Compare
Pick two boards from the directory and see how they differ.
Shaded rows are where they differ.
| Spec |  Keychron Keychron Q16 HE 8K $200 “All-ceramic 65% magnetic Q with 8 kHz polling” |  Keychron Keychron Q1 Pro $168 “The Honda Civic of custom keyboards” Best Overall |
|---|---|---|
| Price , different | $200 | $168 |
| Size , different | 65% | 75% |
| Type , different | Pre-built | Barebones |
| Connectivity , different | Wired | Wireless + Wired |
| Released , different | 2025 | 2023 |
| Mounting | Gasket | Gasket |
| Case , different | Ceramic | 6063 Aluminum |
| Colors , different | Light Green, Navy Blue, Light Green (ISO-Nordic), Light Green (ISO-Germany), Light Green (ISO-UK), Light Green (ISO-Swiss), Light Green (ISO-Spanish) | Carbon Black, Shell White, Silver Grey, Navy Blue |
| Weight , different | 1060g ± 10g | 1.74kg (fully assembled) |
| Dimensions , different | 110.8 x 315mm | 327.5 x 145 x 35.8mm |
| Typing angle , different | Not listed | 5.2° |
| Front height , different | Not listed | 22.6mm |
| Switches , different | Hall Effect | Mechanical |
| Profile | Standard | Standard |
| Keycaps , different | Cherry-profile ceramic die-cast keycaps | Double-shot PBT, KSA profile (fully assembled version) |
| PCB , different | Hot-swap | Hot-swap, South-facing RGB |
| Plates , different | Aluminum | PC |
| Battery , different | — | 4000mAh (up to 300h, backlight off) |
| Compatible switches , different | Keychron magnetic switches | MX-style 3-pin and 5-pin |
| Software , different | Keychron Launcher | QMK, VIA, Keychron Launcher |
| NKRO | Yes | Yes |
| RGB , different | No | Yes |
| Features , different | 65% layout, Wired, Hot-swap, Keychron Launcher, Magnetic switches, Ceramic case and keycaps, 8K polling | QMK/VIA, Hot-swap, Double Gasket Mount, Aluminum Case, Bluetooth 5.1 + USB-C, South-facing LEDs, Screw-in Stabilizers, 1000Hz Polling (wired) |
| Good for , different | Buyers who want a statement keyboard on the desk Players who want 8 kHz in a small layout Anyone who values looks over acoustics | 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 |
| Skip if , different | Typists who prioritize a deep, damped sound Anyone who wants wireless People who carry their keyboard or dislike fingerprints | 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 |
| Pros , different | Striking all-ceramic design (Tom's Guide, Windows Central) 8000 Hz polling, Rapid Trigger and a deep gaming feature set (Tom's Guide, WIRED) Smooth switches and TMR sensors (WIRED) Intuitive Keychron Launcher software (Windows Central) Compact 65% layout at about 1.06 kg, far lighter than other Q boards Hot-swappable PCB (Tom's Hardware), though Tom's Guide found few switches to swap in | 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 |
| Cons , different | Typing experience underwhelming and expensive (Tom's Hardware) WIRED found the sound underwhelming and the spacebar heavy and resonant Smudges are guaranteed and chipping is a risk (Windows Central) Wired only, with limited switch choice (Tom's Guide) Attracts fingerprints (Tom's Hardware) Loud: Windows Central said everyone will hear you typing | 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) |
| Research take , different | A novelty with real performance specs. Reviewers disagree sharply: Tom's Guide recommends it, WIRED gave it 4 out of 10, and Tom's Hardware and Windows Central flag sound, smudges and price. Buy for the look and the 8 kHz gaming features, not for the typing sound. | 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. |