Keychron Q1 vs Q6575% vs 65% Layout Showdown
Choose the Q1 if you need dedicated function row keys and more layout options, or the Q65 for a more compact layout with a unique macro column and a lower front height.
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4.9 · 10 reviews
from$109at Keychron
4.5 · 4 reviews
from$79at Keychron
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron Q1
75%
Build quality in the top 5% of 75% boards under $150.
- Dedicated function row and navigation cluster on a 75% layout.
- Available in many ISO regional layouts (DE, UK, Nordic, FR, ES, Swiss).
- Multiple plate material options: Aluminum, Steel, or Polycarbonate.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- No numpad.
Get the
Keychron Q65
65% Layout Showdown
Build quality in the top 5% of 65% boards under $100.
- Unique 65% layout with an extra column of four macro keys for custom shortcuts.
- Lighter and more compact than the Q1, easier to pack for travel.
- Lower front height (20 mm) for a potentially more ergonomic typing angle without wrist rest.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
- 65% layout. No function row and no numpad.
The Keychron Q1 is the better choice if you need a function row and more plate options for customization. The Q65 appeals to users who want a more compact desk footprint with dedicated macro keys and prefer PBT keycaps out of the box. Your decision hinges on whether you value the extra top-row keys or the space-saving layout with side macros.
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 Q65
Layout size
75%
65%
Mount style
Gasket Mount, Plate Mount
Gasket Mount
Weight
1,825 g
2,420 g
Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel
Layout standard
ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-SW, ISO-UK, JIS
ANSI
ISO and JIS exist so regional layouts fit
Plate material
Aluminum, Polycarbonate, Steel
Steel
- Keychron Q1
- Keychron Q65
- Performance
- 7267
- Build quality
- 8989
- Productivity
- 9795
- Customizability
- 9896
- Portability
- 6571
- Connection: Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Case material: Aluminum
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- Knob
What will you mostly use it for?
The Keychron Q1 wins for dedicated function row users (gaming, office) and for modders who want more plate choices and higher customizability scores. The Q65 takes the edge for compact travel and content creation workflows thanks to its extra macro column. For programming, both are evenly matched due to shared QMK/VIA support and hot-swap sockets.
Pick the Keychron Q1
- The Q1 has a dedicated function row often used for in-game keybinds without shifting layers.
- Both offer 1000 Hz polling rate, but the Q1 scores higher in performance relative to its price tier.
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 Q65
4 owner reviews
“awesome keyboard , and its best still i have. but, on VIA , cant remap rotary encoder. i need write add 4,8 4,9 and 0,0 on top of keymap. 4,8 vol- 4,9 vol+ and 0,0 mute add and 0\n,0 remove. to remap VIA .”
Keychron Q1 vs Q65 specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
9 of 25 specs differ
Keychron Q1
Keychron Q65
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
Display
Media keys
Connection
Max polling rate
USB-C
Case material
Plate material
Keycaps
Weight
Dimensions
Typing angle
Backlight
QMK
VIA
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 Q65
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
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 Q1 vs Q65: your questions
The Keychron Q1 has a dedicated F-row as part of its 75% layout. The Q65 lacks a function row, so you would need to use a layer or program the extra macro keys for F-key functions instead.
Yes, both the Keychron Q1 and Q65 support open-source QMK firmware and are programmable via the VIA software or the Keychron Launcher web app. This allows full key remapping, macro creation, and knob customization.
The Keychron Q1 offers more flexibility out of the box because it is available with Aluminum, Steel, or Polycarbonate plate options. The Q65 only comes with a steel plate. Both are hot-swappable and use screw-in PCB stabilizers, but the Q1 provides more plate choices for sound tuning.
Both keyboards offer versions with a programmable knob for volume, zoom, or other macro commands. The Q1 also offers a version without the knob, while the Q65 appears to only be sold with the knob based on available product types.
The Keychron Q1 fully assembled version comes with OSA profile ABS backlight shine-through keycaps. The Q65 fully assembled version comes with double-shot PBT keycaps that are not shine-through but have an oil-resistant finish.
The Keychron Q1 (75%) has more keys than the standard 65% layout due to its dedicated function row. The Q65 uses a modified 65% layout that adds an extra column of macro keys but still omits the function row, so the Q1 typically has more total keys.
According to the vendor, both the Keychron Q1 and Q65 include factory pre-lubed Gateron G Pro switches in their fully assembled versions. This is intended to provide a smoother typing feel out of the box.
The Keychron Q65 is lighter and narrower (2420 g, 121 mm wide) than the Q1 (1825 g, 145 mm wide). Its more compact footprint and lower front height make it a better choice if you need to carry the keyboard in a bag.
Yes, both keyboards include keycaps for macOS and Windows out of the box and have a system toggle switch to change the layout. With VIA, you can configure separate keymaps for each operating system.
The Keychron Q1 has a typing angle of 5 degrees. The Keychron Q65 has a slightly steeper angle at approximately 6.5 degrees (based on vendor specs showing 6.5 degrees for the main angle, with a separate 2.7 mm feet height).
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