Keychron Q1 Max vs Keychron Q1 HE
Updated
Keychron · 75%
Keychron Q1 Max
£219.99List priceWhere to buy
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Keychron · 75%
Keychron Q1 HE
£229.99List priceWhere to buy
ADWe earn a commission if you buy through these links. It doesn't change the price you pay. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Which to pick
Both are Keychron's heavy aluminium 75% with a gasket mount, a knob, per-key RGB and the same three ways to connect: cable, Bluetooth and a 2.4 GHz receiver. Their UK list prices are £10 apart. The difference is the switch.
The Q1 Max uses ordinary MX-style mechanical switches in 5-pin hot-swap sockets, so hundreds of switches will fit, from silent linears to clicky ones. It's the better pick for typing, and for anyone who wants to tune the sound and feel over time.
The Q1 HE uses Gateron magnetic switches with actuation adjustable from 0.5 mm to 3.8 mm, plus rapid trigger. Its sockets only take compatible magnetic switches, so the range of feel is much narrower. Pick it if you play fast competitive games and want those settings, or want one board for games and typing and can live with a narrower choice of switches.
Specifications side by side
14 rows differ
| Spec | Keychron Q1 Max | Keychron Q1 HE |
|---|---|---|
| Price (differs) | £219.99List price | £229.99List price |
| Sound (editorial) (differs) | Thocky | Not listed |
| Version (differs) | Max | HE |
| Size | 75% | 75% |
| Layouts (differs) | ANSI / ISO / JIS | ANSI / ISO |
| Keys (differs) | Not listed | 82 |
| Switch options (differs) | Gateron Jupiter Red, Gateron Jupiter Brown, Gateron Jupiter Banana | Gateron Double-Rail Magnetic Nebula Switch |
| Switch type (differs) | Mechanical | Hall-effect (magnetic) |
| Hot-swap (differs) | Yes (3- & 5-pin) | Yes |
| Connection | Wired (USB-C), Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz dongle | Wired (USB-C), Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz dongle |
| Battery (differs) | 4,000 mAh | Not listed |
| Polling rate | 1,000 Hz | 1,000 Hz |
| Case | Aluminium | Aluminium |
| Plate (differs) | Polycarbonate | Not listed |
| Mounting | Gasket mount | Gasket mount |
| Stabilizers (differs) | PCB screw-in | Not listed |
| Keycaps | PBT, Other profile, doubleshot | PBT, Other profile, doubleshot |
| Software | QMK, VIA | QMK, VIA |
| Lighting (differs) | Per-key RGB (south-facing) | Per-key RGB |
| Knob | Yes | Yes |
| Weight (differs) | 1.72 kg | 2.80 kg |
| Typing angle (differs) | 5.2° | Not listed |
Prices are list prices unless marked as a live price. Check the retailer before you buy. Sound tags are our summary of what owners and reviewers report, not measurements. Add a third keyboard
Guides
- Buying a magnetic (Hall-effect) keyboardWhat to check before buying a Hall-effect keyboard: who it helps, switch lock-in, software, polling rate, UK layouts and current prices.
- Switch types explained: linear, tactile, clicky and magneticHow linear, tactile, clicky and magnetic (Hall-effect) switches differ, plus a quick look at Topre and optical switches.
More comparisons
Sources
Specs come from our catalogue, which records where each fact was read:
- keychron.com/products/keychron-q1-max-qmk-via-wireless-custom-mechanical-keyboard
- keychron.uk/products/keychron-q1-max-qmk-via-wireless-custom-mechanical-keyboard-iso-layout-collection
- keychron.uk/products/keychron-q1-he-qmk-wireless-custom-keyboard-iso-layout-collection
- keychron.com/products/keychron-q1-he-qmk-wireless-custom-keyboard