Keychron Q2 mechanical keyboard review: Price And Specifications

 

Introduction

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The custom mechanical keyboard world is booming lately, especially because of ASMR Tiktok videos showing off typing sounds. But getting your hands on these modified keyboards can be tough and pricey for regular buyers. Keychron, however, has stayed on trend by launching the impressive gasket mount mechanical keyboard, the Q2. Unlike the Q1's 75% size, this one's a 65% board. It comes at a slightly higher price of $179 compared to its predecessor's $169.

Specifications 

Switches: Gateron G Pro Brown

Lights: Not individually controlled

Memory: Can store 5 different profiles

Special Keys: A spinning knob or can be set up differently

Connects with: USB Type-C

Cable length: 6 feet. Covered with braided material

Extra Connectors: None

Key Covers: Doubleshot PBT material

Programs Used: QMK, VIA

Size: 327.5 x 121 x 33.8mm

Weight: 3.6 pounds

Pros & Cons

Strengths

• Gasket-mounted structure
•  Long-lasting build
•  Rotary dial feature
•  Secure screw-in stabilizers
• Compatible with QMK/VIA

Weaknesses

• Poor quality keycaps
• High price point
• Lacks per-key RGB control in software

Design

The Keychron Q2 is a 65% mechanical keyboard that connects to your computer and has special features. It's made with strong materials like aluminum and has soft foam inside to make it quieter. The keys are strong and won't fade easily, and you can change the colors of the lights. It works with both Windows and Mac computers. You can also change its settings using special software.

This is the second version of this kind of keyboard made by Keychron. The first one was called the Q1. I really liked the Q1 even though it had some problems like being too loud and heavy. But the way it felt when typing was really good.

Now, with the Q2, Keychron used a different way to hold the keys in place. They used two layers of soft material, which makes the keys feel bouncy. This kind of material is used in expensive keyboards because it's soft and makes typing feel good.

The Q2 also has soft material inside the keyboard case, which helps reduce loud sounds when typing. Even though this doesn't change how it feels to type, it does make it quieter.

I was excited to hear that the Q2 comes with strong keycaps that have the letters printed on them. But when I used them, they didn't feel good to type on. Even though they are thick, they don't feel as good as other strong keycaps I've used.

The problem is that light shines unexpectedly through some keys on the keyboard when I turn on the RGB. It's actually kind of funny because these keys aren't supposed to let light through. The keys look unfinished because of a strange process used to make them, even though they're not thin. The spacebar is really bendy, and underneath it, there are no marks to make it stronger.

There's a knob on the top right that I like because I can adjust the volume with it. But there's something weird about the knob area—it has a square cut-out that looks odd. You could replace the knob with a different key, but it'd be better to get the version without the knob in that spot.

Like most keyboards nowadays, this one connects with a USB-C cable. But unlike the previous version, this one doesn't come with a coiled aviator cable to save money. Honestly, it's a good decision because the old cable wasn't great; its edges were frayed.

Next to the USB-C port, there's a switch for choosing between Windows or Mac. It moves a bit, but unless you mess with it often, you probably won't notice.

Just like the previous version, this keyboard's body is made of aluminum and it's heavy, about 3.6 pounds. The last version had a problem with getting scratched easily, but this one doesn't seem to have that issue when I change the switches.

I really liked the stabilizers on the last version. They were screw-in and worked well, unlike some others I tried. The new stabilizers are even better; they click into place nicely and don't rattle as much as the old ones.

My favorite thing about this keyboard is that it supports VIA and QMK. VIA is my favorite software for keyboards because even though it has lots of features, it's super easy to use.

Typing Experience

Upon unboxing the Q2, I noticed a significant increase in flexibility compared to the Q1. This difference seems to be due to the poron gaskets. However, the model I received came equipped with Gateron G Pro Brown switches, which are reputed to have less movement than standard Gateron switches. But, for me, they felt like rather uninteresting Brown switches. Luckily, there's an option to get this board with Gateron G Pro Red or Pro Blue switches, and it's also hot-swappable.

I previously expressed my dislike for the Q2’s keycaps, but their OEM spherical angled (OSA) shape proved comfortable for typing. They were slightly taller than my usual cherry profile but not tall enough to require relearning typing techniques. The rounded indents on the caps felt pleasant against my fingertips. Placing my fingers on the caps felt like they were custom-molded. While the shape is good, Keychron needs to enhance the structure of its caps.

With the Gateron G Pro Brown switches and OSA keycaps, my MonkeyType score was as I expected with a different keycap shape – 87 WPM, a bit slower than my usual.

In my review of the Q1, I criticized its somewhat hollow sound, especially considering it's a gasket mount board. Fortunately, Keychron listened, and the Q2 doesn’t have that hollow sound at all.

Overall, I’m genuinely impressed with how the Q2 performs straight from the box. The stabilizers have seen a satisfying improvement. The flexibility, especially with its aluminum plate, is remarkable. Despite some quality issues, the keycaps conform nicely to my fingers.

Gaming Experience

Our top gaming keyboards list doesn't include many 65% keyboards. While these smaller gaming keyboards exist, they might not be the best choice if you want one board for all types of games. The Q2 isn't aimed at gamers, but because it's a 65% layout, remember that when you're shopping.

I love Square Enix's Guardians of the Galaxy, so I installed the Final Fantasy VII Remake to test this keyboard. Honestly, the 65% layout didn't work well for this game. For games like Final Fantasy, I prefer a full-size keyboard. These games require a lot of strategy, so more keys are better.

Although I could play the game, some specific actions felt strange without a numpad. Games like Final Fantasy are often designed with controllers in mind, which might explain why using a keyboard was tricky. But generally, more buttons mean more options.

This isn't Keychron's fault; this keyboard isn't marketed as a gaming one. It doesn't have dedicated macro keys or a super-fast polling rate. Just remember, if you plan to use it for stealth gaming, its size and number of keys may limit you.

Software 

In my review of the Q1, I praised it for supporting VIA and QMK. These are software tools that help with many keyboard functions. They're open-source, meaning anyone can add new features to them. The mechanical keyboard community is big, so more features keep getting added.

The Q2 uses the same microcontroller as the Q1. It has 32KB memory, letting you save up to five profiles on it.

I don't use QMK much because it's old-fashioned and needs coding skills. I forgot my coding skills after college. But VIA is easy to use, just like good keyboard software.

My favorite thing about VIA is its key tester. It helps check if new switches work. It's simple: it shows which key you press on the board.

Thanks to Keychron's skills, I made the rotary knob do more than adjust volume. I turned it into an RGB controller for testing. Pressing the knob turns RGB on/off. Turning left dims it; turning right brightens it.

Surprisingly, even with all its custom options, neither QMK nor VIA have per-key RGB. I don't mind, as I usually turn off RGB. But in software with lots of features, it's like having a watch that tracks steps and stocks but can't show time.

Conclusion 

I really liked the Q1—it's impressive! Though it has a few issues, I still use it sometimes. After trying out the Q2, I think it's fantastic. Despite being smaller, it's got some major improvements.

But, even though it's one of the best boards I've checked out, the keycaps are not great for the price. Also, the square cut for the knob doesn’t look great. Still, it's a strong, adaptable, and performs well as a mechanical keyboard.