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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The V4 is a fully customizable mechanical keyboard suitable for different scenarios. It’s an entry-level custom keyboard with a mini 60% layout, QMK/VIA support, an acoustic silicone pad, and double-shot PBT keycaps to provide you with a great typing feel and endless possibilities.
Keychron Q6 Pro has 108 keys.
The Q6 Pro is a traditional full-size keyboard layout with a NumPad and navigation keys, while the Q5 Pro is a slightly more compact 1800-style layout. Both of them are gasket-mounted, with thick aluminum cases and a knob in the top right corner.
Best for: Gamers and typists who want to be able to fully customize their keyboard. The Keychron Q6 is a super quiet, super customizable keyboard that comes with everything you need for gaming or typing quietly right out of the box.
That’s why we have incorporated Gateron switches throughout our product line and have been recognized by lots of major influencers and media including Marques Brownlee, The Next Web, Cult of Mac and CNN etc.
