Keychron Q1 QMK Custom Mechanical Keyboard REVIEW and unboxing
My first-ever mechanical keyboard!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Customize flexible or solid typing feel at a lower price👇🏻
Q1 PC Plate
ANSI / PC – Sold Out ISO / PC – $12.00 Add to Cart
Q1 FR4 Plate
ANSI / FR4 – Sold Out ISO / FR4 – $12.00 Add to Cart
Q1 Brass Plate
ANSI / Brass – Sold Out ISO / Brass – $28.00 Add to Cart
An Epic Core Inside The Keyboard
A brand new ultra-low-power MCU Arm structure that is powerful and armed with 128K Flash to provide more flexibility for developers. The polling rate is up to 1000 Hz out of the box, which makes latency non-existent for the competitive game.
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.
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.
Program The Q1 with
QMK & VIA.
With the Q1 ‘s open-source QMK/VIA, you can intuitively remap your favorite keys and create macros with any key (including the knob) on any operating system (macOS, Windows, or Linux) for a fluid workflow.
Download VIA for MacDownload VIA for WindowsDownload VIA for Linux
Get the Q1 keymap working on VIA
Since the VIA code for the Q1 is still awaiting approval from Github, it is not yet automatically recognized. Please download the appropriate keymap JSON file (ANSI or ISO) below, open VIA, turn on “Show Design tab” on “Settings” tab, and drag the JSON file into the “Design” tab on VIA to get the Q1 keymap working on VIA.
Q1 V2 Knob Version Keymap JSONDownload keymap JSON for Q1 knob version ANSI/USDownload keymap JSON for Q1 knob version ISO
Q1 V2 Non-Knob Version Keymap JSONDownload keymap JSON for Q1 non-knob version ANSI/USDownload keymap JSON for Q1 non-knob version ISO
Note: If the VIA software still does not detect your keyboard after you upload the latest JSON file above, please update your keyboard with the latest firmware here. The VIA software will only pair with your keyboard when the JSON file corresponds with the right firmware version.Learn more about how to use VIA >
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.
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.
Note: The Phantom switches have phantom light effects that allows the RGB backlight to have the switches’ own case color.
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.
ANSI & ISO layouts
ISO layout is widely used in Europe while the ANSI layout is widely used by the rest of the world. If you live in Europe, we recommend you purchase the “Barebone ISO” version with the corresponding ISO Dye-sub PBT keycap sets together. The “Barebone ISO” is suitable for all ISO keyboard countries like the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, etc.
ANSI Layout
ISO Layout
What’s in the box?
Specifications
| 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) |
| Backlight | South-facing RGB LED |
| Switch | Gateron G 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 |
| Cable | Type-C cable + Type-A to Type-C adapter |
Learn more about the Keychron Q1 such as the Q1 shortcuts, assembling the Q1, factory reset, and more in the FAQ section.
