Not sure which keyboard to choose? Try the Keyboard Finder now!

Head to head · Prices checked Nov 10, 2026

Keychron Q1 V2 vs V1 HEAluminum Wired or Wireless Hall Effect

Choose the Q1 V2 for a heavier aluminum wired build with a knob and broad switch compatibility, or the V1 HE for wireless Hall Effect switches with Rapid Trigger and adjustable actuation.

KeebFinder may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.

Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Keychron Q1 V2

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

If you want

  • Full CNC machined 6063 aluminum case with a steel plate and double-gasket structure
  • Programmable knob configurable through VIA for zoom, volume, brush size, or macros
  • Hot-swappable PCB accepts both 3 pin and 5 pin MX switches from Gateron, Cherry MX, and Kailh

Rules this board out

  • South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.

Get the

Keychron V1 HE

Hall effect

Build quality in the top 30% of 75% boards under $200.

If you want

  • Keychron Ultra-fast Lime magnetic switches with Rapid Trigger and adjustable actuation from 0.10 to 3.35 mm
  • 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth 5.2 wireless plus Type-C wired, with 1000 Hz polling in wired and 2.4 GHz modes
  • 4000 mAh battery rated for up to 100 hours of wireless use with backlight off

Rules this board out

  • Magnetic switches only. Standard MX switches will not fit.
  • North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.

Bottom line

Pick the Q1 V2 if you want a wired aluminum workhorse with a programmable knob, broad MX switch compatibility, and barebone options for modding. Pick the V1 HE if wireless convenience, Hall Effect switches, Rapid Trigger, and adjustable actuation matter more than case material. The V1 HE's region-limited availability and magnetic-switch-only hot swap are the main practical caveats to check before ordering.

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 V1 HE

  • Hall effect (magnetic)

    No

    Yes

    Adjustable actuation helps in games and not in normal typing

  • Rapid trigger

    No

    Yes

    Faster resets help in games and not in normal typing

  • Connection

    Wired

    Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired

    Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency

  • Case material

    Aluminum

    ABS

  • Mount style

    Gasket Mount, Plate Mount

    Gasket Mount

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Keychron Q1 V2
  • Keychron V1 HE
Performance
71
93
Build quality
89
76
Productivity
98
90
Customizability
98
87
Portability
62
83

What they share

  • Layout size: 75%
  • Hot-swappable
  • Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
  • Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
  • QMK
  • VIA
See every spec side by side

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

The V1 HE takes Gaming and Travel because of its Hall Effect magnetic switches, Rapid Trigger, wireless modes, and lighter 1031 g body. The Q1 V2 takes Office, Programming, Modding, and Content Creation on the strength of its aluminum case, knob, broad MX switch compatibility, and barebone options. Neither board wins on shared ground: both are 75% ANSI layouts with QMK support and gasket mounting. The choice comes down to whether wireless magnetic switches or a heavier wired aluminum platform fits your daily work.

For gaming

Pick the Keychron V1 HE

  • Hall Effect magnetic switches with Rapid Trigger and adjustable actuation points from 0.10 to 3.35 mm
  • 2.4 GHz wireless mode with a 1000 Hz polling rate, plus 1000 Hz in wired mode
  • N-Key Rollover supported in both wireless and wired modes
  • Dynamic Keystrokes for 4-in-1 action keys per the vendor listing

Full specs

Keychron Q1 V2 vs V1 HE specs

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

15 of 29 specs differ

Keychron Q1 V2

Keychron V1 HE

Typing & switches

Switch options

Clicky, Linear, Tactile
Clicky, Linear, Tactile

Hall effect (magnetic)

No
Yes

Rapid trigger

No
Yes

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Gasket Mount, Plate Mount
Gasket Mount

Sound dampening

Yes
Yes

Screw-in stabilizers

Yes
No

Layout

Layout size

75%
75%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Knob

Yes
No

Display

None
None

Media keys

Yes
No

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired

Max polling rate

1,000 Hz
1,000 Hz

Battery

Wired only
4,000 mAh

USB-C

Yes
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

Aluminum
ABS

Plate material

Steel
Aluminum, Polycarbonate

Keycaps

ABS, PBT
PBT

Weight

1,825 g
1,031 g

Dimensions

23 x 145 x 328 mm
31 x 148 x 329 mm

Typing angle

5°
—

Backlight

RGB, south-facing
RGB, north-facing

Firmware & software

QMK

Yes
Yes

VIA

Yes
Yes

N-key rollover

No
Yes

Mac & Windows

Yes
Yes

Extras

Released

2022
2026

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.

FAQ

Keychron Q1 V2 vs V1 HE: your questions

The Q1 V2 is a wired-only keyboard with a full CNC machined aluminum case, steel plate, and a programmable knob. The V1 HE adds Bluetooth 5.2 and 2.4 GHz wireless, uses Hall Effect magnetic switches with Rapid Trigger, and has an ABS case. Both are 75% ANSI layouts with QMK support and gasket mounting.

The V1 HE is the more gaming-focused option because its Keychron Ultra-fast Lime magnetic switches support Rapid Trigger and adjustable actuation points from 0.10 to 3.35 mm. It also offers 1000 Hz polling in both wired and 2.4 GHz modes plus N-Key Rollover in wireless and wired use. The Q1 V2 is wired-only with a 1000 Hz polling rate but uses standard MX mechanical switches.

No. The Q1 V2 is listed as wired-only with a Type-C connection and a 1000 Hz polling rate. If you need Bluetooth or 2.4 GHz, the V1 HE provides both, with Bluetooth 5.2 connecting to three devices.

No, the V1 HE is compatible only with the magnetic switches sold on the Keychron website according to the vendor listing. The Q1 V2 is more flexible, with hot-swappable sockets that accept most 3 pin and 5 pin MX switches such as Gateron, Cherry MX, and Kailh.

The Q1 V2 weighs 1825 g plus or minus 10 g in the fully assembled version, which is substantially heavier than the V1 HE at 1031 g plus or minus 10 g. The V1 HE's lower weight and wireless modes make it easier to move between desks or pack for travel.

The fully assembled Q1 V2 includes double-shot PBT OSA profile keycaps that are not shine-through, plus Mac and Windows keycaps. The V1 HE uses OSA double-shot PBT keycaps with Russian lettering that are also not shine-through, and the vendor notes an additional set of customized keycaps for Windows and macOS.

Only the V1 HE has a battery, a 4000 mAh rechargeable li-polymer unit rated for up to 100 hours of wireless working time with the backlight off. The Q1 V2 has no battery because it is a wired-only keyboard.

Yes, both list QMK firmware support and the Keychron Launcher web app for key remapping and macros. The V1 HE adds actuation point adjustment and magnetic switch settings inside Launcher, while the Q1 V2 supports VIA for keymap and knob customization.

Yes, the Q1 V2 listing includes Barebone and Barebone Knob options that ship without keycaps and switches. The fully assembled version includes the PCB, case, steel plate, keycaps, and switches. The V1 HE is offered only as a fully assembled keyboard.

The Q1 V2 is the more mod-friendly platform because its components are designed to be disassembled easily, and it accepts third-party MX switches and stabilizers such as Cherry or Durock. The V1 HE limits hot swap to Keychron's own magnetic switches, which narrows aftermarket options.

The Q1 V2 has a listed typing angle of 5 degrees with a 2.4 mm feet height. The V1 HE vendor specs list two angles, 4.96 degrees and 9.46 degrees, giving you a flatter or more raised stance.

Yes, the vendor lists Rapid Trigger support and adjustable actuation points from 0.10 to 3.35 mm, with dynamic keystrokes for 4-in-1 action keys. These settings are adjusted through the Keychron Launcher web app when connected in wired mode.

Still torn?

Answer a few quick questions and the keyboard finder ranks 2,000+ boards by how you will actually use yours.