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| Spec |  Mode Designs Mode Sonnet $289–$349 “When you're ready to stop looking” Premium Pick | Keychron Keychron Q1 Max $230 “The 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth and wired 75% Q” |
|---|---|---|
| Price , different | $289–$349 | $230 |
| Size | 75% | 75% |
| Type , different | Kit | Pre-built |
| Connectivity , different | Wired | Wireless + Wired |
| Released , different | 2022 | 2023 |
| Mounting | Gasket | Gasket |
| Case , different | Aluminum, Stainless Steel, or Wood | 6063 Aluminum |
| Colors , different | Anodized Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Maple, Walnut, White Oak | — |
| Weight , different | 1.8-3.4kg (4-7.5lb, varies by config) | 1.72kg (fully assembled) |
| Dimensions , different | 315 x 143 x 24mm | 327.5 x 145mm |
| Typing angle , different | 5.5° | 5.2° |
| Front height , different | 19mm | 20.7mm |
| Switches | Mechanical | Mechanical |
| Profile | Standard | Standard |
| Keycaps , different | Not included (kit) | Double-shot PBT, KSA or OSA profile (fully assembled version) |
| PCB , different | Hot-swap or solder, flex cuts | Hot-swap, South-facing RGB |
| Plates , different | POM, Polycarbonate, FR4, Carbon Fiber, Aluminum, Copper, Brass | PC |
| Battery , different | N/A (Wired model) | 4000mAh (up to 180h, backlight off) |
| Compatible switches , different | MX-style | MX-style 3-pin and 5-pin |
| Software , different | QMK, VIA | QMK, Keychron Launcher |
| NKRO | Yes | Yes |
| RGB , different | No | Yes |
| Features , different | Block Mount, Aluminum, Steel or Wood Case, Hot-swap or Solder PCB, QMK/VIA, Interchangeable Mounting Blocks, Flex-cut PCB, Daughterboard USB-C, Internal Weight | QMK/VIA, Hot-swap, Double Gasket Mount, Aluminum Case, 2.4GHz + Bluetooth 5.1, South-facing RGB, Screw-in Stabilizers, 1000Hz Polling (2.4GHz & wired) |
| Good for , different | Builders who want to tune feel with swappable mounting blocks People who want a polished custom 75% without a group buy Wired desk setups where typing feel matters most Buyers happy to pick their own switches, keycaps and stabilizers | Typists who want a wireless 75% with a quiet, cushioned sound Users who want a low-latency dongle option without leaving the Q line People who like to open the board and adjust foam |
| Skip if , different | Anyone on a tight budget People who want wireless or RGB Anyone who wants a keyboard that arrives already built Buyers who specifically want a gasket mount | Buyers who want a low-profile keycap shape or adjustable height Anyone who needs a travel keyboard People who want magnetic switches; the Q1 HE covers that |
| Pros , different | Swappable mounting blocks let you choose a soft Lattice feel, a firmer Black Lattice feel or a top-mount build Tom's Hardware found the case sounded good with every switch and configuration it tried Hot-swap or solder PCB with QMK/VIA; Tom's Hardware reports up to four keymap layers in VIA Sold through a configurator rather than a group buy, though stock and ship dates vary by edition Written and video build guides, plus Discord support, per Mode | Three connection modes: 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth 5.1 (three devices) and wired, with 1000 Hz on 2.4 GHz and wired Muffled sound with little case resonance from layered foam and a double-gasket design (AppleInsider) Thick aluminum shell that XDA Developers says will not move on the desk; Keychron lists 1,724 g PC plate, hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches, QMK/VIA and a knob Gateron Jupiter Red, Brown or Banana switches come pre-installed on the assembled version 4000 mAh battery, rated up to 180 hours by Keychron |
| Cons , different | Cost climbs quickly with options; Tom's Hardware saw $661 for a near-maximum build before switches, keycaps and stabilizers Kit only: switches, keycaps and stabilizers are extra Wired USB-C only, with no backlight Tom's Hardware noted there is no gasket-mount option Individual editions sell out; one colorway showed as sold out on Mode's page when checked | No adjustable feet; the angle is fixed at 5.2 degrees (AppleInsider) Wirecutter criticises the tall keycaps and the steep, non-adjustable case slope Keychron's 1000 Hz rating applies to 2.4 GHz and wired; the sibling Q1 HE drops to 90 Hz on Bluetooth (Tom's Guide) Heavy at about 1.7 kg, so not a portable 75% Wirecutter notes it costs more than its own upgrade pick, and AppleInsider's headline calls it costly |
| Research take , different | A refined wired 75% kit whose strengths are its adjustable mounting blocks, material choices and a case that Tom's Hardware found sounds good however it is built. The catch is cost: the $289 starting price rises quickly with options and you still supply switches, keycaps and stabilizers. It suits builders who already know they want a premium wired 75%, and less so first-timers on a budget or anyone who wants wireless. | The most complete mechanical 75% in the Q line: reviewers praised the build, the sound and the 2.4 GHz option. The tall caps and fixed slope are the recurring complaints, so a wrist rest is worth budgeting for. |