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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 7, 2026

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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Compact 40%

Epomaker TH40

EPOMAKER TH40

3.9 (56)

$55at Epomaker

90-day low

Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Epomaker TH40

Compact 40%

Build quality in the top 30% of 40% boards under $150.

If you want

  • 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.

Rules this board out

  • 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.

If you want

  • 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.

Rules this board out

  • 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.

Bottom line

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.

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.

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

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Epomaker TH40
  • Keychron Q1 HE
Performance
74
100
Build quality
75
92
Productivity
62
97
Customizability
85
100
Portability
84
81

What they share

  • Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
  • Hot-swappable
  • QMK
  • VIA
See every spec side by side

Best for

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.

For gaming

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.

From real owners

What owners say

Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.

Epomaker TH40

3.9

56 owner reviews

Praise
“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.”
pstraghanVerified buyer· via Epomaker
Critique
“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.”
Zackary L.Verified buyer· via Epomaker

Keychron Q1 HE

4.9

21 owner reviews

Praise
“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.”
SageVerified buyer· via Keychron
Critique
“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…”
Mawlzz· via Keychron

Full specs

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

Typing & switches

Switch options

Linear
Clicky, Linear, Magnetic, Tactile

Hall effect (magnetic)

No
Yes

Rapid trigger

No
Yes

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Gasket Mount
Gasket Mount, PCB Mount

Sound dampening

No
Yes

Screw-in stabilizers

No
Yes

Layout

Layout size

40%
75%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-IT, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, ISO-UK, JIS

Ergonomics

Split Spacebar
Standard

Knob

No
Yes

Display

None
LED

Media keys

No
Yes

Connectivity & battery

Connection

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

Max polling rate

1,000 Hz
8,000 HzBetter

Battery

3,000 mAh
4,000 mAhBetter

USB-C

No
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

ABS
Aluminum

Plate material

Plastic, Polycarbonate
Aluminum, Polycarbonate

Keycaps

PBT
ABS, PBT

Weight

500 g
4,000 g

Dimensions

35 x 258 x 97 mm
23 x 145 x 328 mm

Typing angle

—
5°, 6°, 7°

Backlight

RGB, south-facing
RGB, south-facing

Firmware & software

QMK

Yes
Yes

VIA

Yes
Yes

N-key rollover

Yes
Yes

Mac & Windows

Yes
Yes

Extras

Released

2024
2023

For EU buyers

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

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

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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