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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 7, 2026

Keychron Q1 V1 vs Q1 UltraWired vs Wireless 75%

Choose the Q1 V1 for its high modding potential and lower price, or the Q1 Ultra for its wireless connectivity and faster 8K polling rate.

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Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Keychron Q1 V1

Wired

Build quality in the top 5% of 75% boards under $100.

If you want

  • Supports QMK and VIA firmware for extensive key remapping and macro creation.
  • Available in ISO, JIS, and ANSI layout standards.
  • Comes with an aluminum plate, known for a stiffer typing feel.

Rules this board out

  • South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
  • Missing ISO-DE, ISO-FR, ISO-ES. The other board is sold in those layouts.

Get the

Keychron Q1 Ultra

Wireless 75%

Build quality in the top 35% of 75% boards under $300.

If you want

  • Features wireless connectivity with 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth 5.3.
  • Offers an 8000 Hz polling rate in both wired and 2.4 GHz wireless modes.
  • Includes a large 4000mAh battery with up to 660 hours of life (backlit off).

Rules this board out

  • South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.

Bottom line

The Keychron Q1 V1 is the better choice for enthusiasts who prioritize deep customization, a wide selection of layout standards, and a lower price. The Keychron Q1 Ultra is the better choice for users who need wireless freedom, top-tier gaming performance with an 8K polling rate, and a long-lasting battery. Your decision rests on whether you value modding potential and value or wireless performance and battery life.

What actually differs

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 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

    1,700 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

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Keychron Q1 V1
  • Keychron Q1 Ultra
Performance
72
89
Build quality
90
74
Productivity
98
90
Customizability
98
77
Portability
63
83

What they share

  • Layout size: 75%
  • Hot-swappable
  • Case material: Aluminum
  • Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
  • Mount style: Gasket Mount, Plate Mount
  • Knob
See every spec side by side

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

The Keychron Q1 Ultra is the clear winner for gaming and office use due to its 8K wireless polling rate, N-Key Rollover, and long battery life. For modding and programming, the Q1 V1 is the better choice thanks to its QMK/VIA support, wider layout standard options, and community-driven customization. Both keyboards tie for content creation, as each offers a programmable knob and Mac/Win support. For travel, the Q1 Ultra's wireless capabilities give it a significant advantage over the wired Q1 V1.

For gaming

Pick the Keychron Q1 Ultra

  • Offers an 8000 Hz polling rate in both wired and 2.4 GHz wireless modes for very low latency.
  • Features N-Key Rollover (NKRO) in both wireless and wired modes.
  • Comes with pre-lubed Keychron Silk POM switches designed for precision and durability.

From real owners

What owners say

Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.

Keychron Q1 V1

4.8

734 owner reviews

Praise
“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.”
Glenn C.Verified buyer· via Keychron

Keychron Q1 Ultra

5.0

6 owner reviews

Praise
“An exceptional keyboard in every respect. The sound, the feel of the keys, and the performance are all of the highest quality.”
Eduard T.Verified buyer· via Keychron

Full specs

Keychron Q1 V1 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 V1

Keychron Q1 Ultra

Typing & switches

Switch options

Clicky, Linear, Tactile
Clicky, Linear, Tactile

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Gasket Mount, Plate Mount
Gasket Mount, Plate Mount

Sound dampening

Yes
Yes

Screw-in stabilizers

Yes
Yes

Layout

Layout size

75%
75%

Layout standard

ANSI, ISO, JIS
ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-IT, ISO-PT, JIS

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Knob

Yes
Yes

Display

None
None

Media keys

Yes
Yes

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired

Max polling rate

1,000 Hz
8,000 HzBetter

Battery

Wired only
4,000 mAh

USB-C

Yes
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

Aluminum
Aluminum

Plate material

Aluminum, Steel
Polycarbonate

Keycaps

ABS, PBT
PBT

Weight

1,700 g
1,724 g

Dimensions

22 x 145 x 328 mm
32 x 328 x 145 mm

Typing angle

5°
5°

Backlight

RGB, south-facing
RGB, south-facing

Firmware & software

QMK

Yes
No

VIA

Yes
No

N-key rollover

No
Yes

Mac & Windows

Yes
Yes

Extras

Released

2023
2026

For EU buyers

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 Ultra

  • Keychron (DE)

    ISO-DE, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-IT, ISO-PT

    In stockDoes not ship to you

Where to buy

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.

FAQ

Keychron Q1 V1 vs Q1 Ultra: your questions

It depends on your needs. The Q1 Ultra is worth the extra cost if you need wireless connectivity, a very high 8000 Hz polling rate for gaming, or a long battery life of up to 660 hours. If you prioritize extensive modding with QMK/VIA and a lower price, the Q1 V1 is a better value.

Yes, the Q1 Ultra supports a 2.4 GHz wireless connection, which the manufacturer states supports an 8000 Hz polling rate for low-latency gaming. It also features N-Key Rollover in wireless mode for reliable key presses.

The Q1 V1 is generally better for keycap customization. It is available in ISO and JIS layouts, offering more options for non-ANSI keycap sets. Note that some users have reported compatibility issues with MT3 and XDA profile keycaps on the Q1 V1. The Q1 Ultra only supports the ANSI layout.

The Q1 V1 is available with Keychron K Pro switches (Red/Brown) and Gateron Phantom switches (Yellow/Silver). The Q1 Ultra comes with Keychron Silk POM switches in Red, Brown, and Banana options. Both keyboards are hot-swappable, allowing you to install your own switches.

No, the Keychron Q1 V1 is a wired-only keyboard. It connects via a USB-C cable. If you need wireless functionality, you would need to look at the Q1 Ultra or other wireless models.

QMK is a mature, open-source firmware that allows for extensive customization and is used on the Q1 V1. ZMK is a modern, open-source firmware focused on wireless keyboards, used on the Q1 Ultra for its power efficiency. QMK generally offers more community-developed features, while ZMK is optimized for battery life.

The Keychron Q1 V1 weighs 1700g, while the Keychron Q1 Ultra weighs 1724g. Both are heavy, all-metal keyboards, making them stable on a desk but less portable than plastic alternatives.

Yes, both keyboards are designed to be customizable. The Q1 V1 comes with an aluminum plate but is compatible with other plates. The Q1 Ultra comes with a PC (polycarbonate) plate. You can replace these to change the typing feel and sound.

The Q1 Ultra has more advanced sound dampening from the factory. It includes multiple layers of foam: Sound Absorbing Foam, IXPE Foam, PET Film, Latex Bottom Pad, and Bottom Case Acoustic Foam. The Q1 V1 has sound dampening but some users have reported case ping, which can be fixed with mods.

No, neither the Keychron Q1 V1 nor the Keychron Q1 Ultra features a built-in screen. All information and customization are handled through your computer via the Keychron Launcher web app.

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