Compare
Pick two boards from the directory and see how they differ.
Shaded rows are where they differ.
| Spec |  Keychron Keychron V1 $60–$70 “Wired 75% in plastic with a steel plate and tray mount” |  Keychron Keychron Q1 Pro $168 “The Honda Civic of custom keyboards” Best Overall |
|---|---|---|
| Price , different | $60–$70 | $168 |
| Size | 75% | 75% |
| Type , different | Pre-built | Barebones |
| Connectivity , different | Wired | Wireless + Wired |
| Released , different | 2022 | 2023 |
| Mounting , different | Tray Mount | Gasket |
| Case , different | Plastic | 6063 Aluminum |
| Colors , different | Frosted Black (Translucent), Carbon Black (Non-transparent), Shell White | Carbon Black, Shell White, Silver Grey, Navy Blue |
| Weight , different | 970 g ± 10 g (fully assembled) | 1.74kg (fully assembled) |
| Dimensions , different | 75% | 327.5 x 145 x 35.8mm |
| Typing angle , different | Not listed | 5.2° |
| Front height , different | Not listed | 22.6mm |
| Switches | Mechanical | Mechanical |
| Profile | Standard | Standard |
| Keycaps , different | Double-shot PBT | Double-shot PBT, KSA profile (fully assembled version) |
| PCB , different | Hot-swap | Hot-swap, South-facing RGB |
| Plates , different | Not listed | PC |
| Battery , different | — | 4000mAh (up to 300h, backlight off) |
| Compatible switches , different | MX-style | MX-style 3-pin and 5-pin |
| Software , different | QMK, Keychron Launcher | QMK, VIA, Keychron Launcher |
| NKRO | Yes | Yes |
| RGB , different | No | Yes |
| Features , different | 75% layout, Wired, Hot-swap, QMK/VIA, Knob | 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 | A first hot-swap QMK board on a modest budget Wired desk and office use People who prefer a firm, stiff key feel Beginners who want to learn switch swapping and light modding | 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 | Anyone who needs wireless People who want a soft, flexy gasket-style feel Frequent tinkerers who will open the case often Buyers who want 8000Hz polling | 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 | Steel plate and tray mount give a firm, stable feel; Tom's Guide called the build solid and durable Plastic case avoids the metallic ping Nextrift disliked on Keychron's aluminum boards; sound is low-pitched Hot-swap sockets take 3-pin and 5-pin switches Screw-in PCB stabilizers; Nextrift rated the stock ones as good QMK with the Keychron Launcher web app for remapping and macros, plus a programmable metal knob Mac and Windows keycaps are both included with the assembled version 970 g assembled (Keychron's figure) and wired, so there is no battery to manage | 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 | Wired only; the V1 Max is the wireless version of this layout Tray mount with a steel plate has no flex and can feel harsh over long sessions (Nextrift) Case screws thread into bare plastic and can strip with repeated disassembly (Nextrift) The backspace stabilizer ticked slightly out of the box (Nextrift) Keychron now lists the V1 8K and V1 Ultra 8K as newer versions, so stock may be limited | 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 plain, firm wired 75% that packs QMK, hot-swap sockets and screw-in stabilizers into a plastic case. Reviewers like the sound and the value, and Nextrift marks it down for the stiff tray-mount feel and bare-plastic screw threads. If you want wireless, look at the V1 Max; for 8000Hz polling, the V1 8K. | 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. |