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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 10, 2026

Keychron Q1 V2 vs Q6575% Keys or Macro Column

Choose the Q1 V2 for its more conventional 75% layout and lighter body, or the Q65 if you specifically want its 65% layout with an extra macro column.

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Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Keychron Q1 V2

Media keys

Build quality in the top 5% of 75% boards under $100.

If you want

  • 75% ANSI layout with multimedia keys.
  • Aluminum case, steel plate, and gasket mount.
  • Hot-swappable sockets support 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style switches.

Rules this board out

  • South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
  • No numpad.

Get the

Keychron Q65

Build quality in the top 5% of 65% boards under $100.

If you want

  • 65% layout adds a column of macro keys and includes a programmable knob.
  • Double-shot PBT keycaps are specified for the assembled version.
  • Aluminum case, steel plate, and double-gasket design.

Rules this board out

  • South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
  • 65% layout. No function row and no numpad.

Bottom line

Choose the Q1 V2 if you want a 75% layout, multimedia keys, and a lower listed weight. Choose the Q65 if its extra macro-key column is more useful than the Q1 V2's fuller conventional layout. Both offer aluminum construction, hot-swappable switches, QMK, VIA, and a programmable knob, so the layout should make the decision.

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 Q65

  • Layout size

    75%

    65%

  • Mount style

    Gasket Mount, Plate Mount

    Gasket Mount

  • Weight

    1,825 g

    2,420 g

    Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel

  • Keycaps

    ABS, PBT

    PBT

  • Media keys

    Yes

    No

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Keychron Q1 V2
  • Keychron Q65
Performance
71
66
Build quality
89
89
Productivity
98
95
Customizability
98
96
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 more practical pick for buyers who want a fuller 75% layout or prioritize lower listed weight. The Q65's additional macro-key column gives it an advantage for workflows that benefit from more dedicated controls. Programming and modding are close calls because both keyboards offer QMK, VIA, hot-swap sockets, and a programmable knob. Neither is especially suited to travel if a buyer needs wireless operation, since both are wired-only and heavy.

For gaming

Pick the Keychron Q1 V2

  • Both keyboards are wired and list a 1000 Hz polling rate.
  • The Q1 V2 weighs 1825 g, compared with 2420 g for the Q65.
  • The Q1 V2's 75% layout retains a fuller layout than the Q65's 65% layout.

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 Q65

4.5

4 owner reviews

Praise
“awesome keyboard , and its best still i have. but, on VIA , cant remap rotary encoder. i need write add 4,8 4,9 and 0,0 on top of keymap. 4,8 vol- 4,9 vol+ and 0,0 mute add and 0\n,0 remove. to remap VIA .”
oda t.Verified buyer· via Keychron

Full specs

Keychron Q1 V2 vs Q65 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 Q65

Typing & switches

Switch options

Clicky, Linear, Tactile
Clicky, Linear, Tactile

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Gasket Mount, Plate Mount
Gasket Mount

Sound dampening

Yes
Yes

Screw-in stabilizers

Yes
Yes

Layout

Layout size

75%
65%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Knob

Yes
Yes

Display

None
None

Media keys

Yes
No

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
PBT

Weight

1,825 g
2,420 g

Dimensions

23 x 145 x 328 mm
34 x 121 x 363 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
2022

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 Q654 stores

FAQ

Keychron Q1 V2 vs Q65: your questions

The Q1 V2 has a 75% ANSI layout, while the Q65 has a 65% layout with an extra column of macro keys. Both are wired aluminum keyboards with a programmable knob.

Both list wired connectivity and a 1000 Hz polling rate. The Q1 V2 is lighter and has a 75% layout, while the Q65 is heavier and uses a 65% layout.

The Q65 is narrower in the listed dimensions, at 121 mm versus 145 mm for the Q1 V2. It is longer, however, at 363 mm compared with the Q1 V2's 328 mm.

No. Both keyboards are listed as wired-only, with USB-C connectivity.

Yes. Both support hot-swapping and are described as compatible with 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style switches, allowing switch changes without soldering.

Both support QMK and VIA, and their vendor descriptions mention key remapping and macros through Keychron Launcher. Each also has a programmable knob.

The Q65 is described as adding an extra column of macro keys to its 65% layout. The Q1 V2 has a 75% layout and multimedia keys, but its listed features do not identify an extra macro-key column.

The Q65's assembled version is specified with double-shot PBT keycaps. The Q1 V2 is listed with PBT or ABS keycaps, and its vendor description identifies double-shot PBT keycaps for the assembled version.

Both product listings specify Mac and Windows support. The vendor descriptions also mention Mac and Windows keycaps for the assembled versions.

Yes, both list south-facing RGB. Their vendor descriptions say the lighting is designed to illuminate from the typist's angle.

The Q1 V2 is listed at 1825 g, while the Q65 is listed at 2420 g for the assembled version. Neither is a light option for carrying regularly.

The Q65's programmable knob can be assigned commands for selecting video clips or photos, and it also has an extra column of macro keys. The Q1 V2 also has a programmable knob, so the Q65's distinguishing feature is its additional macro-key column.

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