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Compare Keychron Q1 V2 SE vs V1 Max Differences Side by Side

This comparison suits buyers choosing between a wired, aluminum 75% keyboard and a wireless, plastic 75% alternative. Both offer hot-swap sockets, QMK and VIA support, south-facing RGB, a knob, and sound-dampening features. The Q1 V2 SE pairs its aluminum case with a steel plate, while the V1 Max adds Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz connectivity with a gasket mount and polycarbonate plate. The choice comes down to the Q1's metal construction versus the V1 Max's wireless flexibility and lower listed price range.

89
Keychron Q1 V2 w/ Knob Special Edition Aluminum 75% Hotswap RGB Win + Mac Mechanical Keyboard
98
Keychron V1 Max QMK Kabellose Benutzerdefinierte Mechanische Tastatur ISO Layout Kollektion

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4.1 (18)
  • Has Clicky, Tactile, Linear switch options
  • Built with the ANSI layout standard
  • Uses a Plate Mount mounting style
  • Supports Wired, Wired only connectivity
  • Made with a Aluminum case
  • Has Linear, Tactile, Clicky switch options
  • Built with the ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-IT, ISO-PT, ISO, ANSI layout standard
  • Features N-key rollover
  • Uses a Gasket Mount mounting style
  • Supports Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless connectivity
  • Runs at a 1000 Hz polling rate
  • Equipped with a 4000 mAh battery
  • Weighs about 770 g
  • Sized at 22 x 149 x 329 mm
  • Made with a ABS, Plastic case
  • Features PBT, ABS keycaps
Scores
  • Performance: 73.2
  • Build Quality: 84.3
  • Productivity: 97.9
  • Customizability: 94.3
  • Portability: 67.9
Scores
  • Performance: 83.2
  • Build Quality: 86.3
  • Productivity: 97.3
  • Customizability: 97.9
  • Portability: 78.6
Name
Keychron Q1 V2 SE
Name
Keychron V1 Max
Release year
2023
Release year
2023
Switch Options
Clicky, Tactile, Linear
Switch Options
Linear, Tactile, Clicky
Profile
Normal Profile
Profile
Normal Profile
Hot Swappable
 
Hot Swappable
 
Layout Size
75%
Layout Size
75%
Layout Standard
ANSI
Layout Standard
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-IT, ISO-PT, ISO, ANSI
Layout Ergonomics
Normal
Layout Ergonomics
Normal
Knob Support
 
Knob Support
 
Display Support
 
Display Support
 
Mac/Win Support
 
Mac/Win Support
 
Multi-Media Keys
 
Multi-Media Keys
 
USB-C
 
USB-C
 
USB passthrough
 
USB passthrough
 
Connection
Wired, Wired only
Connection
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless
Polling Rate
-
Polling Rate
1000 Hz
Battery capacity
-
Battery capacity
4000 mAh
Hall Effect Support
 
Hall Effect Support
 
QMK Support
 
QMK Support
 
VIA Support
 
VIA Support
 
VIAL Support
 
VIAL Support
 
N-Key Rollover
 
N-Key Rollover
 
Rapid Trigger
 
Rapid Trigger
 
Mount Style
Plate Mount
Mount Style
Gasket Mount
Screw in Stabilizers
 
Screw in Stabilizers
 
Sound Dampening
 
Sound Dampening
 
Backlight
 
Rgb, South-face
Backlight
 
Rgb, South-face
Case Colors
Case Colors
Case Material
Aluminum
Case Material
ABS, Plastic
Keycaps Material
-
Keycaps Material
PBT, ABS
Dimensions
-
Dimensions
22 x 149 x 329 mm
Weight
-
Weight
770g
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Pros and Trade-offs

Choose the Q1 V2 SE if an aluminum case and steel plate are your priorities and wired use suits your setup. Pick the V1 Max if you want Bluetooth or 2.4 GHz, a lower listed price range, and the option of an ISO layout or barebones build. Both offer hot-swapping, QMK/VIA, a knob, and sound-dampening features, so those shared capabilities need not decide the purchase.

Keychron Q1 V2 SE

  • +Aluminum case paired with a steel plate.
  • +Hot-swap sockets support 3-pin and 5-pin switches, according to the vendor.
  • +QMK and VIA support, plus a knob and multimedia keys.
  • +Includes sound-absorbing foam and case gaskets, per the vendor description.
  • +South-facing RGB and screw-in stabilizers.

  • −Wired-only connectivity, with no listed wireless mode.
  • −ANSI is the only listed physical layout.
  • −Listed price range is higher than the V1 Max's.

Keychron V1 Max

  • +Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and wired connectivity.
  • +A 4000 mAh battery, with vendor-listed wireless use up to 190 hours with backlighting off.
  • +Gasket mount and polycarbonate plate, with sound-absorbing foam described by Keychron.
  • +Hot-swappable switches, QMK and VIA support, and a barebones option.
  • +Available in ANSI and multiple ISO layout variants.

  • −ABS plastic case rather than the Q1 V2 SE's aluminum case.
  • −Polycarbonate plate instead of the Q1 V2 SE's steel plate.
  • −At 770 g, it still has substantial listed weight for a travel keyboard.
  • −Bluetooth polling rate is listed as 90 Hz, compared with 1000 Hz over 2.4 GHz and wired.

Which Keyboard Is Better for Your Needs?

The V1 Max has the clearer advantage for wireless gaming and mobile use, thanks to its 2.4 GHz connection, Bluetooth, and battery. The Q1 V2 SE is the fit for buyers who specifically want an aluminum case and steel plate. Programming and modding are close because both boards support hot-swapping and QMK/VIA, though the V1 Max adds ISO layout choices and a barebones version. For office and content work, the shared 75% layout, knob, and multimedia keys make the decision depend more on wired versus wireless use and preferred construction.

GamingKeychron V1 Max
  • •The V1 Max supports 2.4 GHz wireless and lists a 1000 Hz polling rate for that mode.
  • •The Q1 V2 SE is wired only.
  • •Both have hot-swappable switches and south-facing RGB.
OfficeKeychron V1 Max
  • •The V1 Max can connect over Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, or USB-C wired.
  • •Its vendor description lists wireless battery life of up to 190 hours with backlighting off.
  • •Both keyboards have a 75% layout, multimedia keys, and a knob.
ProgrammingTie
  • •Both support QMK, VIA, hot-swapping, and a knob.
  • •The V1 Max vendor lists Windows, macOS, and Linux compatibility, while the Q1 V2 SE vendor also lists all three.
  • •The V1 Max offers a choice of ANSI and several ISO layouts, while the Q1 V2 SE is ANSI.
TravelKeychron V1 Max
  • •The V1 Max weighs 770 g and supports Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz wireless use.
  • •The Q1 V2 SE is wired only and has an aluminum case.
  • •The V1 Max has a 4000 mAh battery, with vendor-listed wireless use up to 190 hours with backlighting off.
ModdingTie
  • •Both support hot-swappable switches, QMK, VIA, and screw-in stabilizers.
  • •The Q1 V2 SE vendor specifies support for 3-pin and 5-pin switches, as does the V1 Max vendor.
  • •The V1 Max is offered as a barebones option, while the Q1 V2 SE is listed as prebuilt.
Content CreationTie
  • •Both include a knob and multimedia keys.
  • •Both support QMK and VIA for key customization.
  • •The V1 Max supports wireless connections, while the Q1 V2 SE uses USB-C wired connectivity.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)


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