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Head to head · Prices checked Oct 21, 2026

Keychron Q1 V2 vs Q275% vs 65% Layout Comparison

Choose the Keychron Q1 V2 if you need dedicated function and navigation keys, or the Q2 for a more compact desk footprint.

Keychron Q1 QMK Custom Mechanical Keyboard - Version 2

75%

Keychron Q1 V2

4.9 · 318 reviews

from$59at Keychron

Shop nowCompare 2 stores
Keychron Q2 QMK Custom Mechanical Keyboard

65% Layout Comparison

Keychron Q2

4.8 · 241 reviews

from$59at Keychron

Shop nowCompare 4 stores

Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Keychron Q1 V2

75%

If you want

  • 75% layout includes a dedicated function row, arrow keys, and navigation cluster.
  • Heavier 1825g construction for enhanced desk stability.
  • Vendor description mentions a double-gasket design with silicone pads for reduced acoustic resonance.

And can live with

  • Larger footprint (145mm wide) occupies more desk space.
  • Heavier weight reduces portability.
  • Wired-only connectivity.

Get the

Keychron Q2

65% Layout Comparison

If you want

  • More compact 65% layout (121mm wide) saves desk space.
  • Lighter weight at 1645g.
  • Vendor description highlights a double-gasket design for improved typing sound.

And can live with

  • Lacks dedicated function keys and a navigation cluster, requiring layer use.
  • Wired-only connectivity.
  • Smaller layout may have a steeper learning curve for some users.

Bottom line

Your primary need dictates the choice. If you regularly use function keys, arrows, and navigation keys for work or gaming, the Keychron Q1 V2's 75% layout is the practical option. If maximizing desk space is your goal and you are comfortable using layers, the more compact Keychron Q2 is the better fit. Both deliver an identical premium custom keyboard experience in all other aspects.

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 V2

Keychron Q2

  • Layout size

    75%

    65%

  • Mount style

    Gasket Mount, Plate Mount

    Gasket Mount, PCB Mount

  • Weight

    1,825 g

    1,645 g

  • Layout standard

    ANSI

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

  • Released

    2022

    2021

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Keychron Q1 V2
  • Keychron Q2
Performance
72
66
Build quality
89
90
Productivity
98
95
Customizability
98
98
Portability
62
70

What they share

  • Connection: Wired
  • Hot-swappable
  • Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
  • Case material: Aluminum
  • Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
  • Knob
See every spec side by side

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

The Q1 V2 is the consistent winner for tasks requiring frequent key access, like office work, programming, and gaming, thanks to its 75% layout. The Q2 takes the lead only for travel due to its smaller size and lower weight. For modding and content creation, the keyboards are evenly matched, offering identical customization platforms and creative tools like the programmable knob.

For gaming

Pick the Keychron Q1 V2

  • The Q1 V2's 75% layout retains the F-row for in-game macros or commands without using layers.
  • Both share a 1000 Hz polling rate for responsive input.
  • The Q1 V2's slightly heavier 1825g weight may provide more desk stability.

From real owners

What owners say

Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.

Keychron Q1 V2

4.9

318 owner reviews

Praise
“Exactly what I wanted. Swapped out the switches for some Gateron Zero degree fully silent switches. Mechanical but almost completely silent, works a dream!”
DanVerified buyer· via Keychron

Keychron Q2

4.8

241 owner reviews

Praise
“The Q2 is waaaaay underrated. Tempest mod, lubed durock v2 stabs, tecsee PME or HPE housing long pole tactile switches and you have yourself a killer board.”
Andrew J.Verified buyer· via Keychron

Full specs

Keychron Q1 V2 vs Q2 specs

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

7 of 25 specs differ

Keychron Q1 V2

Keychron Q2

Typing & switches

Switch options

Clicky, Linear, Tactile
Clicky, Linear, Tactile

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Gasket Mount, Plate Mount
Gasket Mount, PCB Mount

Sound dampening

Yes
Yes

Screw-in stabilizers

Yes
Yes

Layout

Layout size

75%
65%

Layout standard

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

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Knob

Yes
Yes

Display

None
None

Media keys

Yes
Yes

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Wired
Wired

Max polling rate

1,000 Hz
1,000 Hz

USB-C

Yes
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

Aluminum
Aluminum

Plate material

Steel
Steel

Keycaps

ABS, PBT
ABS, PBT

Weight

1,825 g
1,645 g

Dimensions

23 x 145 x 328 mm
20 x 121 x 328 mm

Typing angle

5°
7°

Backlight

RGB, south-facing
RGB, south-facing

Firmware & software

QMK

Yes
Yes

VIA

Yes
Yes

Mac & Windows

Yes
Yes

Extras

Released

2022
2021

Where to buy

Compare prices

Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.

Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.

  • KeychronHK

    In stock
    $59Visit
  • MKUS

    In stock
    $105Visit
  • AmazonGlobal

    Check price
    ~$59Visit
  • Keychron (DE)DE

    Out of stock
    $131Visit
Keychron Q25 stores
  • KeychronHK

    In stock
    $59Visit
  • Keychron (DE)DE

    In stock
    $125Visit
  • MKUS

    In stock
    $127Visit
  • Input GearDE

    In stock
    $154Visit

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.

FAQ

Keychron Q1 V2 vs Q2: your questions

The main difference is the layout size. The Q1 V2 is a 75% keyboard with a dedicated function row and navigation cluster. The Q2 is a more compact 65% keyboard that omits these keys to save space, requiring the use of function layers to access them.

Yes, both the Keychron Q1 V2 and Q2 feature hot-swappable PCBs. According to the manufacturer, they support both 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style mechanical switches, allowing for easy switch changes without soldering.

Yes. Both keyboards are listed with Mac/Win support. The vendor descriptions confirm they include keycaps for both operating systems and have a system toggle switch to change between macOS and Windows layouts.

No. Both the Keychron Q1 V2 and Q2 are wired-only keyboards, connecting via a USB Type-C cable. The vendor descriptions do not mention Bluetooth or 2.4 GHz wireless capabilities for these specific models.

According to Keychron, the double-gasket design adds silicone pads between the top and bottom aluminum cases in addition to the gaskets on the plate. The manufacturer states this reduces metal resonance and noise for a better typing sound.

The assembled versions of both keyboards come with OSA profile double-shot PBT keycaps. Keychron describes OSA as having a similar height to OEM profile keycaps with an SA-like spherical shape.

Yes. Both keyboards use screw-in PCB stabilizers, which are user-replaceable. The manufacturer's description for both models notes they support third-party stabilizers like those from Cherry or Durock.

The specifications list a 1000 Hz polling rate for both the Keychron Q1 V2 and the Keychron Q2. This provides a 1ms report rate for responsive input.

Yes. The vendor descriptions state the programmable knob can be customized using VIA software. You can assign it to control volume, zoom, screen brightness, brush size, or other macro commands.

The Q1 V2 is generally better suited for programming due to its 75% layout. It provides dedicated arrow keys and a navigation cluster (like Home, End, PgUp, PgDn) which are frequently used in code editors, without requiring a function layer to access them.

Yes, both keyboards fully support open-source QMK firmware and VIA software for real-time key remapping and macro programming. The manufacturer provides source code and recommends using the Keychron Launcher web app for configuration.

Both keyboards feature south-facing RGB LEDs. According to Keychron, this positioning prevents interference with Cherry-profile keycaps and better illuminates the keyboard from the typist's angle when using the included non-shine-through keycaps.

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