Compare
Pick two boards from the directory and see how they differ.
Shaded rows are where they differ.
| Spec |  Keychron Keychron Q2 $80–$90 “Wired 65% aluminum Q with a steel plate” |  Keychron Keychron V3 $60–$70 “QMK support under $100 is absurd” Budget King |
|---|---|---|
| Price , different | $80–$90 | $60–$70 |
| Size , different | 65% | TKL |
| Type | Pre-built | Pre-built |
| Connectivity | Wired | Wired |
| Released , different | 2021 | 2022 |
| Mounting , different | Gasket | Tray Mount |
| Case , different | Aluminum | ABS Plastic |
| Colors , different | Carbon Black - B, Silver Grey - B, Navy Blue - B, Carbon Black - A, Silver Grey - A, Navy Blue - A, Carbon Black, Silver Grey, Navy Blue, Shell White | Frosted Black, Carbon Black |
| Weight , different | 1645 g ± 10g (fully assembled) | 966g |
| Dimensions , different | 65% | 359 x 138.5 x 31mm |
| Typing angle , different | Not listed | 5.2° |
| Front height , different | Not listed | 22mm |
| Switches | Mechanical | Mechanical |
| Profile | Standard | Standard |
| Keycaps , different | Double-shot PBT | Double-shot PBT, OSA Profile |
| PCB , different | Hot-swap | Hot-swap, South-facing RGB |
| Plates | Steel | Steel |
| Compatible switches , different | MX-style | MX-style 3-pin and 5-pin |
| Software , different | QMK, Keychron Launcher | QMK, VIA |
| NKRO | Yes | Yes |
| RGB , different | No | Yes |
| Features , different | 65% layout, Wired, Hot-swap, QMK/VIA, Knob | QMK/VIA, 80% TKL with Knob, Hot-swap, Screw-in Stabs, Double-shot PBT, South-facing LEDs, 1000Hz Polling |
| Good for , different | Typists who want the smallest layout that keeps arrow keys Mac or Windows users who want QMK/VIA on a wired metal board Anyone building up a hot-swap collection | A first QMK/VIA keyboard on a small budget Learning switch swapping without soldering Desk or office use where wireless is not needed TKL fans who want arrow keys and a nav cluster |
| Skip if , different | People who need Bluetooth or a 2.4 GHz dongle Heavy users of function keys Buyers who want a travel keyboard | Anyone who needs wireless Buyers who want an aluminum case People who want a soft, flexy gasket-style feel Buyers who need a guaranteed in-stock listing |
| Pros , different | Compact 65% footprint in a 1,645 g CNC aluminum case that stays put Extra silicone gasket reduced the Q1's ping (The Verge); Ars Technica heard no metallic ping Stabilizers that did not rattle in The Verge's and Ars Technica's reviews; Ars heard hollow clunks from large keys Optional rotary knob in place of Insert, programmable in three ways (Ars Technica) QMK/VIA, hot-swap and screw-in stabilizers Gateron G Pro Red, Blue or Brown switches to choose from | QMK firmware with the Keychron Launcher web app for remapping and macros Hot-swap sockets, so switches can be changed without soldering Screw-in PCB stabilizers; Keychron says third-party screw-in stabilizers also fit Double-shot PBT keycaps and K Pro switches on the assembled version (pre-lubed except the clicky Blue) Steel plate with a tray mount, which reviewers of the V3 8K found stable and firm TKL layout with arrow keys and navigation keys, and an optional knob |
| Cons , different | No wireless of any kind No function row: F-keys sit on the Fn layer (The Verge, iMore) Basic cable only, no coiled cable (iMore) Heavy for its size Keychron now lists the Q2 HE and Q2 HE 8K as newer versions | Wired only; the V3 Max is the wireless version ABS plastic case rather than aluminum Tray mount feels stiffer than a gasket-mounted board (APH Networks, on the V3 8K) Keychron's page lists it as sold out, so availability is uncertain Little independent review coverage of this exact model |
| Research take , different | A well-regarded compact wired board: reviewers liked the ping control, stabilizers and programmable knob, and accepted the lost function row. Wireless buyers should look at the Q2 Pro or Q2 Max instead. | A plain wired TKL that, on Keychron's specs, gives QMK/VIA, hot-swap and screw-in stabilizers in a plastic case. Its trade-offs are the plastic build, a stiffer tray-mount feel and no wireless. Because reviews of this exact model are scarce and Keychron lists it as sold out, the V3 Max or V3 8K may be the more practical buy. |