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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 12, 2026

Keychron Q1 HE vs Royalaxe X68 HEWireless vs 65%

Choose the Keychron Q1 HE for Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz, a 75% layout, and QMK customization; choose the Royalaxe X68 HE for its compact 65% layout and vendor-listed 8K polling rate.

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Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Keychron Q1 HE

Wireless

Build quality in the top 5% of 75% boards under $200.

If you want

  • Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz connectivity, with the vendor describing Bluetooth connections to three devices.
  • QMK and VIA support, plus a vendor-described Launcher for remapping, macros, shortcuts, and actuation adjustments.
  • A 75% layout with a function row, plus a listed knob and multimedia keys.

Rules this board out

  • Magnetic switches only. Standard MX switches will not fit.
  • South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
  • No numpad.
$160 at Input Gear

Get the

Royalaxe X68 HE

65%

Build quality in the bottom 15% of 65% boards under $200.

If you want

  • The vendor lists an 8K polling rate and a 0.125 ms response time.
  • A compact 65% layout and vendor-listed weight of 1200 ± 20 grams.
  • Five-sided thermal-sublimation PBT keycaps, as described by the vendor.

Rules this board out

  • Magnetic switches only. Standard MX switches will not fit.
  • No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
  • 65% layout. No function row and no numpad.
$169 at Mechkeys

Bottom line

Choose the Keychron Q1 HE if you want wireless connectivity, a 75% layout with a function row, or QMK and VIA customization. Choose the Royalaxe X68 HE if a smaller 65% layout and its vendor-listed 8K polling rate are more important. Both use magnetic switches and list Rapid Trigger, but neither accepts standard MX switches.

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 HE

Royalaxe X68 HE

  • Layout size

    75%

    65%

  • Connection

    Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired

    Wired

    Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency

  • Switch options

    Clicky, Linear, Magnetic, Tactile

    Magnetic

  • Knob

    Yes

    No

  • Display

    LED

    None

    A case display rather than a typing feature

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Keychron Q1 HE
  • Royalaxe X68 HE
Performance
100
73
Build quality
92
44
Productivity
97
49
Customizability
100
57
Portability
81
71

What they share

  • Hall effect (magnetic)
  • Rapid trigger
  • Hot-swappable
  • Case material: Aluminum
See every spec side by side

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

The Keychron leads for office work, programming, modding, and content creation because it combines a larger layout with wireless connectivity and broader customization features. Gaming is closer: both have Hall Effect switches and Rapid Trigger, while the Royalaxe vendor listing advertises a higher polling rate and the Keychron has more detailed actuation options. The Royalaxe's smaller 65% layout and lower vendor-listed weight make it the more compact choice, though it gives up wireless operation and a function row.

For gaming

Pick the Keychron Q1 HE

  • Both boards list Hall Effect switches and Rapid Trigger.
  • The Keychron supports adjustable actuation from 0.2 to 3.8 mm and multiple actions from one key.
  • The Royalaxe vendor description lists 8K polling, while the Keychron metadata lists 1000 Hz.
$160 at Input Gear

Full specs

Keychron Q1 HE vs Royalaxe X68 HE specs

Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.

16 of 29 specs differ

Keychron Q1 HE

Royalaxe X68 HE

Typing & switches

Switch options

Clicky, Linear, Magnetic, Tactile
Magnetic

Hall effect (magnetic)

Yes
Yes

Rapid trigger

Yes
Yes

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Gasket Mount, PCB Mount
—

Sound dampening

Yes
No

Screw-in stabilizers

Yes
No

Layout

Layout size

75%
65%

Layout standard

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

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Knob

Yes
No

Display

LED
None

Media keys

Yes
No

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Wired

Max polling rate

8,000 Hz
—

Battery

4,000 mAh
Wired only

USB-C

Yes
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

Aluminum
Aluminum

Plate material

Aluminum, Polycarbonate
—

Keycaps

ABS, PBT
PBT

Weight

4,000 g
—

Dimensions

23 x 145 x 328 mm
—

Typing angle

5°, 6°, 7°
—

Backlight

RGB, south-facing
RGB

Firmware & software

QMK

Yes
No

VIA

Yes
No

N-key rollover

Yes
No

Mac & Windows

Yes
No

Extras

Released

2023
2025

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.

Keychron Q1 HE5 stores
Royalaxe X68 HE2 stores

For EU buyers

ISO layouts by store

Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.

Keychron Q1 HE

Royalaxe X68 HE

No ISO layout at the stores we track.

FAQ

Keychron Q1 HE vs Royalaxe X68 HE: your questions

Yes. Its listed connectivity includes Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz, as well as wired USB-C. Keychron's product description says Bluetooth can connect to three devices.

No wireless connection is listed for the Royalaxe X68 HE; its listed connectivity is wired only. The Keychron Q1 HE adds Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz if wireless use is a priority.

The Royalaxe X68 HE has a 65% layout, while the Keychron Q1 HE is 75%. The Royalaxe layout omits both the function row and numpad.

The Keychron Q1 HE is listed as a 75% keyboard, and its layout includes a function row. The Royalaxe X68 HE is 65% and does not have one.

The Keychron metadata lists 1000 Hz and its vendor description specifies 1000 Hz in wired and 2.4 GHz modes. The vendor also lists 90 Hz in Bluetooth mode.

The Royalaxe vendor description advertises an 8K polling rate and a 0.125 ms response time. The product metadata does not list a polling-rate value.

Yes, Rapid Trigger is listed for both keyboards. Keychron's vendor description also explains that its dynamic rapid trigger activates and deactivates keys based on travel distance.

No. Both keyboards are specified for magnetic switches only, and standard MX switches will not fit. Keychron further identifies Gateron Double-Rail Magnetic switches as the compatible type for the Q1 HE.

The Keychron Q1 HE metadata lists both QMK and VIA support. Keychron's product description says its Launcher can be used for remapping, macros, shortcuts, and actuation adjustments.

No. The Royalaxe X68 HE is listed as ANSI only, and its compatibility details specify that ISO variants are not offered. The Keychron Q1 HE lists several ISO variants as well as ANSI and JIS.

The Royalaxe vendor lists the X68 HE at 1200 ± 20 grams. Keychron lists the fully assembled Q1 HE at 1735 g ± 10 g.

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