Keychron Q13 Max vs Q15 MaxAlice vs Ortholinear Showdown

The Q13 Max is better for typists who want an ergonomic, curved Alice layout with a full number row and standard key spacing. The Q15 Max uses a flat ortholinear grid that can improve finger efficiency after a learning period, but its lack of a number row and non-standard key positions are trade-offs.

Standard keycap sets may work on the Q13 Max, but you will need a kit that includes an extra “B” key and two 2.25u/2.75u spacebars to fit the Alice split spacebar layout. The stock keycaps are KSA profile, which is a spherical-angle shape unique to Keychron.

No, finding replacement keycaps for the Q15 Max is difficult because its ortholinear grid uses non-standard key sizes for modifiers like Enter, Tab, and Shift. Users report that many standard keycap sets do not fit these odd-sized keys, making the stock XDA PBT keycaps the most reliable option.

Yes, both the Q13 Max and Q15 Max support 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth 5.1, and USB-C wired connections. Both offer a 1000 Hz polling rate in 2.4 GHz and wired modes, and 90 Hz in Bluetooth mode, as stated by the manufacturer.

Both keyboards are equally moddable due to their hot-swap PCBs supporting 3-pin and 5-pin MX switches, screw-in PCB stabilizers, and multiple layers of IXPE, PET, and latex acoustic foams. They also support QMK and VIA firmware and are available in barebone versions.

Both keyboards have a 4000 mAh rechargeable lithium-polymer battery. The Q13 Max claims up to 300 hours with backlight off and up to 100 hours with RGB at lowest brightness. The Q15 Max claims up to 180 hours with backlight off and up to 100 hours with RGB at lowest brightness.

The Q15 Max can be used for gaming due to its 1000 Hz polling rate in wired and 2.4 GHz modes, but its ortholinear layout may be disorienting for games that rely on standard row-staggered key positions for movement. The Q13 Max’s familiar Alice layout is generally a better fit.

The Q15 Max is significantly more portable at 1232g and 283 x 114 mm, compared to the Q13 Max at 2405g and 447 x 157 mm. The Q15 Max’s compact size and aluminum body still offer durability, making it the clear choice for travel.

No, neither the Keychron Q13 Max nor the Keychron Q15 Max includes a screen or display. All visual feedback is handled through RGB lighting and software configuration via VIA or the Keychron Launcher web app.

Yes, both keyboards support macro programming through QMK firmware and the VIA-compatible Keychron Launcher web app. Users can remap any key, create multi-step macros, and save multiple layers, as detailed in the product descriptions from Keychron.

If travel is a priority, the Q15 Max is the better choice due to its smaller size and lighter weight. However, programmers should be prepared to spend time reprogramming the ortholinear layout to include necessary keys like Tab, Backspace, and punctuation, as the default layout lacks some common keys.