Keychron Q1 V2 vs Q1 UltraWired Custom vs Wireless 8K
Choose the Q1 V2 for maximum customization and value, or the Q1 Ultra for premium wireless performance and battery life.
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4.9 (318)4.9 · 318 reviews
from$59at Keychron
5.0 (6)5.0 · 6 reviews
from$229at MK
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron Q1 V2
Wired Custom
Build quality in the top 5% of 75% boards under $100.
- Supports both QMK and VIA open-source firmware for extensive programmability.
- Features a steel plate, which can provide a firmer, more consistent typing feel.
- Vendor notes sharper case corners for better third-party keycap compatibility.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
Get the
Keychron Q1 Ultra
Wireless 8K
Build quality in the top 35% of 75% boards under $300.
- Features triple-mode wireless (Bluetooth 5.3, 2.4 GHz) and wired connectivity.
- Boasts an 8000 Hz polling rate for ultra-low latency in wireless and wired modes.
- Includes a large 4000mAh battery with a claimed life of up to 660 hours.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
Your primary need dictates the choice. If you require wireless freedom for a clean desk, device switching, or gaming with the lowest possible latency, the Keychron Q1 Ultra is the justified premium investment. If your keyboard stays in one place, and your priority is deep customization, open-source firmware support, and value, the wired Keychron Q1 V2 remains an exceptional and more affordable foundation.
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 V2
Keychron Q1 Ultra
Connection
Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Max polling rate
1,000 Hz
8,000 Hz
Higher polling helps competitive FPS and does nothing for typing
Weight
1,825 g
1,724 g
Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel
QMK
Yes
No
The deep option when you want to remap every key
VIA
Yes
No
GUI remapping without compiling firmware
- Keychron Q1 V2
- Keychron Q1 Ultra
- Performance
- 7289
- Build quality
- 8974
- Productivity
- 9890
- Customizability
- 9877
- Portability
- 6283
- Layout size: 75%
- Hot-swappable
- Case material: Aluminum
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- Mount style: Gasket Mount, Plate Mount
- Knob
What will you mostly use it for?
The Q1 Ultra is the clear choice for gaming, office, and travel due to its wireless versatility, high polling rate, and battery. The Q1 V2 dominates for programming and modding, thanks to its superior QMK/VIA firmware support and modder-friendly design. For content creation, both are equally capable with their programmable knobs and compact layouts, making the decision more about connectivity preference.
Pick the Keychron Q1 Ultra
- The Q1 Ultra offers an 8000 Hz polling rate in both wired and 2.4 GHz wireless modes for lower latency.
- It features N-key rollover in wireless and wired modes for reliable simultaneous key presses.
- The wireless connectivity provides a cleaner desk setup without cable management concerns.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron Q1 V2
318 owner reviews
“Exactly what I wanted. Swapped out the switches for some Gateron Zero degree fully silent switches. Mechanical but almost completely silent, works a dream!”
Keychron Q1 Ultra
6 owner reviews
“An exceptional keyboard in every respect. The sound, the feel of the keys, and the performance are all of the highest quality.”
Keychron Q1 V2 vs Q1 Ultra specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
11 of 27 specs differ
Keychron Q1 V2
Keychron Q1 Ultra
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 V2
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
Keychron Q1 Ultra
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-IT, ISO-PT
In 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 V2 vs Q1 Ultra: your questions
The core difference is connectivity. The Q1 V2 is a wired-only keyboard, while the Q1 Ultra adds 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth 5.3 wireless with a 4000mAh battery. The Ultra also features a much higher 8000 Hz polling rate and uses ZMK firmware, whereas the V2 uses QMK and VIA.
Yes, according to the vendor description, the Q1 Ultra can operate even while it is charging. This allows for uninterrupted usage during the charging process.
They offer different experiences. The Q1 V2 has a steel plate, typically associated with a firmer, more consistent feel. The Q1 Ultra uses a polycarbonate plate and includes multiple foam layers (IXPE, PET, latex, acoustic foam), which generally creates a softer, more dampened, and deeper typing sound.
No. Both use double-shot PBT keycaps, but with different profiles. The Q1 V2 uses OSA profile keycaps, while the Q1 Ultra uses KSA profile keycaps. Both include separate keycap sets for Mac and Windows layouts.
Yes, the Keychron Q1 V2 is hot-swappable. Its PCB supports both 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style mechanical switches, allowing you to change switches without soldering.
The Q1 Ultra comes with pre-lubed Keychron Silk POM Switches. According to the vendor, options include linear Red, tactile Brown, and tactile Banana variants.
No. The Keychron Q1 Ultra uses ZMK open-source firmware and is configured through the Keychron Launcher web app. The Q1 V2 is the model that supports both QMK and VIA firmware.
The Keychron Q1 V2 is slightly heavier. It weighs 1825 grams, while the Q1 Ultra weighs 1724 grams. Both are substantial due to their full aluminum construction.
The Q1 V2 is available in both knob and non-knob versions. The vendor listing shows 'Fully Assembled Knob' as a configuration option. The knob is programmable via VIA software.
The Keychron Q1 V2 has a polling rate of 1000 Hz. This is a standard rate for reliable performance in wired mode.
According to the manufacturer's description, the Keychron Q1 Ultra can connect via Bluetooth 5.3 to three devices, allowing for easy switching between a computer, phone, and tablet.
Yes, both the Keychron Q1 V2 and Q1 Ultra feature screw-in PCB stabilizers. The vendor states this design increases stability and makes upgrades easier.
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