Not everyone appreciates the luxury of a mechanical keyboard. Many people like the flat keys that come with a laptop; they don’t have to deal with the price premiums, variety, and complexity of mechanical switches. Among those making the leap to mechanical switches, many are happy to settle on a keyboard with some type of switch pre-installed. But the Keychron Q2 is for those who want to go an inch or two further down the rabbit hole.
I say an inch or two because the Q2 comes fully assembled (or only the switches and keycaps missing), allowing you to choose the level of customization – and offering options that only a mechanical keyboard enthusiast would consider.
| Features at a Glance: Keychron Q2 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| The cheapest | Dearest | As verified | |
| Switches | No, hot swap | Gateron G Pro Red, Blue or Brown, hot swap | |
| Keycaps | Double PBT | ||
| Connection options | USB-C to USB-C cable, USB-C to USB-A adapter | ||
| Backlight | RGB | ||
| Size (without caps) | 12.89 x 4.76 x 0.79 – 1.33 inches (327.5 x 121 x 20 – 33.8 mm) | ||
| Weight | ~ 3.13 lb (1420 g) | 3.63 ± 0.02 lb (1645 ± 10 g) | |
| Guarantee | 1 year | ||
| Price (suggested retail price) | $149 | $179 | |
| Other perks | Basic kit; cap remover; switch puller; screwdriver; hex key; 4x additional spacers; 2 additional rubber feet; 2 additional hex head screws; 2 additional Philips screws | Pre-assembled with volume control; cap remover; switch puller; screwdriver; hex key; 4x additional spacers; 2 additional rubber feet; 2 additional hex head screws; 2 additional Philips screws |
These options include a padded construction, sound absorbing foam, and pre-lubricated switches that should eliminate rattle or cheap stabilizer clatter. The Q2 is a surprisingly hefty 65% keyboard built to last, and while the $150 starting price isn’t cheap, it’s more digestible than other high-end competitors.
Purchase options
As with some other keyboards, including the wireless Keychron K14, Keychron offers many options when purchasing the Q2. You can get it as a full-featured keyboard with pre-installed mechanical switches and keycaps, or as a basic kit (without switches and keycaps). The base kit is a great option for enthusiasts who want more customization options than the off-the-shelf model but don’t want to build a mechanical keyboard from scratch. The barebone variant is only $20-$30 cheaper than the fully assembled version, so it’s not worth choosing just for the sake of savings.
Whether you’re building a keyboard or not, you’ll have to decide if it’s going to have an Insert key, like a traditional 65% keyboard, or a rotary knob. The pen costs an extra $10, but you can interact with it in three ways (turn clockwise, turn counterclockwise, and press). The pen is programmable so you can set it up to also serve as an insert.
You also have three color options: the body can be black, gray, or blue, and the assembled Q2 comes with Gateron G Pro Red, Blue, or Brown switches (all for the same price).
Exemplary but imperfect sound
The Q2 looks and feels unique, but what really sets it apart is the lack of sonic artifacts. I tested the Q2 with G Pro Brown switches. Each keystroke was accompanied by a soft plastic sound when lowered, and a more agitated plastic noise with a little pop when raised. I didn’t hear the metallic ringing, even when I often sank to the bottom. I recklessly pushed big buttons like Space and Back, but the stabilizer didn’t rattle at me. All I heard was the sound of well-oiled switches being actuated, the soft click of keycaps, and the dull clang of the spacebar and other large keys.
This hollow sound contrasted with the rest of the keyboard; someone even asked me if I type on two different keyboards. (I also heard a rare quiet echo when pressing the right shift key hard.) Some enthusiasts hate the muffled-sounding key, but I was more concerned about how large the keys differ from others.