Verdict
The Keychron Q1 HE is a powerful wireless mechanical keyboard with its strong anteroom effect electrical switch , rarefied build timbre and lightweight , but potent web - base software program . It is quite expensive , but if you ’ve been after a brilliant all - rounder with a blend of enthusiast and gaming - focus feature article , it ’s a marvellous choice .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
The Keychron Q1 HE takes the tried - and - examine formula of Keychron ’s marvelous Q1 line of keyboard and adds even more powerful internals to the party .
As the name suggests , this new fashion model add HE ( manor hall - essence ) swap into what has otherwise been one of thebest mechanically skillful keyboardswe’ve tested in recent long time . That ’s all in the name of speeding , for snappish stimulant that make it increasingly suited for gamey - intensity play .
I ’ve been testing the Q1 HE for the last few weeks to see if it is also capable enough to take the diadem as one of thebest gaming keyboardswe’ve tested . Let ’s find out .
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Design
Where the Q1 HE continue well-nigh unchanged against its more received crony such as theKeychron Q1 Prois with its oecumenical expression . After all , it is the same model , just with new innards .
That ’s no bad matter , though . The Q1 HE celebrate the same fantastic build quality thanks to its machine aluminum case which provide this ‘ board with plenty of heft , tip the ordered series at 1.73 kg . Being fully aluminium also entail there is no flex and that the Q1 HE wo n’t move around on your desk easily .
It also fall with the same space - saving 75 percentage layout as other Q1 models , offer up a halfway house between the smaller 65 pct and large TKL model by adding its nav clump into a single column on the right hand side . It ’s an gentle layout to get used to , and also key to see why it ’s become a favourite of enthusiast over the yr .
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The Q1 HE also comes with timber fixing and accommodation elsewhere , with its customary mass dial in the top right corner , as well as switchable Windows and macOS keycaps in the box . That ’s because this ‘ table works with both operating system without a limp . speak of keycaps , these are made of PBT plastic , attain them a lot more long-lived and immune to smoothen than cheaper ab choices . A small-scale but remarkable improvement .
The interface around the back is like to a lot of other Keychron models , with a USB - C port for charging and wired operation , as well as a duo of toggle switches . The one on the left switches between Windows and macOS , while the one on the right allows you to choose dissimilar means of connnectivity – either Bluetooth , 2.4GHz or wired .
Performance
It ’s inside where the Q1 HE has seen a remarkable ascent from a pep pill view by swapping out the traditional mechanical switches for hall effect ones . To be specific , Keychron has bundled in Gateron ’s treble - rail Nebula switch . These switches are linear , and come pre - lube , so are peculiarly smooth under finger while offering splendid acoustic , too . They find splendid for day - to - day employment , and as the Q1 HE is gasket mounted , it also find somewhat bouncy , making for a fun keypress out of the loge .
The big affair though is the fact that the manse effect switches have the welfare of adjustable actuation point . This means that you could adjust the point at which the switch read an input for much fast propulsion . On these Nebula switches , you may have it as high as 0.5 mm of the switch ’s total locomotion , meaning you only demand to bear on it down that far for an input to be registered .
The substantial kicker for the play gang is that the Q1 HE affirm rapid trigger functionality , which not only allows for speedy stimulus , but for the transposition to readjust just as quickly . It makes inputs especially merry in high - intensity titles such as Counter - Strike 2 , which is my common examination ground for gaming keyboard . Here , the Q1 HE afforded some splendid performance with snappy movement and especially smooth keypresses that makes gaming a piece of cake .
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One feature that ’s hidden aside in software program is the fact that the Q1 HE have analogue capability , so it can emulate reform-minded controller input . For instance , you’re able to remap the WASD keys to the charge on the left over analog stick and veracious and left triggers , and it will work as if it ’s a controller . This makes Keychron ’s option standardized to theWooting 60HE Plusin terms of its overall power and flexibleness , which is excellent . It works well in race title especially , even if I still found myself to be faster with a traditional controller in variousForza Horizon 5time trials .
Technically the Q1 HE is also hot - swappable , and go with a couple of other variants of Gateron ’s HE switches . While this is commodious , it does n’t have the same flexibility as more standard mechanical option , but the choice is there with other switch if you want it .
Where this is n’t as tight as some of the contention from the likes of Wooting and Glorious is in the fact it does n’t back up an 8000Hz polling charge per unit – it only supports up to 1000Hz . This would set aside for more frequent reporting of inputs to make for even more reactive input signal and lower latency . With this in mind , Keychron is n’t fight the Q1 HE as a keyboard strictly for pro utilisation , but at its high cost tatter , it would have been pleasant to see .
The Q1 HE ’s connectivity is a hard point though , endure telegraph USB - C connectivity , Bluetooth and 2.4GHz over a USB - A receiver . Pairing is as easy as you like with Bluetooth , hold down the Fn key and either the 1 , 2 , or 3 keys for the several channel , while 2.4GHz and pumped up means are plug and roleplay .
Over wireless means , the Q1 HE ’s battery life is firm , with Keychron quoting up to 100 hours of runtime from its 4000mAh intimate cell . That ’s in telephone line with other Keychron products , although is actually lower than some of their more standard mechanically skillful models . The Q1 Pro can last for this longsighted with RGB enable , and up to 300 hours with it off . withal , the HE model still provide enough endurance for two and a half run weeks before you ’ll need to charge it up .
Software and Lighting
The light option are a shade limited in Keychron ’s software system though , with you only being capable to pluck between a serial publication of presets . It ’s perfectly hunky-dory for passing use , although some kinsfolk may sense limited by it .
The Q1 HE ’s ignition is nonetheless intense , and work more as an underglow than on a per - key basis due to the fact it shines around the solid PBT keycaps . Nonetheless , it ’s bright and looks rather smart .
Should you buy it?
The Q1 HE surpass with its powerful Granville Stanley Hall effect switches , over with rapid trigger and analog capabilities that make it quite the stiff gaming keyboard .
Not everyone ask the hall effect powers of the Q1 HE manikin , and Keychron ’s more ‘ standard ’ mechanical models are a like Leontyne Price which may be a better steal for some folks .
Final Thoughts
The Keychron Q1 HE is a knock-down wireless mechanical keyboard with its potent vestibule result switches , sublime build timbre and powerful web - establish software . It is quite expensive , but if you ’ve been after a brilliant all - rounder with a portmanteau word of fancier and gaming - focused feature article , it ’s a marvellous choice .
TheAsus ROG Azothis a similar cost tag , and provide an OLED screen with more established switch , while theSteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless Gen 3brings rapid trigger and even more advanced gambling power for a minuscule more . It look what you need really , but for my money , the Q1 HE walk the difficult line of an fancier and gambling keyboard rather well . For more options , check out our inclination of thebest play keyboardswe’ve tested .
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How we test
We use every keyboard we essay for at least a week . During that time , we ’ll check it for ease of use and put it through its paces by playing a variety of dissimilar musical genre , including FPS , scheme and MOBAs .
We also check each keyboard ’s software to see how easy it is to customise and set up .
FAQs
The Keychron Q1 HE weighs 1.73 kg , make it rather dense for a more compendious keyboard .
Test Data
Full Specifications
Full Specs
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