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Pick two boards from the directory and see how they differ.
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| Spec |  Keychron Keychron Q1 Pro $168 “The Honda Civic of custom keyboards” Best Overall |  Keychron Keychron V5 Ultra 8K $120 “ZMK-powered wireless 96% with 8000Hz and up to 660 hours of battery” |
|---|---|---|
| Price , different | $168 | $120 |
| Size , different | 75% | 96% |
| Type , different | Barebones | Pre-built |
| Connectivity | Wireless + Wired | Wireless + Wired |
| Released , different | 2023 | 2026 |
| Mounting | Gasket | Gasket |
| Case , different | 6063 Aluminum | Plastic |
| Colors , different | Carbon Black, Shell White, Silver Grey, Navy Blue | Black |
| Weight , different | 1.74kg (fully assembled) | 983 g ± 10 g |
| Dimensions , different | 327.5 x 145 x 35.8mm | 148.7 x 391.5 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 | 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) | 96% layout, Tri-mode, Hot-swap, ZMK firmware, 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 | People who want wireless 96% with very long battery life Gamers and typists who want 8000Hz and tri-mode Users comfortable with ZMK or willing to learn it |
| 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 QMK or VIA Buyers who want an all-metal body People who dislike cramped 96% layouts |
| 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 | Keychron rates the 4000 mAh battery at up to 660 hours (with 8000Hz, backlight off, per Tom's Hardware) Tri-mode connectivity: 2.4GHz at 8000Hz, Bluetooth 5.3 and wired USB-C Gasket mount and PC plate; Tom's Hardware found it flexible, well-dampened and decent sounding Upgraded screw-in stabilizers with less wobble (The Verge) Launcher web app for remapping, Snap Action, per-key and mix RGB (Tom's Hardware) Knob, numpad and arrows in a 96% layout |
| 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) | ZMK firmware with less polished remapping than QMK/VIA (The Verge) Launcher requires a wired connection, and 8000Hz must be enabled in it (Tom's Hardware) The 96% layout is cramped (Tom's Hardware) Tom's Hardware's reviewer was lukewarm on the Banana tactile switches Plastic case at 983 g (Keychron's figure) |
| 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-reviewed wireless 96% whose standout is battery life and 8000Hz, paid for by a switch to ZMK. If QMK/VIA matters, the V5 Max is the alternative. |