Q1 Max vs HE: Keychron's BEST 75% Keyboards

Keychron's Q1 Max and HE are the company's flagship 75% keyboards - in this video I compare these two and their respective mechanical and magnetic technologies to see if the $10 price bump of the HE is worthwhile.

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Max on Amazon (look for Max in results):

HE on Amazon (look for HE in results):
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[LethalBeagle]

You are killing it with the Keychron content. I’ve been wanting one for awhile but don’t know what to get, but your videos are helping a lot!!!

[JuanCAraujoS]

The difficulty of HE tactile switches lies on how to stablish a tactile bump if the actuation point is variable and adjustable. I mean, the function of the tactile bump in the aforementioned switches is to give feedback on the actuation point.

[demetriusvaux]

I’m impressed that you’ve coordinated the lighting scheme with the switcher’s name color. That level of detail truly stands out.

[Crag_Hack]

Thanks, that's exactly what I was looking for

[MSJChem]

I've had my Q1HE for about 6 months and I love it so far. Excellent video by the way. I swapped out the stock switches for the lighter ones and switched the aluminium plate for the brass plate.

[siranxie]

I love your content Jake. You are very informative in all of your videos. I made my decision on which one to choose eventually after buying these two keyboards.

[rose]

Impressed with your editing skills and Keychron content. Just curious about your current top 3 favourite mechanical keyboard that has a premium typing feel and sound?

[guavacake]

Loved the video. First time watcher here, got yourself a sub.

I have the q1 pro from eons ago and as much as I love the look of the KSA keycaps, my typing accuracy suffers and so does my WPM. Haven’t gotten used to it over the last 2 years.

Would you recommend a palm rest or different set of keycaps if I had to pick one? Also, do you reckon low profile XDAs will fit?

Any advice would be appreciated. Have a great day ✌️

[michaelmcconnell]

I've been using the HE for a week or so now. It's nice. Like real nice... but I think I'm going to return it for the Q1 Max. I want tactile switches, and I just dontbgame seriously enough to find the Hall Effect features useful. For the record, I got the HE as an open box for $175, and it will cost me $35 to switch.

[krzysztofprzygoda]

Great job! The best comparison Q Max vs Q HE I've ever seen. Thanks! My dream keeb would be Q2 HE with north-faced LEDs, PBT KSA shine-through keycaps with bright legends Apple MBP alike. Probably, it will never happen. I doubt also in tactile HE switches ever show up, because entire HE idea requires linear behaviour.

[TristanPope]

Do you like the reds or browns more? I have both now and I find the browns are better for typing and the reds better for all else. Curious your thoughts.

[TeguhXAji-XScreener]

honestly i don't care about linear, i care about comfort. which do you think is more comfortable to work q1max or q1he?

[fixpoint]

Fantastic video. The production quality was excellent. Beautiful shots.

Thanks in part to your various keyboard videos, I've placed an order for the Q1 Max with the bananas. This will be my first mechanical keyboard (if you don't count the ones I grew up with as a kid with the original PCs). I've been living in Apple-land for years, so it'll be interesting to see how I adapt going from the Apply ultra low-profile keyboards to Q1 Max.

Before deciding on the Q1 Max, I was tempted by the Lofree low-profile options as an intermediary height into the mechanical world. Your videos on those were also helpful. Had I gone that route, I would have opted for the Flow (don't like the aesthetic of the Edge), but I've heard the BT has an annoying 2-3 second reconnect time. So, in the end, I went with the Q1 Max. I didn't get a wrist pad, but based on this video, it sounds like I might have to opt for one given the height of the KSA caps.

I'm curious if I made the right decision with the bananas versus the browns. In your video, the bananas had a higher pitch sound, which was a bit concerning. But it seems like a lot of folks really like the feel of the bananas, which is why I ultimately chose them. I'm not a gamer, so linear switches don't seem appealing (although I've never actually tried one), but they do seem very popular these days and the default on a lot of keyboards. I'll likely need to buy a 2nd keyboard anyways, so maybe I'll just get an HE to go along with the Max 🙂

[tehehe]

Both sound thin, hollow and loud. Are there Silent DR Gateron HE switches available?

[Katjasverige]

Great review ! I have zero clue about keyboards, but I googled a lot and thinking to order q1 max as a gift to a gamer (he had korsair k 70 lux ) . Is it a good choice or HE is better ? If I understood correctly you are saying that magnetic switch has significant limitations . He uses cable for PC, does q1 just use wireless connection or it’s just an option ? And I see options for brown or red switch, what is the difference ? Does it have colorful light in the darkness or smth ? 😅 thank you

[clexdigital]

Loved your video - very detailed and informative! Do you have reviews of other HE keebs?

[juncheolkim]

thanks for the great video! I just wonder where you buy this keyboard.
I guess recent productions are well-made than before q1 max😂

[marcisbored]

managed to find a Q3 Max at around $172 USD where i live, and Q3 HEs are retailing at around $230 USD. Is it still worth considering the HE at all or should i just go straight for the Q3 Max with that amount of savings?

[Hawktuah]

I'm not sure what was more impressive: the quality and features of this keyboard, or the production quality of this video.
I'm not even a keyboard enthusiast; I was just looking to upgrade my 30-dollar Logitech and stumbled upon the HE keyboards.
No music, no fluff—just concise information and great coverage of every nook and cranny. Genuinely, thanks for that!

[ssqmm]

do u think that the SA keycaps model are a little bit too high for gaming?