At a look

Expert’s Rating

Pros

• Great {hardware}
• Excellent wi-fi efficiency
• Unbeatable worth

Our Verdict

The Q1 Pro seamlessly provides Bluetooth to the most effective premium keyboards in the marketplace. It’s completely the ultimate on this product class.

Price When Reviewed

$199

Best Prices Today: Keychron Q1 Pro Keyboard

Keychron began out making wi-fi, Mac-focused mechanical keyboards that have been, at the very least for me, fairly underwhelming. Then the corporate shifted into high-end, enthusiast-focused keyboards, such because the Keychron Q5, which has all the trimmings of a small-batch boutique construct, however at about half the worth. This is the corporate’s candy spot, and it’s been bettering on that ever since. Now we’ve come full circle: The Q1 Pro is Keychron’s first high-end, all-metal board so as to add Bluetooth.

Note: See our roundup of the best wireless gaming keyboards to study competing merchandise, what to search for in a wi-fi gaming keyboard, and shopping for suggestions.

Michael Crider/IDG

And rattling it if it isn’t nearly good. The Q1 Pro combines the ultra-popular 75% format, high-end supplies like an all-aluminum case and a rotary dial, and boutique options like gasket mounting and VIA/QMK programming. And it’s wi-fi. It’s every thing you need in a high-end construct, with nearly no sacrifices. And as typical, the worth is thrashing absolutely the pants off of the competitors.

There are solely two causes I can consider to not suggest the Q1 Pro to a mechanical keyboard fan. One, you demand 2.4GHz, gaming-grade wi-fi. Or two, you merely need to look ahead to Keychron to convey Bluetooth to one of its other, many Q-series keyboard layouts. For everybody else: go purchase one.

A well-recognized look

If you’ve learn any of our earlier Keychron opinions right here on PCWorld, you realize what to anticipate. The Q1 Pro incorporates a compact 75% format with full arrow keys and performance row, plus an non-compulsory rotary dial improve. It’s clad in an aluminum case that feels prefer it might stand in for any of the homicide weapons in a recreation of Clue. (Read: It’s actually heavy and hard.) And typing on it, particularly with the included high-profile PBT keycaps, is heavenly.

Michael Crider/IDG

There are solely two main departures from the principle Q sequence. One, there’s a really clear antenna part on the higher a part of the case. This is principally only a gap within the aluminum to carry the Bluetooth antenna—you may see the cable going to the wi-fi chip in the event you crack it open. And two, Keychron changed the metallic help plate beneath the switches with a plastic one, presumably to spice up wi-fi vary but once more.

The change makes the keys flex rather more noticeably below heavy typing. That is likely to be a plus in the event you actually just like the squishy give of a gasket mount, the little bits of froth that “suspend” the plate in between the metallic components of the board. If not, that is likely to be the one change from the older Q1 that you simply actually don’t like within the Pro.

Michael Crider/IDG

Other adjustments from the usual Q1 are tougher to identify. There’s a large 4,000mAh battery hidden beneath every thing, which you received’t discover until you disassemble every thing. And Keychron eliminated the choice for Gateron Pro switches, instead offering K Pro switches in linear Red (as in our overview unit), tactile Brown, or stiffer tactile Banana (which additionally removes the stabilizing corridor impact). The new switches really feel rather less easy than the Gaterons, however since Keychron gives the keyboard in a barebones equipment with none switches in any respect, I’m loath to complain about it.

Dedicated antenna for Bluetooth

Let’s check out the work Keychron did to facilitate Bluetooth in that large metallic case. Unlike comparable all-metal wi-fi keyboards that simply type of cope with the lowered vary, Keychron’s devoted antenna makes this a keyboard designed from the bottom up for wi-fi. The Q1 Pro maintained its Bluetooth connection to my desktop two rooms away, and even once I stepped out on my entrance porch, a strong 40 toes and three partitions from the pc. Keychron took the wi-fi improve significantly.

Michael Crider/IDG

The different part in a wi-fi construct is the battery, and Keychron didn’t skimp there, both. The 4,000mAh unit hidden beneath the keys can deal with a strong couple of weeks with the RGB lighting on, and with them off…I do not know, as a result of my overview interval doesn’t final that lengthy. Months, on the very least, if my expertise constructing wi-fi boards is something to go by. When that you must cost up, the package deal features a good-looking braided USB-C wire, together with alternate keycaps, additional gaskets, disassembly instruments, and keycap and key change puller.

Michael Crider/IDG

You may need to plug in in the event you’re utilizing the Q1 for gaming, by the best way. While its wi-fi powers are completely tremendous, even for switching between a number of machines, they’re not significantly quick. A typical lag and occasional stutter is noticeable, and fully typical for Bluetooth. Plugged in, the keyboard operates at 1,000Hz, ok for everybody besides a “pro” gamer. A dedicate 2.4GHz dongle would have alleviated this…however to be honest, Keychron has by no means marketed its wi-fi boards as meant for gaming.

Incredible options, unbelievable worth

There are simply too many options within the Q1 Pro to explain in prose. Here’s the bullet-point model:

• All-aluminum chassis
• Double gasket mount—this offers the keys a bit flex and “bounce”
• Doubleshot PBT KSA-profile keycaps—tall, old style keycaps that may by no means put on the legends down
• Two layers of sound-absorbing foam
• Hot-swappable switches—swap out the important thing switches for something within the Cherry MX format
• QMK and VIA programming—simple customized programming for all keys and lighting, no proprietary software program essential

Most of these things is normal within the premium keyboard area at this level, minus the wi-fi choice. For instance, the GMMK Pro has just about all of those options, plus RGB side-lighting. But that board lacks wi-fi, and its barebones model is sort of the identical value because the non-tricked out Q1 Pro. With switches and keycaps, it’s greater than $100 costlier, extra in step with the boutique boards these designs are primarily based on. Ditto for the Drop Sense75. Other alternate options on this kind issue, just like the Keydous NJ80 or the Epomaker TH80, use far cheaper supplies, and programming is a chore if it’s doable in any respect.

Michael Crider/IDG

In brief, Keychron as soon as once more has probably the most options in a premium keyboard for the bottom value. There aren’t loads of keyboards in the marketplace that straight compete with the Q1 Pro, besides, it stands head and shoulders above different choices.

Simply unbeatable

I’m a self-confessed keyboard snob. I’ve put a whole bunch of hours and an embarrassing sum of money into the passion, together with greater than $500 on my major, self-built board. And saying all that, the Q1 Pro might be higher than what I can construct for myself.

Michael Crider/IDG

It’s strong as could be, stuffed with high-quality {hardware} from prime to backside, stuffed filled with premium options, and but in some way remains to be cheaper than each comparable choice. The barebones version starts at $179, if you wish to use your individual key switches and caps. The absolutely assembled model is $200, and nearly untouchable (figuratively—you may contact all of it you need!) for a high-end wi-fi board.

Gamers who demand high-speed wi-fi will lament the shortage of a devoted dongle, and people who need a bigger or smaller kind issue may need to wait for brand new entries within the Q Pro sequence. But for everybody else, the Q1 Pro is solely the most effective premium Bluetooth keyboard in the marketplace.