Keychron Q1 HE [Q5 HE, Q6 HE, etc.] Keyboard Review

Name: Keychron Q1 HE [Q5 HE, Q6 HE, etc.]
Brand: Keychron

By James Alex Chérubin, Gregory Vodden, Yannick Khong

Reviewed May 24, 2024 at 01:01pm

Test bench update Jan 06, 2026 at 12:15pm

Tested using Methodology v1.4.3

The Keychron Q1 HE is a wireless, compact (75%) keyboard in Keychron's wider Q HE lineup. In most respects, this keyboard is very similar to other recent releases in Keychron's Q Max series with a full aluminum chassis, wireless connectivity via Bluetooth or an included 2.4GHz USB receiver, and a double-gasket mount design that lends a softer typing experience. The major difference that sets this keyboard apart is its Hall effect analog switches, which can offer tangible benefits to gamers as you can customize individual switches' actuation and reset distance. Also, unlike previous Keychron models, which are typically compatible with VIA configuration software, this keyboard has a separate web configurator that allows you to change expected settings, like key assignment or RGB lighting, and HE settings related to its analog switches.

We bought and tested the compact (75%) Keychron Q1 HE, but other size variants are available in the wider Keychron Q HE lineup. For more details, see the Differences Between Variants section.

Our Verdict

0.0

Gaming

The Keychron Q HE keyboards are impressive for gaming. Their excellent overall build quality and amazing raw performance make them suitable for gaming in all genres at any competitive level. The analog Hall effect switches provide a high degree of customizability, letting you adjust individual keys' actuation and reset distance. You can fine-tune these and other expected settings using the web-based software. Unfortunately, the sound and feel of the stabilizers on larger keys are somewhat inconsistent, and while these keyboards have full RGB backlighting, you can't read the legends in darker rooms as the stock keycaps aren't shine-through, and the LEDs are south-facing.

Pros

Excellent overall build quality.
Excellent all-around raw performance.
Web-based software includes plenty of analog switch options to customize gaming performance.

Cons

Stabilizers are somewhat inconsistent feeling and make occasional rattling noises.
PCB has south-facing LEDs, and keycaps don't have shine-through legends, which means key legends are difficult to see in darker rooms.

SEE PRICE

Amazon.com

See our Gaming Recommendations

0.0

Office

The Keychron Q HE keyboards are great office keyboards. They have excellent overall build quality and connect wirelessly with an included 2.4GHz receiver or via Bluetooth with up to three devices. They incorporate a double-gasket mount design with added layers of acoustic foam, providing a soft and very quiet typing experience. The Q1 HE version we tested lacks a numpad and some navigation keys. However, the lineup offers a variety of layouts, all the way from 60% to a full-sized keyboard, with a bunch of compact variants in between. Unfortunately, the stabilizers sound and feel somewhat inconsistent. These keyboards also have a fairly tall profile, so we recommend using them with a wrist rest for the most comfortable experience, though note that a wrist rest isn't included.

Pros

Excellent overall build quality.
Connects wirelessly with 2.4GHz receiver or via Bluetooth with up to three devices simultaneously.
Quiet typing noise.
Excellent overall typing quality.

Cons

Stabilizers are somewhat inconsistent feeling and make occasional rattling noises.

SEE PRICE

Amazon.com

See our Office Recommendations

0.0

Mobile/Tablet

The Keychron Q HE series keyboards are decent for use with tablets and mobile devices. They connect wirelessly via Bluetooth and can pair with up to three devices simultaneously. That said, even the more compact layouts in the series are heavy and clearly aren't designed for portable use.

Pros

Excellent overall build quality.
Connects wirelessly with 2.4GHz receiver or via Bluetooth with up to three devices simultaneously.
Quiet typing noise.

Cons

Very heavy for its size.
High profile design isn't very portable.

SEE PRICE

Amazon.com

0.0

Programming

The Keychron Q HE keyboards are great for programming. They have excellent build quality and a double-gasket mount design that lends a softer, slightly springy typing experience. You can connect these keyboards wirelessly, either with an included 2.4GHz receiver or via Bluetooth, with up to three devices simultaneously. While there aren't any dedicated macro keys on the smaller layouts, you can record macros for any key using the web-based configuration software. Unfortunately, the stabilizers on larger keys sound and feel somewhat inconsistent, and there isn't a wrist rest included. Also, while it has full RGB backlighting, you can't read the legends in darker rooms as the stock keycaps aren't shine-through, and the LEDs are south-facing.

Pros

Excellent overall build quality.
Quiet typing noise.
Excellent overall typing quality.

Cons

Stabilizers are somewhat inconsistent feeling and make occasional rattling noises.
PCB has south-facing LEDs, and keycaps don't have shine-through legends, which means key legends are difficult to see in darker rooms.

SEE PRICE

Amazon.com

See our Programming Recommendations

0.0

Entertainment / HTPC

The Keychron Q HE keyboards are acceptable for use in a home theater setup. They have excellent build quality and support wireless connectivity via a USB receiver or a Bluetooth connection. However, the smaller layouts lack dedicated media keys, and all models are very heavy, making them unwieldy to use from a sitting position. Additionally, while they have full RGB backlighting, the keycaps aren't easily read in the dark.

Pros

Excellent overall build quality.

Cons

PCB has south-facing LEDs, and keycaps don't have shine-through legends, which means key legends are difficult to see in darker rooms.
No dedicated media keys.
Very heavy for its size.

SEE PRICE

Amazon.com

0.0

Raw Performance

The Keychron Q HE keyboards provide excellent raw performance, well-suited for playing games in all genres and at a casual or competitive level. The single-key and multi-key latency are remarkably good, and regardless of whether you're using these keyboards wired or wirelessly, they have an effective update rate of 1000Hz that isn't bottlenecked by other latency elements.

Pros

Excellent all-around raw performance.
True 1000Hz polling rate using a wired or 2.4GHz wireless connection.
Web-based software includes plenty of analog switch options to customize gaming performance.

Cons

None

SEE PRICE

Amazon.com

0.0

Gaming

0.0

Office

0.0

Mobile/Tablet

0.0

Programming

0.0

Entertainment / HTPC

0.0

Raw Performance

Create your own

Changelog

Updated Jan 06, 2026: Our Test Bench 1.4.3 update adds clearer terminology and new measurements to our Keystrokes test group. For more details, see the full changelog.
Updated Oct 02, 2025: Our 1.4.2 Test Bench Update makes changes to the Hardware Customizability test group. We've created a new Magnetic Switch Compatibility test and renamed our previous PCB Socket test to Mechanical Switch Compatibility. See our full changelog.
Updated Aug 26, 2025: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.4.1. This update removes the Key Release test and a video element from the Multi-Key Latency section, resulting in minor score changes. See our full 1.4.1 changelog for details.
Updated Jul 18, 2025:
We've updated this review to reflect not just the Keychron Q1 HE we tested, but the broader Keychron Q HE lineup. In addition to changing the title, we've expanded our coverage with new information, most notably in the Differences Between Variants, the Dimensions, and the Extra Features sections.

Check Price

Carbon BlackQ1 HE

Carbon BlackQ3 HE

Carbon BlackQ5 HE

Carbon BlackQ6 HE

Shell WhiteQ1 HE

Shell WhiteQ3 HE

Shell WhiteQ5 HE

Shell WhiteQ6 HE

Differences Between Sizes And Variants

The Keychron Q1 HE is part of a wider lineup with other size variants available. We expect our tests to apply to all variants listed below. We bought and tested the Q1 HE in the Carbon Black colorway in a fully assembled configuration.

Name	Size	Color Options	Assembly Options	Switch Type	Battery	Dedicated Macro Keys	Keycap Profile
Keychron Q4 HE	Compact (60%)	Carbon Black, Shell White	Fully Assembled	Gateron Double-Rail Magnetic Nebula	4000 mAh	No	OSA
Keychron Q2 HE	Compact (65%)	Carbon Black, Shell White	Fully Assembled Knob	Gateron Double-Rail Magnetic Nebula	4000 mAh	No	OSA
Keychron Q1 HE	Compact (75%)	Carbon Black, Shell White	Fully Assembled Knob, Barebone Knob	Gateron Double-Rail Magnetic Nebula	4000 mAh	No	OSA
Keychron Q3 HE	TKL (80%)	Carbon Black, Shell White	Fully Assembled Knob, Barebone Knob	Gateron Double-Rail Magnetic Nebula	4000 mAh	No	OSA
Keychron Q5 HE	Compact (96%)	Carbon Black, Shell White	Fully Assembled Knob, Barebone Knob	Gateron Double-Rail Magnetic Nebula	4000 mAh	3	OSA
Keychron Q6 HE	Full-size (100%)	Carbon Black, Shell White	Fully Assembled Knob, Barebone Knob	Gateron Double-Rail Magnetic Nebula	4000 mAh	4	OSA

Popular Keyboard Comparisons

The Keychron Q1 HE is part of Keychron's Q HE lineup of keyboards. This keyboard is very similar to the Keychron Q1 Max, but it uses Gateron Double-Rail Magnetic switches, which are Hall effect switches that allow you to change the actuation and reset distance of individual keys. The Q HE keyboards are more explicitly aimed at gamers than Keychron's baseline Q series keyboards, as these switches and the customizability they bring can offer specific benefits to gamers, including faster input speed and analog control that mimics gradual input from controllers or joysticks.

These keyboards perform similarly to other popular Hall effect gaming keyboards, including the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL (2023), the DrunkDeer A75, and the Wooting 60HE. The notable difference is that the Keychron add wireless connectivity and feel much more like a custom keyboard, with a solid aluminum chassis, a softer-typing double gasket mount design, and additional layers of acoustic dampening material. Additionally, they offer more flexibility in terms of hardware customization, even including a toolkit to help you disassemble your board to replace stabilizers or add or remove acoustic foam. They also have south-facing LEDs, which provide better compatibility with aftermarket keycap sets. Ultimately, the Keychron Q1 HE, and the Q HE series as a whole, combine high-end gaming performance with the customizability of Hall effect analog switches into a versatile and premium-feeling custom keyboard package.

For more recommendations, see our picks for the best keyboards, the best mechanical keyboards, and the best gaming keyboards.

Keychron K2 HE [K4 HE, K8 HE, etc.]

SEE PRICE

Amazon.com

Both the Keychron Q1 HE and the Keychron K2 HE are wireless gaming keyboards with Hall effect switches and virtually identical raw performance. The Q1 HE has a much heavier solid aluminum case and a double-gasket mount design that provides a softer, springier-feeling typing experience. Unfortunately, its stabilizers are somewhat inconsistent and prone to rattling. Comparatively, the K2 HE has an ABS plastic bottom chassis and a thinner aluminum frame. It has a relatively stiffer-feeling tray mount design but much more consistent stabilizers.

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

SEE PRICE

Amazon.com

The Keychron Q1 Max and the Keychron Q1 HE are similar wireless mechanical keyboards. The major difference between the two is that the Q1 HE uses analog Hall effect switches, which allow you to customize the actuation and reset distance of individual switches. Comparatively, the Q1 Max has conventional mechanical switches.

Wooting 80HE

SEE PRICE

Wooting

Both the Wooting 80HE and Keychron Q1 HE are gaming keyboards with Hall effect switches. The Wooting is available with plastic or zinc alloy case options, while the Keychron is only available with an aluminum case. Both keyboards have gasket mount designs, although the Keychron's is noticeably softer feeling. Lastly, the Wooting outperforms the Keychron and has a higher maximum polling rate of 8000Hz, while the Keychron has wireless connectivity, which the Wooting lacks.

Lemokey P1 HE

SEE PRICE

Amazon.com

The Keychron Q1 HE and Lemokey P1 HE are wireless Hall effect keyboards designed primarily for gaming, offering virtually identical raw performance. Both feature solid aluminum cases and gasket-mounted designs, but the Lemokey P1 HE stands out with superior build quality overall. Its keys are a bit more stable, and its stabilizers are better tuned to eliminate the inconsistencies and rattling found on the Keychron, resulting in a noticeably higher-quality typing experience.

Video

Test Results

Sort:

RATINGS

Category:

All

Design

Dimensions

SAMPLE