Keychron Q5 Pro and Q6 Pro QMK Custom Mechanical Keyboards

The Keychron Q5 Pro and Q6 Pro are two of the most anticipated mechanical keyboards in the market, offering a blend of performance, customization, and aesthetics that cater to both gaming and productivity enthusiasts. This article will delve into the specifications, pricing, and reviews of these keyboards, focusing on their support for QMK/VIA, their features, and a comparison of their strengths and weaknesses.

QMK (Quantum Mechanical Keyboard) is an open-source firmware that allows users to customize their mechanical keyboards to a level of personalization that’s unparalleled in the industry. It enables users to modify the behavior of each key, create macros, and even change the layout of the keyboard. VIA is a companion software that makes it easy to configure QMK on your keyboard, offering a user-friendly interface for customization. Together, QMK and VIA provide a powerful toolset for keyboard enthusiasts looking to tailor their typing experience to their specific needs.

Features and specifications of the Keychron Q5 Pro and Q6 Pro QMK

Here are some of the key features and specifications of the Keychron Q5 Pro and Q6 Pro QMK.

Specifications of the Keychron Q5 Pro keyboard.

1. Layout

The Q5 Pro features a compact 1800-style layout, which is a unique design that combines the best of both worlds. It offers a balance between the size and functionality of traditional keyboards, making it ideal for users with limited desk space or those who prefer a more compact keyboard. The 1800-style layout is known for its compact size and efficient use of space, allowing for a more ergonomic typing experience 

2. Switches

The Q5 Pro is available with three types of switches: red linear, brown tactile, and banana tactile. These switches offer different levels of tactile feedback and actuation force, catering to various typing preferences. Red linear switches are known for their smooth keystrokes and quiet operation, making them ideal for a quiet working environment. Brown tactile switches provide a satisfying tactile feedback, while banana tactile switches offer a unique blend of tactile and audible feedback 

3. Connectivity

The keyboard supports Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity, ensuring a stable and seamless wireless connection to your devices. It also features USB-C connectivity, allowing for a wired connection when needed. Additionally, the Q5 Pro includes hot-swap sockets, making it easy to replace switches without soldering, enhancing the keyboard’s customization and longevity 

4. Lighting

The Q5 Pro comes with RGB lighting, offering a wide range of customizable colors and effects. This feature adds a personalized touch to the keyboard, allowing users to match their typing experience with their aesthetic preferences 

5. Battery life

The Keychron Q5 Pro’s 4000 mAh battery allows for up to 300 hours of use with the backlight off, making it ideal for extended wireless typing sessions. However, enabling RGB lighting reduces battery life to about 100 hours at the lowest brightness setting, showcasing the trade-off between aesthetics and battery life.

6. Compatibility

The keyboard is compatible with macOS, Windows, and Linux, offering flexibility for users across different operating systems. Check out the price of the Keychron Q5 Pro keyboard on Amazon.

Specifications of the Keychron Q6 Pro keyboard.

1. Layout

The Q6 Pro features a full-size (100%) layout, offering a comprehensive set of keys including a full navigational cluster, function row, and Numpad. This layout is designed for users who prefer the familiarity and comfort of a traditional keyboard setup 

2. Keycap Material

The keyboard uses PBT (Polybutylene Terephthalate) keycaps, known for their durability and resistance to wear. These keycaps have a proprietary ‘OSA’ profile, which is similar to OEM profiles but with rounded tops, providing a comfortable typing experience 

3. Build Quality

The Q6 Pro is built with a solid aluminum chassis and a steel baseplate, ensuring sturdiness and preventing flex. It also features grippy rubber feet for stability and a double-mounted gasket design with sound-dampening foam for a springy typing experience 

4. Ergonomics

Despite its full-size layout, the Q6 Pro has a high profile and a fixed incline, which may require users to angle their wrists steeply upwards. This design choice can lead to discomfort for extended use, although Keychron offers wrist rests as a separate purchase 

5. Connectivity

The keyboard supports both Bluetooth 5.1 for wireless connectivity and USB-C for wired connections, offering flexibility in how you connect to your devices. It also includes a control knob for convenient access to various functions 

6. Special Features

The Q6 Pro includes dedicated macro keys, a control knob for media volume, and a Numpad, enhancing its functionality for various tasks. It also supports QMK/VIA for customization, allowing users to tailor the keyboard to their specific needs 2

7. Battery Life

Powered by a 4000mAh battery, the Q6 Pro offers up to 300 hours of usage with the backlight off and 100 hours with RGB lighting on the lowest brightness setting, ensuring extended wireless use. Check out the price of the Keychron Q6 Pro QMK on Amazon.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of the Keychron Q5 Pro and Q6 Pro QMK?

Here are the strengths and weaknesses of the Keychron Q5 Pro and Q6 Pro QMK.

Aspect	Keychron Q5 Pro	Keychron Q6 Pro
Strengths	Compact 1800-style layout	Traditional full-size layout with NumPad
	Hot-swappable switches for easy customization	Hot-swappable switches for easy customization
	Bluetooth 5.1 and USB-C connectivity	Bluetooth 5.1 and USB-C connectivity
	RGB lighting for customizable aesthetics	RGB lighting for customizable aesthetics
	Option for red linear, brown tactile, or banana	Option for red linear, brown tactile, or banana
	Tactile switches	Tactile switches
Weaknesses	Some users may find the layout compact	Full-size layout may be bulky for portable use
	Less comfortable for extended typing sessions	Requires more desk space compared to compact keyboards

Comparison between the Keychron Q5 Pro and Q6 Pro QMK.

Here is the comparison between the Keychron Q5 Pro and the Q6 Pro QMK.

Feature	Keychron Q5 Pro	Keychron Q6 Pro
Layout	1800-style	Full-size
Switches	Hot-swappable, Gateron Red/Brown/Banana	Hot-swappable, Gateron Red/Brown/Banana
Keycaps	PBT doubleshot, high-profile	PBT doubleshot, high-profile
Backlighting	RGB	RGB
Connectivity	Bluetooth 5.1, USB-C	Bluetooth 5.1, USB-C
Battery Life	Up to 200 hours	Up to 200 hours
Weight	2.2 lbs (1 kg)	2.6 lbs (1.2 kg)
Dimensions	13.6 x 4.5 x 1.6 inches (34.5 x 11.4 x 4 cm)	15.2 x 4.5 x 1.6 inches (38.6 x 11.4 x 4 cm)
Price (USD)	$169-$300	$189-$350

Conclusion

In conclusion, both the Keychron Q5 Pro and Q6 Pro are excellent mechanical keyboards that offer customization options through QMK/VIA. The choice between the two keyboards depends on your personal preferences and needs. If you prefer a more compact layout or don’t need a number pad, the Keychron Q5 Pro is a great choice. If you need a full-size keyboard with a number pad, the Keychron Q6 Pro is the better option.

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