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I've been using the Keychron Q1 HE for a little while now, taking these magnetic switches out for a spin. Don't get me wrong, Keychron knows how to make the best gaming keyboards pillowy soft and whisper quiet, but this is another level.
I'm using Gateron's Nebula Linear magnetic switches, and there's a little more tension under each keycap, as is to be expected from these magnetic decks, but the actual actuation is completely isolated in sound, registering only as a muffled click.
It's gorgeous.
These are Gateron's Double-Rail switches, one of the first lines to make their way to OEM decks like Keychron's. The Dawn model is the lightest, at 30 gf pre-actuation force, while the Nebulas I've been using come in slightly heavier at 40 gf. There's also the Aurora at 50 gf, but with that magnetic tension underneath, I expect these would feel a little too cumbersome to truly remain comfortable for longer periods.
With an extra rail keeping the guiding stem smoothly in place, and the traditionally softer feel of a Hall effect switch, the Keychron Q1 HE feels fantastic under the fingertips.
The Keychron Q1 HE has another trick up its sleeve, though. This is a wireless Hall effect keyboard - and that's rare. The extra power needed to keep up communication between the PCB and each switch's magnet means more Hall effect decks rely on a power cable.
Yes, the Q1 HE is still more expensive than cheaper options like the Corsair K70 Pro TKL ($179.99) or the Logitech G Pro X TKL Rapid ($169.99), but it's far from the heights of the wireless Glorious GMMK 3 Pro HE ($369.99).
You're dropping some gamer-centric software and onboard control features, but still picking up dual-step actuation and all the customization that comes with those magnetic clickers.
The only thing I'm struggling with at the moment? Keychron's Launcher is hit or miss. I've used the web-based client in the past, with the Keychron M7 8K and Keychron M5 Vertical Edition mice, but it's struggling to connect to the keyboard reliably. Thankfully, it's fully QMK compatible.
- See all Keychron keyboards at Amazon
- See all Hall effect keyboards at Amazon
- Keychron Q1 HE | $239.99 at Amazon
I'm also rounding up all the best hot-swappable keyboards on the market, as well as the best wireless gaming keyboards and best Razer keyboards for more alternatives.
