Keychron Q1 HE QMK Wireless Custom Keyboard Review

The Keychron Q1 HE QMK Wireless Custom Keyboard is a magnetic leap forward for mechanical keyboards, but does that automatically make it a must-purchase? Mechanical keyboards have always been a battleground for enthusiasts. Switch types, mounting styles, stabilisers, and layouts are endlessly debated, but in recent years a new frontier has emerged: Hall Effect (HE) magnetic switches. Once a niche curiosity, they’re now being embraced by mainstream brands, promising faster actuation, analogue input, and durability that traditional mechanical switches can’t match.

Enter the Keychron Q1 HE, a wireless, 75% layout keyboard that takes the company’s beloved Q1 design and infuses it with cutting‑edge magnetic switch technology. It’s a bold move for Keychron, a brand that built its reputation on delivering enthusiast‑grade features at approachable prices. With a starting price of around $219/£219, though, the Q1 HE is no budget option. Does it justify the premium, and who exactly is it for?

Design and Build Quality

At first glance, the Q1 HE looks familiar. It shares the same machined 6063 aluminium chassis as the standard Q1, weighing in at a hefty 1.7kg. This solidity is part of its charm: there’s no flex, no creak, and no sense of compromise. It feels like a slab of industrial design, the kind of keyboard that could double as a blunt instrument in a pinch. The 75% layout strikes a sweet spot between compactness and usability. You get a full function row, arrow keys, and a condensed navigation cluster, all without the desk‑hogging footprint of a full‑size board.

For many, it’s the perfect balance, especially when paired with Keychron’s trademark programmable rotary knob in the top‑right corner, which can be mapped to volume, scrolling, or custom macros. Out of the box, it handles volume and mute, but it’s endlessly remappable. Keycaps are double‑shot PBT, resistant to shine and wear, although they are not shine‑through, meaning the south‑facing RGB lighting doesn’t illuminate legends in dark rooms. That said, the lighting itself is impressively bright and flexible. As Cubed3’s video review highlights, there are 22 different lighting effects accessible via simple function‑key shortcuts, with brightness adjustable on the fly. It’s a flourish that adds personality without overwhelming the board’s professional aesthetic.

The Magnetic Switch Revolution

The star of the show here is the Gateron 2.0 double‑rail magnetic Nebula switch. Unlike traditional mechanical switches, which rely on physical contact to register a press, Hall Effect switches use magnets and sensors to detect actuation. This allows for:

– Adjustable actuation points: anywhere from 0.5mm to 3.8mm;
– Rapid trigger functionality: keys can reset instantly after release, enabling ultra‑fast repeated inputs;
– Analogue input: in theory, keys can behave like analog triggers, useful for racing games or flight sims.

In practice, the Keychron Q1 HE feels buttery smooth. The linear switches glide with minimal friction, bottoming out at 60g. Typing is satisfying, with a muted thock thanks to the double‑gasket mount design, which cushions keystrokes and reduces harshness. Gaming, meanwhile, benefits from the rapid trigger feature. Strafing in shooters or bunny‑hopping feels more responsive than on a standard mechanical board.

The video below also points out one of the most intriguing features: multi‑action key mapping. Using the Keychron Launcher web app, you can assign up to four different actions to a single key, depending on how deeply it’s pressed. Imagine lightly pressing “W” to walk, pressing further to sprint, and bottoming out to trigger a special ability. It’s a glimpse of how analogue input could reshape keyboard interaction in the future. That said, the switch options are limited. Unlike Cherry MX or even Keychron’s own wide catalogue, you’re locked into these specific magnetic switches. They are hot‑swappable, but only with compatible HE switches, which narrows the field considerably.

Connectivity and Software

One of the Q1 HE’s biggest upgrades over earlier Q1 models is wireless versatility. You get:

– 2.4GHz wireless with a 1,000Hz polling rate (ideal for gaming);
– Bluetooth 5.1 for multi‑device pairing (up to three devices);
– USB‑C wired mode for maximum stability.

The 2.4GHz dongle is a standout here. Latency feels indistinguishable from wired, making this a rare wireless keyboard that competitive gamers could genuinely trust. The Keychron Launcher web app replaces VIA as the main configuration tool. It’s surprisingly powerful, letting you remap keys, adjust RGB, and fine‑tune actuation points per key. It also enables layered analogue actions that must be praised, as well as personalised shortcuts and macros. Battery life, however, is a weak spot. With RGB and 2.4GHz enabled, you’re looking at around 2–3 days of heavy use before needing a recharge. That’s shorter than some rivals, although acceptable given the performance on offer.

Everyday Use

Typing on the Q1 HE is a joy. The combination of gasket mounting, PBT caps, and magnetic switches creates a soft yet precise feel. Long writing sessions are comfortable, and the keyboard’s weight keeps it planted firmly on the desk. For productivity, the 75% layout is efficient, although some may miss a dedicated number pad. The knob is genuinely useful, since it can be mapped to not just volume control, but also tasks like skipping through video timelines when in editing packages, naturally speeding up workflows. Gaming is where the Q1 HE flexes its muscles, however. The rapid trigger feature is transformative in fast‑paced titles. The ability to reset movement keys instantly, for instance, can give a subtle but noticeable edge in key titles, or in racers, the analogue input allows for smoother acceleration control than a binary on/off keystroke. Still, not every game benefits, and some users may find the analogue features more gimmick than game‑changer. For those who crave cutting‑edge responsiveness, though, it’s a compelling addition.

Comparisons and Context

The Q1 HE enters a crowded field of Hall Effect keyboards. Competitors like the Wooting 60HE and SteelSeries Apex Pro have already popularised magnetic switches, particularly among esports players. Where Keychron stands out is in build quality and enthusiast appeal. The Q1 HE feels more premium than the plastic‑heavy Apex Pro, and more versatile than the gaming‑first Wooting. It’s a keyboard that straddles two worlds: enthusiast customisation and competitive gaming.

That said, it’s not cheap. At $219 (£230) fully assembled (or $199/£210 barebones), it’s pricier than Keychron’s non‑HE Q1 models, and more expensive than many traditional mechanical boards. For some, the benefits won’t justify the cost. The Keychron Q1 HE is a fascinating evolution of one of the most beloved enthusiast keyboards of recent years, though. By marrying the Q1’s premium construction with the speed and flexibility of magnetic switches, Keychron has created a board that appeals to both gamers chasing milliseconds and typists who simply want a sublime daily driver.

It’s not perfect, since the price is steep, the battery life could be better, and the switch ecosystem is still young. However, as a statement of intent, the Q1 HE is impressive. It shows that Keychron isn’t content to rest on its laurels; it wants to push mechanical keyboards into new territory. For those who demand the cutting edge, the Q1 HE is one of the most exciting keyboards you can buy right now. For everyone else, it’s a tantalising glimpse of where the future of typing might be headed.

Keychron Q1 HE at a Glance