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  1. Table of Contents
  2. Top
  3. Main Differences
  4. Design
    1. Dimensions
    2. Build Quality
    3. Ergonomics
    4. Backlighting
    5. Cable & Connector
    6. Wireless Versatility
    7. Extra Features
    8. In The Box
  5. Typing Experience
    1. Keystrokes
    2. Typing Quality
    3. Typing Noise
    4. Latency
  6. Software and Operating System
    1. Software & Programming
    2. Keyboard Compatibility
  7. Comments

Keychron Q1 vs Keychron Q2

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Keychron Q1
Keychron Q2

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Dec 01, 2023 05:08 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Sep 23, 2022 06:05 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Keychron Q1 Picture
Keychron Q2 Picture

Variants

  • Q1 (Carbon Black)
  • Q1 (Navy Blue)
  • Q1 (Space Grey)
  • Q2 (Carbon Black)
  • Q2 (Navy Blue)
  • Q2 (Silver Grey)

Our Verdict

Keychron Q1

Keychron Q2

The Keychron Q1 and the Keychron Q2 are both compact, hot-swappable keyboards, but the Q2 has some noticeable differences. The Q2 doesn't have a row of function keys at the top, and its keycaps are made of a high-quality doubleshot PBT rather than ABS, so it feels better to type on. The Q2 also has an extra gasket added inside the board to increase the flexibility during typing. On the other hand, the Q1 has a lower fixed incline, so you won't have to stretch your wrists as much. Also, its latency is marginally lower.

0

Main Differences for

Threshold 

0.10

Gaming 

8.6
8.5
No major differences between these keyboards for gaming. See full list of tests below.

Full Comparison

Design

Dimensions 
 

Top Picture  

Keychron Q1 Top Picture
Keychron Q2 Top Picture

Size 
 

Compact (75%)
Compact (65%)

Height 
 

1.7" (4.4 cm)
1.7" (4.4 cm)

Width  

12.9" (32.7 cm)
12.9" (32.7 cm)

Depth 
 

5.7" (14.5 cm)
4.8" (12.1 cm)

Depth With Wrist Rest 
 

N/A
N/A

Weight 
 

3.62 lbs (1.642 kg)
3.68 lbs (1.671 kg)

Show text

Build Quality 
 

9.0
9.0

Build Quality Close Up  

Keychron Q1 Build Quality Close Up
Keychron Q2 Build Quality Close Up

Keycap Material  

ABS
PBT

Show text

Ergonomics 
 

6.0
6.0

Side Picture  

Keychron Q1 Side Picture
Keychron Q2 Side Picture

Board Design 
 

Straight
Straight

Minimum Incline 
 

5.2°
6.5°

Medium Incline 
 

N/A
N/A

Maximum Incline 
 

N/A
N/A

Wrist Rest  

No
No

Show text

Backlighting 
 

9.6
9.6

Backlighting Picture  

Keychron Q1 Backlighting Picture
Keychron Q2 Backlighting Picture

White Shot 
 

Keychron Q1 White Shot
Keychron Q2 White Shot

Brightness Max 
 

Keychron Q1 Brightness Max
Keychron Q2 Brightness Max

Brightness Min 
 

Keychron Q1 Brightness Min
Keychron Q2 Brightness Min

Backlighting  

Yes
Yes

Color 
 

RGB
RGB

Individually Backlit Keys 
 

Yes
Yes

Color Mixing 
 

Poor
Poor

Effects 
 

Yes
Yes

Programmable 
 

Yes
Yes

Show text

Cable & Connector  

Connectivity  

Wired
Wired

Detachable 
 

Yes (Wired Only Keyboard)
Yes (Wired Only Keyboard)

Length  

5.9 ft (1.8 m)
5.9 ft (1.8 m)

Connector (Keyboard side) 
 

USB type-C
USB type-C

Show text

Wireless Versatility 
 

0.0
0.0

Bluetooth 
 

No
No

Bluetooth Multi-Device Pairing 
 

No
No

Proprietary Receiver 
 

No
No

Battery Type 
 

No Batteries
No Batteries

Show text

Extra Features 
 

Extra Features  

Keychron Q1 Extra Features
Keychron Q2 Extra Features

Media Keys 
 

Hot Keys
Hot Keys

Macro Programmable Keys 
 

All
All

Trackpad / Trackball  

No
No

Wheel  

No
No

USB Passthrough 
 

No
No

Numpad  

No
No

Windows Key Lock 
 

No
No

Lock Indicator  

No Indicator
No Indicator

Show text

In The Box  

Bundle Picture  

Keychron Q1 Bundle Picture
Keychron Q2 Bundle Picture

Show text

Typing Experience

Keystrokes 
 

Key Switch Actuation Graph  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Key Switches 
 

Gateron Phantom Brown
Gateron G Pro Brown

Mechanical 
 

Yes
Yes

Feel 
 

Tactile
Tactile

Operating Force 
 

49 gf
55 gf

Actuation Force 
 

39 gf
39 gf

Pre-Travel 
 

2.6 mm
2.6 mm

Total Travel 
 

4.0 mm
4.1 mm

Show text

Typing Quality 
 

8.5
8.5

Show text

Typing Noise 
 

Typing Sample  

Noise 
 

Very Quiet
Very Quiet

Show text

Latency 
 

7.4
7.3

Latency Video  

Latency Wired 
 

11.1 ms
11.6 ms

Latency Receiver 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency Bluetooth 
 

N/A
N/A

Show text

Software and Operating System

Software & Programming 
 

9.6
9.6

Software Picture  

Keychron Q1 Software Picture
Keychron Q2 Software Picture

Software Name  

VIA
VIA

Account Required 
 

No
No

Profiles 
 

6+
6+

Onboard Memory 
 

Yes
Yes

Cloud Sync 
 

No
No

Macro Programming 
 

Software
Software

Ease Of Use 
 

Easy
Easy

Software Windows Compatible 
 

Yes
Yes

Software macOS Compatible 
 

Yes
Yes

Show text

Keyboard Compatibility 
 

8.2
8.2

Windows  

Full
Full

macOS  

Full
Full

Linux  

Full
Full

Android  

No
No

iOS  

No
No

iPadOS  

No
No

Show text

Keychron Q1

Keychron Q2

Comments

  1. Comparison

Keychron Q1 vs Keychron Q2: Main Discussion

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