Compare Keychron Q1 V1 vs Q2 Max Differences Side by Side

The Q1 V1 is a 75% wired-only board with an aluminum plate, while the Q2 Max is a 65% board with 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth wireless, a 4000mAh battery, and a PC plate. Both share aluminum cases, gasket mounts, hot-swappable sockets, and QMK/VIA support. Layout width and connectivity are the main dividing lines.

Yes, the Q2 Max supports 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth 5.1, and Type-C wired connections. The vendor lists Bluetooth pairing for up to three devices. The Q1 V1 is wired only via Type-C.

The vendor rates the 4000mAh battery for up to 180 hours with the backlight off and up to 100 hours at the lowest RGB brightness. Actual runtime depends on backlight settings and wireless mode. The Q1 V1 has no battery because it is wired only.

Yes, the Q1 V1 has hot-swappable sockets that support both 3-pin and 5-pin MX mechanical switches. That means you can change switches without soldering. The Q2 Max also offers hot-swappable sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin MX switches.

The Q1 V1 uses a 75% layout, which keeps more dedicated keys than the Q2 Max 65% layout. Both boards support QMK firmware and VIA, plus the Keychron Launcher web app for remapping and macros. If you rely on function-row keys and multi-media controls, the Q1 V1 layout is the more direct fit.

The Q2 Max supports 2.4 GHz wireless with a 1000 Hz polling rate and lists N-key rollover in both wireless and wired modes. Its PC plate and double-gasket design are described by the vendor as flexible. Bluetooth polling is listed at 90 Hz, so use 2.4 GHz or wired for the higher rate.

The Q1 V1 uses an aluminum plate, and the vendor also lists steel as a plate option in the product metadata. The Q2 Max uses a PC (polycarbonate) plate paired with a double-gasket design and IXPE, PET, and Latex acoustic foams. Plate material affects typing feel and sound, with aluminum generally firmer and PC more flexible.

Yes, both the Q1 V1 and Q2 Max support QMK firmware and VIA, and both can be configured through the Keychron Launcher web app. The Launcher requires a wired connection and a recent Chrome, Opera, or Edge browser. Remapping, macros, and shortcuts are available on both boards.

The Q2 Max is more portable at 121 x 327mm and 1528g, compared with the Q1 V1 at 145 x 328mm and 1700g. The Q2 Max also offers Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz wireless, which reduces cable reliance when moving between desks. Both are aluminum boards, so neither is ultralight.

The Q1 V1 vendor page lists OSA double-shot PBT keycaps, while also listing ABS shine-through keycaps in one spec line, so confirm the material for your exact variant. The Q2 Max ships with KSA double-shot PBT keycaps that are not shine-through. Both include Mac and Windows keycaps in the box.

Yes, the Q2 Max includes a system toggle and additional customized keycaps for both macOS and Windows, and the vendor lists Linux compatibility as well. You can save two different layouts on the keyboard, one for each system. The Q1 V1 offers the same Mac and Windows system toggle and keycaps.

The Q1 V1 has a much larger review base, with over 1,100 reviews across vendors and 367 on the Keychron product page. The Q2 Max shows only a small number of reviews so far. A larger review base can make it easier to gauge long-term owner experience.