Keychron Q2 vs Q365% Compact or TKL Layout
Choose the Keychron Q2 for a more compact, lighter 65% board and ISO-Nordic availability, or the Keychron Q3 for a TKL layout, silent switch option, and shine-through keycaps.
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4.8 (241)4.8 · 241 reviews
from$59at Keychron
4.8 (107)4.8 · 107 reviews
from$59at Keychron
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron Q2
Build quality in the top 5% of 65% boards under $100.
- 65% layout in a 328 mm long, 121 mm wide case weighing 1645 g.
- ISO-Nordic layout is listed among its available layout standards.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- 65% layout. No function row and no numpad.
Get the
Keychron Q3
Build quality in the top 5% of 80% boards under $100.
- 80% TKL layout includes a function row.
- Silent switches are included among the listed switch types.
- The ISO version includes ABS shine-through keycaps.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- Missing ISO-Nordic. The other board is sold in those layouts.
- No numpad.
Get the Q2 if you want the smaller, lighter 65% layout or need ISO-Nordic. Choose the Q3 if you want a TKL function row, a silent switch option, or shine-through keycaps on the ISO version.
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 Q2
Keychron Q3
Layout size
65%
80%
Switch options
Clicky, Linear, Tactile
Clicky, Linear, Silent, Tactile
Mount style
Gasket Mount, PCB Mount
Gasket Mount, PCB Mount, Plate Mount
Weight
1,645 g
2,000 g
Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel
Layout standard
ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, ISO-UK, JIS
ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-SW, ISO-UK, JIS
ISO and JIS exist so regional layouts fit
- Keychron Q2
- Keychron Q3
- Performance
- 6571
- Build quality
- 9091
- Productivity
- 9598
- Customizability
- 9898
- Portability
- 7057
- Connection: Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Case material: Aluminum
- Knob
- QMK
What will you mostly use it for?
The Q2's smaller footprint and lower weight make it the more convenient choice when desk space or carrying weight matters. The Q3 suits buyers who want a function row or a silent switch option. Gaming is a close call because both list the same polling rate and wired connection, while modding and content creation are broadly supported on both. The Q2 covers ISO-Nordic, a layout not listed for the Q3.
It's a tie
- Both list a 1000 Hz polling rate and wired-only connectivity.
- The Q2's 65% layout is more compact, while the Q3 offers a larger TKL layout.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron Q2
241 owner reviews
“The Q2 is waaaaay underrated. Tempest mod, lubed durock v2 stabs, tecsee PME or HPE housing long pole tactile switches and you have yourself a killer board.”
Keychron Q3
107 owner reviews
“I upgraded from the Q1 as I never really liked 75%. The weight, sound and feel of the Q3 are all amazing. Really good build quality. Money well spent.”
Keychron Q2 vs Q3 specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
8 of 25 specs differ
Keychron Q2
Keychron Q3
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
Display
Media keys
Connection
Max polling rate
USB-C
Case material
Plate material
Keycaps
Weight
Dimensions
Typing angle
Backlight
QMK
VIA
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 Q2
- Go to Input Gear
Input Gear
ISO-FR
In stockShips to you
- Go to Keychron
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW
In stockShips to you
- Go to Keychron (DE)
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW
In stockDoes not ship to you
Keychron Q3
- Go to Keychron
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW
In stockShips to you
- Go to Keychron (DE)
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW
Out of stockDoes not ship to you
Keychron Q2 vs Q3: your questions
The Q2 is a 65% keyboard, while the Q3 is an 80% TKL board. The Q3 has a function row, and the Q2 is shorter and narrower.
The Q3's TKL layout has a function row. The Q2's 65% layout does not.
The Q2 is smaller and lighter, measuring 328 mm long by 121 mm wide and weighing 1645 g. The Q3 measures 365 mm by 137 mm and weighs 2000 g.
Silent is included in the Q3's listed switch types. The Q2's listed options are linear, tactile, and clicky.
Yes, both are listed as hot-swappable. Keychron specifies support for 3-pin and 5-pin switches for each model.
Both list QMK and VIA support. Keychron describes remapping keys and setting macros through its Launcher web app for both models.
The Q2 lists ISO-Nordic among its layout standards, and Keychron describes a Nordic ISO version. ISO-Nordic is not listed for the Q3.
Both models list knob support, and their vendor descriptions explain using the knob for commands such as zooming or adjusting brush size. The knob version is an available configuration.
The Q2's south-facing LEDs may leave shine-through legends dark, according to its compatibility notes. The Q3 ISO version is described with ABS backlight shine-through keycaps, though its compatibility notes also warn about south-facing LED limitations.
Neither layout includes a numpad. The Q2 is 65%, and the Q3 is an 80% TKL board.
The Q2 is the more compact and lighter option, at 1645 g and 328 mm long. The Q3 weighs 2000 g and measures 365 mm long.
Both are listed as wired-only keyboards with USB-C connectivity. Neither product's listed connectivity includes a wireless mode.
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