Keychron K17 Pro vs Q14 ProLow Profile vs Southpaw
Choose the K17 Pro if you prioritize portability and a low profile; choose the Q14 Pro if you need an ergonomic, full-metal Alice layout with a left-sided numpad.
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5.0 (2)5.0 · 2 reviews
from$69at Keychron
4.3 (6)4.3 · 6 reviews
from$167at Keychron
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K17 Pro
Low Profile
Build quality in the top 20% of 96% boards under $100.
- Ultra-slim low-profile design with Gateron low-profile switches for a compact typing experience.
- Lightweight at 679g, making it highly portable for travel.
- Three levels of adjustable typing angle for ergonomic support.
- Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps will not fit.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
Get the
Keychron Q14 Pro
Southpaw
Build quality in the top 5% of 96% boards under $200.
- Full CNC machined 6063 aluminum body provides a premium, sturdy build.
- Ergonomic Alice layout with a left-positioned southpaw numpad for improved workflow.
- Double-gasket design with silicone pads and PC plate for a quiet, flexible typing feel.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
The Keychron K17 Pro is the clear choice for users who need a lightweight, travel-friendly keyboard with a low profile. The Keychron Q14 Pro, however, is the better investment for those who prioritize ergonomic typing, a premium metal build, and the productivity benefits of a southpaw numpad. Your decision ultimately hinges on whether portability or ergonomic layout matters more to your daily workflow.
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 K17 Pro
Keychron Q14 Pro
Battery
2,000 mAh
4,000 mAh
A larger battery means fewer cables during the day
Low profile
Yes
No
Ergonomics
Standard
Southpaw, Alice
Case material
ABS, Aluminum, Plastic
Aluminum
Mount style
Tray Mount
Gasket Mount, Plate Mount
- Keychron K17 Pro
- Keychron Q14 Pro
- Performance
- 8482
- Build quality
- 8189
- Productivity
- 86100
- Customizability
- 9198
- Portability
- 5455
- Layout size: 96%
- Connection: Bluetooth, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- Knob
What will you mostly use it for?
The K17 Pro wins in Gaming and Travel due to its light weight, low profile, and portability. The Q14 Pro dominates in Office, Programming, Modding, and Content Creation thanks to its ergonomic Alice layout, gasket mount, full-metal build, and southpaw numpad. There is no tie across the categories, as each keyboard excels in its intended use case.
Pick the Keychron K17 Pro
- 1000 Hz wired polling rate with a low profile that can be more comfortable for fast-paced play.
- Lighter weight (679g) makes it easier to bring to LAN events or gaming setups.
- North-facing RGB is brighter for keycap illumination, though keycaps are not shine-through per user reviews.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron K17 Pro
2 owner reviews
“I love this keyboard. It works very well with my setup. The key switches and the knob are perfect. My only feedback is that I wish there was a southpaw version of this keyboard. As a person working with numbers and creativity, the K17 Pro Southpaw version…”
Keychron Q14 Pro
6 owner reviews
“This is my second Alice layout keyboard and is my daily driver. The ergonomics are great, and the build is solid. The south paw layout is exactly what I've been looking for in a keyboard. There are lots of customization options but the prebuilt straight out…”
Keychron K17 Pro vs Q14 Pro specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
12 of 28 specs differ
Keychron K17 Pro
Keychron Q14 Pro
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 K17 Pro
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
Keychron Q14 Pro
Keychron
ISO
In stockShips 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.
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Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.
Keychron K17 Pro vs Q14 Pro: your questions
The Q14 Pro is better for ergonomics due to its Alice layout which promotes a more natural hand position, and its southpaw numpad design that reduces reaching for the mouse. The K17 Pro offers a low-profile design and three adjustable typing angles, but does not have the split ergonomic layout of the Q14 Pro.
Yes, the K17 Pro can be used for gaming with a 1000 Hz polling rate in wired mode and N-key rollover for both wireless and wired modes. Its low profile can be comfortable, but users should note that the keycaps are not shine-through, which may affect RGB visibility in dark conditions.
Yes, the Q14 Pro fully supports QMK firmware and VIA software for custom key remapping, macros, and shortcuts. The vendor description confirms it is programmable with QMK and the Keychron Launcher web app, which is compatible with macOS, Windows, and Linux.
The K17 Pro has a 2000mAh battery, while the Q14 Pro has a larger 4000mAh battery. The Q14 Pro's battery can last up to 300 hours with backlight off and up to 100 hours with RGB at lowest brightness, per the vendor. Battery life for the K17 Pro in similar conditions is not specified.
Yes, both keyboards are hot-swappable. The K17 Pro is compatible only with Gateron/Keychron low-profile mechanical switches. The Q14 Pro is compatible with most 3-pin and 5-pin MX style switches, including Cherry, Gateron, Kailh, and more.
The K17 Pro is significantly more portable, weighing only 679g and featuring an ultra-slim low-profile design. In contrast, the Q14 Pro weighs 2395g (fully assembled) and is much larger, making it less suitable for frequent travel.
The Q14 Pro is available in both Fully Assembled and Barebone versions. The Fully Assembled version includes KSA double-shot PBT keycaps and Keychron K Pro switches. The Barebone version does not include keycaps or switches.
Both keyboards have a 1000 Hz polling rate in wired mode. The vendor specifies that the Q14 Pro has a 90 Hz polling rate in wireless mode, while the K17 Pro has a 90 Hz polling rate in wireless mode as well.
Yes, the K17 Pro is fully compatible with both Mac and Windows. It includes keycaps for both operating systems and has a system toggle to switch between them, according to the vendor description.
Yes, the Q14 Pro features a left-positioned numpad, also known as a southpaw design. This leaves more room for the mouse on the right side and allows for simultaneous use of the mouse and numpad, which can improve productivity.
The Q14 Pro uses screw-in PCB stabilizers, which are designed to provide a smoother typing experience with less wobbliness on larger keys such as the space bar, shift, enter, and delete keys.
Yes, the K17 Pro can connect with up to 3 devices wirelessly via Broadcom Bluetooth 5.1, allowing seamless multitasking across laptop, phone, and tablet. It also supports wired USB Type-C connection.
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