What is the main difference between the Keychron Q1 V2 and Q65?

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.

Is the Keychron Q1 V2 or Q65 better for gaming?

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.

Which keyboard is smaller, the Q1 V2 or Q65?

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.

Are the Keychron Q1 V2 and Q65 wireless?

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

Do the Keychron Q1 V2 and Q65 support hot-swappable switches?

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

Can you remap keys on the Keychron Q1 V2 and Q65?

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

Does the Q65 have more macro keys than the Q1 V2?

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.

Which Keychron keyboard has PBT keycaps?

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.

Can the Q1 V2 and Q65 be used with Mac and Windows?

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

Do the Keychron Q1 V2 and Q65 have RGB lighting?

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

Which keyboard is lighter, the Q1 V2 or Q65?

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.

Which keyboard is better for video or photo editing?

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.

Compare Keychron Q1 V2 vs Q65 Differences Side by Side

This comparison is for buyers choosing between two wired Keychron keyboards with aluminum cases, steel plates, hot-swappable switches, and QMK and VIA support. The Q1 V2 uses a 75% layout, while the Q65 combines a 65% layout with an extra column of macro keys and a programmable knob. Both offer south-facing RGB and gasket mounting, so the main choice is layout rather than a different feature set. The Q1 V2 is lighter, while the Q65 has PBT keycaps listed without the Q1 V2's PBT-or-ABS distinction.

Model
	96	91	Select a keyboard to compare
Rating	4.9 stars (622 reviews)	4.5 stars (4 reviews)
Purchase Options
Main differences	Available in a 75% layout Provides dedicated media keys Weighs about 1825 g Sized at 23 x 145 x 328 mm Features PBT, ABS keycaps	Available in a 65% layout Weighs about 2420 g Sized at 34 x 121 x 363 mm Features PBT keycaps
Score	Scores Performance: 72.1 Build Quality: 89.4 Productivity: 97.5 Customizability: 98.1 Portability: 61.9	Scores Performance: 66.6 Build Quality: 88.7 Productivity: 95 Customizability: 96.1 Portability: 70.4
Name	Name Keychron Q1 V2	Name Keychron Q65
Release year	Release year 2022	Release year 2022
Switch Options	Switch Options Linear, Tactile, Clicky	Switch Options Linear, Tactile, Clicky
Profile	Profile Normal Profile	Profile Normal Profile
Hot Swappable	Hot Swappable	Hot Swappable
Layout Size	Layout Size 75%	Layout Size 65%
Layout Standard	Layout Standard ANSI	Layout Standard ANSI
Layout Ergonomics	Layout Ergonomics Normal	Layout Ergonomics Normal
Knob Support	Knob Support	Knob Support
Display Support	Display Support	Display Support
Mac/Win Support	Mac/Win Support	Mac/Win Support
Multi-Media Keys	Multi-Media Keys	Multi-Media Keys
USB-C	USB-C	USB-C
USB passthrough	USB passthrough	USB passthrough
Connection	Connection Wired, Wired only	Connection Wired, Wired only
Polling Rate	Polling Rate 1000 Hz	Polling Rate 1000 Hz
Battery capacity	Battery capacity -	Battery capacity -
Hall Effect Support	Hall Effect Support	Hall Effect Support
QMK Support	QMK Support	QMK Support
VIA Support	VIA Support	VIA Support
VIAL Support	VIAL Support	VIAL Support
N-Key Rollover	N-Key Rollover	N-Key Rollover
Rapid Trigger	Rapid Trigger	Rapid Trigger
Mount Style	Mount Style Gasket Mount	Mount Style Gasket Mount
Screw in Stabilizers	Screw in Stabilizers	Screw in Stabilizers
Sound Dampening	Sound Dampening	Sound Dampening
Backlight	Backlight Rgb, South-face	Backlight Rgb, South-face
Case Colors	Case Colors	Case Colors
Case Material	Case Material Aluminum	Case Material Aluminum
Keycaps Material	Keycaps Material PBT, ABS	Keycaps Material PBT
Dimensions	Dimensions 23 x 145 x 328 mm	Dimensions 34 x 121 x 363 mm
Weight	Weight 1825g	Weight 2420g

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Pros and Trade-offs

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.

Keychron Q1 V2

+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.
+QMK, VIA, and a programmable knob support remapping and macros.
+Lighter listed weight than the Q65.

−Wired-only connectivity limits use away from a desk setup.
−The listed keycap material can be PBT or ABS, while the Q65 specifies PBT.
−It lacks the Q65's extra column of macro keys.

Keychron Q65

+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.
+Hot-swappable sockets support 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style switches.
+QMK and VIA support key remapping and macros.

−Its listed assembled weight is higher than the Q1 V2's.
−The 65% layout differs from the Q1 V2's fuller 75% layout.
−Wired-only connectivity does not provide a wireless option.

Which Keyboard Is Better for Your Needs?

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.

GamingKeychron 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.

OfficeKeychron Q1 V2

•The Q1 V2 has a 75% layout and lists multimedia keys.
•Its listed weight is lower than the Q65's, though both are wired aluminum keyboards.
•Both support Mac and Windows and offer QMK and VIA.

ProgrammingTie

•Both support QMK, VIA, hot-swappable switches, and key remapping.
•The Q1 V2 offers a 75% layout, while the Q65 adds a column of macro keys to its 65% layout.
•Both include a programmable knob and support Mac and Windows.

TravelKeychron Q1 V2

•Both are wired-only, so neither offers wireless use.
•The Q1 V2 is lighter at 1825 g versus 2420 g for the Q65.
•The Q65 is narrower in the listed dimensions, but it is also longer than the Q1 V2.

ModdingTie

•Both have hot-swappable sockets supporting 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style switches.
•Both support QMK and VIA and are described as customizable, assembly-friendly designs.
•The Q1 V2 has a double-gasket design, and the Q65 also has a double-gasket design.

Content CreationKeychron Q65

•The Q65's programmable knob can be assigned commands such as zooming, adjusting brush size, or selecting video clips and photos.
•The Q65 adds a column of macro keys to its 65% layout.
•The Q1 V2 also has a programmable knob, so the Q65's edge is its additional macro-key column.