Choosing the right Keychron keyboard can be confusing, especially when they have a lot of options that suit different typers and their needs. To help you choose easier, we’ll first take a look at Keychron Q vs. K series.
The Keychron Q Series is known for its premium, wired design, while the K Series offers wireless options and budget-friendly choices. Both series have their unique strengths, as they each cater to different needs.
Maybe you're looking for a sturdy, traditional mechanical keyboard, or perhaps a versatile and portable option fits better. Each series has variations that might seem minor but impact your experience greatly.
Summary Table of Keychron Q Series vs. K Series
|
Feature |
Keychron Q Series |
Keychron K Series |
|
Build Quality |
Full aluminum CNC machined body |
Lighter build, focus on portability, lower cost |
|
Mounting Style |
Gasket-mounted |
Typically tray-mounted |
|
Keycaps |
High-quality PBT, standard profile |
ABS or PBT, including low-profile options |
|
Customization |
Hot-swappable, QMK/VIA support |
Hot-swappable, QMK/VIA support |
|
Connectivity |
|
|
|
Multi-device Support |
Up to 3 devices |
Up to 3 devices |
|
Compatibility |
Mac, Windows, iOS, Android |
Mac, Windows, iOS, Android |
|
Price Range |
Starting from $139 |
Starting from $74 |
|
Ideal For |
Enthusiasts, premium build lovers |
Budget-conscious, low profile lovers |
Build Quality And Materials
The Keychron Q Series and K Series are known for their distinct build quality and choice of materials.
Keychron Q Series
The Keychron Q Series stands out with its solid aluminum case that gives it a sturdy, premium feel.
It also uses a durable gasket-mounted design, reducing the typing noise and providing a more flexible typing experience. The use of metal adds weight, giving it a stable presence on your desk.
This series is built for those who prioritize a firm typing surface and high durability. It's perfect if you prefer a keyboard with a robust build that feels lasting and reliable.
Keychron K Series
In contrast, the Keychron K Series generally features a lighter build. It's designed with a focus on wireless capability, making it more portable for users on the go. While it doesn't have an all-metal case, it still offers good durability with strong materials.
The K Series is a great option if you need a keyboard that's easy to carry around. It balances between strong build quality and portability, and offers a more budget-friendly choice without compromising too much on quality.
Mounting Style
The mounting style of a keyboard affects the feel and sound of your typing experience. Keychron's Q and K Series keyboards use different mounting approaches.
Keychron Q Series
The Keychron Q Series is known for its gasket-mounted design, which offers a unique typing feel. Its gasket design is flexible and is placed between the keyboard's plate and its case. It provides a softer, bouncier feel when you press the keys.
This style is appreciated by many typing enthusiasts because it can provide better shock absorption and reduce the noise that occurs when a key is pressed, which can make your typing or gaming sessions more comfortable and quiet.
Keychron K Series
The Keychron K Series typically features a tray-mounted design. This is a simpler method where the keyboard’s plate is secured directly to the case.
While not as cushioned as the gasket mount, the tray-mounted design provides solid stability and a more traditional typing feel. You might find this design preferable if you enjoy a firm and more responsive key press.
The practicality of the tray mount supports these features by keeping the keyboard lightweight and straightforward while still offering a pleasant experience for typists and gamers alike.
Keycaps
Keycaps are the removable covers on each key switch, available in various materials and profiles that affect typing. PBT (Polybutylene Terephthalate) keycaps are durable and resistant to shine, while ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) keycaps are more affordable but wear out faster and become shiny.
Consider keycap material and profile as these can greatly affect your typing experience.
Keychron Q Series
The Keychron Q series typically comes with high-quality PBT keycaps. PBT keycaps are known for their durability and resistance to shine caused by long-term use. These keycaps also offer a textured feel that improves grip and comfort.
Keychron often uses a standard profile with prominent lettering, allowing for easy key identification. The Q series keycaps may also include south-facing RGB, offering better illumination and compatibility with certain mechanical switches.
Keychron K Series
The Keychron K series offers a range of keycap materials, such as ABS and PBT.
ABS keycaps might be more affordable but may wear out faster, becoming shiny with use. For a more durable option, the K series also offers PBT keycap models, which are less likely to shine over time.
This series includes low-profile keycaps, which are thinner and lighter, making them ideal for users who prefer a sleek design.
Depending on the model, the K series might also feature backlighting options for users who need visibility in low-light conditions.
Customization And Features
Keychron's Q and K Series keyboards both offer a range of customization options. Each series brings unique features, suited for different keyboard enthusiasts and preferences.
Both Series
Both the Q and K Series provide mechanical keyboards with options for customization.
You can swap out the key switches on both lines, making them hot-swappable. This feature allows you to change switches without soldering, which is great for personalizing your typing feel.
QMK and VIA support is available as well, so you can program the keys to perform functions that suit your needs.
The VIA software companion or the launcher software from Keychron makes it easy to tweak keyboard settings, helping you create a layout that works best for you.
Connectivity and Battery Life
Keychron Q Series
Q series models, such as the Q Pro and Q Max series, offer wireless capabilities.
All Q series keyboards provide a USB Type-C wired connection option with a 1000 Hz polling rate, making it suitable for competitive gaming.
Wireless models in the Q series can connect to up to three devices, allowing seamless multitasking across a computer, phone, and tablet.
Q series keyboards support QMK firmware, customizable through the Keychron Launcher web app. They’re primarily designed for wired use, so no worries about battery life here.
Keychron K Series
The Keychron K series offers multi-device connectivity with both wired and Bluetooth 5.1 wireless modes. It pairs with up to three devices, easily switching between Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android.
Most models feature USB-C for wired use and are compatible with both macOS and Windows, often including keycaps for both.
The battery life of the Keychron K Series varies significantly by model and form factor. Importantly, the battery capacity differs between normal profile and low profile Keychron keyboards.
Most normal profile keyboards from Keychron feature a 4000mAh battery, while low profile keyboards typically have a 1500mAh battery due to their smaller size. As a result, normal profile keyboards generally share similar battery life, as do the low profile models among themselves.
For example, the Keychron K6, a normal profile keyboard, can last up to 240 hours with the backlight off. In contrast, the Keychron K1, a low profile model, can last up to 110 hours with the backlight off.
The K3, another low profile model, has its own battery performance characteristics.
Battery life can differ based on the specific model and settings, but generally follows the pattern of longer battery life for normal profile keyboards and shorter for low profile ones.
Variations
Keychron offers a diverse lineup of keyboards tailored for different types of users, from hardcore gamers to those who need a reliable, budget-friendly option for multitasking. Let’s break down the variations within the Keychron Q and K Series:
Keychron Q Series
Q Series: This series is wired only in connection, but it’s also all about customization and performance. Think hot-swappable switches and a rock-solid build. Perfect for those who want a keyboard that looks as good as it feels.
Q Pro Series: The Pro series takes everything great about the Q series and cranks it up a notch. The Q Pro series adds Bluetooth functionality on top of the Q series, enhancing connectivity options.
Additionally, the Q Pro introduces KSA profile keycaps, which bring a retro typing experience compared to the OSA keycaps used on the Q series. These improvements make the Q Pro series ideal for users who want a more versatile, high-end experience with a touch of nostalgia in their typing feel.
Q Max Series: The Q Max series takes the Q Pro's features to the next level. It introduces 2.4G wireless functionality, adding another connectivity option alongside Bluetooth and wired modes. The Q Max also enhances the typing experience by incorporating additional foam inside the keyboard, significantly improving sound and feel during use.
Keychron K Series
K Series: Known for being lightweight and portable, the K Series is budget-friendly without skimping on quality. It features a tray-mounted design and reliable Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity, making it easy to switch between multiple devices.
K Pro Series: Building on the K Series, the K Pro introduces significant upgrades. It features a gasket-mounted design for improved typing feel and build quality, along with better switches for enhanced performance.
Unlike the original K Series, the K Pro adds QMK/VIA functionality, enabling key remapping and customization. It retains the versatile wired and wireless (including Bluetooth) connectivity options.
K Max Series: The K Max Series builds on the K Pro, featuring low-profile keycaps for portability. It offers improved switches for a better typing experience and adds 2.4G wireless for gaming-grade performance.
With wired, Bluetooth, and 2.4G options, it provides versatile connectivity. The K Max is perfect for users seeking a portable, high-performance keyboard with premium typing feel and flexible connection options.
Price
Prices for Q Series keyboards vary, with some models starting from $139 (like the Q4) and others from $175 (like the Q6).
On the other hand, the Keychron K Series can start from around $84 (for example, the K1 Version 6).
Keychron Q vs. K Series: Which Is For Me?
If you're the type who gets excited about premium build quality and loves to tinker, the Q series might be for you. It's has a solid aluminum body and tons of customization options. Perfect if you want your keyboard to feel as unique as you are.
But if you're looking for something that won't break the bank and can keep up with your multi-device lifestyle, check out the K series. It's got that sweet spot of quality and versatility, plus it's super easy to switch between your devices.
Whichever way you're leaning, visit Keychron's website to find your best keyboard. Why not take a look and see which one feels right for you?
Frequently Asked Questions
What switches does Keychron support?
Keychron supports a variety of switches, including Gateron, Keychron's own K Pro switches, and other popular mechanical switch brands like Cherry MX. The specific switches available can vary by keyboard model. Most models also offer hot-swappable options, allowing users to easily switch out and customize their key switches.
Are Keychron keyboards custom?
Many Keychron keyboards offer a high level of customization. Users can choose between different types of switches and keycap materials. Additionally, most models support hot-swappable switches, allowing for easy customization without soldering.
Q series and V series keyboards are easily to be opened to be molded. like adding foam inside to make it sound to the next level.
Can you change switches on Keychron?
Yes, you can change switches on many Keychron keyboards, particularly those with hot-swappable capabilities. This feature allows users to easily replace switches without the need for soldering. It provides flexibility for users to tailor the keyboard to their typing preferences.
What is the difference between Keychron K and KPRO?
The Keychron K series and K Pro series differ primarily in build quality and features. The K Pro series typically includes enhanced features such as an aluminum frame, PBT keycaps, and advanced customization options via VIA software.
Additionally, the K Pro series offers soft customization options, allowing users to fine-tune their typing experience. These upgrades make the K Pro series more suitable for users seeking a premium, highly customizable typing experience.
Can Keychron be used for gaming?
Yes, Keychron keyboards can be used for gaming. Many models offer features conducive to gaming, such as low latency, customizable RGB lighting, and durable build quality. However, it's important to choose a model with the appropriate switch type and features that suit your gaming needs.