Epomaker TH40 vs Keychron Q1 HECompact 40% vs Premium 75% Gaming
Choose the Keychron Q1 HE for premium gaming features and a full layout, or the Epomaker TH40 for extreme portability and a lower cost.
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3.9 (56)3.9 · 56 reviews
from$55at Epomaker
90-day lowLowest price in 90 days
4.9 (21)4.9 · 21 reviews
from$160at Input Gear
Which one should you get?
Get the
Epomaker TH40
Compact 40%
Build quality in the top 30% of 40% boards under $150.
- Extremely compact and portable 40% layout with a split spacebar.
- Offers tri-mode connectivity (Bluetooth, 2.4GHz, wired) in a tiny form factor.
- Fully programmable via VIA software with multiple layers.
- 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.
- Compact layout only. No function row, dedicated arrow keys, or numpad.
Get the
Keychron Q1 HE
Premium 75% Gaming
Build quality in the top 5% of 75% boards under $200.
- Features advanced Gateron double-rail magnetic switches with adjustable actuation points (0.2-3.8mm) and rapid trigger.
- Premium all-aluminum body construction for durability and a solid feel.
- Versatile 75% layout retains arrow keys, function row, and navigation cluster.
- Magnetic switches only. Standard MX switches will not fit.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- No numpad.
Your primary need dictates the choice. If your priority is a feature-rich, high-performance keyboard for gaming or productivity at a dedicated workstation, the Keychron Q1 HE is worth its premium cost. If maximizing portability, saving desk space, or adhering to a stricter budget is paramount, the Epomaker TH40 delivers capable wireless functionality in a remarkably small package. Consider how often you need dedicated arrow keys versus how often you carry your keyboard.
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.
Epomaker TH40
Keychron Q1 HE
Layout size
40%
75%
Hall effect (magnetic)
No
Yes
Adjustable actuation helps in games and not in normal typing
Rapid trigger
No
Yes
Faster resets help in games and not in normal typing
Battery
3,000 mAh
4,000 mAh
A larger battery means fewer cables during the day
Ergonomics
Split Spacebar
Standard
- Epomaker TH40
- Keychron Q1 HE
- Performance
- 74100
- Build quality
- 7592
- Productivity
- 6297
- Customizability
- 85100
- Portability
- 8481
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- QMK
- VIA
What will you mostly use it for?
The Keychron Q1 HE is the clear choice for stationary use cases like gaming, office work, programming, and content creation, thanks to its full-featured layout and advanced magnetic switches. The Epomaker TH40 wins decisively for travel due to its minuscule size and light weight. For modding enthusiasts, the Q1 HE offers a more robust and modular foundation, though both keyboards support hot-swapping and programmability.
Pick the Keychron Q1 HE
- The Keychron Q1 HE features adjustable actuation points (0.2-3.8mm) and dynamic rapid trigger for competitive gaming.
- It offers a 1000Hz polling rate in both wired and 2.4GHz modes, while the TH40's Bluetooth mode is limited to 125Hz.
- The Q1 HE's magnetic switches and TMR sensors are designed for ultra-low latency and precise input.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Epomaker TH40
56 owner reviews
“Overall good little keyboard for the price, other 40s cost more but better quality, also I could not find a few characters mapped on this one, not in manual or online.”
“The keyboard is very solid ooverall, but frequently will type two letters instead of one on key press. This is a very frustrating issue and leads to many typos. Without this problem, it would easily be a 5-star keyboard.”
Keychron Q1 HE
21 owner reviews
“Love this keyboard. Wooting was my first choice but they don’t have wireless and with this version having TMR sensors and Wireless capability it’s my new Keyboard for work.”
“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…”
Epomaker TH40 vs Keychron Q1 HE specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
21 of 29 specs differ
Epomaker TH40
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
ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
Epomaker TH40
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
Keychron Q1 HE
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW
In stockShips to you
Input Gear
ISO-DE
Out of stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-IT, ISO-SW
In stockDoes not ship to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-FR, ISO-ES
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.
Epomaker TH40 vs Keychron Q1 HE: your questions
The Keychron Q1 HE is superior for gaming. It is specifically designed with features like adjustable actuation points, dynamic rapid trigger, and magnetic switches with TMR sensors for minimal latency. The Epomaker TH40 has a standard 1000Hz polling rate in wired mode but lacks these advanced gaming optimizations.
Yes, but it requires adaptation. The TH40's 40% layout lacks a dedicated number row, arrow keys, and many punctuation keys. You must access these via function layers programmed in VIA. This can be efficient once memorized but has a steep learning curve compared to the Q1 HE's 75% layout.
Yes, the Keychron Q1 HE has a hot-swappable PCB. However, the manufacturer specifies it is compatible exclusively with Gateron double-rail magnetic switches. It does not support other magnetic switch brands or standard mechanical switches.
The Keychron Q1 HE has a larger 4000mAh battery compared to the Epomaker TH40's 3000mAh battery. Keychron's product page states the Q1 HE can last up to 100 hours with backlighting off. The TH40's actual wireless runtime is not specified in the provided details.
Yes, according to its specifications, the Epomaker TH40 is compatible with both Mac and Windows operating systems. Some user reviews mentioned initial difficulty with VIA software on macOS, but the manufacturer states support is available.
The case material is the primary difference. The Keychron Q1 HE uses an all-aluminum (6063 aluminum) body, which is heavy and premium. The Epomaker TH40 uses an ABS plastic case, which is much lighter and contributes to its portability but feels less substantial.
Yes, both keyboards feature south-facing RGB LEDs and support lighting customization. The Epomaker TH40 vendor description mentions customizable RGB lighting effects. The Keychron Q1 HE uses south-facing RGBs that are designed to avoid interference with Cherry-profile keycaps.
The Keychron Q1 HE is easier for beginners due to its standard 75% layout, which includes most keys found on a full-size keyboard. The Epomaker TH40's 40% layout is minimalist and requires learning complex layers, which can be challenging for those new to compact keyboards.
Yes, both support tri-mode connectivity: wired USB-C, 2.4GHz wireless, and Bluetooth. The Keychron Q1 HE specifies Bluetooth 5.2, while the Epomaker TH40's Bluetooth version is not stated in the provided information.
According to its specs, the Keychron Q1 HE includes a Type-C cable (1.8m), a Type-A to Type-C adapter, and additional keycaps for both Windows and macOS. The Fully Assembled version also includes keycaps and Gateron magnetic switches.
Yes, the Epomaker TH40 is programmable using VIA software, which allows for key remapping and macro creation on multiple layers. The vendor description notes it has four switchable layers, three of which are programmable.
Based on construction, the Keychron Q1 HE is likely to have a more refined sound. Its double-gasket design, aluminum body, screw-in stabilizers, and optional acoustic pad are all features aimed at sound quality. The TH40 also uses a gasket mount with Poron foams but in a lighter plastic case.
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