Keychron Q1 HE vs S1: High-End Gaming vs Budget Low-Profile

Compare Keychron Q1 HE vs S1 Differences Side by Side

This comparison is for buyers deciding between Keychron's premium and budget-friendly 75% keyboards. The Q1 HE is a feature-packed, high-performance board with magnetic switches, while the S1 offers a solid, low-profile metal build at a lower cost. The decision hinges on whether you prioritize advanced gaming capabilities and wireless connectivity or a sleek, cost-effective design.

Model
Rating	4.0 stars (37 reviews)	4.8 stars (18 reviews)
Purchase Options
Main differences	Released in 2023 Has Magnetic, Linear, Tactile, Clicky switch options Built with the ISO, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-IT, ISO-DE, ANSI, JIS layout standard Comes with a knob Utilizes Hall effect sensors Enables rapid trigger functionality Includes screw-in stabilizers Has built-in sound dampening Uses a Gasket Mount mounting style Supports Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless, Wired only connectivity Equipped with a 4000 mAh battery Weighs about 4000 g Sized at 23 x 145 x 328 mm Features PBT, ABS, keycaps Offers Yes, Rgb, South-face, Rgb South-face, White, White South-face RGB lighting	Released in 2022 Has Linear, Tactile, Clicky switch options Features a low-profile design Built with the ANSI layout standard Uses a Tray Mount mounting style Supports Wired, Wired only connectivity Weighs about 960 g Sized at 8 x 118 x 310 mm Features PBT keycaps Offers Yes, Rgb, North-face, Rgb North-face RGB lighting
Score	Scores Performance: 100 Build Quality: 90.1 Productivity: 96.8 Customizability: 99.3 Portability: 81.2	Scores Performance: 82.6 Build Quality: 82.1 Productivity: 80.8 Customizability: 90.4 Portability: 65.1
Name	Name Keychron Q1 HE	Name Keychron S1
Release year	Release year 2023	Release year 2022
Switch Options	Switch Options Magnetic, Linear, Tactile, Clicky	Switch Options Linear, Tactile, Clicky
Profile	Profile Normal Profile	Profile Low Profile
Hot Swappable	Hot Swappable	Hot Swappable
Layout Size	Layout Size 75%	Layout Size 75%
Layout Standard	Layout Standard ISO, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-IT, ISO-DE, ANSI, JIS	Layout Standard ANSI
Layout Ergonomics	Layout Ergonomics Normal	Layout Ergonomics Normal
Knob Support	Knob Support	Knob Support
Display Support	Display Support	Display Support
Mac/Win Support	Mac/Win Support	Mac/Win Support
Multi-Media Keys	Multi-Media Keys	Multi-Media Keys
USB-C	USB-C	USB-C
USB passthrough	USB passthrough	USB passthrough
Connection	Connection Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless, Wired only	Connection Wired, Wired only
Polling Rate	Polling Rate 1000 Hz;8000 Hz	Polling Rate 1000 Hz
Battery capacity	Battery capacity 4000 mAh	Battery capacity -
Hall Effect Support	Hall Effect Support	Hall Effect Support
QMK Support	QMK Support	QMK Support
VIA Support	VIA Support	VIA Support
VIAL Support	VIAL Support	VIAL Support
N-Key Rollover	N-Key Rollover	N-Key Rollover
Rapid Trigger	Rapid Trigger	Rapid Trigger
Mount Style	Mount Style Gasket Mount	Mount Style Tray Mount
Screw in Stabilizers	Screw in Stabilizers	Screw in Stabilizers
Sound Dampening	Sound Dampening	Sound Dampening
Backlight	Backlight Rgb, South-face, White, White South-face	Backlight Rgb, North-face
Case Colors	Case Colors	Case Colors
Case Material	Case Material Aluminum	Case Material Aluminum
Keycaps Material	Keycaps Material PBT, ABS,	Keycaps Material PBT
Dimensions	Dimensions 23 x 145 x 328 mm	Dimensions 8 x 118 x 310 mm
Weight	Weight 4000g	Weight 960g

100

Keychron Q1 HE QMK Wireless Benutzerdefinierte Tastatur ISO Layout Kollektion

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4.0 stars (37 reviews)

4.8 stars (18 reviews)

Released in 2023
Has Magnetic, Linear, Tactile, Clicky switch options
Built with the ISO, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-IT, ISO-DE, ANSI, JIS layout standard
Comes with a knob
Utilizes Hall effect sensors
Enables rapid trigger functionality
Includes screw-in stabilizers
Has built-in sound dampening
Uses a Gasket Mount mounting style
Supports Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless, Wired only connectivity
Equipped with a 4000 mAh battery
Weighs about 4000 g
Sized at 23 x 145 x 328 mm
Features PBT, ABS, keycaps
Offers Yes, Rgb, South-face, Rgb South-face, White, White South-face RGB lighting

Released in 2022
Has Linear, Tactile, Clicky switch options
Features a low-profile design
Built with the ANSI layout standard
Uses a Tray Mount mounting style
Supports Wired, Wired only connectivity
Weighs about 960 g
Sized at 8 x 118 x 310 mm
Features PBT keycaps
Offers Yes, Rgb, North-face, Rgb North-face RGB lighting

Scores

Performance: 100
Build Quality: 90.1
Productivity: 96.8
Customizability: 99.3
Portability: 81.2

Scores

Performance: 82.6
Build Quality: 82.1
Productivity: 80.8
Customizability: 90.4
Portability: 65.1

Name

Keychron Q1 HE

Name

Keychron S1

Release year

2023

Release year

2022

Switch Options

Magnetic, Linear, Tactile, Clicky

Switch Options

Linear, Tactile, Clicky

Profile

Normal Profile

Profile

Low Profile

Hot Swappable

Layout Size

75%

Layout Size

75%

Layout Standard

ISO, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-IT, ISO-DE, ANSI, JIS

Layout Standard

ANSI

Layout Ergonomics

Normal

Layout Ergonomics

Normal

Knob Support

Display Support

Mac/Win Support

Multi-Media Keys

USB-C

USB passthrough

Connection

Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless, Wired only

Connection

Wired, Wired only

Polling Rate

1000 Hz;8000 Hz

Polling Rate

1000 Hz

Battery capacity

4000 mAh

Battery capacity

Hall Effect Support

QMK Support

VIA Support

VIAL Support

N-Key Rollover

Rapid Trigger

Mount Style

Gasket Mount

Mount Style

Tray Mount

Screw in Stabilizers

Sound Dampening

Backlight

Rgb, South-face, White, White South-face

Backlight

Rgb, North-face

Case Colors

Case Material

Aluminum

Case Material

Aluminum

Keycaps Material

PBT, ABS,

Keycaps Material

PBT

Dimensions

23 x 145 x 328 mm

Dimensions

8 x 118 x 310 mm

Weight

4000g

Weight

960g

Pros and Trade-offs

Your budget and primary activity should guide this choice. For competitive gamers and enthusiasts who want cutting-edge magnetic switches, wireless freedom, and a top-tier modding platform, the Keychron Q1 HE is worth the investment. If you need a sleek, well-built low-profile keyboard for typing and general use on a desk, and prefer to keep costs lower, the wired Keychron S1 is an excellent value.

Keychron Q1 HE

+Advanced magnetic switches with adjustable actuation points and rapid trigger.
+Tri-mode connectivity: wired, 2.4GHz wireless, and Bluetooth 5.2.
+Premium all-aluminum body with a double-gasket mount design.
+Fully programmable via QMK and Keychron Launcher with 4-in-1 action keys.
+Includes screw-in PCB stabilizers and south-facing RGB LEDs.

−Much heavier and more expensive than the S1.
−Magnetic switch compatibility is restricted to specific Gateron models.
−Requires charging due to its 4000mAh battery for wireless use.

Keychron S1

+More affordable price point for a full CNC aluminum body.
+Ultra-slim, low-profile design with a light weight of 960g.
+Hot-swappable sockets for Gateron low-profile mechanical switches.
+Includes adjustable feet for two typing angles (3° and 6°).
+Programmable via both QMK and VIA firmware.

−Wired-only connectivity, lacking wireless options.
−Uses a tray/plate mount instead of a gasket mount.
−North-facing RGB LEDs may cause interference with some Cherry-profile keycaps.

Which Keyboard Is Better for Your Needs?

The Q1 HE is the clear choice for gaming and advanced customization, thanks to its magnetic switches and extensive programmability. It also leads for content creation and programming. The S1 wins for travel due to its lighter, slimmer build and is a capable, more affordable option for office use. For modding, the Q1 HE's gasket mount and component options offer a deeper platform.

GamingKeychron Q1 HE

•The Q1 HE features adjustable actuation points (0.2-3.8mm) and rapid trigger technology for competitive play.
•It offers a 1000Hz polling rate over both wired and 2.4 GHz wireless connections.
•Its magnetic switches and TMR sensors are designed for ultra-low latency and precise input.

OfficeTie

•Both keyboards support Mac and Windows layouts with included keycaps.
•The S1's low-profile design and lighter weight may suit shared or minimalist desks.
•The Q1 HE's wireless connectivity (Bluetooth and 2.4GHz) allows for easy multi-device switching.

ProgrammingKeychron Q1 HE

•The Q1 HE supports extensive key remapping and macros via QMK and the Keychron Launcher.
•It offers a wider range of layout standards (ANSI, ISO, JIS) for international users.
•Its hot-swappable magnetic switch sockets allow for fine-tuning typing feel.

TravelKeychron S1

•The S1 is significantly lighter at 960g compared to the Q1 HE's 1735g (assembled).
•Its low-profile, ultra-slim CNC aluminum body is more compact for transport.
•It requires no battery management as it is a wired-only keyboard.

ModdingKeychron Q1 HE

•The Q1 HE has a double-gasket mount design with an aluminum plate and sound-dampening pads for acoustic tuning.
•It features screw-in PCB stabilizers, which are generally preferred for modding over plate-mounted stabs.
•Its construction includes multiple plate material options (aluminum, polycarbonate) and a copper case option.

Content CreationKeychron Q1 HE

•The Q1 HE's ability to assign multiple actions to a single keystroke is useful for macro-heavy workflows.
•Its wireless modes provide flexibility for a clean desk setup and switching between editing machines.
•The premium all-aluminum build and sound profile may be preferable for audio/video recording environments.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)