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Keychron Q1 Ultra specifications and in-depth review

Keychron Q1 Ultra

Manufacturer: Keychron

The Keychron Q1 Ultra is a compact 75% mechanical keyboard designed for both wired and wireless use, with support for Mac and PC. It offers a gasket mount construction for a softer typing feel and a sleek aluminum case available in black or white.

With a polling rate of 8000 Hz and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity, the Q1 Ultra provides a smooth and responsive typing experience. It also includes features like hot-swappable Silk POM Red switches and 660 hours of battery life, ensuring long-lasting performance without sacrificing style.

Pros
  • Compact 75% layout saves desk space while retaining essential keys.
  • Hot-swappable switches offer customization without soldering.
  • Long battery life of up to 660 hours for extended use between charges.
  • South-facing RGB backlighting provides an attractive and customizable lighting experience.
  • Aluminum and plastic case materials ensure durability and a premium feel.
Cons
  • No wrist rest included, which may affect comfort during long typing sessions.
  • Lacks dedicated media keys, requiring use of the Fn key for media control.
  • No USB passthrough, limiting connectivity options for additional peripherals.
  • No QMK support, restricting customization options for advanced users.
  • Lacks dual actuation or adjustable actuation, limiting typing versatility.
Who is this for?

The Keychron Q1 Ultra is ideal for users who prioritize a compact layout for space-saving, making it perfect for small desks or those who prefer a minimalist setup. With hot-swappable switches and a long-lasting 660-hour battery, it suits users who want a customizable and reliable mechanical keyboard for both gaming and everyday tasks. Its compatibility with Mac keys also makes it a solid choice for Mac users seeking a more ergonomic typing experience.

Who is this NOT for?

This keyboard may not be suitable for users looking for advanced customization, as it lacks features like QMK support or dual actuation, limiting key remapping and dynamic input adjustments. Additionally, without dedicated media keys or USB passthrough, it's not the best choice for those who frequently use media controls or need additional peripheral connections on the keyboard.

General info:

Keyboard type Mechanical, Gaming, Standard
Keyboard layout size Compact (75%)
Profile Standard
connectivity Wireless & wired
connection type Bluetooth, 2.4GHz wireless, USB
polling rate 8000 Hz
Mount type Gasket mount
Battery life 660 hours
designed for Mac ✓
has a detachable cable ✓
height 145 mm
width 327.6 mm
thickness 31.8 mm
weight 1724 g
Bluetooth version 5.3
release date January 2026
warranty period 1 years

The Keychron Q1 Ultra features a compact 75% keyboard layout with a standard profile, designed for both wired and wireless connectivity. It supports Bluetooth 5.3 and offers a polling rate of 8000 Hz, ensuring a responsive and stable connection. This mechanical keyboard is built with a gasket mount for enhanced typing comfort, and its detachable cable adds convenience for portability. With a battery life of up to 660 hours, it’s a solid choice for long, uninterrupted use, and its durable design is complemented by Mac-specific keys.

Design:

has RGB lighting ✓
Has a backlit keyboard ✓
Case material Aluminum, Plastic
Plate material Aluminum
Case colors Black, White
has adjustable feet ✓
includes a wrist rest ✕
Backlight facing direction South-facing

The Keychron Q1 Ultra features a sleek design with a case made from both aluminum and plastic, available in black and white color options. It includes RGB lighting and a backlit keyboard with south-facing LEDs for a vibrant and customizable typing experience. The keyboard is also equipped with adjustable feet for an optimized typing angle, though it does not include a wrist rest.

Switches:

Switch type Mechanical
Switch feel Linear
Hot-swappable switches ✓
Switch name Silk POM Red
Actuation distance (min) 2 mm
Actuation distance (max) 2 mm
Actuation force 45 g
Total travel distance 4 mm

The Keychron Q1 Ultra features Silk POM Red mechanical switches, known for their linear feel, making them smooth and quiet during key presses. These switches have a minimal actuation distance of 2 mm and a total travel distance of 4 mm, requiring an actuation force of 45 g. Additionally, the keyboard supports hot-swappable switches, allowing users to easily customize their typing experience without soldering.

Features:

has analog input ✕
has rapid trigger ✕
has dual actuation ✕
has adjustable actuation ✕
has NKRO ✓
has USB passthrough ✕
Has a display ✕
has QMK support ✕
has ZMK support ✓
has VIA support ✕

The Keychron Q1 Ultra is equipped with NKRO (N-Key Rollover), ensuring every key press is registered, no matter how many keys are pressed simultaneously. While it does not support features like QMK support or a display, it does offer ZMK support for advanced customization. However, it lacks functions such as analog input, USB passthrough, or dual actuation, focusing on a simpler, more straightforward feature set.

Keys & layout:

Keyboard layout ANSI (United States)
Keycap type PBT, Double-shot
uses a standard key layout ✓
Media keys Via Fn key
has a rotary dial ✓

The Keychron Q1 Ultra features an ANSI (United States) layout with durable PBT, double-shot keycaps. It utilizes a standard key layout and includes a rotary dial for added functionality. Media controls are accessed through the Fn key, offering easy access to volume and playback options without dedicated media keys.

Final Verdict

The Keychron Q1 Ultra is a solid choice for users seeking a compact mechanical keyboard with excellent customization options, thanks to its hot-swappable switches and extended battery life. Its sleek design, along with features like south-facing RGB lighting and Mac-specific key support, caters well to both productivity and gaming. However, it may not fully satisfy those who require more advanced customization, such as QMK support or dual actuation. Overall, it provides great performance for those looking for a reliable, space-saving keyboard with key features for everyday use.