Keychron Q13 Ultra vs Q15 MaxAlice vs Ortho Choice

The Keychron Q13 Ultra has a significantly faster 8000 Hz polling rate in wired and 2.4 GHz modes, compared to the Q15 Max's 1000 Hz. This gives the Q13 Ultra lower input lag for competitive gaming, as stated in the manufacturer's specifications.

Only the Keychron Q15 Max is offered as a barebones kit, which does not include keycaps or switches. The Q13 Ultra is only available as a fully assembled keyboard. If you want to start from a blank slate, the Q15 Max is the better choice.

The Keychron Q15 Max is much lighter at 1232 grams and has smaller dimensions (114 mm x 283 mm), making it easier to pack for travel. The Q13 Ultra weighs 2440 grams and has a larger footprint, so it is less portable.

User reviews indicate that standard keycap sets do not fully fit the Q15 Max due to its ortholinear layout with non-standard key sizes, such as the Enter key. The included XDA profile keycaps are designed for the grid, but aftermarket sets may require creative substitutions.

The Q13 Ultra uses an Alice layout that splits the key groups to reduce wrist strain, while the Q15 Max uses an ortholinear grid that may reduce finger travel. Comfort is subjective, but the Alice layout is closer to traditional ergonomic keyboards, while the ortholinear layout requires some adjustment.

The Q13 Ultra uses ZMK firmware instead of QMK, but it is programmable via the Keychron Launcher web app, which provides similar key remapping and macro functionality. The Q15 Max uses QMK firmware directly, as listed in its specifications.

The Q13 Ultra can last up to 660 hours with the backlight off, per the manufacturer. The Q15 Max is rated for up to 180 hours with backlight off. Both have a 4000 mAh battery, but the Q13 Ultra's power management appears more efficient.

Yes, both the Q13 Ultra and Q15 Max come with a system toggle and additional keycaps for macOS and Windows. They also include separate keycaps for each OS, so you can switch layouts easily.

Both keyboards use screw-in PCB stabilizers. The Q13 Ultra features stabilizers with reinforced sidewalls for improved stability on large keys like the spacebar and shift keys, while the Q15 Max uses standard screw-in stabilizers.

Both keyboards include multiple foam layers, but the Q13 Ultra is explicitly listed with sound-absorbing foam, IXPE foam, PET film, a latex bottom pad, and bottom case acoustic foam. The Q15 Max also uses IXPE, PET, and latex foams. The Q13 Ultra has a slightly more detailed foam stack in its description.

The Q15 Max lacks a dedicated numpad and function row, which may slow down data entry for number-heavy tasks. The Q13 Ultra's 96% layout includes a numpad and function row, making it more suitable for office and accounting work.

Yes, both keyboards support Bluetooth: the Q13 Ultra uses Bluetooth 5.3, while the Q15 Max uses Bluetooth 5.1. They also support 2.4 GHz wireless and wired USB-C connections, so you have multiple connectivity options.