Not sure which keyboard to choose? Try the Keyboard Finder now!

Head to head · Prices checked Nov 12, 2026

Tars Work Tars T1 vs Keychron Q1 V2 SE

Get the Keychron Q1 V2 SE for qmk and sound dampening.

KeebFinder may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.

Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Tars Work Tars T1

Build quality in the top 40% of 75% boards under $200.

Get the

Keychron Q1 V2 SE

QMK

Build quality in the top 10% of 75% boards under $200.

Rules this board out

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

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.

Tars Work Tars T1

Keychron Q1 V2 SE

  • Connection

    Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired

    Wired

    Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency

  • Switch options

    Linear

    Clicky, Linear, Tactile

  • Display

    Yes

    None

    A case display rather than a typing feature

  • QMK

    No

    Yes

    The deep option when you want to remap every key

  • Sound dampening

    No

    Yes

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Tars Work Tars T1
  • Keychron Q1 V2 SE
Performance
80
73
Build quality
72
84
Productivity
62
98
Customizability
78
94
Portability
73
68

What they share

  • Layout size: 75%
  • Hot-swappable
  • Case material: Aluminum
  • Knob
  • VIA
See every spec side by side

Full specs

Tars Work Tars T1 vs Keychron Q1 V2 SE specs

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

12 of 25 specs differ

Tars Work Tars T1

Keychron Q1 V2 SE

Typing & switches

Switch options

Linear
Clicky, Linear, Tactile

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

—
Plate Mount

Sound dampening

No
Yes

Screw-in stabilizers

No
Yes

Layout

Layout size

75%
75%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Knob

Yes
Yes

Display

Yes
None

Media keys

No
Yes

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Wired

USB-C

No
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

Aluminum
Aluminum

Plate material

—
Steel

Keycaps

PBT
—

Weight

2,045 g
—

Dimensions

36 x 356 x 137 mm
—

Typing angle

7°
—

Backlight

RGB
RGB, south-facing

Firmware & software

QMK

No
Yes

VIA

Yes
Yes

N-key rollover

Yes
No

Mac & Windows

No
Yes

Extras

Released

2026
2023

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.

Still torn?

Answer a few quick questions and the keyboard finder ranks 2,000+ boards by how you will actually use yours.