Evoworks Evo80 vs Keychron Q1 Max
Choose the Evoworks Evo80 for its larger battery and TKL layout, or the Keychron Q1 Max for its compact size, extensive layout support, and advanced firmware.
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Which one should you get?
Get the
Evoworks Evo80
Battery
Build quality in the top 15% of 80% boards under $200.
- Larger 8000mAh battery for extended wireless use.
- TKL layout includes a full function row up to F13.
- Comes with an extensive acoustic modding package including Poron foams and cotton.
- 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.
- No numpad.
Get the
Keychron Q1 Max
Build quality in the top 5% of 75% boards under $200.
- Extensive layout support including ANSI, JIS, and multiple ISO variants.
- Supports both QMK and VIA firmware for advanced customization.
- Compact 75% layout saves desk space.
- 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 you require a traditional TKL layout, the longest possible wireless battery life, and a rich out-of-the-box acoustic experience, the Evoworks Evo80 is the compelling option. If you value a space-saving design, need specific international key layouts, or want the deepest possible customization via QMK and knob support, the Keychron Q1 Max is the superior keyboard, despite its higher cost.
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.
Evoworks Evo80
Keychron Q1 Max
Layout size
80%
75%
Battery
8,000 mAh
4,000 mAh
A larger battery means fewer cables during the day
Case material
Aluminum, Copper
Aluminum
Switch options
Linear
Clicky, Linear, Tactile
Mount style
Plate Mount
Gasket Mount, Plate Mount
- Evoworks Evo80
- Keychron Q1 Max
- Performance
- 7882
- Build quality
- 8089
- Productivity
- 8397
- Customizability
- 8298
- Portability
- 8781
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- VIA
- Sound dampening
- Keycaps: PBT
What will you mostly use it for?
The Keychron Q1 Max is the more versatile choice for office work, programming, and travel due to its compact size, extensive layout support, and superior firmware. The Evoworks Evo80 wins for content creation thanks to its dedicated function row and massive battery. For gaming, both are equally capable on paper. Modders will appreciate the Q1 Max's knob support and Hall Effect compatibility.
It's a tie
- Both offer a 1000Hz polling rate in wired and 2.4GHz modes for low latency.
- Both feature N-key rollover for simultaneous key presses.
- Both have south-facing RGB lighting.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Evoworks Evo80
58 owner reviews
“This is a great keyboard! It looks amazing, and it sounds incredible. I made it my main work keyboard so I could experience typing on it as much as possible.”
“I should have looked in the VIA supported keyboards list. The marketing said VIA compatible, but it's not "supported". You have to manually import a bare-bones JSON file that lacks tons of features that other VIA keyboards have. This keyboard is nicely built…”
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…”
Evoworks Evo80 vs Keychron Q1 Max specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
13 of 27 specs differ
Evoworks 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
ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
Evoworks Evo80
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
Keychron Q1 Max
Input Gear
ISO-DE
Out of stockShips to you
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-CH
Out of stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-CH
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.
Evoworks Evo80 vs Keychron Q1 Max: your questions
The Evoworks Evo80 has a larger 8000mAh battery, which should provide longer wireless runtime than the Keychron Q1 Max's 4000mAh battery. The manufacturer claims for the Q1 Max specify up to 180 hours with backlighting off.
Yes, the Keychron Q1 Max is compatible with macOS, Windows, and Linux. The listing states it includes keycaps for both Mac and Windows and has a system toggle to switch between layouts.
Yes, the Evoworks Evo80 supports three connectivity modes: wired USB-C, 2.4GHz wireless, and Bluetooth. Its vendor description confirms it can connect wirelessly via Bluetooth.
The Keychron Q1 Max is the clear choice. Its specifications list support for ISO-UK, ISO-DE, ISO-Nordic, and other ISO variants. The Evoworks Evo80 only lists ANSI layout support.
Yes, both the Evoworks Evo80 and the Keychron Q1 Max feature hot-swappable PCBs. This allows you to change switches without soldering, using common 3-pin or 5-pin MX-style switches.
Yes, the Keychron Q1 Max listing includes 'Knob Support' as a feature, indicating you can install a rotary encoder. The Evoworks Evo80 does not mention this capability.
Both keyboards come with PBT keycaps. The Evo80 uses dye-sublimated PBT keycaps. The Q1 Max offers a choice between KSA profile double-shot PBT keycaps or OSA side-printed shine-through double-shot PBT keycaps.
The Keychron Q1 Max is more portable. It is shorter (328mm vs 357mm) and lighter (1724g vs 1870g) than the Evoworks Evo80. Both keyboards include a carrying case.
Both support VIA for key remapping. The Keychron Q1 Max additionally supports the open-source QMK firmware and the Keychron Launcher web app, offering more advanced programming layers and macro options than the Evo80's confirmed VIA support.
Both keyboards offer a 1000Hz polling rate when using their 2.4GHz wireless dongle or in wired mode. The Keychron Q1 Max vendor page specifies its Bluetooth polling rate is 90Hz.
The Keychron Q1 Max is available with Gateron Jupiter Red (linear), Brown (tactile), or Banana (tactile) switches in its fully assembled versions. It also offers a barebones kit without switches.
The Evoworks Evo80 includes five layers of Poron foams and a double-layer of cotton bottom foam. The Keychron Q1 Max uses a combination of enhanced acoustic foams including IXPE, PET, and Latex, along with a double-gasket design to reduce metal-on-metal noise.
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