Keychron Q1 QMK Custom Mechanical Keyboard - Version 2

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Gateron Phantom Yellow & Silver Switch version uses the double-shot ABS keycaps and aluminum plate.

Keychron Q1

A fully customizable 75% layout mechanical keyboard featured QMK / VIA support; designed with all the premium features with unlimited possibilities.

Keychron Q1 QMK VIA 75% layout custom mechanical keyboard

Keychron Q1 QMK VIA 75% layout custom mechanical keyboard Retro aluminum frame K Pro switch

Keychron Q1 QMK VIA 75% layout custom mechanical keyboard green aluminum frame K Pro switch

Features of Keychron Q1 QMK VIA 75% layout custom mechanical keyboard with rotary encoder knob version

The Q1 is a revolutionary all-metal keyboard with customizable capabilities for every switch, keycap, stabilizer, knob, and even the plate. It’s designed for a personalized experience and premium typing comfort.

Customize Your Q1

Choose the keycaps, switches, and more accessories for your Q1

The sculpting of a piece of art.

This keyboard is not just a tool, but a piece of art on your desk. The Q1 is created with a 6063 aluminum CNC machined body, polished, anodized and sandblasted finish, and twenty-four manufacturing processes.

Aluminum frame of Keychron Q1 QMK VIA 75% layout custom mechanical keyboard with rotary encoder knob version

Keychron Q1 QMK VIA 75% layout custom mechanical keyboard purple aluminum frame K Pro banana switch

You can assemble every part.

To build a fully customizable keyboard, we designed every component to be able to assemble easily. Therefore, you can customize and adjust each component as you wish.

Detailed structure of Keychron Q1 QMK VIA 75% layout custom mechanical keyboard with rotary encoder knob version

Keychron Q1 Knob version detailed structure

PS: Changing the knob with a badge or key requires an additional PCB (sold separately).

Double-Gasket Design

Double Gasket Design is an industry innovative structure. In addition to the gaskets on the plates, we added silicone pads between the top and bottom cases. It significantly reduces the resonance between the metals, which in return, reduces the noise of the impacted metals. This Double-Gasket Structure allows the keyboard to maintain the flexibility of the gasket structure and make the overall typing sound better.

Gasket structure of Keychron Q1 75% Custom Mechanical Keyboard Knob version

Keychron Q5 1800 Compact Custom Mechanical Keyboard

An Epic Core Inside The Keyboard

A powerful ultra-low-power ARM architecture MCU equipped with 128K Flash will provide more flexibility for developers. The polling rate is 1000 Hz right out of the box, which makes the latency hardly noticeable even in competitive games.

*The special edition (Orange Yellow and Champagne Gold version) is equipped with MCU ATMEGA32U4.

Please note that the knob color may be slightly different with the case (the blue and grey only) as these parts are manufactured separately.

Programmable Knob

Designed to enhance your creative workflow, the premium rotary encoder allows you to customize your favorite keys and macros through the innovative VIA software with ease.

Rotary encoder function of Keychron Q1 QMK VIA 75% layout custom mechanical keyboard with rotary encoder knob version

You can easily customize the knob to your desired key or macro commands like zooming in/out, adjusting screen brightness, brush size, opacity, volume, selecting video clips or photos, or backlight hue.

Switch layouts between
macOS & Windows.

Built with the Mac users’ experience in mind while still retaining the compatibility for Windows devices, the Q1 is one of the only few in the market that comes with a Mac multimedia key layout for Mac enthusiasts. With VIA, you can configure your keymap for both Mac and Windows devices.

OSA Profile Double-shot PBT Keycaps

For the new double-shot PBT keycaps, we built a new profile. It has a similar height to that of the OEM profile and has an SA-like shape. We named it the OSA (OEM spherical angled) keycap. The PBT keycaps will provide excellent oil resistance, enhance the type feel, and prevent the legends from fading out.

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Program with QMK & Launcher.

The open-source QMK firmware means endless possibilities for key remapping, macros, shortcuts, and more. Now you can easily customize each key with the Keychron Launcher web app.

Program the K14 Pro keyboard with Launcher

Click here to use Keychron Launcher

* Please use the latest version of Chrome / Opera / Edge browser to open the Launcher and connect the keyboard to your device via wired mode.

Keychron Q1 V2 Source Code Keychron Q1 V2 SE Source Code

Learn more about how to use Keychron Launcher >

Hot-swappable

The hot-swappable sockets are mounted on the PCB, so you can install or change the switches without soldering. The PCB supports both 3 pin and 5 pin MX mechanical switches.

South-facing RGB LED Lights

The south-facing RGB is designed to better illuminate the keyboard backlight from the typist’s angle with the premium non-shine-through PBT keycaps installed. The south-facing RGB is also free from interference when the user installs Cherry-profile alternative keycaps on their keyboard.

Note: The Q1 V2's top case has sharper corners to make it much more compatible with third-party keycaps, such as MT3, SA, XDA, etc.

Barebone US layout of Keychron Q1 QMK VIA 75% layout custom mechanical keyboard with rotary encoder knob version

Pre-lubed Gateron G Pro Switch

Every detail counts when it comes to a premium typing experience. An optimized mold with more precise positioning and less wobbliness will certainly improve your fingertip feel. Pair that together with our revamped stabilizers and factory pre-lubed Gateron G Pro switches, a smooth travel experience is guaranteed.

Keychron Q1 Gateron G Pro switch features

Keychron Q1 Gateron Phantom switch features

Note: The Phantom switches have phantom light effects that allows the RGB backlight to have the switches' own case color.

We have the Q1 purple mounted with Keychron K Pro banana switches, offering a slightly different tactile typing feel to G Pro browns for your choice.

All New Screw-In PCB Stabilizers

The screw-in design increases stability and makes it easier for changes and upgrades. Precise craftsmanship makes the stabilizers more stable and less wobbly. The big keys’ (space bar, shift, enter, delete) typing experience is now more stable and smooth. The Keychron Q1 V2 also supports third-party stabilizers including Cherry or Durock.

Looking for ISO Layout?

The Q1 ISO collection comes with fully assembled keyboards with 🇬🇧UK, 🇩🇪German, 🇩🇰🇫🇮🇮🇸🇳🇴🇸🇪Nordic, 🇨🇭Swiss, 🇫🇷French, and 🇪🇸 Spanish layout, and the “Barebone ISO" option is suitable for all ISO countries (e.g.: 🇮🇹Italy, 🇵🇹Portuguese, 🇭🇺Hungary, etc.) to build their keyboard with keycaps in their preferred languages and switches.

Keychron Q1 QMK VIA custom mechanical keyboard with rotarty encoder knob version with double-gasket design and screw-in PCB stabilizer and hot-swappable south-facing RGB barebone US ANSI layout

Check The Q1 ISO Layout Collection

Keychron Q1 75% Custom Mechanical Keyboard Accessories

What's in the box?

Keychron Q1 75% Custom Mechanical Keyboard Fully Assembled Version

Keychron Q1 75% Custom Mechanical Keyboard Barebone Version

Specs

Width	145 mm
Length	327.5 mm
Front Height	22.6 mm (without keycaps)
Back Height	35.8 mm (without keycaps)
Feet Height	2.4 mm
Angle	5.2°
Weight	1825 g ± 10 g (Fully Assembled version)
Body Material	Full CNC machined aluminum
Plate Material	Steel
Polling Rate	1000 Hz

Keycap	Double-shot keycaps, not shine-through (Fully Assembled version)
MCU	Ultra-low-power Arm Cortex-M4 32-bit STM32L432 (128KB Flash) *The special edition (Orange Yellow, Champagne Gold, Red, Retro, Green, and Purple version) is equipped with MCU ATMEGA32U4.
Backlight	South-facing RGB LED
Switch	Gateron G Pro / Gateron Phantom / Keychron K Pro (Fully Assembled version)
Hot-swappable Support	Compatible with most of the 3 pin & 5 pin MX style mechanical switches such as Gateron, Cherry MX and Kailh, etc.
Stabilizer	Screw-in PCB stabilizer
Connectivity	Type-C wired
Cable	Type-C cable + Type-A to Type-C adapter

Keychron Q1 User Guide

Learn more about the Keychron Q1 such as the Q1 shortcuts, assembling the Q1, factory reset, and more in the FAQ section.

I love how it sounds and how it feels on my fingers!

This is my first time buying custom keyboard and I made the right choice. Q1 feels and sounds nice just out of the box. What I like the best about my Q1 is keycaps. The round edged new OSA profile keycap looks really cute, and I really love the colors they've chosen! not to mention it even feels nice on fingers. I love my Q1!! :)

Exactly what I wanted! AWESOME!

I bought the Fully Assembled Knob Version. This keyboard offers amazing value for the price. I did a ton of searching and the only readily available competitor I found was the GMMK Pro Prebuilt but that is nearly DOUBLE the price!

Key points:
- An amazing feeling keyboard right out of the box (modding definitely optional)
- Very sturdy and premium-feeling construction with the aluminium case (makes it heavy though, so not a good portable option)
- Gasket mount for a softer typing feel (more comfortable)
- Hot swappable switches
- Full keymapping with VIA software
- Limited RGB settings cycled by specific keypresses
- Swap between Mac and Windows with a switch on the back

Love how the gasket mount feels when typing. Makes bottoming out a key less of a hard clack. This is also my favourite form factor, keeping useful function keys but also hugely reducing deskspace usage without the number pad, the knob is an added bonus and honestly was something I had my heart set on having with my next keyboard purchase, so this fits the bill!

The only thing I really miss is a real keyboard software, like Corsair's iCUE, to have fancy lighting effects. The RBG settings are quite basic, though you can select from various colours, patterns and brightness levels.

Overall, I honestly just love this thing, nothing bad to say about it. Am going to add my own mods and keycaps just beacause I can but I would be quite happy just using it as is.

Surprisingly Good

This is my first custom mechanical keyboard after using a K70 with Cherry browns for many years. I got the fully assembled knob version with Gateron pro reds and was surprised with how good the board is out of the box. It looks like Keychron did a great job listening to feedback and fixing complaints when making version 2 of the board. I would have no problem leaving the board completely as it is and I'm sure many others, especially those who are just getting into keyboards, would too. I switched the Gaterons out for some lubed Boba U4Ts, added cherry profile PBT keycaps, and switched to the polycarbonate plate and am even happier with the board. I also like that the shell white version is a true white color, unlike the GMMK Pro's "White Ice," that appears to just be silver.

I wish the barebones version had an option for a white board as I would've bought that instead. It's also unfortunate that shipping is so expensive for this item. It feels deceptive that this board appears to be cheaper than some of its competition but will add a hefty shipping fee once you're about to purchase it. I would recommend people to buy any accessories they may want like the wrist rest and alternative baseplate with their purchase to avoid having to pay the $30 shipping fee a second time.

Also I think Keychron should make it more obvious that there are included tools at the bottom of the box. I didn't realize there was more under the foam at first and I have a feeling many customers may have thrown away their packaging not realizing the tools were included in there. I can already see a reviewer below mine that appeared to have not found them. A sticker or little card about it would be enough I think.

Solid pre-built custom keyboard

Model: Navy blue fully-assembled knob with gateron phantom yellow

The q1 v2 is a very nice keyboard for the price, but keychron themselves are not perfect. I found the flat $30 shipping to be pretty rough from the start and when I got the keyboard itself, the spacebar key was broken. This caused me to only press only one side of my spacebar for two weeks until a replacement came. At least they made it right in the end I suppose.

Overall, the keyboard itself was pleasant to type on stock once I took out one layer of foam from the case and added three layers of tape to the pcb. This provided good sound and a slight softness to the typing experience. Later on, I also force breaked the case with some more tape to combat spring ping from the keyboard switches.

Despite my efforts to salvage the stock switches, I ultimately switched them out for some pre-lubed Akko wine reds which have no spring ping. I also recently changed out the key caps for kinetic labs whale keycaps.

In hindsight, I should’ve gone barebones, but that’s in the past now. The keyboard is perfect for me now and I would definitely recommend it to someone who doesn’t mind tinkering a little.

Stock Stabilizers

Note: This is my first custom mechanical keyboard I've bought.

Model:
Fully Assembled Knob
Shell White
Gateron Red Switches (replaced with Holy Pandas)

The stock stabilizers on the Keychron Q1 v2 are pretty good. I felt no need to tune or relube the stabilizers as I am happy with how they sound. If I had to make a complaint, I would say that the stabilizer on my backspace key could use slight relubing, but overall I'm still satisfied with how the stabilizers sound.

If there was a barebones model of shell white version for this product, I would have bought that over the fully assembled version. I ended up replacing the Gateron Red switches on my keyboard with lubed Holy Pandas from Drop. Additionally, I replaced the stock keycaps on the keyboard with my own custom set I bought. Finally, I used the "Force Break" mod on this case.

The "Force Break" mod is when you add small amounts of tape between the top and bottom case near the screw points. I found this mod necessary to reduce ping caused by the aluminum case. Reinstalling the keyboard was a piece of cake.

Keychron does listen to the complaints reviewers had about the original case. Compared to the original version of the Q1, Keychron added additional foam to the bottom of the case. I found this to be very helpful as I didn't have to mod the case any further or replace the case foam entirely.

I wish that the Q1 included a caps lock indicator that changes the color of the LED. This would be a good quality of life feature to have in the stock firmware.

My final thoughts on this keyboard are that this keyboard is very good for its price, the stock stabilizers for the most part sound fantastic and the knob is well built with amazing tactile feedback. This keyboard continues to impress me with how amazing the sound is.

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