Dareu A98 Master vs Keychron Q14 Pro
Choose the Keychron Q14 Pro for its unique ergonomic layout and premium metal build, or the Dareu A98 Master for a more traditional, adjustable typing feel at a lighter weight.
Which one should you get?
Get the
Dareu A98 Master
- Features an adjustable gasket system (GAS) to change typing softness.
- Lighter weight at 980 grams for better portability.
- Includes a six-layered sound and shock-absorbing design per the vendor description.
- Case is constructed from PBT plastic, not metal.
- Lacks the extensive programmability of QMK/VIA firmware.
- Only available with linear switches in the provided configuration.
Get the
Keychron Q14 Pro
- Unique 96% Alice layout with a southpaw (left-side) numpad.
- Full CNC-machined aluminum case for a premium build.
- Fully programmable with open-source QMK and VIA firmware.
- Very heavy at 2395 grams, limiting portability.
- Ergonomic Alice layout requires an adjustment period for most users.
- More expensive at its higher price points.
Your choice fundamentally comes down to layout preference and build material. If you want a traditional compact layout with a novel adjustable typing feel and a lighter build, the Dareu A98 Master is a compelling option. If you desire a unique ergonomic design, a solid metal construction, and deep programmability for productivity, the Keychron Q14 Pro Alice is worth the investment and weight. Prioritize the Keychron for a stationary, premium typing experience and the Dareu for a more portable, customizable feel.
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.
Dareu A98 Master
Keychron Q14 Pro
Layout size
98%
96%
Connection
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Bluetooth, Wired
Ergonomics
Standard
Southpaw, Alice
Case material
PBT
Aluminum
Switch options
Linear
Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- Dareu A98 Master
- Keychron Q14 Pro
- Performance
- 5082
- Build quality
- 5989
- Productivity
- 69100
- Customizability
- 6198
- Portability
- 4956
- Hot-swappable
- Battery: 4,000 mAh
- Sound dampening
- Keycaps: PBT
What will you mostly use it for?
The Keychron Q14 Pro Alice wins in most productivity-focused categories due to its ergonomic layout, extensive programmability, and premium build. It is the clear choice for office work, programming, and modding. The Dareu A98 Master takes the lead for travel due to its substantially lower weight. For gaming and content creation, the choice depends on prioritizing high polling rate and layout (Keychron) versus a customizable typing feel (Dareu).
Pick the Keychron Q14 Pro
- The Keychron Q14 Pro lists a 1000 Hz polling rate in wired mode, which the Dareu's specifications do not mention.
- Its southpaw numpad layout can free up desk space for mouse movement on the right side.
- Both feature N-key rollover, but the Keychron explicitly states it for both wireless and wired modes.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Dareu A98 Master
No owner reviews collected yet.
Keychron Q14 Pro
6 owner reviews
“This is my second Alice layout keyboard and is my daily driver. The ergonomics are great, and the build is solid. The south paw layout is exactly what I've been looking for in a keyboard. There are lots of customization options but the prebuilt straight out…”
Dareu A98 Master vs Keychron Q14 Pro specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
16 of 27 specs differ
Dareu A98 Master
Keychron Q14 Pro
Switch options
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
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Dareu A98 Master vs Keychron Q14 Pro: your questions
The Keychron Q14 Pro Alice is designed with a southpaw layout, placing the numpad on the left side. This can be advantageous for left-handed users or anyone who wants to keep their mouse closer on the right. The Dareu A98 Master uses a standard right-side numpad layout.
Yes, both keyboards are hot-swappable. The Dareu A98 Master supports hot-swapping, and the Keychron Q14 Pro is compatible with most 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style switches, including brands like Gateron and Cherry, according to its product listing.
Yes. The Keychron Q14 Pro listing states it has Mac/Win support and includes an additional set of keycaps for macOS. It also features a system toggle switch to change between macOS and Windows layouts.
According to Dareu, the Gasket Adjustable System (GAS) lets you rotate an adjustment key to change the tightness or softness of the gasket mount. This alters the softness of the keystrokes, allowing you to tailor the typing feel.
The Dareu A98 Master offers three modes: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz wireless, and wired. The Keychron Q14 Pro offers Bluetooth 5.1 (according to its description) and wired USB-C connectivity, but does not list a dedicated 2.4 GHz dongle option.
The Keychron Q14 Pro has a listed typing angle of 5 degrees. The typing angle for the Dareu A98 Master is not specified in the provided information.
Yes. The Dareu uses PBT OEM height keycaps. The Keychron Q14 Pro (in its fully assembled version) uses KSA profile double-shot PBT keycaps, which are a spherical-angle design unique to Keychron.
Yes, extensively. The Keychron Q14 Pro supports QMK and VIA firmware, allowing you to remap every key, create macros, and customize layers through the Keychron Launcher web app or directly via firmware.
Both have sound-dampening features. The Dareu mentions a six-layered sound and shock-absorbing design. The Keychron uses a double-gasket design and silicone pads to reduce metal resonance. The final sound depends on switches and mods, but both are designed to minimize noise.
Both keyboards have a 4000mAh rechargeable battery. The Keychron vendor page provides specific estimates: up to 300 hours with backlight off and up to 100 hours with RGB on lowest brightness. The Dareu's listing mentions long-lasting battery life but does not give specific hour estimates.
The Alice layout, which splits the main key columns and angles them, does require a period of adjustment for touch typists used to a standard straight layout. However, many users find it reduces strain over time. The integrated design of the Keychron may ease the transition compared to fully split keyboards.
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