Verdict
The Keychron Q1 Pro is a sublime mechanical keyboard . The addition of wireless connectivity guarantee it offer up one of the most staring software system usable with a sturdy mental synthesis , smooth and tactile switches , and across-the-board computer software - based customisation . It may be expensive , but the Q1 Pro is a fantastic keyboard for its asking terms .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
The Keychron Q1 Pro marks out a major raise to one of my favourite keyboards of 2022 .
It adds the powers of Bluetooth connectivity to theKeychron Q1that has had pride of topographic point on my desk and that has been used in anger for the last year .
Alongside this , it features the same hardy frame , thoughtful design and features that partisan can appreciate , result in one of thebest mechanical keyboardsmoney can buy today .
Design
Placing the Keychron Q1 Pro next to my trusty Keychron Q1 V2 reveals how short has exchange in terms of the keyboard ’s aim . It provides a ridiculously sturdy CNC’d aluminum cause that provides no flex at all , as well as an especially reassuring heft , with a full mass of 1.8 kg . That ’s a lot for a mechanically skillful keyboard , have alone one with a lowly 75 % layout like the Q1 Pro has .
That smaller form factor is really my favourite layout to use , with it providing most of the functionality afforded by a more traditional TKL layout , although with a more or less squished up nav cluster in the name of spare space . The Q1 Pro also work with it the playfulness of a thickening in the top - right niche for medium playback . It ’s a convenient add-on , and feel tactile to use .
Unlike my trustyQ1 V2however , this special Keychron Q1 Pro is n’t customised in any means however – it ’s the pre - built variant . As much as having the firebrand ’s own keycaps may at first seem a small underwhelming , these are PBT keycaps . They ’re comprised of high quality plastics compared to the more traditional ABS keycaps that are seen on a 10000 of other keyboard , reinforce that the Q1 Pro is a quality product .
The keycaps themselves are two - pure tone grey , with a diminished downhearted accent for the Esc key , and offer a more orbicular visibility than your received one . This helps the Q1 Pro to offer a bit more of a retro aesthetic , while still being a thoroughly modern keyboard .
Keychron offers a ten thousand of dissimilar compatible keycap sets with the Q1 Pro , or , if you want to go further abroad , then virtually any MX - theme keycaps will fit the keyboard . It all depends on what visibility of keycaps it is you want , which in turn can alter the facial expression and feel of it all .
It ’s around the back where the Q1 Pro has experience a major modification , with the addition of a pair of switch to allow you to choose between both Wired and Bluetooth mode , as well as whether you ’re using the keyboard on Windows or Mac . Alongside this comes aUSB - Cport for charge , which is always nice to see .
Performance
Where my premature Keychron endeavour came with cherry tree - picked switches ( if you ’ll pardon the wordplay ) in the bod of some cherry tree maxwell Clears that I selected when configure the circuit card , the Keychron Q1 Pro I ’ve got here comes with the firebrand ’s own K Pro Brown shift . These are most likely rebranded Gateron G Pro replacement , which is what shipped with the wired Q1 .
It ’s normally at this point where I ’d go on a bite of a tan about my proceeds with Gateron switches , as their Browns especially have n’t bring home the bacon the most consistent performance in the man . However , these K Pro Browns are some of the better MX Brown clones I ’ve have in years .
They offer a consistent and snappy keypress , complete with a rounded protrusion halfway down the key travel . Oftentimes clones can be especially scratchy and discrepant , but with the K Pro Browns being pre - lubed , it allow them to offer a politic and yet tactile keypress that stool them a joy to type on .
However , if you ’re not a fan of the bundled switch in the Q1 Pro for whatever ground , then it ’s handy to get it on that it is a hot - swappable keyboard . This intend you’re able to chuck in any switches you like , whether they ’re tactile , linear or clicky , and also adapt to the MX banner of 3 or 5 stick rise .
To test this , I took some of the MX Black Clear Tops I had laying around , put them in after take the K Pro Browns out , and they feel fantastical . swop the switches is especially well-off as you plainly grab a transposition dragger from inside the boxwood , pull gently to get the substitution out , and then supersede it by make believe sure the rowlock draw up with the socket , and then push down until it clicks into place .
The typing experience afford by the K Pro Browns is a comfortable one , given the light , lubed switch . Intriguingly , the Q1 Pro is also a gasket mounted keyboard , so the typing experience is by conception , a little bouncy . This name things perhaps a tad more reactive and comfortable than more of a rigid keyboard with a metal plate campaign through it .
Connectivity is taken aid of via either Bluetooth or a USB - C wired link , which keeps things commodious . you’re able to pair the Q1 Pro with up to three devices at once , and switching between them is as easy as picking the relevant channel using the Fn headstone and the relevant number .
On the front of battery life , Keychron shop the Q1 Pro to last for up to 300 time of day with the backlighting off , and up to 100 hours with it on . This falls short by comparability to theAsus ROG Azothfor illustration , but still offers you the chance to apply the Q1 Pro for a few week between charges . The fact I only had to charge up the Q1 Pro once in my examination is testament to its strong endurance .
Software and lighting
The give-and-take of backlighting leads me nicely into this next segment . The Keychron Q1 Pro comes with RGB lighting that ’s bright and vibrant , and works well as long as you ’ve got switching with clear housings inside the plank to allow the ignition to radiate through . If you ’re using switches with smutty plastic housing , then these will severely mute the lighting to the distributor point where it ’s hard to detect .
On the front of software , the Q1 Pro utilise VIA , which is a earnestly powerful musical composition of outfit . There ’s the selection to program four separate function layer , as well as remapping function directly onto keys , giving you plenty of potential for customisation .
you’re able to also program macro and fiddle with a curing of presets for light too . It ’s a very functional bite of kit and does all of what most people will need . Even though it might not look as liberal - budget as suites from more mainstream manufacturers , VIA drive the job done .
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Should you buy it?
The K Pro Browns inside the Q1 Pro tender a reactive , smooth and tactile typing experience that makes it a delight to use .
While the Q1 Pro is a bright keyboard for space - savers , those looking for a more formal layout may wish to expect elsewhere .
Final Thoughts
If I was n’t someone who had a on a regular basis rotating keyboard on my desk because of the job I do , the Keychron Q1 Pro would be sticking around for a prospicient time . It extend one of the most terminated packages available in the mechanical keyboard world today , adding the powers of wireless connectivity to an already fantabulous product .
It ’s one of the sturdiest and well - built keyboards that money can corrupt , with a machined atomic number 13 case and a compact layout that makes it a solid alternative for space - savers . What ’s more , its K Pro Brown switches offer a responsive and easy typing experience , complete with a quiet and tactile finger to them . The presence of partisan - level features such as gasket mounting , a hot - swappable PCB and the powers of VIA also make this more than just a good face keyboard .
Of course , the obvious compare here is to theAsus ROG Azoth , another 75 % keyboard I labelled a few month ago as one of thebest mechanical keyboardsmoney can buy . While the Q1 Pro may not offer the merriment of an OLED screen , it offers arguably better make quality and more subdued looks at a fair bit lower of a price , spend a penny the Q1 Pro a better selection for generalists , as defend to the gamers in the gang .
Trusted Score
How we test
We use every keyboard we try out for at least a week . During that time , we ’ll chink it for relief of usage and put it through its pace by dally a variety of different genres , include FPS , strategy and MOBAs .
We also check into each keyboard ’s software to see how easy it is to customise and place up .
FAQs
The Q1 Pro offers wireless connectivity , while the Q1 is wired . What ’s more , it has a polycarbonate scale inside , as opposed to a sword one .
Yes , the Q1 Pro ’s case is made of CNC machine aluminium .
