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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 7, 2026

Keychron Q11 Ultra vs Q13 ProSplit vs Alice Layout

Choose the Q11 Ultra for a wireless split design with 8K polling, or the Q13 Pro for a compact Alice layout with QMK/VIA support and superior build quality reviews.

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Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Keychron Q11 Ultra

Split

If you want

  • 8000 Hz polling rate in wired and 2.4 GHz modes for competitive gaming.
  • Truly wireless split halves with no tethering cable between them.
  • Dedicated macro keys (M1-M5) for quick commands.

Rules this board out

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

Get the

Keychron Q13 Pro

Alice Layout

Build quality in the top 10% of 96% boards under $200.

If you want

  • Alice layout promotes natural wrist alignment for ergonomic typing.
  • QMK/VIA firmware support for extensive customizeability.
  • Higher build quality rating among owners (4.7/5 average).

Rules this board out

  • South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
  • Missing ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-FR. The other board is sold in those layouts.
  • Compact full-size layout. The numpad is present, the gaps of a full-size board are not.

Bottom line

The Keychron Q11 Ultra is the better choice for gamers and those who want a truly wireless split design with industry-leading 8K polling. The Q13 Pro excels for office workers and modders who prefer an Alice layout and the flexibility of QMK/VIA firmware. If portability and low latency matter most, go with the Q11 Ultra; if ergonomic layout and customization depth are your priority, pick the Q13 Pro.

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 Q11 Ultra

Keychron Q13 Pro

  • Connection

    Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired

    Bluetooth, Wired

    Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency

  • Ergonomics

    Split

    Alice

  • Max polling rate

    8,000 Hz

    1,000 Hz

    Higher polling helps competitive FPS and does nothing for typing

  • Mount style

    Gasket Mount, Plate Mount

    Gasket Mount

  • Weight

    1,724 g

    2,392 g

    Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Keychron Q11 Ultra
  • Keychron Q13 Pro
Performance
86
82
Build quality
73
88
Productivity
90
100
Customizability
76
96
Portability
90
57

What they share

  • Hot-swappable
  • Battery: 4,000 mAh
  • Case material: Aluminum
  • Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
  • Knob
  • Sound dampening
See every spec side by side

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

For gaming and travel, the Q11 Ultra's lighter weight and 8K wireless polling give it a clear edge. In office use, the Q13 Pro's Alice layout and superior customer feedback make it the more comfortable daily driver. Programming and content creation are a tie, as both offer robust customization and hot-swappable switches. Modders will prefer the Q13 Pro for its QMK/VIA firmware and barebone option.

For gaming

Pick the Keychron Q11 Ultra

  • 8K polling rate in both wired and 2.4 GHz modes for ultra-low latency.
  • 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity offers lower latency than Bluetooth.
  • Split design allows independent half placement for a wider stance.

From real owners

What owners say

Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.

Keychron Q11 Ultra

3.4

17 owner reviews

Praise
“Really its 4.5 because of the headaches i had trying to setup the wireless dongle. Fixed by redownloading the firmware, and could finally pair with the dongle.”
Z.G.Verified buyer· via Keychron
Critique
“I'm motivated to write this review because after 2 weeks of usage, I'm beginning to notice occasional tripups where I try to type something and the keyboard lags out and repeats keys, like "I want to bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbuy a dishwasher". Yes, I've already…”
Holden S.Verified buyer· via Keychron

Keychron Q13 Pro

4.7

12 owner reviews

Praise
“I was looking for a good ergonomic, programmable, mechanical keyboard and this is it. It would be nice to have a proper case to carry it.”
Israel F.Verified buyer· via Keychron
Critique
“So, me,being dumb, didn't pay too much attention to the iso vs not iso (?) layout. The enter key doesn't bother me much, but left shift.... Being smoll is an issue. I did rekey the additional key to be L-shift, but it's too... Janky? For my mucked up brain…”
JasonVerified buyer· via Keychron

Full specs

Keychron Q11 Ultra vs Q13 Pro specs

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

12 of 27 specs differ

Keychron Q11 Ultra

Keychron Q13 Pro

Typing & switches

Switch options

Clicky, Linear, Tactile
Clicky, 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

—
96%

Layout standard

ANSI, ISO, ISO-CH, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-UK, JIS
ANSI, ISO

Ergonomics

Split
Alice

Knob

Yes
Yes

Display

None
None

Media keys

Yes
No

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Bluetooth, Wired

Max polling rate

8,000 HzBetter
1,000 Hz

Battery

4,000 mAh
4,000 mAh

USB-C

Yes
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

Aluminum
Aluminum

Plate material

Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate

Keycaps

PBT
PBT

Weight

1,724 g
2,392 g

Dimensions

32 x 345 x 134 mm
32 x 157 x 447 mm

Typing angle

3°, 5°
5°

Backlight

RGB, south-facing
RGB, south-facing

Firmware & software

QMK

No
Yes

VIA

No
Yes

N-key rollover

Yes
Yes

Mac & Windows

Yes
Yes

Extras

Released

2026
2023

For EU buyers

ISO layouts by store

Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.

Keychron Q11 Ultra

  • Keychron (DE)

    ISO-DE, ISO-FR, ISO-ES

    In stockDoes not ship to you

Keychron Q13 Pro

  • Keychron

    ISO

    Out of stockShips to you

  • Keychron (DE)

    ISO

    Out of 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 Q11 Ultra vs Q13 Pro: your questions

Yes, the Q11 Ultra is designed to operate without a tethering cable between the two halves using advanced 2.4 GHz wireless sync. This allows for a completely cable-free split setup, which is a key differentiator from the wired Q11.

Yes, the Q13 Pro supports both QMK and VIA firmware, allowing for extensive key remapping, macros, and custom shortcuts. It also works with the Keychron Launcher web app for easier customization via a browser.

The Q11 Ultra offers an 8000 Hz polling rate in both wired and 2.4 GHz modes, while the Q13 Pro provides 1000 Hz in wired mode and 90 Hz in wireless mode. The Q11 Ultra is the better choice for competitive gaming where low latency is critical.

Yes, both keyboards support hot-swappable switches. They are compatible with most 3-pin and 5-pin MX style switches, allowing you to change switches without soldering. The Q11 Ultra uses Keychron Silk POM switches, while the Q13 Pro comes with Keychron K Pro switches.

Both the Keychron Q11 Ultra and the Q13 Pro feature a 4000 mAh rechargeable lithium-polymer battery. The Q11 Ultra offers up to 160 hours of wireless working time, while the Q13 Pro provides up to 300 hours with backlight off (lowest brightness with RGB).

The Q11 Ultra is lighter at 1724g and has a smaller footprint per half, making it more portable than the Q13 Pro at 2392g. Additionally, the Q11 Ultra's split design allows you to pack each half in separate spaces, ideal for travel.

Yes, both the Q11 Ultra and Q13 Pro come with double-shot PBT keycaps in the KSA (Keychron spherical-angle) profile. These keycaps are oil-resistant and durable for long-term use, though they are not shine-through.

Yes, the Q13 Pro supports Bluetooth 5.1 and can connect to up to 3 devices wirelessly, allowing you to switch between a laptop, phone, and tablet. It also has a USB Type-C wired connection for reliable use.

Yes, the Q11 Ultra includes a system toggle and additional keycaps for both macOS and Windows. It also supports Linux, as stated in the specs. You can save two different layouts, one for each system, for easy switching.

The Q13 Pro features a double-gasket design with silicone pads between the top and bottom cases to reduce acoustic resonance, along with a full CNC machined 6063 aluminum body. It also has PCB-mounted screw-in stabilizers for improved big key stability.

Yes, the Q13 Pro is available in a barebone version that does not include switches or keycaps, allowing you to build it with your preferred components. The Q11 Ultra is only offered as a fully assembled keyboard.

Both are ergonomic but in different ways. The Q11 Ultra's split design lets you place each half independently for optimal shoulder alignment, while the Q13 Pro's Alice layout contours to your hands. Your preference should be based on whether you want a split or contoured one-piece design.

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