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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 11, 2026

Epomaker TH40 vs Keychron Q9Wireless or Aluminum

Choose the TH40 for wireless portability, or the Q9 for an aluminum build, ISO availability, and a programmable knob.

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EPOMAKER TH40

3.9 (56)

$55at Epomaker

90-day low

Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Epomaker TH40

Build quality in the top 35% of 40% boards under $150.

If you want

  • Tri-mode connectivity includes Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and wired USB-C.
  • At 500g, it weighs less than the Q9's listed 1050g.
  • The 3000mAh battery supports use away from a wired connection.

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.

Get the

Keychron Q9

Knob

Build quality in the top 5% of 40% boards under $150.

If you want

  • CNC-machined aluminum case and steel plate.
  • ANSI and ISO layout options, with split-spacebar ergonomics available.
  • Hot-swappable switches, QMK, VIA, and support for a programmable knob.

Rules this board out

  • South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.

Bottom line

Choose the Epomaker TH40 if you want a light 40% keyboard that can connect over Bluetooth or 2.4 GHz as well as USB-C. Choose the Keychron Q9 if your priority is a CNC aluminum build, ISO availability, or a programmable knob, and you are comfortable with wired-only use. Both offer hot-swap switches and QMK and VIA support.

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 Q9

  • Connection

    Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired

    Wired

    Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency

  • Case material

    ABS

    Aluminum

  • Switch options

    Linear

    Clicky, Linear, Tactile

  • Mount style

    Gasket Mount

    Gasket Mount, PCB Mount, Plate Mount

  • Knob

    No

    Yes

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Epomaker TH40
  • Keychron Q9
Performance
73
65
Build quality
75
91
Productivity
62
94
Customizability
85
96
Portability
83
70

What they share

  • Layout size: 40%
  • Hot-swappable
  • Ergonomics: Split Spacebar
  • Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
  • QMK
  • VIA
See every spec side by side

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

The TH40 is the more travel-oriented pick, thanks to its lower listed weight and wireless connections. The Q9 takes the lead for office work, programming, modding, and content creation, with its ISO option, knob, and aluminum construction. Gaming is a closer call: both list 1000 Hz polling, but only the TH40 offers wireless connections. Both remain compact 40% boards with hot-swap capability and programmable firmware options.

For gaming

Pick the Epomaker TH40

  • The TH40 supports Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and wired connections, while the Q9 is wired-only.
  • Both list a 1000 Hz polling rate, and the TH40 also specifies N-key rollover.

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 Q9

4.7

6 owner reviews

Praise
“Love the keyboard and goes well with the switches i got. Size was bigger than expected but weight is truly high quality Could do with a force break mod though as it is a little pingy”
Zeke D.Verified buyer· via Keychron

Full specs

Epomaker TH40 vs Keychron Q9 specs

Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.

14 of 26 specs differ

Epomaker TH40

Keychron Q9

Typing & switches

Switch options

Linear
Clicky, Linear, Tactile

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Gasket Mount
Gasket Mount, PCB Mount, Plate Mount

Sound dampening

No
Yes

Screw-in stabilizers

No
Yes

Layout

Layout size

40%
40%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI, ISO

Ergonomics

Split Spacebar
Split Spacebar

Knob

No
Yes

Display

None
None

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Wired

Max polling rate

1,000 Hz
1,000 Hz

Battery

3,000 mAh
Wired only

USB-C

No
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

ABS
Aluminum

Plate material

Plastic, Polycarbonate
Steel

Keycaps

PBT
PBT

Weight

500 g
1,050 g

Dimensions

35 x 258 x 97 mm
20 x 94 x 326 mm

Typing angle

—
5°

Backlight

RGB, south-facing
RGB, south-facing

Firmware & software

QMK

Yes
Yes

VIA

Yes
Yes

N-key rollover

Yes
No

Mac & Windows

Yes
Yes

Extras

Released

2024
2022

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 Q9

  • Input Gear

    ISO

    In stockShips to you

  • Input Gear

    ISO

    In stockShips to you

  • Keychron

    ISO

    In stockShips to you

  • Keychron (DE)

    ISO

    Out of 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.

Keychron Q95 stores

FAQ

Epomaker TH40 vs Keychron Q9: your questions

Yes. The TH40 supports Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and wired USB-C connections, and it has a listed 3000mAh battery. The Keychron Q9 is wired-only.

No, the Q9 is listed as wired-only and uses a Type-C wired connection. For wireless use, the TH40 offers Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz in addition to wired connectivity.

The TH40 weighs 500g, while the Q9 weighs 1050g. That makes the TH40 the lighter option for carrying between locations.

Yes, both are listed as hot-swappable. The TH40 vendor specifies 3-pin and 5-pin hot-swap support, and Keychron lists the same switch pin options for the Q9.

Both list QMK and VIA support. Keychron also describes using its Launcher web app to remap keys and create macros on the Q9.

Yes, the Q9 is listed with ANSI and ISO layout options. The TH40 is ANSI only and does not offer ISO variants such as ISO-DE or UK.

The Q9 supports a programmable knob, and Keychron describes assigning it keys or macros through VIA. Example uses include zooming, adjusting volume, and selecting video clips.

The TH40 is the more travel-oriented option: it weighs 500g and supports Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz wireless. The Q9 weighs 1050g and requires a wired connection.

The TH40 has an ABS case, a plastic and polycarbonate plate listing, and PBT keycaps. The Q9 uses a CNC-machined aluminum case, a steel plate, and PBT keycaps.

Both have south-facing RGB, and their compatibility notes warn that shine-through legends stay dark. The notes also caution that some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.

Both keyboards list a 1000 Hz polling rate. Epomaker's vendor description specifies 1000 Hz for wired and 2.4 GHz use, and 125 Hz over Bluetooth.

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