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 Q1 HE $240 “Magnetic-switch 75% Q with 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth” |
|---|---|---|
| Price , different | $168 | $240 |
| Size | 75% | 75% |
| Type , different | Barebones | Pre-built |
| Connectivity | Wireless + Wired | Wireless + Wired |
| Released | 2023 | 2023 |
| Mounting | Gasket | Gasket |
| Case , different | 6063 Aluminum | Aluminum |
| Colors , different | Carbon Black, Shell White, Silver Grey, Navy Blue | Carbon Black, Shell White |
| Weight , different | 1.74kg (fully assembled) | 1735 g ± 10 g (fully assembled) |
| Dimensions , different | 327.5 x 145 x 35.8mm | 75% |
| Typing angle , different | 5.2° | Not listed |
| Front height , different | 22.6mm | Not listed |
| Switches , different | Mechanical | Hall Effect |
| Profile | Standard | Standard |
| Keycaps , different | Double-shot PBT, KSA 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 300h, backlight off) | 4000 mAh, up to 100 hours |
| Compatible switches , different | MX-style 3-pin and 5-pin | Keychron magnetic switches |
| Software , different | QMK, VIA, Keychron Launcher | QMK, Keychron Launcher |
| 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) | 75% layout, Tri-mode, Hot-swap, QMK/VIA, Knob, Hall effect |
| 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 | 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 |
| 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 | 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 |
| 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 | 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) |
| 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) | 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) |
| 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-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. |