Keychron Q1 HE

The Q1 HE swaps mechanical switches for Gateron Double-Rail Magnetic Nebula switches. Keychron lists Rapid Trigger, actuation adjustable from 0.2 to 3.8 mm and Dynamic Keystrokes (four actions per key), set through the Keychron Launcher web app. It keeps the Q1 recipe: a gasket-mounted aluminum 75% with an aluminum plate, a knob, OSA double-shot keycaps, 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth, 1000 Hz polling and a 1,735 g weight.

Tom's Guide called it easily the best metal keyboard available at the time of its review and the sturdiest Hall effect board it had used; Tom's Hardware gave it an Editor's Choice award; WIRED scored it 9 out of 10. Tom's Hardware also liked the build and 2.4 GHz gaming, but noted stabilizer rattle (especially the space bar), slightly dull bottom-out sounds and narrow switch choice: the board only takes magnetic switches that Keychron sells. WIRED liked how smooth and stable the switches are, found the bottom-out slightly dampened, and said stabilizer rattle largely went away after about a week as the factory lube worked in.

Keychron states the board works only with the Gateron Double-Rail Magnetic switch, not Gateron Magnetic Jade or KS-20, and rates the 4000 mAh battery at up to 100 hours.