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Keychron
Keychron Q1 RGB Wired Custom Mechanical Keyboard

Keychron Q1 RGB Wired Custom Mechanical Keyboard

4.5· 307 ratings

Last price we saw

$89.99last seen Oct 28

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Our take on the Keychron Q1 RGB Wired Custom Mechanical Keyboard

The Keychron Q1 is a 75% wired mechanical keyboard with a full CNC-machined 6063 aluminum case, a programmable rotary knob, and a double-gasket mount that softens typing feel and reduces metal ping. It is hot-swappable for 3-pin and 5-pin MX switches, runs QMK firmware plus the Keychron Launcher web app, and works with macOS and Windows. The latest best price is $159 at Distritech as of November 3, near the low end of its recent range.

Best forOffice and home-office typists who want a quieter, sturdier boardBuyers who plan to swap switches and mod the casemacOS and Windows users who want one board for bothGamers who want a 1000 Hz wired board with a knob
Pros
  • Full aluminum body feels dense and premium
  • Double-gasket mount softens bottom-out and cuts resonance
  • Hot-swappable PCB takes 3-pin and 5-pin MX switches
  • QMK and the Launcher web app allow full remapping and macros
  • Ships with Mac and Windows keycaps and a Type-C cable plus adapter
  • Programmable knob adds volume and shortcut control
Cons
  • Very heavy at 1825 g; not a board you move often
  • Exposed PCB around the plate collects dust and is not water resistant
  • No IP rating
  • Gateron switches sit tight in the steel plate and are hard to pull
  • No solid-color-plus-reactive RGB mode

Keychron Q1 RGB Wired Custom Mechanical Keyboard price history

Lowest price we've seen: $89.99 on Oct 28. Tracked across 1 store since Oct 28.

What reviewers say

Owners rate it 4.5 out of 5 across 307 ratings and mostly praise the hefty aluminum build, the easy-to-open case, and the value for a mod-friendly board. Complaints center on weight, exposed PCB, and switch removal.

Pros
  • Premium, hefty build quality
  • Great value as a mod-friendly board that is easy to open and close
  • Preinstalled Gateron G Pro Brown switches are a favorite
  • Included keycaps beat most sets costing less than the whole keyboard
Cons
  • Very heavy at 1825 g
  • A lot of exposed PCB after setup, prone to dust and water damage
  • No IP rating
  • Gateron switches with the steel plate are very hard to remove

From Keychron.com

  • 75% ANSI layout with programmable rotary knob
  • Wired Type-C connection with 1000 Hz polling rate
  • Full CNC machined 6063 aluminum body, polished, anodized and sandblasted
  • Double-gasket design with silicone pads between top and bottom cases to reduce metal resonance
  • Hot-swappable PCB supports 3-pin and 5-pin MX mechanical switches
  • QMK firmware and Keychron Launcher web app for key remapping and macros; works with macOS and Windows
Materials
Full CNC machined aluminum body; steel plate; double-shot PBT keycaps (Fully Assembled version); Gateron Phantom Yellow & Silver switch version uses double-shot
Fit
75% layout, ANSI, with knob; front height 22.6 mm and back height 35.8 mm without keycaps; 5.2° angle
Shipping
Backordered models ship as soon as they are back in stock
In the box
Fully Assembled version: keyboard PCB, case and steel plate, Keycaps (includes Mac & Windows keycaps), Switches, Type-C cable + Type-A to Type-C adapter, Barebone version does not include keycaps and switches

What buyers say

Buyers like
  • Premium, hefty build quality
  • Great value as a mod-friendly board that is easy to open and close
  • Preinstalled Gateron G Pro Brown switches are a favorite
  • Included keycaps better than most sets costing less than the whole keyboard
  • Works well for office use and is less irritating than membrane keyboards
  • Fast delivery and good quality
Buyers complain about
  • Keyboard is very heavy (1825 g)
  • Quite a lot of exposed PCB after setup, prone to dust and water damage
  • No IP rating
  • No solid-reactive RGB setting combining solid color with reactive color on keypress
  • Gateron switches with the steel plate make switches very hard to remove
  • Knob color may differ slightly from the case on blue and grey versions

Specifications

Model Name
Q1 QMK Custom Mechanical Keyboard - Version 2
Series
Q1
Form Factor
75%
Keyboard Subtype
Gaming keyboard
Keyboard Type
Mechanical
Technology
Mechanical
Type Highlights
75%

Questions and answers

Is the Keychron Q1 worth it?
Yes if you want a dense aluminum 75% board you can mod. At $159 at Distritech as of November 3, it undercuts most full-aluminum gasket boards.
Q1 vs Q1 Pro or Q2: which should I pick?
The Q1 is wired only, so choose the Pro if you need wireless. The Q2 is a 65% layout with no function row; the Q1 keeps the F-row and knob in a slightly wider frame.
Does it work with Mac and Windows?
Yes. It ships with both Mac and Windows keycaps and switches layouts in the Launcher app. The cable is USB-C, with a Type-A to Type-C adapter in the box.
Can I swap the switches?
Yes, the hot-swap PCB takes 3-pin and 5-pin MX switches. Owners report Gateron switches are tight in the steel plate, so use a proper puller and take care.
What is in the box?
The assembled version includes the keyboard, keycaps, switches, a Type-C cable, and a Type-A to Type-C adapter. The barebone version has no keycaps or switches.
When is it cheapest?
It has sold near $159 recently, which is close to its low. Watch for drops below that during sales events rather than expecting large cuts.
What do buyers say about the Keychron Q1 RGB Wired Custom Mechanical Keyboard?
Rated 4.5 out of 5 from 307 ratings. Buyers like: Premium, hefty build quality; Great value as a mod-friendly board that is easy to open and close; Preinstalled Gateron G Pro Brown switches are a favorite. Common complaints: Keyboard is very heavy (1825 g); Quite a lot of exposed PCB after setup, prone to dust and water damage.
Accessory Type
Standalone
Ergonomic Design
Adjustable height
Ergonomic Features
Adjustable tilt
Adjustable Angle
Yes
Switch Type
Mechanical, Gateron phantom silver, Gateron G Pro Brown
Switch Audible Click
Yes
Switch Tactile Feedback
Yes
Hot Swappable Switches
Yes
Switch Actuation Point
2 ± 0.6 mm (pre-travel)
Connectivity Type
Wired
Connectivity Interface
USB-C
Wired Connectivity
Yes
Compatibility
Windows
Cable Length
136 cm
Multi Device Support
Yes
Ports
USB-C