The 3 Best Keychron Keyboards of 2024: Reviews

Table of Contents
Intro
Review Updates
Best Keyboard
Best Mid-Range
Best Budget
Comparison
Lineup
Page Updates
Conclusion
Comments

Keychron makes various mechanical keyboards across several different lineups, from the premium Q Series to the more budget-friendly, wireless K Series. Within each lineup, you'll find a variety of sizes and configurations, from tiny 40% boards to full-size 100% units, and they even offer a choice of ANSI and ISO layouts. At the heart of many of their designs, Keychron keyboards are meant to be customizable and give users the freedom to create a typing experience tailored to their own preferences. Certain models also include toolkits to allow you to fully deconstruct your keyboard and provide an excellent gateway into the custom keyboard world.

We've tested over 220 keyboards, with over 25 from Keychron. Below are our picks for the best Keychron keyboards.

Updates

03/13/2024 Keychron Q5 Max [Q1 Max, Q2 Max, etc.] reviewed
03/07/2024 Keychron V5 Max [V1 Max, V2 Max, etc.] reviewed
12/04/2023 Keychron Lemokey L3 reviewed
06/28/2023 Keychron K8 Pro [K2 Pro, K3 Pro, K4 Pro, etc.] updated
06/15/2023 Keychron C1 Pro/C2 Pro reviewed

Best Keychron Keyboards

Best Keychron Keyboard

Keychron Q5 Max [Q1 Max, Q2 Max, etc.] 8

Gaming

8.4

Office

8.1

Mobile/Tablet

6.4

Programming

8.1

Entertainment / HTPC

6.0

Raw Performance

8.6

Size
Compact (96%)

Connectivity Wireless

See all our test results

We recommend the Keychron Q5 Max as the best Keychron keyboard. This is the 96% model in Keychron's Q Max series, a range of premium wireless models with aluminum cases, durable PBT keycaps, and a double gasket-mounted design that lends a softer, almost springy typing experience. We've singled out the Q5 as it has a slightly more compact form factor but has nearly all the same keys as a full-size model, including dedicated arrow keys and a Numpad. That said, there are plenty of other sizes in the Q Max series, including the more conventional full-size Q6 Max and compact models like the Q1 Max (75%) or the TKL Q3 Max. In short, we recommend any of these size variants as they share the same excellent build quality and feature set.

While the typing quality is excellent right out of the box, one of the other standout features of the Keychron Q Max series keyboards is their range of customization. You can alter or replace any component of this board, including the top plate, the switches, the keycaps, and even the case foam within the board. It's a great starting point for people looking to get into the keyboard modification hobby or just if you want something to tinker with on your desk. Each keyboard also comes with an included toolkit to make alterations easier. If wireless connectivity isn't your priority, we recommend checking out the Keychron Q5 or any other size model in Keychron's original Q series.

See our review
Best Mid-Range Keychron Keyboard

Keychron V5 Max [V1 Max, V2 Max, etc.] 7

Gaming

8.4

Office

8.1

Mobile/Tablet

6.8

Programming

7.9

Entertainment / HTPC

6.0

Raw Performance

8.6

Size
Compact (96%)

Connectivity Wireless

See all our test results

Squarely in the mid-range, there's no better option than the Keychron V5 Max. The V5 Max belongs to Keychron's wider V Max series, which are essentially budget versions of the more premium Q Max series boards. The major difference between these lineups is that the V Max keyboards have all-plastic cases rather than solid aluminum cases. They also have somewhat less acoustic material inside and only a single gasket-mount design, so they offer a marginally stiffer typing experience than the Q Max boards. That said, they still have a significantly more cushioned feeling than a conventional tray mount design used by most other keyboards on the market.

Once again, we're shining the spotlight on the 96% V5 Max specifically, but we recommend any of the size variants in the wider V Max lineup as they each offer the same excellent performance, wireless versatility, and impressive overall build quality. They also boast impressive hardware customizability, each including a toolkit that can help you add or replace components or even fully disassemble your keyboard. Finally, if wireless connectivity isn't necessary, check out Keychron's original Keychron V Series keyboards, which are wired-only and typically a bit cheaper.

See our review
Best Budget Keychron Keyboard

Keychron C1 Pro/C2 Pro 8

Gaming

8.0

Office

6.8

Mobile/Tablet

2.1

Programming

7.0

Entertainment / HTPC

1.8

Raw Performance

8.3

Size
TenKeyLess (80%)

Connectivity Wired

See all our test results

While the Keychron V5 Max and the Keychron Q5 Max above are wireless keyboards, the Keychron C1 Pro and C2 Pro are wired-only keyboards and our recommendation for the best budget options in Keychron's collection. The C1Pro has a TKL (80%) form factor, while the C2 Pro has a standard, full-size layout. These keyboards are more basic in their construction, but they do have some surprising features typically found on higher-priced custom keyboards, including PBT keycaps and customizable, per-key RGB lighting. Like more expensive Keychron models, they're also compatible with VIA configuration software.

Altogether, these keyboards don't have the same cushioned, premium-feeling typing experience as our other recommendations on this list. However, they're solid, straightforward picks that provide excellent value if you want a wired-only, entry-level mechanical keyboard.

See our review

Compared To Other Brands

Highly customizable keyboards.
Within lineups, Keychron's models perform very similarly, with their main difference being size. Most individual models also have different configurations available, and many Keychron keyboards have hot-swappable printed circuit boards (PCBs) that can accept most 3-pin and 5-pin switches, allowing you to get your typing experience exactly how you want it to feel and sound.
Windows and macOS compatibility.
Keychron has physical switches on their keyboards to change between the Windows and Mac/iOS modes, and they have keycaps for each operating system. Unlike other keyboards, all buttons will work on macOS and Windows using the proper mode.
Multiple lineups with plenty of size and layout options.
Keychron has an impressive number of different lineups. Most lineups also have a wide range of size and layout options to suit different budgets, uses, and preferences.

Companion software limited to certain models.
More premium keyboards, like the Q Series and V Series, are compatible with VIA, an open-source software program for customization available on all major desktop operating systems, including Linux. However, some of Keychron's more budget offerings, including most of their K Series models, aren't compatible with this software, limiting your ability to program macros, remap keys, and adjust the backlighting.
Most models have fairly high latency.
Since most Keychron keyboards are designed more for everyday use and productivity, their latency isn't as low compared to dedicated gaming options. However, some more recent Keychron models in Keychron's Q, V, and K Max lineups significantly upgraded performance, making them viable options for gaming as well.

Keychron vs Logitech

Logitech's product range is significantly wider than Keychron's as Logitech makes everything from simple, scissor-switch office models to high-end mechanical gaming keyboards. Logitech's models also offer cross-device compatibility within their larger peripheral system, meaning you can use a single USB receiver for a mouse and a keyboard combination. However, the major difference between brands is that Keychron's keyboards are available in a much wider variety of sizes and layouts. Many are designed more for customization, as you can easily alter almost every aspect of them.

Keychron vs Ducky

Ducky and Keychron both make a similar range of customizability-focused mechanical keyboards. However, Keychron has a bit of an edge since they make wireless keyboards, while Ducky makes wired-only units. Ducky's keyboards are more versatile as they're designed with gaming in mind, so the latency is significantly lower and better suited to competitive gaming. While both brands make keyboards with hot-swappable printed circuit boards, Keychron's units offer slightly more customization overall, as many of their keyboards are compatible with VIA software.

Keychron's keyboards are excellent starting points for those looking to get into mechanical keyboards to elevate their study or work environment. Most of their offerings have hot-swappable printed circuit boards compatible with most 3-pin and 5-pin switches, so you can get the typing feeling and experience you want. As a bonus, they're one of the few keyboards that offer full compatibility with every desktop operating system and even include system-specific keycap sets. Overall, they offer an excellent entry point into the mechanical keyboarding hobby. However, even if you aren't interested in customization, you'll still enjoy the outstanding build quality and very satisfying typing experience that Keychron keyboards offer.

Lineup

Keychron has introduced a range of different keyboard lineups they call series. Each one has a letter designator and a number. Generally, keyboards with the same letter designator share similar overall design principles and feature sets. The number designators only relate to the order in which they were released in the series and aren't associated with the keyboard size.

Q Series: This lineup features premium wired mechanical keyboards with gasket-mounted designs, providing a more cushioned, premium-feeling typing experience. They're designed to be fully customizable, including the switches, case foam, top plate, and all internal components. These keyboards also support QMK firmware and VIA software for further customization. All Q Series boards have distinct PBT keycaps with tapered tops and rounded edges. These keyboards come in several color options, and, like other Keychron lineups, they're available in a range of sizes plus some more unusual configurations, including Alice, Split, and Southpaw layout variants.

V Series: This lineup is Keychron's budget version of the Q Series. These models are designed to be easy to customize, but instead of an aluminum case, they have a plastic case and a tray-mounted design. The two main colorway options are a Y2K-style translucent plastic case or an opaque black plastic case. These keyboards use PBT keycaps with a tapered top and rounded edges, and they're also wired-only.

K Series: Keychron's biggest lineup features mid-range wireless keyboards that connect with Bluetooth. They have a standard tray mount design and are mostly meant to be used out-of-the-box with little modifications. That said, some keyboards in this lineup have a hot-swappable variant, meaning you can change out the stock switches. Within this lineup, there are boards of all sizes as well as some low-profile variants. It's worth noting that this lineup doesn't have companion software and uses gray and orange ABS keycaps.

C Series: This lineup consists of two basic, wired models. They have a lower build quality than the K series as they're entirely plastic with ABS keycaps. They're wired only, don't have software support, and don't allow for much customization, as they're meant to be used right out of the box.

S Series: The defining feature of the S Series keyboards is their low-profile designs and low-profile switches. They also combine elements from other Keychron Series keyboards, including all-metal construction similar to the premium Q Series keyboards and LSA profile keycaps introduced on some Keychron K Pro Series keyboards.

K Pro, Q Pro, and C Pro Series: Keychron is re-releasing 'Pro' versions of some of their existing lineups. These Pro series add several features or improvements over their base models. Improvements can include wireless connectivity or software support for models that lacked these features previously. Other upgrades can include different frame or keycap materials, new keycap profiles, or south-facing LEDs for better support with alternative keycap sets.

K Max, V Max, and Q Max Series: Similar to Keychron's 'Pro' versions, the new 'Max' models introduce significantly improved raw performance and more wireless flexibility with an included 2.4 GHz wireless USB receiver. They also introduce some minor changes to acoustic materials and build quality, depending on the lineup in question.

Q HE Series: These keyboards are essentially Q Series models with one major difference: they use Hall Effect Gateron 2.0 switches. These analog switches allow you to customize the actuation and reset point of individual switches, allowing you to fine-tune your typing and gaming experience.

Lemokey L Series: The L Series keyboards represent Keychron's first dedicated wireless gaming models released through Keychron's new gaming sub-brand, Lemokey. Like many of Keychron's mainline models, these keyboards come in various configurations, colorways, and stock switch options. While wireless Keychron keyboards typically connect via Bluetooth, you can connect these Keychron models with an included 2.4 Ghz wireless USB receiver, providing better overall gaming performance.

Recent Updates

Apr 23, 2024: In this article, we've overhauled our picks, introducing the Keychron Q5 Max as our new best pick, the Keychron V5 Max as the mid-range option, and the Keychron C1/C2 Pro as our budget pick. We've also updated the text in various places with information about new lineups.
Jan 11, 2024: We've checked all our picks to confirm current pricing and availability but haven't changed our recommendations with this update. We've also added details for several new Keychron product lineups, including the Q HE Series, the L Series, and the Q Max Series.
Oct 16, 2023: Slight in-text adjustments to further clarify product information.
Jul 12, 2023: We've verified the price, relevance, and stock availability of our current lineup of picks but aren't making any changes with this update. We've added details to several entries and included information about the recently released Keychron Q Pro and Keychron C Pro series in the Lineup section.
Apr 14, 2023: We've gone through this article and added new information about Keychron's low-profile Series keyboards. We've also made some changes to the text for tone and clarity, but we've kept our current lineup of recommendations the same as they continue to represent the best picks for their categories.

Conclusion

Keychron makes many different keyboards aimed primarily at everyday browsing, work, and casual gaming. Their models are available in various sizes, and some are highly customizable in switch options, backlighting, connectivity, and even frames. Keychron also includes a switch to change between Windows and macOS support, and they usually include extra keycaps for macOS. This manufacturer doesn't have dedicated customization software, but many of their keyboards are VIA and QMK compatible. Altogether, Keychron offers a dizzying range of keyboards in many different sizes at different price points and with varying levels of customizability, which means you're likely to find a keyboard within their catalog that suits your needs.

Test Results

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