Keychron Q1 V2 vs V1 MaxAluminum or Wireless
Get the Q1 V2 for its CNC-machined aluminum case and steel plate, or the V1 Max for wireless connectivity, a 4000mAh battery, and ISO layout options.
KeebFinder may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.
4.9 (318)4.9 · 318 reviews
from$59at Keychron
4.9 (14)4.9 · 14 reviews
from$94at MK
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron Q1 V2
Build quality in the top 5% of 75% boards under $100.
- CNC-machined aluminum case with a steel plate.
- Double-gasket structure with silicone pads between the top and bottom cases.
- Keychron describes the plate, switches, keycaps, stabilizers, and knob as customizable components.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
Get the
Keychron V1 Max
Build quality in the top 5% of 75% boards under $100.
- Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity, plus wired use.
- 4000mAh rechargeable battery and a listed weight of 770g.
- Offered in ISO layouts including ISO-DE, ISO-UK, and ISO-Nordic.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
Choose the Q1 V2 if its CNC-machined aluminum case, steel plate, and double-gasket structure are the priorities. Choose the V1 Max if you want wireless connections, a 4000mAh battery, a lighter listed weight, or ISO layout options. Both provide QMK/VIA support, hot-swap, and a knob, so those shared features do not settle the choice.
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 Max
Connection
Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Case material
Aluminum
ABS, Plastic
Weight
1,825 g
770 g
Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel
Layout standard
ANSI
ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-IT, ISO-Nordic, ISO-PT, ISO-SW, ISO-UK
ISO and JIS exist so regional layouts fit
Plate material
Steel
Polycarbonate
- Keychron Q1 V2
- Keychron V1 Max
- Performance
- 7183
- Build quality
- 8986
- Productivity
- 9897
- Customizability
- 9898
- Portability
- 6278
- Layout size: 75%
- Hot-swappable
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- Mount style: Gasket Mount, Plate Mount
- Knob
What will you mostly use it for?
The V1 Max has the clearer edge for gaming flexibility, travel, and multi-device workflows, thanks to wireless connections and its lower listed weight. The Q1 V2 is the more material-focused option for modders, with its aluminum case, steel plate, and described double-gasket structure. Programming is a close call: both support QMK, VIA, and hot-swap, while the V1 Max adds ISO options and the Q1 V2 uses more substantial case and plate materials. Both include a knob, so content-creation workflows may depend on whether wireless device connections matter to you.
Pick the Keychron V1 Max
- The V1 Max supports 2.4 GHz wireless with a 1000 Hz polling rate, as well as wired use.
- The Q1 V2 is wired only.
- The V1 Max also offers Bluetooth, though its vendor listing gives a lower polling rate for Bluetooth mode.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron Q1 V2
318 owner reviews
“Exactly what I wanted. Swapped out the switches for some Gateron Zero degree fully silent switches. Mechanical but almost completely silent, works a dream!”
Keychron V1 Max
14 owner reviews
“Feels great, haven't got a new KB since my Novatouch. Great high end features and feel, DSA caps on it feel good.”
Keychron Q1 V2 vs V1 Max specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
9 of 27 specs differ
Keychron Q1 V2
Keychron V1 Max
Switch options
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
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.
ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
Keychron Q1 V2
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
Keychron V1 Max
- Go to Keychron
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW
Out of stockShips to you
- Go to Keychron (DE)
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-IT, ISO-SW, ISO-PT
In stockDoes not ship to you
Keychron Q1 V2 vs V1 Max: your questions
The Q1 V2 has a CNC-machined aluminum case and steel plate, and connects by wire only. The V1 Max uses an ABS case and polycarbonate plate, with Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and wired connectivity.
Yes, the V1 Max supports Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz wireless, as well as wired use. Its battery is listed as 4000mAh.
No, the Q1 V2 is listed as wired only, with USB-C connectivity. For wireless use, the V1 Max offers Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz connections.
The V1 Max is listed at 770g, while the Q1 V2 is listed at 1825g. The V1 Max is the lighter option if carrying weight matters.
The Q1 V2 metadata lists ANSI layout only. The V1 Max is offered in ISO variants including ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, and others.
Yes, both are listed as hot-swappable. Keychron says their sockets support 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style mechanical switches.
The Q1 V2 has an aluminum case, and Keychron describes it as CNC-machined. The V1 Max uses an ABS plastic case.
Both the Q1 V2 and V1 Max list QMK and VIA support. Both also have hot-swap sockets and a knob.
The V1 Max is the option for wireless gaming because it supports 2.4 GHz connectivity and has a listed 1000 Hz polling rate for that mode. The Q1 V2 is wired only.
Both keyboards have south-facing LEDs, and their compatibility notes warn that shine-through legends stay dark. The notes also say some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
Both are listed with knob support. Keychron specifically describes the Q1 V2 knob as configurable through VIA for keys or macros, including actions such as adjusting volume or selecting video clips.
The Q1 V2 uses a steel plate, while the V1 Max uses a polycarbonate plate. Keychron says the V1 Max's PC plate and gasket mount reduce acoustic resonance for a softer, quieter typing experience.
Not sold on either?
Still torn?
Answer a few quick questions and the keyboard finder ranks 2,000+ boards by how you will actually use yours.