Keychron Q1 V1 vs Q1 MaxWired vs Wireless Custom Keyboard
Choose the Q1 Max for premium wireless flexibility or the Q1 V1 for a more affordable wired modding platform.
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4.8 (734)4.8 · 734 reviews
from$85at Keychron
4.3 (25)4.3 · 25 reviews
from$209at MK
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron Q1 V1
Wired
Build quality in the top 5% of 75% boards under $100.
- More affordable entry point into the Q1 series aluminum custom keyboard ecosystem.
- Offers a choice between aluminum and steel plate materials for tuning typing feel and sound.
- Extensive community support and proven modding platform with many documented modifications.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- Missing ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic. The other board is sold in those layouts.
Get the
Keychron Q1 Max
Wireless Custom Keyboard
Build quality in the top 5% of 75% boards under $200.
- Triple-mode connectivity with 2.4 GHz wireless, Bluetooth 5.1, and wired USB-C.
- Features multiple layers of enhanced acoustic foams (IXPE, PET, Latex) and a double-gasket design for improved sound.
- Includes a 4000mAh rechargeable battery for extended wireless use.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
Your budget and need for wireless connectivity are the primary decision factors. If you require the freedom of wireless operation for a clean desk or multi-device workflow, the Keychron Q1 Max is the justified upgrade. If you primarily use a stationary, wired setup and want to allocate more budget towards switches, keycaps, or other mods, the original Q1 V1 remains an excellent and highly customizable foundation.
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 V1
Keychron Q1 Max
Connection
Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Weight
1,700 g
1,724 g
Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel
Layout standard
ANSI, ISO, JIS
ANSI, ISO, ISO-CH, ISO-DE, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, ISO-UK, JIS
ISO and JIS exist so regional layouts fit
Plate material
Aluminum, Steel
Polycarbonate
Keycaps
ABS, PBT
PBT
- Keychron Q1 V1
- Keychron Q1 Max
- Performance
- 7282
- Build quality
- 9089
- Productivity
- 9897
- Customizability
- 9898
- Portability
- 6381
- Layout size: 75%
- Hot-swappable
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Case material: Aluminum
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- Mount style: Gasket Mount, Plate Mount
What will you mostly use it for?
The Q1 Max is the clear choice for mobile and wireless-centric uses like office work, travel, and content creation, thanks to its triple-mode connectivity and large battery. For stationary setups where a cable is acceptable, the Q1 V1 remains a compelling and more affordable option, especially for modders who value its lower entry cost and plate material choices. Both are equally capable for programming due to their shared firmware support, while gamers may appreciate the Max's wireless flexibility.
Pick the Keychron Q1 Max
- The Q1 Max offers a 1000 Hz polling rate over its 2.4 GHz wireless connection, matching its wired performance for lag-free gaming.
- Its wireless capability provides a cleaner desk setup without cable management concerns.
- Both keyboards share the same 1000 Hz polling rate in wired mode.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron Q1 V1
734 owner reviews
“Although it is very pingy out of the box, with a few quick customisations it will sound amazing. Shipping isn’t that quick tho, with slow and outdated updates.”
Keychron Q1 Max
25 owner reviews
“As a software analyst who do a lot of coding, emailing and editing this is the one. Why would I build one when there is one ready that is better than what I could build?”
“This product is a downgrade relative to the previous version. I deeply regret not unpacking it and testing it out in the return period: (1) The keyboard is much louder -- on the Pro, keypresses were basically silent with the right switches; now, they are very…”
Keychron Q1 V1 vs Q1 Max specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
7 of 27 specs differ
Keychron Q1 V1
Keychron Q1 Max
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 V1
Keychron
ISO
In stockShips to you
Keychron Q1 Max
Input Gear
ISO-DE
Out of stockShips to you
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-CH
Out of stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-CH
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 V1 vs Q1 Max: your questions
The core difference is connectivity. The Q1 V1 is a wired-only keyboard, while the Q1 Max adds 2.4 GHz wireless and Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity. The Max also features upgraded acoustic foams, a polycarbonate plate, and an internal 4000mAh battery.
Yes, both the Keychron Q1 V1 and Q1 Max feature hot-swappable PCBs. This allows you to change switches without soldering, supporting both 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style mechanical switches.
Yes. The Keychron Q1 Max supports a wired USB-C connection in addition to its 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth wireless modes. The polling rate is 1000 Hz in both wired and 2.4 GHz wireless modes.
The Q1 Max is designed with enhanced acoustics in mind. According to its product listing, it includes multiple layers of foam (IXPE, PET, Latex) and a double-gasket design to improve sound quality. The Q1 V1 includes sound-dampening foam but lacks these specific, upgraded layers.
Yes. Both keyboards are compatible with macOS and Windows systems. Each includes a physical toggle switch to change between operating systems and provides extra keycaps for both layouts.
The Q1 V1 comes with OSA (OEM Spherical Angled) profile double-shot PBT keycaps. The Q1 Max offers a choice between KSA profile keycaps or OSA side-printed shine-through keycaps, depending on the variant purchased.
In wired mode, both keyboards have a 1000 Hz polling rate. The Q1 Max also maintains 1000 Hz in its 2.4 GHz wireless mode, while its Bluetooth mode operates at a 90 Hz polling rate.
The Q1 V1 offers a choice of aluminum or steel plates. The Q1 Max uses a polycarbonate (PC) plate, which is typically associated with a softer, more flexible typing feel and a different sound signature.
The manufacturer's page for the Q1 V1 notes that some customers have reported compatibility issues with MT3 and XDA profile keycaps, suggesting the plate design may cause interference. This specific note is not present for the Q1 Max.
Yes. Both the Keychron Q1 V1 and Q1 Max feature a programmable rotary encoder (knob). You can remap its function using the VIA software or QMK firmware for actions like volume control, scrolling, or custom macros.
Both keyboards support the open-source QMK firmware and VIA/Keychron Launcher software. This allows for extensive customization of every key, creation of macros, and control over the south-facing RGB backlighting effects directly through a web app.
According to its specifications, the Q1 Max has a 4000mAh battery that provides up to 180 hours of use with the backlight off, and up to 100 hours with RGB lighting at its lowest brightness setting.
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