Keychron K1 V6 vs Q1Wireless or Aluminum
Choose the K1 V6 for a low-profile wireless keyboard, or the Q1 for a heavier aluminum board with broader switch and component customization.
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5.0 (4)5.0 · 4 reviews
from$74at Keychron
4.9 (10)4.9 · 10 reviews
from$109at Keychron
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K1 V6
Build quality in the top 20% of 80% boards under $100.
- Bluetooth and wired connectivity, with a 2000 mAh battery listed in the specifications.
- Low-profile design and 80% layout.
- Hot-swappable version available, with vendor-stated support for compatible low-profile mechanical switches.
- Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps will not fit.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
- Missing ISO-FR, ISO-ES. The other board is sold in those layouts.
- No numpad.
Get the
Keychron Q1
Build quality in the top 5% of 75% boards under $150.
- Full CNC-machined aluminum case with a gasket mount.
- Hot-swappable PCB supports 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style mechanical switches, according to the vendor.
- Screw-in stabilizers and a programmable knob are available on the described versions.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- Missing ISO-Nordic. The other board is sold in those layouts.
- No numpad.
Choose the K1 V6 if you want low-profile keys, Bluetooth connectivity, and a lighter board. Choose the Q1 if a full aluminum case, a gasket mount, broader switch compatibility, and a programmable knob matter more than wireless use or portability. Both provide QMK and VIA support, so the main decision is mobility versus customization and construction.
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.
Keychron K1 V6
Keychron Q1
Layout size
80%
75%
Connection
Bluetooth, Wired
Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Low profile
Yes
No
Case material
ABS, Aluminum
Aluminum
Mount style
Top Mount
Gasket Mount, Plate Mount
- Keychron K1 V6
- Keychron Q1
- Performance
- 8172
- Build quality
- 7889
- Productivity
- 8097
- Customizability
- 8898
- Portability
- 7365
- Hot-swappable
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- QMK
- VIA
What will you mostly use it for?
The K1 V6 has the clearest advantage for travel because it combines lower listed weight with Bluetooth connectivity. For gaming, its low-profile design may appeal to some users, although both boards list the same wired polling rate. Office and programming needs are close: both have remapping support, but their layouts and connection options differ. The Q1 stands out for hardware customization and creative workflows, particularly with its switch support and programmable knob.
Pick the Keychron K1 V6
- The K1 V6 is a low-profile 80% board, which may suit buyers who prefer a lower-profile layout.
- Both keyboards list a 1000 Hz polling rate for wired use, while the K1 V6 also supports wireless use.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron K1 V6
4 owner reviews
“Love it! My first mechanical, now typing is a beautiful experience, I enjoy coming back to the keyboard! Remapped with Makros, so I have my apps at the fingertip. I am experiencing some minor bugs like "Enter"-key "stuck", meaning the keyboard typed enter…”
Keychron Q1
10 owner reviews
“Very pretty and good quality, only con is it's kind of pingy but it's easy to mod and fix with some tape, force break mod.”
Keychron K1 V6 vs Q1 specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
17 of 28 specs differ
Keychron K1 V6
Keychron Q1
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Low profile
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.
Keychron K1 V6
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW
In stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-SW
Out of stockDoes not ship to you
Keychron Q1
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW
In stockShips to you
MK
ISO
Out of stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW
Out of stockDoes not ship to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO
Out of 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.
Keychron K1 V6 vs Q1: your questions
Yes. The K1 V6 supports Bluetooth and wired connectivity, and its listed battery capacity is 2000 mAh. The vendor describes Bluetooth connections to up to three devices.
No wireless mode is listed for the Q1. Its connectivity is wired only, using USB-C according to the product specifications.
The K1 V6 is listed at 596 g, while the fully assembled Q1 is listed at 1825 g. The K1 V6 is the lighter choice for carrying between locations.
Hot-swapping is available on the K1 V6 hot-swappable version. Keychron specifies compatibility with its Milk POM and compatible Gateron or Keychron low-profile mechanical switches.
The Q1 vendor description says its hot-swap sockets support 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style mechanical switches, including examples such as Gateron, Cherry MX, and Kailh. Switch options vary by version, with the described fully assembled model using Gateron G Pro switches.
A knob-equipped Q1 version is available, and the vendor describes its rotary encoder as programmable through VIA. Examples of uses include adjusting volume, zooming, and selecting video clips or photos.
Both keyboards list QMK and VIA support. The K1 V6 vendor also describes using Keychron Launcher for remapping and macros, while the Q1 vendor describes configuring its knob through VIA.
The Q1 offers broader customization options in the vendor description, including 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style switches, keycaps, stabilizers, and plates. The K1 V6 hot-swappable version is restricted to compatible low-profile mechanical switches.
The K1 V6 is listed as an 80% keyboard, while the Q1 is listed as a 75% keyboard. The K1 V6 is described as a low-profile TKL-style board, and the Q1 uses a more compact layout.
The Q1 has a full CNC-machined aluminum case according to its vendor description. The K1 V6 is listed with an ABS and aluminum frame rather than a full aluminum case.
Both product listings include Mac and Windows support. The vendors also describe Mac and Windows keycaps or layouts for their respective keyboards.
Both list RGB lighting, though their configurations differ: the K1 V6 has north-facing RGB options, and the Q1 has south-facing RGB LEDs. The K1 V6 vendor also describes shine-through ABS keycaps and multiple backlight modes.
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