Keychron Q13 Pro vs Q14 Max
Choose the Q14 Max if you need a 2.4 GHz connection for gaming; choose the Q13 Pro if you prefer a standard numpad layout and a slightly lower price point.
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4.7 (12)4.7 · 12 reviews
from$167at Keychron
4.6 (14)4.6 · 14 reviews
from$229at Keychron
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron Q13 Pro
Build quality in the top 10% of 96% boards under $200.
- Available with an ISO layout, providing more flexibility for international users.
- Features a standard numpad position which is more intuitive for users accustomed to typical full-size keyboards.
- Comes with factory-lubed Keychron K Pro switches that reduce wobble, according to the vendor description.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
Get the
Keychron Q14 Max
Build quality in the top 15% of 96% boards under $300.
- Includes a dedicated 2.4 GHz wireless connection with a 1000 Hz polling rate for low-latency gaming.
- Vendor description confirms it is packed with premium acoustic foams (IXPE, PET, and Latex) for enhanced sound quality.
- Uses Gateron Jupiter switches with a unique LED diffuser design for softer RGB backlighting, according to the product page.
- 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.
Your choice between the Keychron Q13 Pro and Q14 Max hinges on your need for a wireless gaming connection. The Q14 Max is the superior pick for gamers and audio enthusiasts who will benefit from its 2.4 GHz connectivity and enhanced foam layering. On the other hand, the Q13 Pro is the better choice for office workers and those who prefer a standard numpad layout and a lower entry cost.
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 Pro
Keychron Q14 Max
Connection
Bluetooth, Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Ergonomics
Alice
Southpaw, Alice
Weight
2,392 g
2,450 g
Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel
Layout standard
ANSI, ISO
ANSI
ISO and JIS exist so regional layouts fit
Released
2023
2024
- Keychron Q13 Pro
- Keychron Q14 Max
- Performance
- 8281
- Build quality
- 8887
- Productivity
- 100100
- Customizability
- 9696
- Portability
- 5756
- Layout size: 96%
- Hot-swappable
- Battery: 4,000 mAh
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Case material: Aluminum
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
What will you mostly use it for?
The Q14 Max takes the lead for gaming due to its 2.4 GHz wireless connection, while the Q13 Pro is a stronger choice for a traditional office setup with its standard numpad. For programming, travel, and content creation, the two keyboards are essentially tied, sharing the same core features like QMK/VIA support, Alice layout, and large battery. The Q14 Max edges ahead for modding because of its more advanced acoustic foam layering from the factory.
Pick the Keychron Q14 Max
- The Q14 Max features a 2.4 GHz wireless connection with a 1000 Hz polling rate, which is better suited for competitive gaming compared to the Q13 Pro's Bluetooth.
- The Q14 Max's southpaw numpad layout can free up space for a mouse on the right, which some gamers may prefer.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
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 Q14 Max
14 owner reviews
“I've a Keychron Q13 Pro that I purchased over a year ago, and I've been pleased with it, so when I started reading reviews about the Q13/14 Max, I wasn't convinced it would be noticeably better. I took a chance and purchased a Q14 Max even though I'm not…”
Keychron Q13 Pro vs Q14 Max specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
6 of 26 specs differ
Keychron Q13 Pro
Keychron Q14 Max
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
Display
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 Q13 Pro
Keychron
ISO
Out of stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO
Out of stockDoes not ship to you
Keychron Q14 Max
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
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 Q13 Pro vs Q14 Max: your questions
The Q14 Max is better for gaming because it offers a dedicated 2.4 GHz wireless connection with a 1000 Hz polling rate, which provides lower latency than the Bluetooth connection on the Q13 Pro. The southpaw layout of the Q14 Max can also be beneficial by providing more desk space for mouse movement.
Yes, both keyboards support QMK and VIA, allowing you to remap keys, create macros, and adjust lighting profiles. This is confirmed by the vendor descriptions for both models and is a core feature of the Q Pro and Q Max series.
Yes, both the Q13 Pro and Q14 Max support hot-swappable switches. The vendor descriptions state they are compatible with most 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style switches from brands like Cherry, Gateron, and Kailh without soldering.
The primary difference is connectivity and numpad position. The Q14 Max adds a 2.4 GHz wireless mode and has a southpaw (left-side) numpad, while the Q13 Pro only has Bluetooth and wired modes with a standard right-side numpad. The Q14 Max also has enhanced acoustic foams.
Both keyboards offer excellent typing comfort with the same Alice layout and double-gasket design. The Q14 Max may have a slight edge due to its additional layers of acoustic foam (IXPE, PET, Latex) which the vendor says improve the sound and feel, potentially enhancing the overall typing experience.
Yes, both the Q13 Pro and Q14 Max come with KSA (Keychron Spherical-Angle) profile double-shot PBT keycaps in the fully assembled versions. The vendor descriptions for both confirm these keycaps are oil-resistant and durable.
Both keyboards have a 4000mAh battery. The vendor description for the Q13 Pro states the battery can last up to 300 hours with the backlight off and up to 100 hours at the lowest RGB brightness. A similar battery life is implied for the Q14 Max.
No, according to multiple customer reviews on the product page, the numpad layout on the Q14 Max is standard (not mirrored). Some users have noted this requires adjusting to when using it with the left hand.
Yes, both keyboards are designed for both Mac and Windows. The vendor descriptions for the Q13 Pro and Q14 Max state they include a system toggle and an additional set of customized keycaps for both macOS and Windows systems.
The Q14 Max has better sound dampening according to the vendor description. It includes a combination of premium acoustic foams like IXPE, PET, and Latex, which are in addition to the sound absorbing foam and bottom case foam found in the Q13 Pro.
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