Keychron Q1 vs Keychron K8 Pro [K2 Pro, K3 Pro, K4 Pro, etc.]

Tested using Methodology v1.3.1

Updated Apr 08, 2025 04:39 PM

Keychron K8 Pro [K2 Pro, K3 Pro, K4 Pro, etc.] Picture

ConnectivityWired

SizeCompact (75%)

MechanicalYes

ConnectivityWireless

SizeTenKeyLess (80%)

Switch TypeMechanical

N-Key Rollover (NKRO)Yes

Hot-Swappable SwitchesYes

Variants

Q1 (Carbon Black)
Q1 (Navy Blue)
Q1 (Space Grey)

K10 Pro (100%)
K5 Pro (Low Profile) (100%)
K9 Pro (Low Profile) (60%)
K12 Pro (60%)
K6 Pro (65%)
K7 Pro (Low Profile) (65%)
K14 Pro (70%)
K2 Pro (75%)
K3 Pro (Low Profile) (75%)
K1 Pro (Low Profile) (80% (TKL))
K13 Pro (Numpad) (80% (TKL))
K8 Pro (80% (TKL))
K4 Pro (96%)
K17 Pro (Low Profile) (96%)

Review

See Keychron Q1 review

See Keychron K8 Pro [K2 Pro, K3 Pro, K4 Pro, etc.] review

Our Verdict

Keychron Q1

Keychron K8 Pro [K2 Pro, K3 Pro, K4 Pro, etc.]

The Keychron Q Series and the Keychron K8 Pro [K2 Pro, K3 Pro, K4 Pro, etc.] are both mechanical keyboard lineups from the manufacturer Keychron. The Keychron Q1, a compact 75% size keyboard, was the first release in the Q Series. Overall, the Q Series boasts superior build quality with its gasket-mounted design and solid aluminum case. In contrast, the K Pro Series consists of wireless keyboards that support multi-device pairing via Bluetooth and feature a tray-mounted design. Both series are highly customizable, are compatible with the VIA companion software, and have hot-swappable PCBs.

Check Price

Carbon Black

100%

K10 Pro

Navy Blue

100%

K5 Pro (Low Profile)

Space Grey

60%

K9 Pro (Low Profile)

60%

K12 Pro

65%

K6 Pro

65%

K7 Pro (Low Profile)

70%

K14 Pro

75%

K2 Pro

75%

K3 Pro (Low Profile)

80% (TKL)

K1 Pro (Low Profile)

80% (TKL)

K13 Pro (Numpad)

80% (TKL)

K8 Pro

96%

K4 Pro

96%

K17 Pro (Low Profile)

Notice: Two or more of the products selected have been tested with different test methodologies, so some of the results below aren't directly comparable. Learn how our test benches and scoring system work, and read more about the latest changes to our keyboards test methodology.

Main Differences for

Threshold

0.10

Gaming

8.6

8.2

Pre-Travel

2.6 mm

2.3 mm

Latency

7.4

8.3

Operating Force

49 gf

57 gf

Full Comparison

Gaming

8.6

8.2

Office

7.8

7.4

Mobile/Tablet

3.7

6.9

Programming

8.1

7.8

Entertainment / HTPC

5.1

5.8

Raw Performance

8.3

Design

Dimensions

Top Picture

Size

Compact (75%)

TenKeyLess (80%)

Height

1.7" (4.4 cm)

1.7" (4.3 cm)

Width

12.9" (32.7 cm)

14.1" (35.8 cm)

Depth

5.7" (14.5 cm)

5.1" (13.0 cm)

Depth With Wrist Rest

N/A

Weight

3.62 lbs (1.642 kg)

2.95 lbs (1.336 kg)

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Build Quality

9.0

8.5

Build Quality Close Up

Keycap Material

ABS

PBT

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Ergonomics

6.0

Side Picture

Curved/Angled

Straight

Split Keyboard

Key Alignment

Staggered

Minimum Incline

5.2°

4°

Medium Incline

N/A

8°

Maximum Incline

N/A

10.5°

Home Row Height

35.5 mm (1.4")

Wrist Rest

Show text

Hardware Customizability

Customizability Overview

Replaceable Cherry Stabilizers

Yes

Stabilizer Fixation

Screw-in

Spacebar Stabilizer Size

6.25u

Size Of Right Mod Keys

1.25u

Hot-Swappable Switches

Yes

Switch Stem Shape

Cherry MX Style

Switch PCB Socket

5-pin Cherry

North-Facing Cherry MX Interference

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Backlight Features

9.6

Backlighting Picture

Brightness Max

Backlighting

Yes

Brightness Min

White Shot

RGB

Yes

Per-Key Backlighting

Yes

Effects

Yes

Software Controllable

Yes

Color

RGB

Color Mixing

Poor

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Backlight Clarity

4.0

White Shot

Show text

Cable & Connector

Connectivity

Wired

Wireless

Detachable

Yes (Wired Only Keyboard)

Yes (Wired Mode and Charge)

Length

5.9 ft (1.8 m)

3.9 ft (1.2 m)

Connector (Keyboard side)

USB type-C

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Wireless Versatility

0.0

Bluetooth

Yes

Bluetooth Multi-Device Pairing

Proprietary Receiver

Battery Type

No Batteries

Rechargeable

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Macro Keys And Programming

4.0

Dedicated Macro Keys Count

Onboard Macro Programming

Macro Programming With Software

Yes

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Extra Features

Media Keys

Hot Keys

Non-Dedicated

Trackpad / Trackball

Scroll Wheel

Control Knob

USB Passthrough

Numpad

Windows Key Lock

Lock Indicator

No Indicator

Caps Lock

Macro Programmable Keys

All

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In The Box

Bundle Picture

Show text

Typing Experience

Typing Quality

8.5

8.0

Key Spacing

19.0 mm (0.748")

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Typing Noise

4.3

Typing Sample

Average Loudness

55.9 dBA

High Pitch Clicks

Yes

Noise

Very Quiet

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Switches

Wobble Video

Switch Name

Gateron Phantom Brown

Gateron G Pro Blue

Switch Type

Mechanical

Feel

Tactile

Clicky

Analog

Show text

Keystrokes

Key Switch Actuation Graph

Key Switches

Gateron Phantom Brown

Gateron G Pro Blue

Mechanical

Yes

Feel

Tactile

Clicky

Operating Force

49 gf

57 gf

Actuation Force

39 gf

43 gf

Pre-Travel

2.6 mm

2.3 mm

Total Travel

4.0 mm

4.5 mm

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Latency

7.4

8.3

Latency Video

Latency Wired

11.1 ms

9.8 ms

Latency Receiver

N/A

Latency Bluetooth

N/A

19.9 ms

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Performance

Single-Key Latency

7.4

8.3

Single-Key Latency Graph

Best Connection

9.8 ms

Best Connection Std Dev

±1.0 ms

Wired

11.1 ms

9.8 ms

Receiver

N/A

Bluetooth

N/A

19.9 ms

PCB (Estimated)

6.6 ms

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Multi-Key Latency

8.0

Latency Video

Multi-Key Latency Graph

Connection Evaluated

Wired

Key Press

9.9 ms

Key Release

12.9 ms

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Data Transmission

8.2

Multi-Key Raw USB

Connection Evaluated

Wired

USB Polling Rate

1,000 Hz

Effective Update Rate

1,000 Hz

N-Key Rollover (NKRO)

Yes

Multiple Keys Per USB Report

Show text

Chord Split

8.8

Chord Split Graph

4 Chord Split Delay

3.3 ms

8 Chord Split Delay

10.8 ms

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Software and Operating System

Configuration Software

Software Picture

Software Tour

Software Name

VIA

Software Windows Compatible

Yes

Software macOS Compatible

Yes

Onboard Memory

Yes

Profiles

Account Required

Cloud Sync

Macro Programming

Software

Ease Of Use

Easy

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Computer Compatibility

8.2

Windows

Full

Fully Compatible

macOS

Full

Fully Compatible

Linux (Ubuntu 22)

Full

Fully Compatible

Media Key Compatibility

Windows, MacOS & Linux

Android

Fully Compatible

iOS

Fully Compatible

iPadOS

Fully Compatible

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Wireless Mobile Compatibility

Android

Fully Compatible

iOS

Fully Compatible

iPadOS

Fully Compatible

Media Key Compatibility

Android, iPhone & iPad

Show text

Check Price

Carbon Black

100%

K10 Pro

Navy Blue

100%

K5 Pro (Low Profile)

Space Grey

60%

K9 Pro (Low Profile)

60%

K12 Pro

65%

K6 Pro

65%

K7 Pro (Low Profile)

70%

K14 Pro

75%

K2 Pro

75%

K3 Pro (Low Profile)

80% (TKL)

K1 Pro (Low Profile)

80% (TKL)

K13 Pro (Numpad)

80% (TKL)

K8 Pro

96%

K4 Pro

96%

K17 Pro (Low Profile)