
Wooting
80HE
Elite gaming performance, deep customization, but divisive typing feel.

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8K doesn't make much of a difference to keyboard performance, honestly. I'd sooner buy a keyboard based on features, feel, and build quality. The keycaps on the 80HE are more susceptible to wear than those on the Keychron, but the 80HE is more comfortable in terms of height. The Keychron Q1 HE's biggest issue IMO, is the lack of third party switch options. If you're willing to sacrifice wireless connectivity, I'd recommend the Keychron Q1 HE 8K. It's also aluminium and gasket mounted, but it's lower in the front, so more comfortable to type on, and it supports regular n-pole HE switches. Otherwise, I believe Iqunix is launching a 75% HE board soon, too, and I've been pretty impressed with the EV63 I'm testing right now. Software is a bit more limited, but pick your poison lol.
Yes and no. The original Q and K HE series are limited to S-pole switches (there's some selection, not a lot), but the new Q HE 8K series are compatible with regular N-pole switches, so they should work with the majority of common HE switches out there (even if the Keychron website lies to you about this). I have tested the Gateron Jade Pros and Wooting Lekker Tikkens in a Q1 HE 8K, and they work just fine after a calibration. That's why I recommended the Q HE 8K specifically.
Be careful, those silent Lynx switches will only work with S-pole HE keyboards. So, the K2 HE and the original Q HE series keyboards. The only differences between the Q HE 8K and the Q HE are that the 8K versions have a slightly lower front height, which makes them genuinely more comfortable to use, the 8K versions don't have wireless, and they have a slightly different look to them, which is personal, preference. The stock Ultra Fast Lime switches also only have 3.35 mm total travel, which is not a lot but you get used to it if you want to use them.
8K doesn't make much of a difference to keyboard performance, honestly. I'd sooner buy a keyboard based on features, feel, and build quality. The keycaps on the 80HE are more susceptible to wear than those on the Keychron, but the 80HE is more comfortable in terms of height. The Keychron Q1 HE's biggest issue IMO, is the lack of third party switch options. If you're willing to sacrifice wireless connectivity, I'd recommend the Keychron Q1 HE 8K. It's also aluminium and gasket mounted, but it's lower in the front, so more comfortable to type on, and it supports regular n-pole HE switches. Otherwise, I believe Iqunix is launching a 75% HE board soon, too, and I've been pretty impressed with the EV63 I'm testing right now. Software is a bit more limited, but pick your poison lol.
We obviously have very different opinions on features that matter. The things you mentioned are all things that most people are going to do themselves or flat out don't matter. Wrist wrest? If you want one buy any of the fifty thousand out there that fit the style you like. Shinethrough Keycaps? Ok? that is an extremely subjective thing on it being better or worse. But on the topic of keycaps, the ones on the Keychron and Wooting are going to be much better quality than the Logitech ones. Layout is also subjective. Most of us are more concerned with things like build quality, QC, long term durability, Being able to swap switches, etc. The things you mentioned are all extras that should only be considered when all the above and more are equal. And in this comparison they are not.
Q1 HE is great. The new 8K models are even better and use different switches so we have a lot more options.
the New 8K HE board uses the same switch type as Wooting and most others. So you can use things like Gateron Jades, GeonWorks TTCs, UR Ice switches, etc.
While your point about Rapid Trigger is valid that doesn't change the fact that the Wooting, and even Keychron are objectively better than the other two options. Build quality and software and features are all better than the logitech options.
We obviously have very different opinions on features that matter. The things you mentioned are all things that most people are going to do themselves or flat out don't matter. Wrist wrest? If you want one buy any of the fifty thousand out there that fit the style you like. Shinethrough Keycaps? Ok? that is an extremely subjective thing on it being better or worse. But on the topic of keycaps, the ones on the Keychron and Wooting are going to be much better quality than the Logitech ones. Layout is also subjective. Most of us are more concerned with things like build quality, QC, long term durability, Being able to swap switches, etc. The things you mentioned are all extras that should only be considered when all the above and more are equal. And in this comparison they are not.
Q1 HE is great. The new 8K models are even better and use different switches so we have a lot more options.
the New 8K HE board uses the same switch type as Wooting and most others. So you can use things like Gateron Jades, GeonWorks TTCs, UR Ice switches, etc.
If you go with a Hall Effect board (and itâs a solid choice) just make sure to research what magnetic switches the board you are interested in uses. Keychron/Lemokey, HE boards for example, can only use a specific Gateron dual rail switch along with Glorious switches. For me personally, the stock Gateron dual rails are not very pleasing. A spring swap though brings them to life. I enjoy doing that work but you may not. Wooting and any board that uses the same polarity will have the most switch options available. This includes popular switches like Geon Raw and Gateron Jades. I have owned ad Keychron Q1 HE, Wooting 80, Wooting 60, Keychron K2 HE, Maggard 68 Pro and Nuphy 75 Air. The Wooting is the most premium option. As others have said, the software blows all others out of the water. I was really impressed with the Nuphy. Itâs a low profile keyboard so different switches / keycaps than the others but itâs a fun board. The software on all the boards Iâve used lets you set actuation per key, rapid trigger, SOCD, dynamic keystroke and macros (plus more). The Wooting is the most intuitive and best for RGB if you care about that. I could not get dynamic keystroke working on the Nuphy but didnât try after the first day as I replaced it with a macro for what I wanted. The Nuphy and Keychrons you are limited to 3 profiles. Maggard is 4 and the Wooting is unlimited, but only 4 active profiles (all your other profiles are archived within the online software). Thereâs a database of other Wooting profiles that you can easily copy/paste a code for yourself to utilize that users profile. Finally, Iâm pretty sure Keychron boards have gamepad support and I know Wooting definitely does. This would allow you to set keys as controller functions for things like racing games / GTA driving / etc.
I have the Aula F75 and the Keychron Q1 HE, I personally bought a second Aula F75 after trying it and put away the HE for now. Out of all the keyboards I've used, I dunno I just love the Aula F75, especially for the price point on sale... The Keychron is built like a tank and very premium, but for mostly gaming and chatting on Discord I have to say the Aula F75 is peak.
keychron Q series i have a Q1 and the fame is literally a 2kg chunk of aluminum, its actually ridiculous how heavy and solid it is.
around 3 years, never had any issues with it.
Iâve used the keychron q1 he, not the q3, and also the wooting. I definitely prefer the wooting for typing and gaming

Wooting
80HE
Elite gaming performance, deep customization, but divisive typing feel.

AULA
F75
Budget king for thocky sound, but layout and software flawed.

AULA
F75 Max
F75 value with screen, but wireless and key layout issues.

AULA
F99 Pro Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
Value full-size with numpad, great typing, but poor software.

Keychron
K2 HE Wireless Magnetic Switch Custom Keyboard
Affordable HE with premium feel, but limited switch options.

Ranked #1
Wooting - 80HE

Ranked #1
NuPhy - Air60 HE Magnetic Switch Gaming Keyboard

Ranked #1
Logitech - G19 Programmable Gaming Keyboard with Color Display

Ranked #1
Wooting - 80HE