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 V4 $60 “Wired 60% with a steel plate and tray mount” |
|---|---|---|
| Price , different | $168 | $60 |
| Size , different | 75% | 60% |
| Type , different | Barebones | Pre-built |
| Connectivity , different | Wireless + Wired | Wired |
| Released , different | 2023 | 2022 |
| Mounting , different | Gasket | Tray Mount |
| Case , different | 6063 Aluminum | Plastic |
| Colors , different | Carbon Black, Shell White, Silver Grey, Navy Blue | Frosted Black (Translucent), Carbon Black (Non-transparent) |
| Weight , different | 1.74kg (fully assembled) | 730 ± 10 g (fully assembled) |
| Dimensions , different | 327.5 x 145 x 35.8mm | 60% |
| 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 , different | PC | Not listed |
| Battery , different | 4000mAh (up to 300h, backlight off) | — |
| 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 , 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) | 60% layout, Wired, 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 | A compact wired board for a small desk Programmers and writers who are comfortable with layers People who want a firm, accurate key feel Beginners starting with switch swapping |
| 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 wireless People who need arrow keys and function keys on the base layer Buyers who want a soft gasket feel |
| 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 | Stiff steel plate and tray mount give an accurate, solid feel; Expert Reviews called the build superb Hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches Screw-in PCB stabilizers QMK with the Launcher web app, and VIA or Vial support (Expert Reviews) OSA double-shot PBT keycaps, which Expert Reviews liked 730 g (Keychron's figure) and 303.85 mm wide, so it is compact Three typing angles from the flip-out feet |
| 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) | Wired only; Keychron's wireless 60% is the V4 Max 60% layout with no dedicated arrows or function row, so the Fn layer matters The V line sits high off the desk and Keychron does not supply a wrist rest (Expert Reviews) Stock K Pro Brown switches are tactile but not quiet (Thomas' Notes) Rich VIA lighting control was not available in an owner's VIA setup (Thomas' Notes) |
| 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 compact, solid wired 60% that reviewers rate for build and typing accuracy. It is plain and a bit tall, and it assumes you are happy living on layers. For wireless, step up to the V4 Max. |