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Head-to-head · Best Mechanical Keyboards

Glorious GMMK Pro vs Keychron Q1

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Keychron Q1 comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.9 vs 3.8). Keychron Q1 is best for: Buyers who want a premium wired 75% aluminum board that works out of the box. Read the strengths below before deciding.

Glorious GMMK Pro
Ranked #8 in Best Mechanical Keyboards
Glorious GMMK Pro
5 sources$159as of Oct 2

The Glorious GMMK Pro holds its reputation as a premium mechanical keyboard, with Tom's Guide praising the solid build quality and customizable RGB lighting. TechRadar liked the comfortable typing experience and durable construction while agreeing the price runs high. The aluminum frame and 10000-hour switch lifespan come up repeatedly as strengths. Customization options may feel narrow next to some competitors. Enthusiasts and professionals after a high-end board are the fit, budget-conscious buyers less so.

Strengths
  • — Excellent build quality with a solid aluminum frame and premium materials
  • — Comfortable typing experience with a range of switch options including GMMK Pro switches
  • — Durable construction with a 10000-hour lifespan for the switches and overall keyboard durability
Watch-outs
  • — Higher price point compared to similar mechanical keyboards in the market
  • — Pre-built configurations offer limited keycap and switch choice compared with configuring it yourself
$159 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
Keychron Q1
Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Mechanical Keyboards
Keychron Q1
1 source$70as of Oct 11

A 75% layout in a CNC aluminum case, the Keychron Q1 pairs gasket mounting with QMK/VIA support, and the typing experience is what keeps enthusiasts buying it. Build quality and customization are the strong suits. Weight and price are the arguments against, and the stabilizers may need work out of the box.

Strengths
  • — Premium aluminum CNC-milled case with excellent build quality
  • — Hot-swappable PCB compatible with most mechanical switches, per The Verge
  • — QMK/VIA support for deep customization, according to The Verge
Watch-outs
  • — Heavy and bulky - not ideal for portable use
  • — Barebones version requires own switches/keycaps
$70 · Buy at keychron.comFull review →

How they stack up

Glorious GMMK Pro

The Glorious GMMK Pro excels in build quality and switch longevity, offering a 10000-hour lifespan that surpasses the Keychron Q1 HE and Drop CTRL, but it lacks the hot-swap capability and wireless flexibility of the Keychron Q1 Max and NuPhy Air75 V2. The GMMK Pro's RGB customization and switch variety suit those who value visual and functional versatility.

Keychron Q1

The Keychron Q1 covers the same wired 75% aluminum gasket-mount territory as the Glorious GMMK Pro but can be bought fully assembled, making it the easier first board. It trades the wireless connectivity of its sibling the Keychron Q3 Max for a lower price, lacks the analog Hall-effect rapid-trigger switches of the Wooting 60HE+, and is dramatically heavier and bulkier than the travel-friendly NuPhy Air75 V2.

Specs side-by-side

SpecGlorious GMMK ProKeychron Q1
Form Factor75%—
Switch TypeGMMK Pro switches—
ConnectivityUSB-C, Bluetooth 5.1USB-C wired
BacklightPer-key RGB with 16.8M colors—
Build MaterialAluminum frame—
Battery4000 mAh—
KeycapsDouble-shot PBT—
Weight1.3 kg3.7 lb
Dimensions13.07"L x 5.31"W x 1.26"H145 mm W x 327.5 mm L x 21.6 mm H
Layout—75% (gasket-mounted)
Case Material—CNC-machined aluminum
Mounting—Double-gasket mount
Switches—Hot-swap (5-pin)
Firmware—QMK/VIA
Polling Rate—8000 Hz
Software—QMK Launcher
Top Plate—Full Metal
Feet—Two-stage adjustable
← See the full ranking of best mechanical keyboards