Keychron Q1 vs Q3

Which Keyboard Is Better?

Products

Keychron Q1
Keychron Q3

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated May 30, 2025 08:08 PM

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Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated May 30, 2025 08:29 PM

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Our Verdict

Keychron Q1

Keychron Q3

The Keychron Q1 and the Keychron Q3 are very similar, wired-only, hot-swappable keyboards, but they have a few slight differences. The Q1 comes in a 75% compact form factor, while the Q3 is a TKL size, meaning that the Q3 has more buttons overall, and it also has more space between the alphanumeric keys and the navigational cluster. Also, the Q1 comes with a coiled aviator cable, while the Q3 uses a standard braided cable. On the other hand, the Q3 offers a slightly better typing experience as it has PBT keycaps rather than ABS. Otherwise, the keyboards perform very similarly.

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Variants

  • Q1 (Carbon Black)
  • Q1 (Navy Blue)
  • Q3 (Carbon Black)
  • Q3 (Navy Blue)

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Carbon Black
Q1
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Carbon Black
Q3
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Navy Blue
Q1
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Navy Blue
Q3
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Space Grey
Q1
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Silver Grey
Q3
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Main Differences for
Gaming

Threshold 

0.10

Gaming 
 

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Full Comparison

Design

Dimensions 
 

Top Picture  

Keychron Q1 Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Keychron Q3 Top Picture Sample

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Size 
 

Locked
Locked

Height 
 

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

Width  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

Depth 
 

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

Depth With Wrist Rest 
 

N/A
N/A

Weight 
 

Lock lbs (Lock kg)
Lock lbs (Lock kg)
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Build Quality 
 

N/A
N/A

Build Quality Close Up  

Keychron Q1 Build Quality Close Up Sample

SAMPLE

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Keychron Q3 Build Quality Close Up Sample

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Keycap Material  

Locked
Locked
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Ergonomics 
 

N/A
N/A

Side Picture  

Keychron Q1 Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Keychron Q3 Side Picture Sample

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Board Design 
 

Locked
Locked

Minimum Incline 
 

Lock°
Lock°

Medium Incline 
 

N/A
N/A

Maximum Incline 
 

N/A
N/A

Wrist Rest  

Locked
Locked
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Backlighting 
 

N/A
N/A

Backlighting Picture  

Keychron Q1 Backlighting Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Keychron Q3 Backlighting Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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White Shot 
 

Keychron Q1 White Shot Sample

SAMPLE

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Keychron Q3 White Shot Sample

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Brightness Max 
 

Keychron Q1 Brightness Max Sample

SAMPLE

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Keychron Q3 Brightness Max Sample

SAMPLE

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Brightness Min 
 

Keychron Q1 Brightness Min Sample

SAMPLE

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Keychron Q3 Brightness Min Sample

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Backlighting  

Locked
Locked

Color 
 

Locked
Locked

Individually Backlit Keys 
 

Locked
Locked

Color Mixing 
 

Locked
Locked

Effects 
 

Locked
Locked

Programmable 
 

Locked
Locked
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Cable & Connector  

Connectivity  

Locked
Locked

Detachable 
 

Locked
Locked

Length  

Lock ft (Lock m)
Lock ft (Lock m)

Connector (Keyboard side) 
 

Locked
Locked
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Wireless Versatility 
 

N/A
N/A

Bluetooth 
 

Locked
Locked

Bluetooth Multi-Device Pairing 
 

Locked
Locked

Proprietary Receiver 
 

Locked
Locked

Battery Type 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Extra Features 
 

Extra Features  

Keychron Q1 Extra Features Sample

SAMPLE

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Keychron Q3 Extra Features Sample

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Media Keys 
 

Locked
Locked

Macro Programmable Keys 
 

Locked
Locked

Trackpad / Trackball  

Locked
Locked

Wheel  

Locked
Locked

USB Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

Numpad  

Locked
Locked

Windows Key Lock 
 

Locked
Locked

Lock Indicator  

Locked
Locked
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In The Box  

Bundle Picture  

Keychron Q1 Bundle Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Keychron Q3 Bundle Picture Sample

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Show Text 
Typing Experience

Keystrokes 
 

Key Switch Actuation Graph  

Keychron Q1 Key Switch Actuation Graph Sample

SAMPLE

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Keychron Q3 Key Switch Actuation Graph Sample

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Key Switches 
 

Locked
Locked

Mechanical 
 

Locked
Locked

Feel 
 

Locked
Locked

Operating Force 
 

Lock gf
Lock gf

Actuation Force 
 

Lock gf
Lock gf

Pre-Travel 
 

Lock mm
Lock mm

Total Travel 
 

Lock mm
Lock mm
Show Text 

Typing Quality 
 

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Typing Noise 
 

Typing Sample  

Keychron Q1 Typing Sample Sample

SAMPLE

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Keychron Q3 Typing Sample Sample

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Noise 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Latency 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency Video  

Keychron Q1 Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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Keychron Q3 Latency Video Sample

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Latency Wired 
 

Lock ms
Lock ms

Latency Receiver 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency Bluetooth 
 

N/A
N/A
Show Text 
Software and Operating System

Software & Programming 
 

N/A
N/A

Software Picture  

Keychron Q1 Software Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Keychron Q3 Software Picture Sample

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Software Name  

Locked
Locked

Account Required 
 

Locked
Locked

Profiles 
 

Locked
Locked

Onboard Memory 
 

Locked
Locked

Cloud Sync 
 

Locked
Locked

Macro Programming 
 

Locked
Locked

Ease Of Use 
 

Locked
Locked

Software Windows Compatible 
 

Locked
Locked

Software macOS Compatible 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Keyboard Compatibility 
 

N/A
N/A

Windows  

Locked
Locked

macOS  

Locked
Locked

Linux  

Locked
Locked

Android  

Locked
Locked

iOS  

Locked
Locked

iPadOS  

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Check Price

Carbon Black
Q1
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Carbon Black
Q3
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Amazon.com
Navy Blue
Q1
Amazon.com
Navy Blue
Q3
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Space Grey
Q1
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Amazon.com
Silver Grey
Q3
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Keychron Q1

Keychron Q3

Comments

  1. Comparison

Keychron Q1 vs Keychron Q3: Main Discussion

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