Keychron Q13 Max vs Q6 UltraAlice or 8K polling
Get the Q13 Max for its compact Alice layout and QMK plus VIA support, or the Q6 Ultra for its full-size layout, ISO options, and 8000 Hz polling.
KeebFinder may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.
4.9 (10)4.9 · 10 reviews
from$229at Keychron
5.0 (9)5.0 · 9 reviews
from$203at MK
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron Q13 Max
Build quality in the top 15% of 96% boards under $300.
- Alice ergonomics with a split spacebar in a 96% layout.
- QMK and VIA support are listed, alongside a DIY kit/barebones option.
- Keychron describes a double-gasket design with IXPE, PET, and latex acoustic foams.
- 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.
- Compact full-size layout. The numpad is present, the gaps of a full-size board are not.
Get the
Keychron Q6 Ultra
polling rate
Build quality in the top 10% of 100% boards under $300.
- A 100% layout is available with ANSI and ISO variants, including ISO-DE, ISO-ES, and ISO-FR.
- 8000 Hz polling is listed, with Keychron specifying support in wired and 2.4 GHz modes.
- Keychron describes per-key RGB, Mix RGB, and a static white lighting option.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
Choose the Q13 Max for its Alice layout, compact full-size arrangement, and QMK plus VIA support, features the Q6 Ultra does not list in the same combination. Choose the Q6 Ultra for its 100% layout with ISO variants, multimedia keys, and 8000 Hz polling, which the Q13 Max does not offer. If you need ISO-DE or another ISO layout, the Q6 Ultra is the fit; if shine-through key legends are essential, either board's south-facing LEDs are a limitation.
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 Q13 Max
Keychron Q6 Ultra
Layout size
96%
100%
Ergonomics
Alice, Split Spacebar
Standard
Max polling rate
1,000 Hz
8,000 Hz
Higher polling helps competitive FPS and does nothing for typing
Mount style
Gasket Mount
Gasket Mount, Plate Mount
Weight
2,405 g
2,238 g
Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel
- Keychron Q13 Max
- Keychron Q6 Ultra
- Performance
- 8190
- Build quality
- 8780
- Productivity
- 9593
- Customizability
- 9683
- Portability
- 5055
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Battery: 4,000 mAh
- Case material: Aluminum
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- Knob
What will you mostly use it for?
The Q6 Ultra has the clearest gaming advantage on listed polling rate, and its full-size layout and multimedia keys make it a natural fit for buyers who want a conventional full-size board. The Q13 Max stands out for an Alice arrangement, compact full-size footprint, and VIA support. Both offer wireless connections and 4000mAh batteries, but neither is especially light based on its listed weight. For modding, the Q13 Max's VIA listing and vendor-described foam combination give it an edge in customization options.
Pick the Keychron Q6 Ultra
- The Q6 Ultra lists an 8000 Hz polling rate, compared with 1000 Hz for the Q13 Max.
- The Q6 Ultra supports 8000 Hz in wired and 2.4 GHz modes, according to Keychron.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron Q13 Max
10 owner reviews
“Feels very solid and looks great. Tactile and functional”
Keychron Q6 Ultra
9 owner reviews
“AMAZING!! I Love it!! It lights up, battery last about 3 - 4 weeks or so. Sounds great. Its solid which is a bonus. Best investment and back it all the way”
Keychron Q13 Max vs Q6 Ultra specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
11 of 27 specs differ
Keychron Q13 Max
Keychron Q6 Ultra
Switch options
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.
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.
ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
Keychron Q13 Max
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
Keychron Q6 Ultra
- Go to Input Gear
Input Gear
ISO-DE
Out of stockShips to you
- Go to Keychron (DE)
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-FR, ISO-ES
In stockDoes not ship to you
Keychron Q13 Max vs Q6 Ultra: your questions
The Q13 Max uses a 96% Alice layout with a split spacebar, while the Q6 Ultra has a conventional 100% layout. The Q6 Ultra also lists 8000 Hz polling, compared with 1000 Hz on the Q13 Max.
The Q6 Ultra lists an 8000 Hz polling rate, and Keychron specifies it for wired and 2.4 GHz modes. The Q13 Max lists 1000 Hz, with Keychron describing that rate for wired and 2.4 GHz modes.
Yes, the Q13 Max has a 96% Alice layout and a split spacebar. Its layout also includes a numpad in a compact full-size arrangement.
Yes, the Q6 Ultra lists ISO variants including ISO-DE, ISO-ES, and ISO-FR, as well as ANSI. The Q13 Max is listed as ANSI and does not offer ISO layouts.
The Q6 Ultra is the stronger fit if polling rate is your priority, with 8000 Hz listed for wired and 2.4 GHz use. The Q13 Max lists 1000 Hz for those modes and may suit buyers who specifically want its Alice layout.
Both list QMK support, and Keychron describes Launcher web configuration for both boards. The Q13 Max also lists VIA support, while the Q6 Ultra product listing does not.
Both keyboards are listed as hot-swappable. Keychron says their sockets support most 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style mechanical switches, including examples such as Cherry, Gateron, and Kailh.
Both list Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity, as well as wired use. Their batteries are both listed as 4000mAh.
The vendor descriptions identify their PBT keycaps as non-shine-through, and both keyboards have south-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark with south-facing LEDs, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
The Q6 Ultra has a listed weight of 2238g, while the Q13 Max is listed at 2405g. Both are heavy keyboards, so neither is a particularly lightweight choice based on those figures.
Both listings include Mac and Windows support, and Keychron describes a system toggle and customized keycaps for both systems for each board. Keychron also identifies macOS, Windows, and Linux as compatible systems in the vendor descriptions.
The Q6 Ultra lists multimedia keys, and Keychron describes per-key RGB, Mix RGB, and a static white lighting option. The Q13 Max lists RGB lighting but does not list multimedia keys or those specific lighting controls.
Not sold on either?
Still torn?
Answer a few quick questions and the keyboard finder ranks 2,000+ boards by how you will actually use yours.