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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 Q3 Ultra 8K $230 “Wireless 8 kHz 80% Q with a 660-hour battery” |
|---|---|---|
| Price , different | $168 | $230 |
| Size , different | 75% | TKL |
| Type , different | Barebones | Pre-built |
| Connectivity | Wireless + Wired | Wireless + Wired |
| Released , different | 2023 | 2026 |
| Mounting | Gasket | Gasket |
| Case , different | 6063 Aluminum | Aluminum |
| Colors , different | Carbon Black, Shell White, Silver Grey, Navy Blue | Black, White |
| Weight , different | 1.74kg (fully assembled) | 1787g ± 10g |
| Dimensions , different | 327.5 x 145 x 35.8mm | 137 x 365mm |
| 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) | Double-shot PBT |
| PCB , different | Hot-swap, South-facing RGB | Hot-swap |
| Plates | PC | PC |
| Battery , different | 4000mAh (up to 300h, backlight off) | 4000 mAh, up to 660 hours |
| Compatible switches , different | MX-style 3-pin and 5-pin | MX-style |
| Software , different | QMK, VIA, Keychron Launcher | ZMK, 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) | TKL layout, Tri-mode, Hot-swap, ZMK, Knob, 8K polling |
| 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 | Players who want 8 kHz without a cable Long-battery users who dislike charging Typists who prefer smooth, quiet Silk POM switches |
| 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 specifically wants QMK/VIA People who prefer shorter keycap profiles UK buyers, if availability has not changed |
| 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 | 8000 Hz polling over 2.4 GHz and wired, per Keychron and Tom's Guide Battery rated up to 660 hours (Keychron; Tom's Guide lists it as a plus) Smooth Silk POM switches and a pleasant sound (Tom's Guide) Adjustable double-gasket design for tuning comfort (Tom's Guide) ZMK firmware with the Keychron Launcher web app Tenkeyless layout in a CNC aluminum case with knob |
| 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) | Tall KSA keycap profile can be awkward for smaller hands (Tom's Guide) On the expensive side (Tom's Guide) Not available in the UK at the time of Tom's Guide's review Runs ZMK rather than QMK/VIA Heavy at about 1.8 kg |
| 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 strong wireless TKL on paper and in Tom's Guide's review, with an unusually long battery rating. Tall keycaps, price and ZMK are the caveats. |