Keychron Q1 Max vs Q375% Wireless vs 80% Wired TKL
Choose the Q1 Max for wireless freedom and compact 75% layout, or the Q3 for a full TKL layout and significantly lower entry price.
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4.3 (25)4.3 · 25 reviews
from$209at MK
4.8 (108)4.8 · 108 reviews
from$59at Keychron
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron Q1 Max
75% Wireless
Build quality in the top 5% of 75% boards under $200.
- Wireless connectivity with both 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth 5.1 for flexible setup options.
- Large 4000 mAh battery delivers up to 180 hours of use with backlight off.
- Includes multiple acoustic foam layers (IXPE, PET, Latex) for a premium typing sound out of the box.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- Missing ISO-FR, ISO-ES. The other board is sold in those layouts.
- No numpad.
Get the
Keychron Q3
80% Wired TKL
Build quality in the top 5% of 80% boards under $100.
- Much lower starting price, with barebone kits available around $90 and fully assembled around $160.
- 80% TKL layout provides a dedicated function row and more spacing for touch typists.
- Steel plate offers a stiffer, more consistent typing feel preferred by some users.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- Missing ISO-Nordic, ISO-CH. The other board is sold in those layouts.
- No numpad.
Your choice comes down to whether wireless freedom and a compact layout matter more than a full TKL layout and a lower price. The Keychron Q1 Max justifies its higher cost with Bluetooth 5.1, 2.4 GHz, and rich acoustic foam layers for a quieter, more versatile typing experience. If you prefer a dedicated function row and want to save money, the wired Keychron Q3 delivers the same core QMK/VIA customization and an equally solid aluminum build at a fraction of the price.
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 Max
Keychron Q3
Layout size
75%
80%
Connection
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Switch options
Clicky, Linear, Tactile
Clicky, Linear, Silent, Tactile
Mount style
Gasket Mount, Plate Mount
Gasket Mount, PCB Mount, Plate Mount
Weight
1,724 g
2,000 g
Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel
- Keychron Q1 Max
- Keychron Q3
- Performance
- 8272
- Build quality
- 8991
- Productivity
- 9798
- Customizability
- 9898
- Portability
- 8157
- Hot-swappable
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Case material: Aluminum
- Knob
- QMK
- VIA
What will you mostly use it for?
The Q1 Max wins decisively in gaming and travel thanks to its 2.4 GHz wireless, larger battery, and lighter 75% frame. For office use, its Bluetooth 5.1 and enhanced acoustic foams make it the quieter, more flexible choice. The Q3 ties in programming, modding, and content creation because both keyboards share QMK/VIA support, hot-swap sockets, and a programmable knob. The Q1 Max pulls ahead for users who value wireless freedom and a compact footprint, while the Q3 remains a strong contender for those who prefer a full TKL layout and lower cost.
Pick the Keychron Q1 Max
- 2.4 GHz wireless connection with 1000 Hz polling rate for low-latency gameplay.
- 4000 mAh battery supports long wireless sessions without interruption.
- 75% layout saves desk space for mouse movement.
- North-facing RGB is not mentioned; south-facing RGB is standard on both.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
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 Q3
108 owner reviews
“I upgraded from the Q1 as I never really liked 75%. The weight, sound and feel of the Q3 are all amazing. Really good build quality. Money well spent.”
“I thought I had found exactly what I wanted and its great for what it is, but! This was advertised as an ANSI layout but what I received was an ISO layout board. The barebones board also states in the images that it comes with switch and keycap removal tools…”
Keychron Q1 Max vs Q3 specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
11 of 27 specs differ
Keychron Q1 Max
Keychron Q3
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 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
Keychron Q3
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW
In stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW
Out of 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 Max vs Q3: your questions
The manufacturer states that the Q1 Max supports 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth, and wired Type-C connections. It includes a 4000 mAh rechargeable battery, but the vendor description does not explicitly confirm whether it can be used while charging.
Yes, the Q3 comes with a system toggle and an additional set of customized keycaps for both Windows and macOS systems. You can save two different layouts on the keyboard, one for each system, as stated in the vendor description.
The Q1 Max fully assembled version includes your choice of Gateron Jupiter Red (linear), Gateron Jupiter Brown (tactile), or Gateron Jupiter Banana (tactile) switches. A barebone version without switches or keycaps is also available.
Yes, the Q3 ISO version comes with OSA profile ABS backlight shine-through keycaps that provide a fantastic backlight shine-through effect, as mentioned in the vendor description.
Yes, the Q1 Max supports both QMK and VIA, and it can also be programmed using the Keychron Launcher web app. You can remap keys, adjust RGB, and create macros using the Launcher in a Chrome, Opera, or Edge browser.
The Q1 Max is lighter at 1724 grams fully assembled, compared to the Q3 which weighs 2000 grams. The Q1 Max also offers wireless connectivity, making it more convenient for travel.
Yes, the Q3 has hot-swappable sockets that support both 3-pin and 5-pin MX mechanical switches without soldering. This is confirmed in the vendor product description.
The Q1 Max uses a polycarbonate (PC) plate according to the product metadata. The vendor also confirms it comes with a PC plate, which provides a more flexible typing feel.
The vendor states the 4000 mAh battery provides up to 180 hours of working time with the backlight off, and up to 100 hours with RGB at the lowest brightness.
Yes, the metadata shows the Q3 supports ANSI, ISO, JIS, and multiple ISO variants including DE-ISO, UK-ISO, Swiss-ISO, Nordic-ISO, FR-ISO, and ES-ISO. The vendor page specifically highlights the ISO layout collection.
Yes, the Q1 Max includes a knob according to the extra features in its metadata. The vendor offers a "Fully Assembled Knob" version that includes an aluminum rotary encoder for customizing functions like volume or zoom.
The Q1 Max includes multiple layers of acoustic foams such as IXPE, PET, and Latex, as well as a double-gasket design. The Q3 also has a double-gasket design and sound dampening, but the Q1 Max's additional foam layers likely provide a quieter and more refined sound profile.
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