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

Head to head · Prices checked Nov 7, 2026

Keychron Q1 V2 vs V1 UltraMetal vs Wireless 75%

Choose the Q1 V2 for a premium all-metal typing experience or the V1 Ultra if you need wireless freedom and an 8K polling rate.

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

Metal

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

If you want

  • Full CNC machined 6063 aluminum body with an anodized finish feels premium and durable.
  • Double-gasket design with silicone pads reduces metal resonance for a cleaner typing sound.
  • Supports QMK open-source firmware and VIA software for deep key remapping and macro creation.

Rules this board out

  • 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 Ultra

Wireless 75%

Build quality in the top 10% of 75% boards under $100.

If you want

  • Supports an 8K polling rate in both wired and 2.4 GHz modes for competitive gaming response.
  • Features Bluetooth 5.3, 2.4 GHz, and wired connectivity for flexible setup options.
  • Lightweight 770g plastic body is easy to carry and travel with.

Rules this board out

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

Bottom line

If you want a heirloom-quality desk keyboard with a metal case and don't mind a wire, the Keychron Q1 V2 offers a superior build and a firmer typing experience. If you need the lowest latency for gaming, value wireless freedom, or travel often, the Keychron V1 Ultra is the clear choice with its 8K polling rate and long battery life. Both boards are strong, but they serve different primary needs.

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 Ultra

  • Connection

    Wired

    Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired

    Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency

  • Max polling rate

    1,000 Hz

    8,000 Hz

    Higher polling helps competitive FPS and does nothing for typing

  • Case material

    Aluminum

    ABS, Plastic

  • Switch options

    Clicky, Linear, Tactile

    Linear, Tactile

  • Mount style

    Gasket Mount, Plate Mount

    Gasket Mount

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Keychron Q1 V2
  • Keychron V1 Ultra
Performance
72
91
Build quality
89
84
Productivity
98
98
Customizability
98
94
Portability
62
79

What they share

  • Layout size: 75%
  • Hot-swappable
  • Knob
  • QMK
  • VIA
  • Sound dampening
See every spec side by side

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

The V1 Ultra wins for gaming and travel thanks to its 8K polling rate, wireless options, and light 770g build. The Q1 V2 takes the lead for programming, where its stiffer steel plate and QMK/VIA support appeal to coders. The two tie in office, modding, and content creation categories, as both are hot-swappable, have a programmable knob, and include foam for sound dampening.

For gaming

Pick the Keychron V1 Ultra

  • Supports an 8K polling rate in wired and 2.4 GHz modes for lower input lag.
  • Offers 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity for a lag-free, clutter-free setup.
  • Weighs only 770g, making it easier to transport to LAN events or tournaments.

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 V1 Ultra

5.0

1 owner reviews

Praise
“Keychron has the best keyboard for keyboard enthusiasts. This is my 3rd and I have no notes. Exactly what I wanted, versatility, thockiness, and portability.”
CamilleVerified buyer· via Keychron

Full specs

Keychron Q1 V2 vs V1 Ultra specs

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

13 of 27 specs differ

Keychron Q1 V2

Keychron V1 Ultra

Typing & switches

Switch options

Clicky, Linear, Tactile
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%
75%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Knob

Yes
Yes

Display

None
None

Media keys

Yes
Yes

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired

Max polling rate

1,000 Hz
8,000 HzBetter

Battery

Wired only
4,000 mAh

USB-C

Yes
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

Aluminum
ABS, Plastic

Plate material

Steel
Polycarbonate

Keycaps

ABS, PBT
PBT

Weight

1,825 g
770 g

Dimensions

23 x 145 x 328 mm
29 x 329 x 149 mm

Typing angle

5°
4°

Backlight

RGB, south-facing
RGB, south-facing

Firmware & software

QMK

Yes
Yes

VIA

Yes
Yes

N-key rollover

No
Yes

Mac & Windows

Yes
Yes

Extras

Released

2022
2026

For EU buyers

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 Ultra

  • Keychron (DE)

    ISO-DE, ISO-FR, ISO-ES

    In stockDoes not ship to you

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 Ultra: your questions

The Keychron Q1 V2 has a full CNC machined 6063 aluminum case with an anodized finish, giving it a much more premium and heavier feel. The V1 Ultra uses a plastic body, which is lighter but less rigid, though it includes multiple foam layers to dampen sound.

Yes, the V1 Ultra supports a 2.4 GHz wireless connection with an 8K polling rate, which is excellent for competitive gaming. It also offers Bluetooth 5.3 for connecting to multiple devices but the 2.4 GHz mode is recommended for the lowest latency.

Yes, the Q1 V2 supports both QMK open-source firmware and VIA software, allowing you to remap any key, create macros, and customize the rotary knob. The manufacturer states that you can also use the Keychron Launcher web app for this purpose.

The V1 Ultra has a 4000mAh rechargeable battery. According to the manufacturer, it offers up to 660 hours of use with the backlight turned off, or up to 200 hours with RGB at the lowest brightness setting.

Both are excellent for modding. The Q1 V2 provides a high-quality aluminum case and a steel plate for structure, while the V1 Ultra includes multiple sound-dampening layers like EPDM foam, PET film, and bottom case acoustic foam. Both are hot-swappable for easy switch changes.

The Q1 V2 weighs 1825 grams, making it a heavy, desk-bound keyboard. The V1 Ultra weighs only 770 grams, making it significantly more portable and suitable for travel.

Yes, the V1 Ultra supports an 8K polling rate in both wired and 2.4 GHz wireless modes. It also offers selectable 2000 Hz and 1000 Hz options in wired mode.

Yes, the Q1 V2 is designed with Mac users in mind and includes a Mac multimedia key layout. It also has a system toggle switch and comes with additional keycaps for both macOS and Windows.

The V1 Ultra is designed to be quieter with its plastic case, gasket mount, PC plate, and multiple layers of EPDM foam and PET film. The Q1 V2's double-gasket design also reduces resonance, but its all-metal body can produce a higher-pitched sound depending on the mods.

Yes, both keyboards feature hot-swappable PCBs that support 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style switches. This allows you to change switches without any soldering.

The V1 Ultra comes with OSA (OEM Spherical Angled) profile double-shot PBT keycaps. The manufacturer states these are resistant to oil and fading.

No, the Keychron Q1 V2 is a wired-only keyboard. It connects via a USB-C cable, which is included in the box along with a Type-A to Type-C adapter.

Still torn?

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