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KEYCHRON Q1 PRO REVIEW: EXCELLENT VALUE, PREMIUM CLICK-CLACKING

By Gavin Phillips
Published Sep 11, 2023


The $200 entry-fee for the Keychron Q1 Pro seems high, but it delivers great
value for a top-notch bit of kit.

Image Credit: Gavin Phillips/MakeUseOf
Readers like you help support MUO. When you make a purchase using links on our
site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Read More.


KEY TAKEAWAYS

 * The Keychron Q1 Pro is a premium mechanical keyboard with excellent build
   quality and a luxurious feel. It features a sturdy CNC aluminum construction
   and sound-absorbing features.
 * The Q1 Pro offers a smooth typing experience, especially with the Keychron K
   Pro Red switches. The hot-swappable switches and VIA desktop software
   integration allow for customization and enhanced personalization.
 * With wireless Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity and a 4,000mAh battery, the Q1 Pro
   provides good wireless simplicity and up to 12.5 days of battery life without
   backlighting. However, it lacks a 2.4GHz wireless dongle and the RGB battery
   life could be better.

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Keychron has become the undisputed gateway into the world of mechanical
keyboards. The Keychron Q1 Pro continues the excellent work delivered with the
original Keychron Q1, with the Pro versions adding wireless connectivity via
Bluetooth 5.1 and an integrated battery to the existing custom firmware,
hot-swappable switches, and more.



Keychron's Pro upgrades are always welcome, especially to those who want
wireless simplicity on their desks. But does the Q1 Pro still deliver like the
original version?

Image Credit: Gavin Phillips/MakeUseOf

KEYCHRON Q1 PRO

8.8 / 10

Keychron's Q1 Pro builds on the original Q1 with wireless Bluetooth 5.1,
integrated battery, and custom firmware. Additionally, it offers hot-swappable
switches, enhancing customization. The Pro variant boasts sturdy construction
with CNC aluminum and sound-absorbing features, resulting in a premium feel.
Despite its robustness, it maintains comfort with flex and gasket-mounted
plates. With a 4,000mAh battery, users can expect up to 12.5 days of use without
backlighting. Typing is smooth, especially with the Keychron K Pro Red switches,
complemented by hot-swappable customization and VIA desktop software integration
for enhanced personalization.


Form factor 75%
Switch options Keychron K Pro Brown, Red, or Banana
Colorways Black, White, Gray
Backlight Yes
Construction CNC machined aluminum
Dampening Double-gasket mount, multiple silicone layer
Keycaps KSA, double shot PBT
Hot-swappable Yes
Battery capacity 4,000mAh
Connectivity Bluetooth 5.1
Typing angle 5.2
Software customizability Yes; VIA
Dimensions 145 x 327.5 x 35.8mm
Weight 1.73kg
Number of Keys 81
Brand Keychron
Num Pad No
Pros
 * Excellent build quality
 * Smooth typing experience
 * Customizable, hot-swappable
 * Good Bluetooth connectivity
 * Good battery life without RGB

Cons
 * 2.4GHz wireless dongle would be good upgrade
 * Could RGB battery life be better?

$220 at Amazon


STYLE AND CONSTRUCTION

Keychron kindly sent us a Q1 Pro with Keychron K Pro Red switches, in black,
fully assembled with a media control knob. This combination will set you back
$199, though you can opt for the Barebone Knob kit, which comes in at $179 (but
you'll have to provide switches and keycaps). If you don't already have stacks
of mechanical keyboard switches hanging around or a set of perfect keycaps you
want to fit, the $20 for a set of Gateron Pro switches and a set of keycaps is
money well spent. Depending on the type of switches you want, a full set could
easily cost north of $50 or even $100—yes, some switches are expensive!

Image Credit: Gavin Phillips/MakeUseOf


Like all Keychron mechanical keyboards, the Q1 Pro is a chunky unit. The fully
assembled version weighs 1.73kg and is built from machined CNC aluminum. It's
hefty, and feels like a well-built, premium keyboard. Inside the Q1 Pro is a
polycarbonate plate along with multiple layers of sound-absorbing foam (above
and below the PCB), while the silicone gasket also helps to reduce the
click-clacking associated with mechanical keyboards.

The weight of the Keychron Q1 Pro means you won't be throwing it in a backpack
as your go-to travel wireless mechanical keyboard. But it does mean the Q1 Pro
sits perfectly on your desk, not budging a millimeter while you type. There is
also an excellent amount of flex in the Q1 Pro, too, with the gasket-mounted
plate and silicon layers providing some extra typing comfort. I mean, if you
really smash the keys down, they'll go far, but you won't find the Q1 Pro
flexing unduly; just enough to feel smooth. As with Keychron's other boards, the
Q1 Pro is solid and feels premium.


Image Credit: Gavin Phillips/MakeUseOf

The Keychron Q1 Pro is a 75% keyboard, which is effectively a ten-key-less with
less spacing between the keys. There are still some spaces between the number
row and function row, and there is also space around the direction keys, so it's
not ultra-compact as you find with other 75% mechanical keyboards. There is also
space around the edge of the Q1 Pro; the keys aren't pushed right up to the edge
of board, leaving space for screw housings and so on to reduce sound, movement,
and generally complete the aesthetic.

Its footprint is 145 x 327.5 x 35.8mm (back height), with a 5.2-degree writing
angle. The angle is decent, especially when used in combination with wrist rest
to offer extra support and help you cover the entire keyboard.




WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY

The biggest difference between Keychron's regular and Pro series keyboards is
the inclusion of wireless. The Q1 Pro, then, comes with Bluetooth 5.1, which
works well out of the box. I found the Q1 Pro Bluetooth connection stable
throughout the entirety of my testing, and suffered no random drop outs, and not
really any discernable lag between input and output on the screen.


Image Credit: Gavin Phillips/MakeUseOf

However, the Q1 Pro is limited by its reliance on Bluetooth connection. Where
other wireless mechanical keyboards like the Royal Kludge RK61, Nuphy Air75 (and
Nuphy Air75 V2), and Razer Blackwidow V3 Mini all come with a 2.4GHz wireless
USB dongle, the Q1 Pro is stuck using Bluetooth. The connection itself is fine,
but the polling rate is limited to 90Hz, which has limitations for fast-paced
games. Whereas those mechanical keyboards using 2.4GHz can maximize the polling
rate to 1,000Hz, which is much faster and preferred for online gaming
(especially for eSports).

Image Credit: Gavin Phillips/MakeUseOf


I don't think the Q1 Pro is a go-to keyboard for pro-gamers. However, if you're
into gaming, the 90Hz wireless polling rate could become a consideration. Of
course, you could always just switch to the USB-C wired connection, which also
has a 1,000Hz polling rate.




BATTERY LIFE AND RGB

Here's the rub: with wireless connectivity comes the option to use the
integrated battery. The Keychron Q1 Pro has a 4,000mAh battery that Keychron
claims lasts up to 300 hours (around 12.5 days) without backlighting, while
using Bluetooth. The battery life figure falls to around 100 hours (around 4.1
days) with RGB lighting switched on.

Image Credit: Gavin Phillips/MakeUseOf

I found those figures accurate, especially regarding the RGB lighting while
using wireless. With the RGB cranked up to 11 and the default rainbow wave
lighting mode on, the Q1 Pro lasted at least 3.5 days, if not more. Remember,
you can always increase the battery life by switching off the RGB lighting
effects.



Which leads me to the next point. Although the Q1 Pro features decent
south-facing LEDs to fire the RGB towards your eyes, this isn't a mechanical
keyboard famed for its lighting. It has a decent range of RGB options, but while
the lighting around the keys looks decent, the double-shot PBT keycaps don't
feature any transparency. Since there's no RGB shining through the keycaps,
minimizing the RGB effect, you're likely to turn the effects down or even
completely off.




SWITCHES AND TYPING EXPERIENCE

The Keychron Q1 Pro comes with three different switch types: Keychron K Pro
Brown (tactile), Keychron K Pro Red (linear), or Keychron K Pro Bananas
(clicky). My review unit came with Keychron K Pro Red switches, so that's what
I'll be commenting on, including how they affect the typing experience.

Image Credit: Gavin Phillips/MakeUseOf


The pre-lubed Keychron K Pro Red switches are linear and offer very smooth and
fast typing experience. With a lightweight actuation force of just 45g and a
travel distance of 0.4mm, you fingers veritably fly across the Q1 Pro keys,
punching in letters with supreme accuracy. Yet, the linear switches aren't
particularly loud. Linear switches are known to deliver the traditional
"click-clack" mechanical keyboard sound, and while that is present, the higher
pitch isn't particularly distracting.

I say that as the person using the keyboard. The people around you might have a
different idea about the sound in a busy office! With that in mind, give the
Keychron Q1 Pro typing audio example a listen. It'll give you a much better idea
of how the Q1 Pro sounds when in use.




It's a great typing experience. The combination of the Keychron K Pro Red
switches and the double-gasket mounted design deliver fast keypresses but
excellent stability, absorbing your keystrokes but providing a firm base.


HOT-SWAPPABLE SWITCHES

Keychron always focuses on customization, and the Q1 Pro's hot-swappable
switches is testament to that. You can swap out the five-pin switches for almost
any other Cherry-compatible switch, meaning you have a considerable range of
options.

Image Credit: Gavin Phillips/MakeUseOf

The hot-swappable switches are simple to remove using the included
switch-puller, and just as easy to slot back into place (just don't bend or
break any pins!).


KEYCAPS

The Q1 Pro keycaps, as mentioned, as double-shot PBT, but have Keychron's KSA
profiling. Keychron KSA profile keycaps are a little taller than previous
designs, but the change is welcome and add to the smooth typing experience. The
home-keys of K and J both feature larger concaves to help you locate the center
of the keyboard, but otherwise, that's the only difference.





CUSTOMIZATION OPTIONS

You can customize the Keychron Q1 Pro using the VIA desktop software. The Q1 Pro
was recognized automatically (using the latest version of VIA), and its layout,
layers, key configurations, and more were loaded into the tool immediately.



Once VIA loads the Q1 Pro profile, you can begin creating custom key
configurations across the keyboards four layers. The four layers represent the
Windows and macOS options (switched between on the rear of the keyboard), and
you can also create macros from this panel.



Some mechanical keyboard manufacturers opt to design in-house customization
software, but VIA remains one of the best free mechanical keyboard customization
tools, and it's a shame more keebs don't integrate this tool instead of building
something inferior.





IS THE KEYCHRON Q1 PRO WORTH THE MONEY?

The Keychron Q1 Pro at $200 offers excellent value. Within that price, you get
Keychron's excellent reputation, a well-built mechanical keyboard, a set of
smooth Gateron Pro switches, and the option of wired or wireless connectivity.
Not forgetting that the Q1 Pro is hot-swappable and has extensive customization
options.

All in all, even if Keychron's Pro versions only bring wireless connectivity to
their boards, the Keychron Q1 Pro still delivers a fantastic, cost-effective
mechanical keyboard typing experience, and it's well worth your time.

Image Credit: Gavin Phillips/MakeUseOf

KEYCHRON Q1 PRO

8.8 / 10

Keychron's Q1 Pro builds on the original Q1 with wireless Bluetooth 5.1,
integrated battery, and custom firmware. Additionally, it offers hot-swappable
switches, enhancing customization. The Pro variant boasts sturdy construction
with CNC aluminum and sound-absorbing features, resulting in a premium feel.
Despite its robustness, it maintains comfort with flex and gasket-mounted
plates. With a 4,000mAh battery, users can expect up to 12.5 days of use without
backlighting. Typing is smooth, especially with the Keychron K Pro Red switches,
complemented by hot-swappable customization and VIA desktop software integration
for enhanced personalization.


$220 at Amazon

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About The Author
Gavin Phillips • Technology Explained Section Editor (1226 Articles Published)


Gavin is the Technology Explained Section Editor, co-host on the Really Useful
Podcast, and a frequent product reviewer. He has a degree in Contemporary
Writing pillaged from the hills of Devon, and more than a decade of professional
writing experience. He enjoys copious amounts of tea, board games, and football.


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