Keychron Q1 Max review

The Q1 Max is the pick for typists who want a metal keyboard that feels like a custom build without assembling one. Keychron machines the whole body from 6063 aluminum, and the fully assembled board weighs 1724 g. A double-gasket design adds silicone pads between the top and bottom cases, and a PC plate plus IXPE, PET and latex foams are there to soften the sound. Every switch is hot-swappable with almost all 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style switches, so you can start with the included Gateron Jupiter Red, Brown or Banana and change later. It connects over 2.4 GHz at 1000 Hz, Bluetooth 5.1 to three devices or a cable, and the 4000 mAh battery is rated for up to 180 hours. QMK and the Keychron Launcher handle remapping, and Mac and Windows keycaps come in the box. The downsides are weight, a $229.99 price and Bluetooth polling of only 90 Hz.

Who it is for

Typists who want a heavy, premium metal keyboard

Price

$229.99 at Keychron's US store when checked.

Regular price $229.99
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 12, 2026.

Key features

• Body machined from 6063 aluminum, weighing 1724 g in the fully assembled version
• Double-gasket design with a PC plate and IXPE, PET and latex acoustic foams
• Hot-swappable with almost all 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style switches; ships with pre-lubed Gateron Jupiter switches
• 2.4 GHz at 1000 Hz, Bluetooth 5.1 to 3 devices, and wired; 4000 mAh battery rated for up to 180 hours
• 75% layout with a knob, south-facing RGB and QMK firmware

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Keychron lists screw-in PCB stabilizers to cut wobble on the space bar, shift and enter keys
• Strength: Wide switch compatibility makes it easy to experiment later
• Strength: Up to 180 hours of battery, longer than the K2 HE's 110 hours
• Weakness: At 1724 g it is too heavy to carry around
• Weakness: Costs $100 more than the K2 HE, with standard rather than magnetic switches
• Weakness: Bluetooth polling is 90 Hz, so gaming should use 2.4 GHz or wired

Key facts

• Layout: 75%, ANSI, with knob
• Body: CNC 6063 aluminum, double-gasket
• Switches: Gateron Jupiter Red, Brown or Banana, hot-swappable
• Connectivity: 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth 5.1 (3 devices), wired
• Battery: 4000 mAh, up to 180 hours
• Weight: 1724 g fully assembled

Where it ranks

Keychron Q1 Max is No. 2 in our Best Mechanical Keyboards verdict.