Ducky Year of the Snake vs Keychron Q1 Max
Get the Ducky Year of the Snake for its Paiwan-inspired limited-edition artwork and included collectible accessories, or the Keychron Q1 Max for wireless connectivity, an aluminum body, and ISO layout options.
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No reviews
from$169at MK
4.9 (21)4.9 · 21 reviews
from$209at Keychron
Which one should you get?
Get the
Ducky Year of the Snake
Build quality in the top 15% of 75% boards under $200.
- Paiwan-inspired limited-edition artwork, with an individually numbered golden metal badge.
- Includes an exclusive snake-character keycap and collectible Ducky Wobbly keychain.
- Cherry MX2A switch options and PE switch dampeners with Poron bottom foam.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
Get the
Keychron Q1 Max
Knob
Build quality in the top 5% of 75% boards under $200.
- Wireless connectivity via Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz, backed by a 4000 mAh battery.
- CNC-machined aluminum body and polycarbonate plate.
- Available ISO layout options, a knob, and a barebones configuration.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
Choose the Ducky Year of the Snake for its Paiwan-inspired limited-edition artwork, numbered badge, and included collectible keycap and keychain. Choose the Keychron Q1 Max for wireless connections, an aluminum body, ISO layout options, and its knob or barebones configuration. Both offer hot-swappable switches and QMK and VIA support, so those shared features do not decide the comparison.
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.
Ducky Year of the Snake
Keychron Q1 Max
Connection
Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Case material
ABS
Aluminum
Mount style
Gasket Mount
Gasket Mount, Plate Mount
Knob
No
Yes
Layout standard
ANSI
ANSI, ISO, ISO-CH, ISO-DE, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, ISO-UK, JIS
ISO and JIS exist so regional layouts fit
- Ducky Year of the Snake
- Keychron Q1 Max
- Performance
- 8081
- Build quality
- 8189
- Productivity
- 9597
- Customizability
- 8998
- Portability
- 6681
- Layout size: 75%
- Hot-swappable
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- QMK
- VIA
What will you mostly use it for?
The Q1 Max leads for wireless gaming, multi-device office setups, ISO-layout needs, and buyers who want more configuration options. Its connectivity and battery also make it the more flexible choice to move between devices, though its listed weight is substantial. For modding, both support hot-swapping and programmable firmware, while the Q1 Max adds a barebones option. The Ducky stands out instead for its limited-edition design and collectible extras.
Pick the Keychron Q1 Max
- The Q1 Max supports 2.4 GHz wireless at a 1000 Hz polling rate, as well as wired use.
- The Year of the Snake is wired only.
- Both list a 1000 Hz polling rate and N-key rollover.
Ducky Year of the Snake vs Keychron Q1 Max specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
8 of 27 specs differ
Ducky Year of the Snake
Keychron Q1 Max
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
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.
ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
Ducky Year of the Snake
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
Keychron Q1 Max
- Go to Input Gear
Input Gear
ISO-DE
Out of stockShips to you
- Go to Keychron
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-CH
Out of stockShips to you
- Go to Keychron (DE)
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-CH
In stockDoes not ship to you
Ducky Year of the Snake vs Keychron Q1 Max: your questions
No, its listed connectivity is wired only, using USB-C. For wireless use, the Keychron Q1 Max offers Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz connections.
Keychron describes 2.4 GHz wireless with a 1000 Hz polling rate, and the product also supports wired use at 1000 Hz. Its Bluetooth mode is listed at 90 Hz, so the connection type matters if polling rate is a priority.
No, the Year of the Snake is listed as ANSI only. The Q1 Max is offered in ANSI and multiple ISO layouts, including ISO-DE and ISO-UK.
Yes, both are listed as hot-swappable. Ducky's vendor description specifies a south-facing hot-swap PCB with Kailh yellow sockets.
The Q1 Max has an aluminum body, which Keychron describes as CNC-machined 6063 aluminum. The Year of the Snake is listed with an ABS case.
Yes, both list QMK and VIA support. Keychron also describes its Launcher web app for customizing keys, macros, shortcuts, and backlighting.
The Q1 Max offers Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz wireless connections and has a 4000 mAh battery. It weighs 1724 g, so its wireless operation comes with a substantial listed weight.
The vendor describes Paiwan-inspired artwork designed by artisan Tjaiping and says the edition is limited to 2,025 pieces. It also includes an exclusive snake-character keycap, a Ducky Wobbly keychain, and an individually numbered golden metal badge.
Yes, the Q1 Max lists knob support, and the vendor offers a fully assembled knob version as well as a barebones knob option. It also lists multimedia keys.
Both have south-facing RGB LEDs, and both carry the compatibility note that shine-through legends stay dark. Some sculpted keycaps can also clip the LEDs.
The Q1 Max is listed with a DIY kit or barebones option, and Keychron says that the barebones version does not include keycaps or switches. The Year of the Snake is described as a pre-built keyboard.
The Q1 Max supports Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz, and Keychron says Bluetooth can connect to three devices. The Year of the Snake is wired only.
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