Chilkey ND104 vs Keychron Q1 HEFull-Size Screen vs Hall Effect Gaming
Choose the Chilkey ND104 for a full-size layout with a screen and massive battery, or the Keychron Q1 HE for competitive gaming features like Hall Effect switches and rapid trigger.
Which one should you get?
Get the
Chilkey ND104
Full-Size Screen
- Full-size 106-key layout with numpad and F13 key.
- Built-in LCD screen with calculator, clock, and dynamic background modes.
- Massive 8000mAh total battery capacity from dual cells.
- Very large full-size footprint (438mm long) is less desk-space friendly.
- Software has been criticized in user reviews for limited RGB control and screen customization.
- Higher weight and size make it less portable.
Get the
Keychron Q1 HE
Hall Effect Gaming
- Hall Effect magnetic switches with adjustable actuation points (0.2-3.8mm) and rapid trigger.
- Compact 75% layout saves considerable desk space.
- Premium all-aluminum body with a double-gasket mount design.
- Hot-swap compatibility is limited to specific Gateron magnetic switches only.
- Lacks a dedicated numpad, which some users require.
- Smaller 4000mAh battery compared to the ND104.
Your primary need dictates the choice. If you require a numpad, value a built-in screen for productivity, or want maximum battery life and modularity, the Chilkey ND104 is the compelling option. If your focus is competitive gaming with the lowest latency and customizable actuation, and you prefer a space-saving 75% layout, the Keychron Q1 HE's Hall Effect technology makes it the superior keyboard. Consider your desk space and whether you prioritize specialized gaming features or general-purpose utility.
The differences that matter
Skip the 40-row spec sheet. These are the specs that change how each board feels, sounds, and fits your desk.
Chilkey ND104
Keychron Q1 HE
Layout size
100%
75%
Hall effect (magnetic)
No
Yes
Rapid trigger
No
Yes
Battery
8,000 mAh
4,000 mAh
Max polling rate
1,000 Hz
8,000 Hz
- Chilkey ND104
- Keychron Q1 HE
- Performance
- 80100
- Build quality
- 8990
- Productivity
- 9497
- Customizability
- 9098
- Portability
- 6581
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Case material: Aluminum
- Knob
- VIA
- Sound dampening
What will you mostly use it for?
The Keychron Q1 HE is the clear choice for gaming due to its Hall Effect switches and rapid trigger. For office work, programming, and content creation, the Chilkey ND104's full layout, screen, and knob provide more utility. The Q1 HE wins for travel due to its compact 75% size, while the ND104 offers more physical modularity for hobbyist modders. Programmers will find both keyboards equally capable due to their strong programmability.
Pick the Keychron Q1 HE
- The Keychron Q1 HE features Hall Effect magnetic switches with adjustable actuation points from 0.2 to 3.8 mm.
- It supports dynamic rapid trigger for faster key repetition.
- It offers a 1000 Hz polling rate in its 2.4 GHz wireless mode, matching its wired performance.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Chilkey ND104
No owner reviews collected yet.
Keychron Q1 HE
20 owner reviews
“Neither big legs nor small legs. No legs at all 🤣 For me, this is not what I've expected from keychron, because every keyboard has legs.”
“I love this thing. I wish there were these changes: Cable mode was switch in position closest to the outer edge of keyboard. Extra usb-c which is another port, I'd like to plug my 2fa device in there. Sort out why the programmer doesn't work under arch linux…”
Chilkey ND104 vs Keychron Q1 HE specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
16 of 29 specs differ
Chilkey ND104
Keychron Q1 HE
Switch options
Hall effect (magnetic)
Rapid trigger
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
Display
Media keys
Connection
Max polling rate
Battery
USB-C
Case material
Plate material
Keycaps
Weight
Dimensions
Typing angle
Backlight
QMK
VIA
N-key rollover
Mac & Windows
Released
Compare prices
Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.
Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.
Prices in USD are converted to your currency and can change at any time. KeebFinder may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Chilkey ND104 vs Keychron Q1 HE: your questions
The Keychron Q1 HE is better for gaming. It is specifically designed with Hall Effect magnetic switches that feature adjustable actuation points, dynamic rapid trigger, and support for assigning multiple actions to a single keystroke based on press depth. The Chilkey ND104 has a standard 1000Hz polling rate but lacks these advanced gaming-specific features.
Yes, the Chilkey ND104 is a full-size keyboard with a 106-key layout that includes a dedicated number pad. It also has a numpad control key and an F13 key, providing a complete set of keys for data entry and productivity tasks.
No. The Keychron Q1 HE's hot-swap socket is compatible exclusively with Gateron double-rail magnetic switches. According to Keychron, it does not support other magnetic switches like the Gateron Magnetic Jade or KS-20, and it is not compatible with standard mechanical switches.
The Chilkey ND104 has a larger total battery capacity at 8000mAh (2x 4000mAh), which should typically last longer between charges. The Keychron Q1 HE has a 4000mAh battery, with Keychron stating it can last up to 100 hours with the backlight off. Actual battery life will depend on usage patterns and lighting settings.
The Chilkey ND104 offers more physical modularity. Its navigation cluster can be removed and replaced with a storage tray, and the module above the numpad can be reconfigured to hold a screen and knob, two keys and a knob, or three keys. Both keyboards support firmware customization via QMK/VIA and have sound-dampening foam.
Yes, both the Chilkey ND104 and the Keychron Q1 HE list Mac and Windows compatibility. The Keychron Q1 HE includes an additional set of keycaps for macOS and has a system toggle switch, according to its product description.
According to the vendor description, the Chilkey ND104's built-in screen has three modes: a calculator, a clock, and dynamic backgrounds. A hot-swappable knob controls the screen, volume, and media. User reviews note that the screen's software customization can be limited.
The Keychron Q1 HE is suitable for typing with its premium aluminum build and PBT keycaps. However, its 75% layout lacks a dedicated numpad, which can be a significant drawback for office work involving frequent data entry. The Chilkey ND104's full-size layout is generally better suited for such tasks.
Both keyboards offer 2.4 GHz wireless, Bluetooth, and wired USB-C connectivity. The Chilkey ND104 uses Bluetooth 5.4 and can connect to three devices wirelessly. The Keychron Q1 HE uses Bluetooth 5.2 and also supports three-device connectivity. Both offer a 1000 Hz polling rate in their 2.4 GHz modes.
The Keychron Q1 HE is more portable. It has a 75% layout with dimensions of 328mm in length and weighs approximately 1735g. The Chilkey ND104 is a full-size keyboard measuring 438mm in length, making it significantly larger and heavier, which is less ideal for travel.
The Chilkey ND104 comes with PBT keycaps. The Shadow Black colorway uses MetaPBT keycaps with a metal finish, while other colorways use Double Shot PBT keycaps. The Keychron Q1 HE comes with OSA profile double-shot PBT keycaps that are not shine-through, and it includes keycaps for both Windows and macOS layouts.
Not sold on either?
Still torn?
Answer a few quick questions and the keyboard finder ranks 2,000+ boards by how you will actually use yours.