Chilkey Slice HE vs Keychron Q1 MaxWired 8K vs Wireless Custom
Choose the Chilkey Slice HE for its ultra-high 8000Hz wired performance and adjustable magnetic switches, or the Keychron Q1 Max for its triple-mode wireless connectivity and extensive customizability.
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from$209at MK
Which one should you get?
Get the
Chilkey Slice HE
Wired 8K
Build quality in the top 50% of 75% boards under $200.
- Features an 8000Hz polling rate for ultra-responsive wired input.
- Includes Gateron Jade Pro Magnetic switches with adjustable actuation point in 0.01mm increments.
- CNC machined aluminum case and plate with a silicone bead gasket mount.
- Magnetic switches only. Standard MX switches will not fit.
- Missing ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic. The other board is sold in those layouts.
Get the
Keychron Q1 Max
Wireless Custom
Build quality in the top 5% of 75% boards under $200.
- Offers triple-mode connectivity: 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth 5.1, and wired USB-C.
- Fully programmable via open-source QMK firmware and the VIA/Keychron Launcher web app.
- Extensive layout support including ANSI, JIS, and multiple ISO regional layouts.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
Your primary need dictates the choice. If you are a competitive gamer who values the absolute lowest possible latency and wants to experiment with adjustable actuation points, the wired Chilkey Slice HE is the focused tool. For virtually everyone else—especially those who need wireless freedom, deep programmability, broad layout support, or a starting point for customization—the Keychron Q1 Max is the more capable and flexible daily driver.
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 Slice HE
Keychron Q1 Max
Hall effect (magnetic)
Yes
No
Adjustable actuation helps in games and not in normal typing
Connection
Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Max polling rate
8,000 Hz
1,000 Hz
Higher polling helps competitive FPS and does nothing for typing
Switch options
Linear, Magnetic
Clicky, Linear, Tactile
Mount style
Gasket Mount
Gasket Mount, Plate Mount
- Chilkey Slice HE
- Keychron Q1 Max
- Performance
- 8181
- Build quality
- 6989
- Productivity
- 6497
- Customizability
- 4798
- Portability
- 6481
- Layout size: 75%
- Hot-swappable
- Case material: Aluminum
- Sound dampening
- Keycaps: PBT
What will you mostly use it for?
The Keychron Q1 Max is the more versatile choice, winning in office, programming, travel, and modding scenarios due to its wireless connectivity, extensive software support, and customization options. The Chilkey Slice HE is a specialist, taking the lead for competitive gaming with its higher polling rate and adjustable magnetic switches. For content creation, the tools are evenly matched, with the choice depending on whether you value programmable layers or adjustable actuation more.
Pick the Chilkey Slice HE
- The Chilkey Slice HE offers an 8000Hz polling rate, which is higher than the Q1 Max's 1000Hz.
- It features adjustable actuation point magnetic switches for fine-tuning trigger sensitivity.
- The wired-only connection provides a consistent, low-latency link.
Chilkey Slice HE vs Keychron Q1 Max specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
16 of 28 specs differ
Chilkey Slice HE
Keychron Q1 Max
Switch options
Hall effect (magnetic)
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
ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
Chilkey Slice HE
Listed on the product, not split by store: ISO.
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
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.
Chilkey Slice HE vs Keychron Q1 Max: your questions
The Chilkey Slice HE has a higher polling rate of 8000Hz. The Keychron Q1 Max has a polling rate of 1000Hz in its 2.4GHz and wired modes, and 90Hz in Bluetooth mode.
Yes. The Keychron Q1 Max listing states it has Mac/Win support. It includes a system toggle and an additional set of keycaps for both operating systems.
Yes. According to the vendor description, the Chilkey Slice HE uses Gateron Jade Pro Magnetic switches that allow for adjustable actuation point in 0.01mm increments via software.
Yes. The Keychron Q1 Max features south-facing RGB backlighting with multiple lighting effects, which can be customized via its software.
The Keychron Q1 Max offers wireless connectivity via both a 2.4GHz dongle and Bluetooth 5.1. The Chilkey Slice HE is a wired-only keyboard.
Yes, both the Chilkey Slice HE and the Keychron Q1 Max have hot-swappable PCBs, allowing you to change switches without soldering.
The Chilkey Slice HE uses an aluminum plate. The Keychron Q1 Max uses a polycarbonate (PC) plate.
Yes. The Keychron Q1 Max is available in a barebones kit version that does not include switches or keycaps, according to the product listing.
The Chilkey Slice HE uses a cork sound dampening layer with a gauze coating. The Keychron Q1 Max uses a combination of multiple acoustic foams, including IXPE, PET, and a Latex bottom pad, in addition to a double-gasket design.
The Keychron Q1 Max supports a wider array of layouts, including JIS, ANSI, ISO, and several specific ISO regional layouts like ISO-DE and ISO-UK. The Chilkey Slice HE is listed for ANSI and ISO layouts only.
The Keychron Q1 Max has a 4000mAh rechargeable lithium-polymer battery.
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