Keychron Q12 HE vs Q13 ProSouthpaw vs Alice
Choose the Q12 HE for its rapid-trigger magnetic switches and southpaw numpad, or the Q13 Pro for its ergonomic Alice layout and broader mechanical switch compatibility.
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4.0 (2)4.0 · 2 reviews
from$310at Keychron (DE)
4.7 (12)4.7 · 12 reviews
from$167at Keychron
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron Q12 HE
Southpaw
Build quality in the top 20% of 96% boards at any price.
- Hall Effect magnetic switches with adjustable actuation from 0.2 to 3.8 mm and 0.1 mm sensitivity for rapid trigger and analog input.
- Dedicated 2.4 GHz wireless mode with a 1000 Hz polling rate for competitive gaming.
- Southpaw (left-handed) numpad layout provides more mouse space for right-handed users.
- Magnetic switches only. Standard MX switches will not fit.
- 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 Q13 Pro
Alice
Build quality in the top 10% of 96% boards under $200.
- Ergonomic Alice layout reduces hand and wrist strain for comfortable long-form typing.
- Hot-swappable with almost all 3-pin and 5-pin MX mechanical switches, offering immense customization.
- Available as a barebones kit, allowing complete control over switch and keycap selection.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
For gamers and those who want cutting-edge input technology, the Keychron Q12 HE's Hall Effect switches, rapid trigger, and 2.4 GHz connection make it the clear winner. For typists, programmers, and modding enthusiasts who prioritize long-term comfort and switch flexibility, the Keychron Q13 Pro's ergonomic Alice layout and vast MX switch compatibility are more appealing. Your decision ultimately hinges on whether you need instant performance features for gaming or a comfortable, customizable typing experience for daily work.
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 Q12 HE
Keychron Q13 Pro
Hall effect (magnetic)
Yes
No
Adjustable actuation helps in games and not in normal typing
Rapid trigger
Yes
No
Faster resets help in games and not in normal typing
Connection
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Bluetooth, Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Ergonomics
Southpaw
Alice
Switch options
Clicky, Linear, Magnetic, Tactile
Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- Keychron Q12 HE
- Keychron Q13 Pro
- Performance
- 9382
- Build quality
- 8588
- Productivity
- 97100
- Customizability
- 9396
- Portability
- 5557
- Layout size: 96%
- Hot-swappable
- Battery: 4,000 mAh
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Case material: Aluminum
- Knob
What will you mostly use it for?
The Q12 HE dominates gaming with its Hall Effect switches and dedicated 2.4 GHz low-latency connection, while the Q13 Pro wins for office work due to its ergonomic Alice layout and longer Bluetooth battery life. For programming and content creation, the choice is a tie because both offer extensive programmability and a numpad, but the layout preference is key. The Q12 HE is slightly more travel-friendly due to its lighter weight and smaller width, while the Q13 Pro is the clear winner for modding thanks to its broad MX switch compatibility and barebones option.
Pick the Keychron Q12 HE
- Hall Effect Gateron double-rail magnetic switches with adjustable actuation points from 0.2 to 3.8 mm and 0.1 mm sensitivity for rapid trigger.
- Dedicated 2.4 GHz connection for a 1000 Hz polling rate in wireless mode, reducing latency.
- Features dynamic rapid trigger, 4-in-1 action keys, and analog mode for granular control in games.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron Q12 HE
2 owner reviews
“Unbelievable Keyboard!! However, not being able to replace switches and little room in case for modding, tape mod foam mod etc is a minor flaw to an excellent product.”
Keychron Q13 Pro
12 owner reviews
“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.”
“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…”
Keychron Q12 HE vs Q13 Pro specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
12 of 29 specs differ
Keychron Q12 HE
Keychron Q13 Pro
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
ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
Keychron Q12 HE
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
Keychron Q13 Pro
Keychron
ISO
Out of stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO
Out of stockDoes not ship to you
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.
Keychron Q12 HE vs Q13 Pro: your questions
No, the Q12 HE is only compatible with Gateron double-rail magnetic switches. It does not support standard 3-pin or 5-pin MX mechanical switches, as it uses a Hall Effect magnetic system instead of physical contacts.
The Alice layout splits the keyboard into two halves angled outward, which positions your hands and wrists in a more natural, straight alignment. This ergonomic design helps reduce strain and fatigue during long typing sessions compared to a standard straight layout.
The Keychron Q12 HE has better wireless performance for gaming because it supports a dedicated 2.4 GHz connection with a 1000 Hz polling rate. The Q13 Pro only uses Bluetooth 5.1 for wireless, which has a 90 Hz polling rate and higher latency.
No, the Q13 Pro uses standard mechanical switches which have a fixed actuation point determined by the specific switch type. Only the Q12 HE with its Hall Effect magnetic switches supports adjustable actuation points from 0.2 to 3.8 mm.
Yes, both the Keychron Q12 HE and the Keychron Q13 Pro support QMK firmware and VIA for key remapping, macros, and custom layers. They can also be configured through the Keychron Launcher web app.
The Keychron Q12 HE is slightly more portable due to its lighter weight of 2201g compared to 2392g for the Q13 Pro, and its smaller width of 145 mm versus 157 mm. It also offers a 2.4 GHz dongle for reliable wireless in different locations.
The Q12 HE uses OSA (OEM Spherical Angled) profile double-shot PBT keycaps. The Q13 Pro comes with KSA (Keychron Spherical Angle) profile double-shot PBT keycaps. Both are not shine-through and are made of durable PBT material.
Yes, the Keychron Q13 Pro is available as a barebones kit (knob version), which includes the case, PCB, and plate but does not include keycaps or switches. This allows you to source your own components. The Q12 HE does not offer a barebones version.
The Keychron Q13 Pro has a significantly longer battery life, rated at up to 300 hours with the backlight off. The Q12 HE is rated at up to 100 hours with the backlight off. Both have 4000 mAh batteries.
Yes, the Q12 HE features an Analog Mode that allows for variable input based on how far you press a key. This enables nuanced control in racing games and simulations, similar to a game controller's analog stick. This feature is not available on the Q13 Pro.
The Q12 HE has a southpaw layout, meaning the numpad is on the left side of the keyboard. The Q13 Pro has an Alice layout, which splits the alphanumeric keys into two angled halves for better ergonomics. Both are 96% size keyboards.
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