting , different | Gasket | Tray Mount |
| Case , different | 6063 Aluminum | ABS Plastic |
| Colors , different | Carbon Black, Shell White, Silver Grey, Navy Blue | See the store |
| Weight , different | 1.74kg (fully assembled) | 663 g (plastic frame), 794 g (aluminum frame) |
| Dimensions , different | 327.5 x 145 x 35.8mm | 313 x 123 mm (plastic frame), 317 x 129 mm (aluminum frame) |
| Typing angle , different | 5.2° | Not listed |
| Front height , different | 22.6mm | Not listed |
| Switches | Mechanical | Mechanical |
| Profile | Standard | Standard |
| Keycaps , different | Double-shot PBT, KSA profile (fully assembled version) | ABS |
| PCB , different | Hot-swap, South-facing RGB | Hot-swap |
| Plates , different | PC | Not listed |
| Battery , different | 4000mAh (up to 300h, backlight off) | 4000 mAh, up to 240 hours |
| Compatible switches , different | MX-style 3-pin and 5-pin | MX-style |
| Software , different | QMK, VIA, Keychron Launcher | QMK, Keychron Launcher |
| NKRO | Yes | Yes |
| RGB | Yes | Yes |
| 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, Hot-swap, QMK/VIA |
| 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 | Buyers who want an inexpensive compact Keychron with long battery life Users who want a compact board that works with macOS, Windows and Linux People planning to swap keycaps and switches over time |
| 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 | Anyone who wants 2.4 GHz wireless or 8 kHz polling (see the K2 Max and Ultra 8K) Buyers who want PBT keycaps in the box Gamers who need Hall-effect features |
| 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 | Long rated battery life of up to 240 hours (maker) Hot-swap sockets with Keychron Super switch options Aluminum-frame version adds weight and a firmer feel 75% layout with arrow keys and function row Bluetooth for three devices plus wired USB-C |
| 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) | ABS keycaps rather than the PBT on the Pro and Max (maker) Bluetooth and wired only, with no 2.4 GHz dongle Tray mount; Tom's Hardware found the tray-mount typing stiff on the sibling K8 Pro Plastic frame feels lighter and more hollow than the aluminum frame (The Keeblog, on the similar K6) Little independent review coverage of this specific version |
| 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. | The plain, original K2. Fine as an affordable start; the K2 Pro or Max are better equipped. |