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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 11, 2026

Chilkey ND104 vs Keychron Q1 MaxFull-Size vs 75% Layout Choice

Choose the Chilkey ND104 for a full-size layout with a screen and massive battery, or the Keychron Q1 Max for a more compact, portable 75% form factor.

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Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Chilkey ND104

Full-Size

Build quality in the top 5% of 100% boards under $200.

If you want

  • Full-size 106-key layout with dedicated numpad and F13 key.
  • Built-in LCD screen with calculator, clock, and dynamic background modes.
  • Large 8000mAh total battery capacity (2x 4000mAh).

Rules this board out

  • Missing ISO-DE, ISO-Nordic, ISO-CH. The other board is sold in those layouts.

Get the

Keychron Q1 Max

75% Layout Choice

Build quality in the top 5% of 75% boards under $200.

If you want

  • Compact 75% layout saves considerable desk space.
  • Extensive ISO layout support including DE, UK, Nordic, Swiss, and JIS.
  • Features a double-gasket design with a polycarbonate plate for a cushioned typing feel.

Rules this board out

  • South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
  • No numpad.

Bottom line

Your primary need dictates the choice. If you require a numpad for data entry, want a built-in screen for utility, and have ample desk space, the Chilkey ND104 is the more feature-complete workstation keyboard. If you value a clean, compact setup for typing and gaming, need specific ISO layouts, or plan to move the keyboard frequently, the Keychron Q1 Max is the more practical and portable premium option.

What actually differs

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 Max

  • Layout size

    100%

    75%

  • Battery

    8,000 mAh

    4,000 mAh

    A larger battery means fewer cables during the day

  • Switch options

    Clicky, Linear, Silent

    Clicky, Linear, Tactile

  • Mount style

    Gasket Mount, PCB Mount, Plate Mount

    Gasket Mount, Plate Mount

  • Display

    Yes

    None

    A case display rather than a typing feature

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Chilkey ND104
  • Keychron Q1 Max
Performance
79
81
Build quality
89
89
Productivity
94
97
Customizability
90
98
Portability
65
81

What they share

  • Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
  • Hot-swappable
  • Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
  • Case material: Aluminum
  • Knob
  • VIA
See every spec side by side

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

The Chilkey ND104 is the clear choice for office work and content creation where its numpad, screen, and high-capacity battery are major assets. The Keychron Q1 Max wins for travel and programming, thanks to its compact 75% form factor and broader ISO layout support. For gaming and modding, both keyboards are equally capable, sharing core performance and customization features.

For gaming

It's a tie

  • Both offer a 1000 Hz polling rate in wired and 2.4 GHz modes for low latency.
  • Both feature N-key rollover for simultaneous key presses.
  • Both have hot-swappable PCBs for customizing switch feel.

Full specs

Chilkey ND104 vs Keychron Q1 Max specs

Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.

12 of 27 specs differ

Chilkey ND104

Keychron Q1 Max

Typing & switches

Switch options

Clicky, Linear, Silent
Clicky, Linear, Tactile

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Gasket Mount, PCB Mount, Plate Mount
Gasket Mount, Plate Mount

Sound dampening

Yes
Yes

Screw-in stabilizers

Yes
Yes

Layout

Layout size

100%
75%

Layout standard

ANSI, ISO, ISO-UK
ANSI, ISO, ISO-CH, ISO-DE, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, ISO-UK, JIS

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Knob

Yes
Yes

Display

Yes
None

Media keys

No
Yes

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired

Max polling rate

1,000 Hz
1,000 Hz

Battery

8,000 mAhBetter
4,000 mAh

USB-C

Yes
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

Aluminum
Aluminum

Plate material

FR4
Polycarbonate

Keycaps

PBT
PBT

Weight

—
1,724 g

Dimensions

34 x 438 x 140 mm
23 x 145 x 328 mm

Typing angle

—
5°

Backlight

RGB
RGB, south-facing

Firmware & software

QMK

No
Yes

VIA

Yes
Yes

N-key rollover

Yes
Yes

Mac & Windows

Yes
Yes

Extras

Released

2025
2023

For EU buyers

ISO layouts by store

Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.

Chilkey ND104

  • Input Gear

    ISO-UK

    Out of stockShips to you

Keychron Q1 Max

  • Input Gear

    ISO-DE

    Out of stockShips to you

  • Keychron

    ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-CH

    Out of stockShips to you

  • Keychron (DE)

    ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-CH

    In stockDoes not ship to you

Where to buy

Compare prices

Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.

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.

Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.

FAQ

Chilkey ND104 vs Keychron Q1 Max: your questions

The Chilkey ND104 has a larger total battery capacity of 8000mAh (2x 4000mAh), which should provide longer wireless usage between charges compared to the Keychron Q1 Max's single 4000mAh battery. Actual runtime depends on usage patterns like RGB brightness and connection mode.

Yes, both keyboards are listed as compatible with macOS and Windows. The Keychron Q1 Max product page specifically mentions it includes keycaps for both systems and a system toggle switch. The Chilkey ND104 vendor description also lists Mac compatibility.

Yes. The Chilkey ND104 lists 'Silent' as a switch type option in its metadata. The Keychron Q1 Max is hot-swappable, allowing you to install compatible silent MX-style switches from brands like Gateron or Cherry, even though its pre-built options are linear, tactile, or clicky.

The Chilkey ND104 is a full-size (100%) keyboard with 106 keys, including a full numpad and navigation cluster. The Keychron Q1 Max is a 75% layout, which omits the numpad and condenses the navigation cluster into a compact block next to the main typing area to save space.

Both are designed for a premium acoustic experience but use different methods. The Chilkey ND104 uses five layers of foam including plate foam, switch foam, and PET acoustic pads. The Keychron Q1 Max uses a double-gasket mount with a polycarbonate plate and multiple acoustic foams like IXPE, PET, and Latex for a dampened, cushioned sound.

Yes, both keyboards are fully programmable. They support the open-source QMK firmware and the VIA graphical configurator for real-time key remapping, macro creation, and layer configuration without flashing firmware.

Yes, the Keychron Q1 Max is available in a 'Knob' version, which includes a rotary encoder. The product metadata and description confirm knob support as a feature.

According to the vendor description, the Chilkey ND104's built-in screen has three modes: a calculator, a clock, and dynamic backgrounds. The hot-swappable knob can control the screen, along with volume and media functions.

Yes, both keyboards use PBT keycaps. The Keychron Q1 Max specifically uses double-shot PBT keycaps. The Chilkey ND104 vendor description states that most colorways use Double Shot PBT keycaps, with one colorway using MetaPBT keycaps with a metal finish.

The Chilkey ND104 vendor description lists five specific layers of sound dampening: plate foam, switch foam, PET acoustic pads, and case foam. The Keychron Q1 Max description mentions multiple layers including IXPE, PET, and Latex foams, but does not specify an exact count of distinct layers.

Yes. The vendor description states the module above the numpad can be reconfigured. It can be set as a screen plus knob, two keys plus a knob, or three keys. However, keycaps for the extra key configurations are not included.

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