Not sure which keyboard to choose? Try the Keyboard Finder now!

Head to head · Prices checked Nov 7, 2026

Keychron V1 HE vs LemoKey P1 HEMetal vs Plastic

Choose the LemoKey P1 HE if you prioritize a full metal build and dedicated knob; choose the V1 HE if you prefer a lighter ABS body and lower cost.

KeebFinder may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.

Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Keychron V1 HE

Metal

Build quality in the top 25% of 75% boards under $200.

If you want

  • Lighter weight (1031g) makes it more portable than the P1 HE.
  • ABS plastic body is less prone to visible scratches during transport.
  • Uses Keychron Ultra-fast Lime magnetic switches with 0.01 mm sensitivity for fine actuation tuning.

Rules this board out

  • Magnetic switches only. Standard MX switches will not fit.
  • North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
  • No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.

Get the

Keychron LemoKey P1 HE

Plastic

Build quality in the top 5% of 75% boards under $200.

If you want

  • Full metal body provides a premium, rigid, and durable build.
  • Includes screw-in PCB stabilizers for improved large-key stability.
  • Features a programmable metal knob for adjusting volume or other functions.

Rules this board out

  • Magnetic switches only. Standard MX switches will not fit.
  • North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
  • South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.

Bottom line

Your choice comes down to materials and weight. The LemoKey P1 HE delivers a sturdier, full metal build with a knob and screw-in stabilizers, making it the better long-term investment for a desk-centered setup. The Keychron V1 HE is lighter and more affordable, suiting those who need a portable magnetic-switch keyboard or prefer a lower upfront cost.

What actually differs

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 V1 HE

Keychron LemoKey P1 HE

  • Case material

    ABS

    Aluminum, Metal

  • Switch options

    Clicky, Linear, Tactile

    Clicky, Linear, Magnetic, Tactile

  • Knob

    No

    Yes

  • Weight

    1,031 g

    1,630 g

    Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel

  • Layout standard

    ANSI

    ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE

    ISO and JIS exist so regional layouts fit

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Keychron V1 HE
  • Keychron LemoKey P1 HE
Performance
93
93
Build quality
76
88
Productivity
90
97
Customizability
87
96
Portability
83
82

What they share

  • Layout size: 75%
  • Hall effect (magnetic)
  • Rapid trigger
  • Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
  • Hot-swappable
  • Battery: 4,000 mAh
See every spec side by side

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

For gaming and content creation, the LemoKey P1 HE pulls ahead with extra features like Snap Click and a knob. In office and modding scenarios, its full metal build and screw-in stabilizers offer a more premium foundation. Travelers will prefer the lighter Keychron V1 HE. For programming, both keyboards are equally capable due to identical QMK/VIA support and battery life.

For gaming

Pick the Keychron LemoKey P1 HE

  • Both offer 1000 Hz polling and Rapid Trigger, but the P1 HE adds Snap Click and Last Keystroke Prioritization for competitive play.
  • The P1 HE includes analog mode for nuanced control in supported games.
  • The full metal body of the P1 HE provides a more stable, rigid platform during intense sessions.

Full specs

Keychron V1 HE vs LemoKey P1 HE specs

Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.

10 of 28 specs differ

Keychron V1 HE

Keychron LemoKey P1 HE

Typing & switches

Switch options

Clicky, Linear, Tactile
Clicky, Linear, Magnetic, Tactile

Hall effect (magnetic)

Yes
Yes

Rapid trigger

Yes
Yes

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Gasket Mount
Gasket Mount

Sound dampening

Yes
Yes

Screw-in stabilizers

No
Yes

Layout

Layout size

75%
75%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Knob

No
Yes

Display

None
None

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired

Max polling rate

1,000 Hz
1,000 Hz

Battery

4,000 mAh
4,000 mAh

USB-C

Yes
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

ABS
Aluminum, Metal

Plate material

Aluminum, Polycarbonate
Aluminum

Keycaps

PBT
PBT

Weight

1,031 g
1,630 g

Dimensions

31 x 148 x 329 mm
32 x 140 x 322 mm

Typing angle

—
6°

Backlight

RGB, north-facing
RGB, south-facing

Firmware & software

QMK

Yes
Yes

VIA

Yes
Yes

N-key rollover

Yes
Yes

Mac & Windows

Yes
Yes

Extras

Released

2026
2025

For EU buyers

ISO layouts by store

Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.

Keychron V1 HE

No ISO layout at the stores we track.

Keychron LemoKey P1 HE

  • Input Gear

    ISO-DE

    Out of stockShips to you

  • Keychron

    ISO-DE

    Out of stockShips to you

Where to buy

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.

FAQ

Keychron V1 HE vs LemoKey P1 HE: your questions

The LemoKey P1 HE has a higher build quality due to its full metal body, while the V1 HE uses an ABS plastic case. The P1 HE also includes screw-in PCB stabilizers for more reliable large-key performance.

Yes, both are hot-swappable for magnetic switches. The V1 HE is compatible only with Keychron Ultra-fast Lime magnetic switches, while the P1 HE is compatible only with Gateron double-rail magnetic switches.

The P1 HE offers more gaming-focused features including Snap Click, Last Keystroke Prioritization, and analog mode in addition to Rapid Trigger. Both have 1000 Hz polling and adjustable actuation.

The Keychron V1 HE weighs 1031g, making it significantly lighter than the LemoKey P1 HE which weighs 1630g. The difference is due to the P1 HE's full metal construction.

Yes, both support QMK firmware and VIA software for remapping keys and creating macros. The P1 HE also works with the Lemokey Launcher web app for browser-based configuration.

Only the LemoKey P1 HE includes a knob. It features an aluminum rotary encoder that can be programmed for volume, zoom, screen brightness, or other functions.

Both the Keychron V1 HE and LemoKey P1 HE have a 4000mAh battery and offer up to 100 hours of wireless working time with backlighting turned off.

The V1 HE is available in ANSI layout only. The P1 HE supports ANSI, ISO, and ISO-DE layouts through different versions, giving European users more flexibility.

Both keyboards include sound dampening. The V1 HE uses enhanced acoustic foams with its gasket mount, while the P1 HE combines 3mm acoustic foam, 2.5mm EPDM foam, and PET film.

The Keychron V1 HE is easier to travel with due to its lighter weight (1031g) and ABS case which is less prone to scratching. The P1 HE is 600g heavier and its metal case is heavier to carry.

The V1 HE comes with OSA profile double-shot PBT keycaps. The P1 HE comes with Cherry profile double-shot PBT keycaps, available in both shine-through and non-shine-through versions.

The LemoKey P1 HE is better for modding because it includes screw-in PCB stabilizers and a full metal case that serves as a premium foundation. It also offers both ANSI and ISO PCB options.

Still torn?

Answer a few quick questions and the keyboard finder ranks 2,000+ boards by how you will actually use yours.