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.
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Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron Q1 V2
Build quality in the top 5% of 75% boards under $100.
- 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
- 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.
- 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
- Magnetic switches only. Standard MX switches will not fit.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
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.
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
- Keychron Q1 V2
- Keychron V1 HE
- Performance
- 7193
- Build quality
- 8976
- Productivity
- 9890
- Customizability
- 9887
- Portability
- 6283
- Layout size: 75%
- Hot-swappable
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- QMK
- VIA
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.
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
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
Switch options
Hall effect (magnetic)
Rapid trigger
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
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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.
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