Keychron Q12 HE vs Q13 UltraSouthpaw or Alice?
Choose the Q12 HE for Hall Effect magnetic switches and a southpaw numpad, or the Q13 Ultra for an 8K polling rate and an ergonomic Alice layout.
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4.0 (2)4.0 · 2 reviews
from$310at Keychron (DE)
5.0 (4)5.0 · 4 reviews
from$249at MK
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron Q12 HE
Hall effect
Build quality in the top 20% of 96% boards at any price.
- Hall Effect magnetic switches with adjustable actuation and analog input.
- Unique southpaw layout puts the numpad on the left for mouse space.
- Open-source QMK firmware for deep customization.
- 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.
Get the
Keychron Q13 Ultra
polling rate
Build quality in the top 35% of 96% boards under $300.
- Industry-leading 8000 Hz polling rate in both wired and 2.4 GHz modes.
- Ergonomic Alice layout for a more natural typing posture.
- Exceptional battery life of up to 660 hours with backlight off.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
Your choice hinges on ergonomics and switch technology. If you want the fastest possible performance with Hall Effect switches and a left-handed numpad, the Q12 HE is the clear winner. However, if you prioritize a more natural typing posture with the Alice layout and require the absolute lowest latency from an 8000 Hz polling rate, the Q13 Ultra is the better fit for you.
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 Ultra
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
Ergonomics
Southpaw
Alice
Max polling rate
1,000 Hz
8,000 Hz
Higher polling helps competitive FPS and does nothing for typing
Switch options
Clicky, Linear, Magnetic, Tactile
Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- Keychron Q12 HE
- Keychron Q13 Ultra
- Performance
- 9389
- Build quality
- 8574
- Productivity
- 9794
- Customizability
- 9377
- Portability
- 5555
- Layout size: 96%
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Battery: 4,000 mAh
- Case material: Aluminum
- Mount style: Gasket Mount, Plate Mount
What will you mostly use it for?
The Q12 HE wins for gaming due to its Hall Effect switches and rapid trigger features, and it is more portable. The Q13 Ultra takes the lead for office and content creation, where the Alice layout and acoustic foam improve comfort and sound. For programming, both are equally capable due to their similar layouts and programmability. The Q12 HE is also the more flexible choice for modding thanks to its QMK firmware and different plate material.
Pick the Keychron Q12 HE
- Hall Effect magnetic switches with adjustable actuation points from 0.2 to 3.8 mm.
- Dynamic Rapid Trigger feature for quicker repetitive keystrokes.
- Analog Mode for variable input 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 Ultra
4 owner reviews
“Absolutely brilliant keyboard, if your looking for a full alice keeb, with a solid frame, that looks and feels well built, this is the one for you, already pulled out all the original keycaps and switches, to truly make it a one of one”
Keychron Q12 HE vs Q13 Ultra specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
11 of 29 specs differ
Keychron Q12 HE
Keychron Q13 Ultra
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
Compare prices
Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.
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Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.
Keychron Q12 HE vs Q13 Ultra: your questions
The Q12 HE features Hall Effect magnetic switches for adjustable actuation and a southpaw layout. The Q13 Ultra offers an ergonomic Alice layout, a standard mechanical switch ecosystem, and a higher 8000 Hz polling rate. Both are 96% wireless keyboards with aluminum cases.
The Keychron Q13 Ultra has a higher polling rate of 8000 Hz in both 2.4 GHz and wired modes. The Q12 HE has a 1000 Hz polling rate in wired and 2.4 GHz modes, and 90 Hz over Bluetooth.
No, the Q12 HE is only compatible with Gateron double-rail magnetic switches. The manufacturer states it does not support other magnetic switches or standard mechanical switches.
The Alice layout is designed to encourage a more natural hand and wrist position, which can reduce fatigue during long typing sessions. This makes it a popular choice for users who type a lot.
The Keychron Q13 Ultra has a significantly longer battery life, rated at up to 660 hours with the backlight off. The Q12 HE is rated for up to 100 hours under the same conditions.
A southpaw layout places the numpad on the left side of the keyboard. This leaves more room for your mouse on the right and can be more convenient for right-handed users who frequently use the numpad and mouse simultaneously.
Yes, both the Q12 HE and the Q13 Ultra are hot-swappable. The Q12 HE supports hot-swapping only with Gateron double-rail magnetic switches, while the Q13 Ultra supports almost all 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style switches.
The Q12 HE comes with OSA profile double-shot PBT keycaps. The Q13 Ultra comes with KSA profile double-shot PBT keycaps. Both are durable and oil-resistant.
Yes, both keyboards support full key remapping via the Keychron Launcher web app. The Q12 HE uses QMK firmware, while the Q13 Ultra uses ZMK firmware. Both allow for macros and key combinations.
The Keychron Q12 HE is both lighter, at 2201g, and more compact than the Q13 Ultra, which weighs 2440g. This makes the Q12 HE the better choice for those who need to transport their keyboard.
Both keyboards are sold as a fully assembled unit that includes the keyboard case, PCB, plate, keycaps, and a set of switches. The Q12 HE comes with Gateron double-rail magnetic switches, and the Q13 Ultra comes with Keychron Silk POM switches.
Yes, both the Q12 HE and the Q13 Ultra are designed for Mac and Windows compatibility. They include a system toggle switch and an additional set of keycaps for each operating system.
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