Keychron Q1 HE review: A cutting-edge custom keyboard with no compromises

Note: This review was first published on 2 December 2024.

The Keychron Q1 HE might look like another solid addition to the already packed mechanical keyboard market, but there's something a bit special about this one. It’s Keychron’s first foray into Hall Effect switches, which, until recently, have been a bit of a rare find outside niche keyboard enthusiast circles. With the Q1 HE, the keyboard manufacturer is venturing into new territory and bringing that distinctive “typing feel” to a wider audience and, for the most part, it does a pretty good job.

At its core, the Q1 HE feels like a shift in how keyboards read keystrokes. Hall Effect switches, for those not in the know, use magnets to register key presses rather than the physical contact found in traditional mechanical switches. Imagine a keyboard that senses your key presses through magnetism alone. This means it’s not only incredibly smooth but also potentially much more durable. With no physical contact involved, there are fewer wear-and-tear issues, and while Keychron hasn't given specific numbers for these switches, they’re likely built to last a long time.

This magnetic approach brings some nifty perks, for example, customisable actuation points. You can decide exactly how far down you want to press before the key registers. A shallow actuation point means a feather-light touch will do the trick – ideal for rapid typing or gaming when every millisecond matters. Prefer a more deliberate press? You can set it deeper to avoid accidental key presses. This kind of flexibility is a great touch, although it might feel a bit niche or excessive for the layman users.

For the Q1 HE, Keychron has chosen the Double Rail Magnetic Switch, made by Gateron, and these switches are currently exclusive to this board. They come pre-lubed and feature a fresh slider design that makes for an impressively smooth experience. Typing on the Q1 HE, the fluidity is undeniable thanks largely to the lack of physical contact creating friction. The flipside of this, though, is a slightly dampened feel at the end of each keystroke. Rather than the solid thud you’d get from many mechanical keyboards, it feels more like a cushioned landing. It’s comfortable, no doubt, but it might lack that punchy, tactile feedback that some people crave.

That softness is amplified by the keyboard's gasket mount system. This approach suspends the whole typing assembly in foam, resulting in a slightly bouncy feel that’s easy on the fingers. While this is fantastic for reducing fatigue during long typing sessions, it also gives the board a quieter, more muted sound profile. The acoustics are deep, reminiscent of “thock” sounding tactile switches. It’s certainly less harsh on the ears compared to some clickier mechanical options, though it might be a tad too quiet for those who love the auditory feedback of a good clack.

Customisation is where the Q1 HE really shines. Instead of needing standalone software, Keychron uses an in-browser tool called Launcher for adjusting settings. It’s refreshingly simple. Want to change key mappings, play with RGB lighting, or tweak the actuation points of your switches? It’s all there, and it’s intuitive. One particularly interesting feature is its gamepad emulation mode, where the analogue nature of the Hall effect switches lets you replicate controller inputs, and could be a real game-changer for gamers who want precise typing and analogue input in one device. The catch, though, is that all these customisation features are only accessible when the board is wired. It’s a limitation shared by many QMK Bluetooth boards, but worth mentioning if you prefer a wireless setup.

Speaking of setup, the build quality sticks to Keychron’s usual formula: simple yet solid. The Q1 HE uses an aluminium frame, which keeps it sturdy, while the internal parts are easy to access. The keyboard is all hex screws and modular components, making modifications and maintenance straightforward. And like many of Keychron’s products, you get a bunch of extras including replacement screws, an Allen key and extra feet. These are small touches that make life easier when and if you decide to tinker.

But for all the customisation options Keychron touts, the Q1 HE isn’t necessarily for everyone. While the Hall Effect switches let you tweak actuation points and add some clever features, you’re still limited by the switches themselves – you can only use magnetic switches from Keychron that are compatible with the Q1 HE. For mechanical keyboard enthusiasts who love experimenting with clicky or tactile switches, this could feel limiting, especially since the point of many hot-swappable boards is to let you try different switch types.

Then there’s the price: the Q1 HE is clearly going premium with a S$330 SRP (though you can find it going for cheaper). That’s evident in its build quality, feature set, and the included extras. But for casual typists or those who don’t care about dialling in their exact actuation distance or playing with analogue input, it might seem a bit much – particularly given that the Q1 HE’s unique features are mostly software-based. If you’re the type who just plugs in a keyboard and forgets about it, much of what makes this board special will go unused.

All in all, I find the Keychron Q1 HE a fascinating bit of kit. It’s packed with thoughtful features, some of which genuinely push the boundaries of what a mechanical keyboard can be. The Hall Effect switches deliver a super-smooth typing experience, the customisation options are more than most people will ever need, and the build quality shows that Keychron didn’t cut any corners. But it’s definitely a niche keyboard. For those willing to explore what it offers, it could be a standout choice. For anyone else, the Q1 HE might just be overkill but that’s kind of the point. It’s not trying to be everything for everyone.

The Keychron Q1 HE wireless custom keyboard is available now and retails for S$330. To buy the keyboard, click here.

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