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 V5 8K $85 “Wired 96% with 8000Hz polling, a steel plate and a knob” |
|---|---|---|
| Price , different | $168 | $85 |
| Size , different | 75% | 96% |
| Type , different | Barebones | Pre-built |
| Connectivity , different | Wireless + Wired | Wired |
| Released , different | 2023 | 2026 |
| Mounting , different | Gasket | Tray Mount |
| Case , different | 6063 Aluminum | Plastic |
| Colors , different | Carbon Black, Shell White, Silver Grey, Navy Blue | Black |
| Weight , different | 1.74kg (fully assembled) | 1080 g ± 10 g |
| Dimensions , different | 327.5 x 145 x 35.8mm | 142.3 x 388.87 mm |
| 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 | Steel |
| 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 | 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) | 96% layout, Wired, Hot-swap, QMK/VIA, Knob |
| 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 | Wired gamers who want 8000Hz with a numpad People who prefer a stiff, stable feel QMK users who want a knob |
| 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 Buyers who want a soft gasket feel Players who only need 1000Hz and do not want to pay for the 8K version |
| 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 | 8000Hz polling over wired USB-C, with QMK and the Launcher web app Steel plate and tray mount for a firm feel (Keychron's spec page) 96% layout with a numpad, arrows and a knob Hot-swap sockets for Keychron Super or other 3-pin and 5-pin switches Screw-in PCB stabilizers OSA double-shot PBT keycaps with Mac and Windows legends |
| 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 1080 g (Keychron's figure) is heavy and a tray mount with a steel plate has little flex The 96% layout drops dedicated PgUp, PgDn and context-menu keys (Mortensen, on the original V5) South-facing LEDs can glare at higher brightness (Mortensen, on the original V5) No independent 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. | A wired 96% with 8000Hz polling and a firm tray-mount feel. Evidence is limited to Keychron's specs and sibling reviews, so look for owner reports. The V5 Max or V5 Ultra 8K are the options if you want wireless. |