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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 K5 $75–$83 “K5, from Keychron's store” |
|---|---|---|
| Price , different | $168 | $75–$83 |
| Size , different | 75% | Full |
| Type | Barebones | Barebones |
| Connectivity | Wireless + Wired | Wireless + Wired |
| Released , different | 2023 | 2021 |
| Mounting , different | Gasket | Tray Mount |
| Case , different | 6063 Aluminum | Aluminum & Plastic |
| Colors , different | Carbon Black, Shell White, Silver Grey, Navy Blue | See the store |
| Weight , different | 1.74kg (fully assembled) | 770 g +/- 10 g |
| Dimensions , different | 327.5 x 145 x 35.8mm | 435 x 120 mm |
| Typing angle , different | 5.2° | Not listed |
| Front height , different | 22.6mm | Not listed |
| Switches , different | Mechanical | Low Profile |
| Profile , different | Standard | Low Profile |
| Keycaps , different | Double-shot PBT, KSA profile (fully assembled version) | LSA ABS keycaps, not shine-through |
| PCB , different | Hot-swap, South-facing RGB | Hot-swap |
| Plates , different | PC | Not listed |
| Battery , different | 4000mAh (up to 300h, backlight off) | 2000 mAh, up to 90 hours |
| Compatible switches , different | MX-style 3-pin and 5-pin | Keychron low-profile |
| Software , different | QMK, VIA, Keychron Launcher | QMK |
| NKRO | Yes | Yes |
| 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) | Full layout, Tri-mode, Hot-swap, QMK/VIA, Low profile |
| 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 users who want a slim full-size board Buyers who want optical switch options People who value Bluetooth multi-device pairing |
| 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 a lighter case (see the SE) Gamers who want 2.4 GHz Buyers who need verified reviews of this exact model |
| 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 | Slim full-size with a numpad (maker) Optical or mechanical low-profile switches Hot-swappable Aluminum-and-plastic tray-mount case Bluetooth plus wired |
| 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) | Heavier than the SE at about 770 g Battery rated at only 90 hours Non-shine-through ABS keycaps No dongle No review of this model was found |
| 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. | An alternative to the SE with a mixed case. Evidence is thin. |