Keychron K15 Max vs Q15 Max OrtholinearAlice or Ortholinear

The K15 Max has a low-profile Alice layout and a 75% ANSI size classification. The Q15 Max has an ortholinear layout, a 65% classification, an aluminum case, and knob support.

Both list a 1000 Hz polling rate and 2.4 GHz connectivity. The K15 Max may suit players who prefer low-profile switches and an Alice layout, while the Q15 Max is an alternative for users who specifically want ortholinear keys.

The Q15 Max lists a 4000 mAh battery, while the K15 Max lists 2000 mAh. Keychron's K15 Max vendor page also states up to 95 hours of battery life, but no runtime figure is listed for the Q15 Max.

Both list Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and wired connectivity. The K15 Max vendor page specifies Bluetooth connections for up to three devices.

Yes, VIA support is listed for the K15 Max, along with QMK support. Keychron also describes using its Launcher web app for remapping keys and creating macros.

VIA is not listed among the Q15 Max features. Its vendor listing names QMK and Keychron Web Launcher for programming.

The Q15 Max vendor listing says its hot-swap sockets support 3-pin and 5-pin switches. The K15 Max vendor description says its hot-swap version supports Gateron or Keychron low-profile mechanical switches, and hot-swapping is tied to the RGB Hot-Swappable variant.

The K15 Max is listed with an ABS and aluminum case. The Q15 Max is listed with an aluminum case, and its vendor describes it as CNC-machined aluminum 6063.

The K15 Max is explicitly identified as low profile, with low-profile Gateron switches and low-profile PBT keycaps. The Q15 Max vendor listing identifies it as a non-low-profile keyboard.

Knob support is listed as an extra feature of the Q15 Max, and its vendor describes the ortholinear model as having two knobs. The K15 Max feature list does not include a knob.

The Q15 Max vendor listing describes a double-gasket design, polycarbonate plate, and IXPE, PET, and latex acoustic foam layers. The K15 Max vendor page names IXPE and latex foam, but does not list PET foam or a double-gasket design.

Both product feature lists include Mac and Windows support. The Q15 Max vendor listing also describes a switch for toggling between Windows and macOS layouts.