Keychron Q1 vs Q1 UltraWired Customization vs Wireless 8K
Choose the Keychron Q1 for deep customization and international layouts, or the Q1 Ultra for high-speed wireless connectivity and long battery life.
KeebFinder may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.
4.9 (10)4.9 · 10 reviews
from$109at Keychron
5.0 (6)5.0 · 6 reviews
from$229at MK
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron Q1
Wired Customization
Build quality in the top 5% of 75% boards under $150.
- Explicit support for QMK and VIA open-source firmware for deep customization.
- Available in multiple ISO layouts (UK, DE, Nordic, FR, ES, Swiss) for international users.
- Offered in DIY kit/barebones configurations for builders.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- Missing ISO-IT, ISO-PT. The other board is sold in those layouts.
Get the
Keychron Q1 Ultra
Wireless 8K
Build quality in the top 35% of 75% boards under $300.
- Tri-mode connectivity with 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth 5.3, and wired modes.
- 8000 Hz polling rate in both 2.4 GHz and wired modes for low latency.
- Long battery life, rated up to 660 hours with backlight off.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- Missing ISO-UK, ISO-SW. The other board is sold in those layouts.
Your choice hinges on a fundamental trade-off: connectivity and speed versus customization and layout support. Opt for the Keychron Q1 Ultra if wireless freedom, competitive gaming performance with an 8K polling rate, and long battery life are your top priorities. Choose the original Keychron Q1 if you require extensive programmability via QMK/VIA, need a specific ISO layout, or plan to build the keyboard from a barebones kit.
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 Q1
Keychron Q1 Ultra
Connection
Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Max polling rate
1,000 Hz
8,000 Hz
Higher polling helps competitive FPS and does nothing for typing
Weight
1,825 g
1,724 g
Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel
QMK
Yes
No
The deep option when you want to remap every key
VIA
Yes
No
GUI remapping without compiling firmware
- Keychron Q1
- Keychron Q1 Ultra
- Performance
- 7289
- Build quality
- 8974
- Productivity
- 9790
- Customizability
- 9877
- Portability
- 6583
- Layout size: 75%
- Hot-swappable
- Case material: Aluminum
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- Mount style: Gasket Mount, Plate Mount
- Knob
What will you mostly use it for?
The Q1 Ultra wins for gaming, office use, and travel due to its high-speed wireless, multi-device connectivity, and battery. The original Q1 is the clear choice for programming and modding because of its QMK/VIA support, availability in multiple ISO layouts, and barebones kit options. For content creation, both are equally capable, leveraging their programmable knobs and premium builds.
Pick the Keychron Q1 Ultra
- The Q1 Ultra offers an 8000 Hz polling rate in both its 2.4 GHz wireless and wired modes, which the manufacturer states provides ultra-responsive performance.
- It features N-key rollover in both wireless and wired modes for reliable simultaneous key presses.
- The Q1 has a standard 1000 Hz polling rate, which is lower than the Ultra's maximum capability.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
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 Q1 Ultra
6 owner reviews
“An exceptional keyboard in every respect. The sound, the feel of the keys, and the performance are all of the highest quality.”
Keychron Q1 vs Q1 Ultra specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
11 of 27 specs differ
Keychron Q1
Keychron Q1 Ultra
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.
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
Keychron Q1 Ultra
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-IT, ISO-PT
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.
Keychron Q1 vs Q1 Ultra: your questions
The core difference is connectivity and firmware. The Q1 is a wired-only keyboard with QMK and VIA support. The Q1 Ultra adds tri-mode wireless (2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired) with an 8000 Hz polling rate, a large battery, but uses ZMK firmware instead.
No. According to the manufacturer's description, the Keychron Q1 Ultra uses ZMK firmware and is configured through the Keychron Launcher web app. The original Q1 is the model that supports QMK and VIA.
The Keychron Q1 Ultra has a significant battery, with the vendor page citing up to 660 hours of use with the backlight turned off. The original Keychron Q1 is a wired-only keyboard and does not have a battery.
Yes. The Keychron Q1 product listing specifically includes a UK-ISO layout version among its many ISO options. The Q1 Ultra, according to its metadata, is only listed with an ANSI layout.
The assembled Keychron Q1 comes with OSA profile ABS backlight shine-through keycaps. The Keychron Q1 Ultra comes with KSA profile double-shot PBT keycaps, which are made from a more durable, oil-resistant material.
Yes. Both the Keychron Q1 and the Q1 Ultra have hot-swappable PCBs, allowing you to change switches without soldering. Both support 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style switches.
The Keychron Q1 Ultra is designed with gaming in mind, offering an 8000 Hz polling rate in its wireless 2.4 GHz and wired modes for minimal input lag. The standard Q1 has a 1000 Hz polling rate.
Both keyboards offer versions with a knob. The vendor descriptions for both the Q1 and Q1 Ultra mention models with a programmable rotary encoder.
Both keyboards feature full CNC-machined aluminum cases, giving them a premium, solid feel. The Q1 Ultra's vendor page also mentions an aesthetic PC back plate.
Both use a double-gasket design. The Q1 Ultra's description details multiple internal foam layers including sound absorbing foam, IXPE foam, a PET film, a latex bottom pad, and bottom case acoustic foam. The Q1's description focuses on its double-gasket structure with silicone pads.
Yes. The Keychron Q1 is available as a barebone or DIY kit, according to its metadata and vendor page. The Q1 Ultra is listed as a 'Fully Assembled' unit in the provided description.
Not sold on either?
![[In-stock] Dot Works Layer75 Mechanical Keyboard Kit](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0109/9182/9049/files/Fih9COfOEEqA23-f5qkAV-SRXutN.webp?v=1714789968&width=3840&quality=75)
Still torn?
Answer a few quick questions and the keyboard finder ranks 2,000+ boards by how you will actually use yours.