Qwertykeys Evo80 vs Keychron Q1 MaxPre-Built vs Customizable
Choose the Qwertykeys Evo80 for its unique butterfly leaf spring mount and superior battery life, or the Keychron Q1 Max for extensive layout support and deep firmware customization.
Which one should you get?
Get the
Qwertykeys Evo80
Pre-Built
- Features a unique butterfly leaf spring mounting structure for a soft, bouncy feel.
- Larger total battery capacity (8000mAh) for extended wireless use.
- Includes a comprehensive accessory kit with a carrying case, spare parts, and acoustic foams.
- Only available with linear switch options.
- Layout support is more limited compared to the Q1 Max.
- The vendor description mentions a potential design flaw with the ISO enter key that some users addressed.
Get the
Keychron Q1 Max
Customizable
- Extensive support for numerous ISO layouts including UK, German, Nordic, and Swiss.
- Fully programmable via open-source QMK firmware and VIA.
- Hot-swappable PCB supports both 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style switches.
- Smaller 4000mAh battery compared to the Evo80.
- Substantially heavier at 1724 grams, which reduces portability.
- Some user reviews mention firmware update issues leading to key chatter.
Your priority dictates the choice. The Keychron Q1 Max is the clear option if you need specific international layouts, plan to heavily customize your switches and key mappings via QMK/VIA, or want a knob. Opt for the Qwertykeys Evo80 if you value a distinctive typing feel from its leaf spring mount, need maximum wireless battery life, and prefer a pre-configured, linear switch experience with extensive included accessories.
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.
Qwertykeys Evo80
Keychron Q1 Max
Layout size
80%
75%
Hot-swappable
No
Yes
Battery
8,000 mAh
4,000 mAh
Switch options
Linear
Clicky, Linear, Tactile
Mount style
Gasket Mount
Gasket Mount, Plate Mount
- Qwertykeys Evo80
- Keychron Q1 Max
- Performance
- 7982
- Build quality
- 7989
- Productivity
- 8597
- Customizability
- 7698
- Portability
- 8481
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Case material: Aluminum
- QMK
- VIA
- Sound dampening
What will you mostly use it for?
The Keychron Q1 Max wins in more categories, particularly for office use, programming, and modding, due to its superior layout support, firmware customization, and hot-swap capability. The Qwertykeys Evo80 takes the lead for travel thanks to its larger battery and included case. For gaming, both are evenly matched on core performance specs. Content creators will likely prefer the Q1 Max for its macro programmability.
It's a tie
- Both offer a 1000 Hz polling rate in wired and 2.4 GHz modes.
- Both feature N-key rollover for simultaneous key presses.
- Both have aluminum cases for a stable platform.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Qwertykeys Evo80
290 owner reviews
“This keyboard offers excellent quality, with a satisfying key sound and premium-feeling keycaps. Love that i could get it as an ISO-SE, swedish layout with åäö.”
“Right from the get-go the Evo80 comes packaged in a very premium way that is miles ahead of anything large companies like Steelseries, Razer and other big companies do setting itself apart from anything else. And once you start using the board after just…”
Keychron Q1 Max
25 owner reviews
“As a software analyst who do a lot of coding, emailing and editing this is the one. Why would I build one when there is one ready that is better than what I could build?”
“This product is a downgrade relative to the previous version. I deeply regret not unpacking it and testing it out in the return period: (1) The keyboard is much louder -- on the Pro, keypresses were basically silent with the right switches; now, they are very…”
Qwertykeys Evo80 vs Keychron Q1 Max specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
12 of 27 specs differ
Qwertykeys Evo80
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.
Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.
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Qwertykeys Evo80 vs Keychron Q1 Max: your questions
The Qwertykeys Evo80 has a larger combined battery capacity. It uses two 4000mAh batteries for a total of 8000mAh. The Keychron Q1 Max has a single 4000mAh battery.
Yes. The Keychron Q1 Max features a hot-swappable PCB. This allows you to change between most 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style mechanical switches without any soldering required.
The vendor description for the Evo80 does not explicitly state it is hot-swappable. It is marketed as a pre-built keyboard with specific plate and switch pairings chosen for sound profile.
The Keychron Q1 Max offers far greater software customization. It supports the open-source QMK firmware and the VIA configurator, allowing for deep key remapping, macro creation, and lighting control through the Keychron Launcher web app.
Yes, both keyboards list Mac and Windows support. The Keychron Q1 Max includes a system toggle and an additional set of keycaps specifically for both operating systems.
According to Qwertykeys, the butterfly leaf spring is a modified mounting structure that places the fulcrum in the middle of the spring. It is designed to provide soft, bouncy support and consistent typing feedback across the keyboard, paired with special gaskets and silicone dampeners.
Both keyboards come with PBT keycaps. The Evo80 uses dye-sublimated PBT keycaps. The Q1 Max offers a choice between double-shot PBT KSA keycaps or OSA side-printed shine-through keycaps.
The Keychron Q1 Max is significantly better for ISO users. It supports a wide array of specific ISO layouts including ISO-DE (German), ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, and ISO-SW (Swiss), while the Evo80 primarily lists ISO and ISO-DE.
Both keyboards focus on stabilizer quality. The Evo80 includes stabilizers as part of its pre-built package. The Keychron Q1 Max specifically uses PCB-mounted screw-in stabilizers, which are generally preferred for their stability and are user-replaceable.
Keychron states the Q1 Max uses a double-gasket design and multiple layers of premium acoustic foams. These include IXPE foam, PET film, and a latex bottom pad to reduce noise and improve the typing sound.
The vendor page for the Evo80 references a 'QwertyKeys Acceptable Quality Standards' page, suggesting there is a defined quality policy. For specific warranty details, you would need to consult the vendor or manufacturer directly.
Yes. The Keychron Q1 Max is available in a 'Barebone Knob' version. This kit includes the aluminum case, PCB, and plate, but does not include switches or keycaps, allowing for complete personalization.
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