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 Q6 Max $200–$240 “Tri-mode full-size Q that reviewers rate highly” |
|---|---|---|
| Price , different | $168 | $200–$240 |
| Size , different | 75% | Full |
| Type , different | Barebones | Pre-built |
| Connectivity | Wireless + Wired | Wireless + Wired |
| Released , different | 2023 | 2024 |
| 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) | 2184g assembled |
| Dimensions , different | 327.5 x 145 x 35.8mm | 446 x 137mm |
| Typing angle | 5.2° | 5.2° |
| Front height , different | 22.6mm | 20.1mm without keycaps |
| Switches | Mechanical | Mechanical |
| Profile | Standard | Standard |
| Keycaps , different | Double-shot PBT, KSA profile (fully assembled version) | Double-shot PBT, KSA or OSA |
| PCB , different | Hot-swap, South-facing RGB | Hot-swap, south-facing RGB |
| Plates | PC | PC |
| Battery , different | 4000mAh (up to 300h, backlight off) | 4000mAh |
| Compatible switches | MX-style 3-pin and 5-pin | MX-style 3-pin and 5-pin |
| Software | QMK, VIA, Keychron Launcher | QMK, VIA, 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) | QMK/VIA, Full size with knob, Hot-swap, Double gasket, Aluminum case, 2.4GHz + Bluetooth 5.1, 4000mAh, 1000Hz 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 | Full-size typists and gamers who want one wireless board (the 2.4 GHz dongle is the low-latency route) Mac and Windows users who want a quick OS switch People who like a quiet, planted metal 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 | Travelers Anyone who needs an adjustable angle Buyers who want a lighter keyboard |
| 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 | 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth and wired modes with a number pad WePC found the double-gasket design very effective at muffling noise Top-notch build quality and QMK/VIA compatibility (TechRadar) Switches layouts between Windows and macOS (TechRadar), with extra keycaps for both Great battery life, Keychron rates up to 180 hours (WePC) Side-printed keycap option available (WePC) |
| 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) | Extreme weight makes it hard to carry (TechRadar, GameRevolution) No typing angle or height adjustment (TechRadar, WePC) No wrist rest included (TechRadar) Stiff connectivity switch (TechRadar) Tom's Guide's spec table lists 90 Hz over wireless for the Max, so use the cable for the 1000 Hz rate |
| 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 top-rated full-size mechanical board. Everyone who reviewed it agreed on strong build and sound, and flagged weight and fixed height. |