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Scored using Keyboards Methodology v1.0
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Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Keyboards Methodology v1.0: technical specifications plus authentic consumer ratings, with 0% commercial bias.
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Keychron Q9 QMK Review | 64 Data compared

Avg. price:~£120Layout size:?Connection type:USBSwitch type:mechanicalPolling rate:1000 Hz

Keychron Q9 QMK Review: Compare 64 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Keyboards category and whether it is worth buying.

Keychron Q9 QMK
6.2/10

Overall score

Score
6.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the keyboard's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best keyboards on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 77% of models
Score components

80%

6.2

Technical score

20%

?

User score

â–¼Worse than 77% of keyboards
7.3

Value for money

Value for money
7.3/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the keyboard's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a keyboard that offers a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 80% of models
Score components

70%

6.2

Overall score

30%

9.9

Price

â–¼Worse than 80%
6.2

Technical score

Technical score
6.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Keyboards category across these key areas: Switches, Design, Connectivity & Power, Features, Materials.
When it matters
When you want to compare keyboards based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 69% of models
Score components

34%

6.5

Connectivity & Power

28%

3.3

Switches

20%

10

Materials

12%

7.4

Features

6%

3.5

Design

â–¼Worse than 69%
?

User score

User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the keyboard.
When it matters
When you want to understand how a keyboard performs in daily use or gaming and how reliable it is in terms of typing feel, noise level, comfort, and long-term durability.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 64% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

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Best prices
    N/A~ £120
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of keyboard Keychron Q9 QMK

Technical score
Technical score
6.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Keyboards category across these key areas: Switches, Design, Connectivity & Power, Features, Materials.
When it matters
When you want to compare keyboards based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 69% of models
Score components:

34%

6.5

Connectivity & Power

28%

3.3

Switches

20%

10

Materials

12%

7.4

Features

6%

3.5

Design

6.2
User score
User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the keyboard.
When it matters
When you want to understand how a keyboard performs in daily use or gaming and how reliable it is in terms of typing feel, noise level, comfort, and long-term durability.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 64% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

?
Popularity
Popularity
1.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the keyboard.
When it matters
When you prefer a keyboard that has already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 99% of models
Popularity:
Keychron Q9 QMK has a popularity score of 1 point, which is lower than that of 82.4% of products in this category.
1.0
Value for money
Value for money
7.3/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the keyboard's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a keyboard that offers a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 80% of models
Score components:

70%

6.2

Overall score

30%

9.9

Price

7.3
Switch type
mechanical
Switch feel
?
Switch name
?
Actuation force
45 g
Min actuation distance
2 mm
Market range: <0.1 mm – >2 mm
This keyboard has a minimum actuation distance of 2 mm, which is longer than 66.5% of keyboards and equal to 33.2% of keyboards.
Show more
Keyboard type
mechanical
Layout size
?
Layout standard
?
N. of keys
51
Market range: <64 – >108
This keyboard has 51 keys, which is fewer than 100% of keyboards.
Profile
standard
Show more
Connection type
USB
This keyboard offers USB connectivity, which is less versatile than 57.6% of keyboards and equal to 42.5% of keyboards.
Multi-device pairing
N/A
Bluetooth version
N/A
Mac compatibility
yes
This keyboard is Mac compatible. 58% of keyboards are Mac compatible.
Battery life
N/A
Show more
RGB lighting
yes
This keyboard has RGB lighting. 12.4% of keyboards have RGB lighting.
Per-key RGB
yes
This keyboard has per-key RGB lighting. 27.6% of keyboards have per-key RGB lighting.
RGB zones
47
Market range: <0 – >104
This keyboard has 47 RGB zones, which is fewer than 81.4% of keyboards.
Underglow / side lighting
no
This keyboard does not include underglow lighting. 8% of keyboards include underglow lighting.
Backlight direction
south-facing
Show more
Case material
aluminum
Plate material
steel
Keycap material
PBT
Keycap profile
OSA
Legend method
double-shot
This keyboard uses double-shot legends, which are more durable than 25.1% of keyboards and equal to 74.9% of keyboards.
Show more

Keychron Q9 QMK vs the average keyboard

246810TotalDesignConnectivity & PowerSwitchesMaterialsFeatures
  • Works with Mac
    This keyboard is Mac compatible, the average keyboard is not. 42.3% of keyboards are Mac compatible.
  • Supports QMK
    This keyboard supports QMK, the average keyboard does not. 28.8% of keyboards support QMK.
  • Supports VIA
    This keyboard supports VIA, the average keyboard does not. 26.3% of keyboards support VIA.
  • 7.25 mm lower keyboard height
    This keyboard is lower than the average keyboard (31 mm vs 38.25 mm). The average keyboard height is 38.25 mm.
    31 mm vs 38.25 mm
  • 7.25 mm lower keyboard height
    This keyboard is lower than the average keyboard (31 mm vs 38.25 mm). The average keyboard height is 38.25 mm.
    31 mm vs 38.25 mm
  • Works with Mac
    This keyboard is Mac compatible, the average keyboard is not. 42.3% of keyboards are Mac compatible.
  • Supports QMK
    This keyboard supports QMK, the average keyboard does not. 28.8% of keyboards support QMK.
  • Supports VIA
    This keyboard supports VIA, the average keyboard does not. 26.3% of keyboards support VIA.
  • Less versatile connectivity
    This keyboard offers less versatile connectivity than the average keyboard (USB vs USB / 2.4GHz / Bluetooth). The average keyboard offers USB / 2.4GHz / Bluetooth connectivity.
    USB vs USB / 2.4GHz / Bluetooth
  • 36 fewer keys
    This keyboard has fewer keys than the average keyboard (51 vs 87). The average keyboard has 87 keys.
    51 vs 87
  • 0.3 mm longer minimum actuation distance
    This keyboard has a longer minimum actuation distance than the average keyboard (2 mm vs 1.7 mm). The average keyboard has a minimum actuation distance of 1.7 mm.
    2 mm vs 1.7 mm
  • 36 fewer RGB zones
    This keyboard has fewer RGB zones than the average keyboard (47 vs 83). The average keyboard has 83 RGB zones.
    47 vs 83
  • No adjustable feet
    This keyboard does not have adjustable feet, the average keyboard does. 86.1% of keyboards have adjustable feet.
  • 6.15x less popular
    Keychron Q9 QMK is less popular than the average keyboard (1 vs 6.2).
    1 vs 6.15
  • 7.1% worse value for money
    Keychron Q9 QMK has worse value for money than the average keyboard (7.32 vs 7.8).
    7.32 vs 7.84
  • 7.4% higher weight
    This keyboard weighs more than the average keyboard (1050 g vs 978 g). The average keyboard weighs 978 g.
    1,050 g vs 978 g
  • 6.15x less popular
    Keychron Q9 QMK is less popular than the average keyboard (1 vs 6.2).
    1 vs 6.15
  • 7.1% worse value for money
    Keychron Q9 QMK has worse value for money than the average keyboard (7.32 vs 7.8).
    7.32 vs 7.84
  • 36 fewer keys
    This keyboard has fewer keys than the average keyboard (51 vs 87). The average keyboard has 87 keys.
    51 vs 87
  • No adjustable feet
    This keyboard does not have adjustable feet, the average keyboard does. 86.1% of keyboards have adjustable feet.
  • 7.4% higher weight
    This keyboard weighs more than the average keyboard (1050 g vs 978 g). The average keyboard weighs 978 g.
    1,050 g vs 978 g
  • Less versatile connectivity
    This keyboard offers less versatile connectivity than the average keyboard (USB vs USB / 2.4GHz / Bluetooth). The average keyboard offers USB / 2.4GHz / Bluetooth connectivity.
    USB vs USB / 2.4GHz / Bluetooth
  • 0.3 mm longer minimum actuation distance
    This keyboard has a longer minimum actuation distance than the average keyboard (2 mm vs 1.7 mm). The average keyboard has a minimum actuation distance of 1.7 mm.
    2 mm vs 1.7 mm
  • 36 fewer RGB zones
    This keyboard has fewer RGB zones than the average keyboard (47 vs 83). The average keyboard has 83 RGB zones.
    47 vs 83

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

K
keychron.com.es
01/08/2023
Summary of the review
How to do a keyboard test for the QMK-enabled Keychron keyboard on Launcher
(Translated)Show original

Third-party reviews

What we like about Keychron Q9 QMK

  • Premium full CNC-machined aluminum body provides extreme durability and weight
  • Double-gasket design offers a cushioned, springy typing feel with good sound dampening
  • Deep customization via QMK/VIA allows for complex macro programming and layer remapping
  • Includes a high-quality rotary encoder (knob) for programmable controls like volume or zoom
  • Features hot-swappable sockets and south-facing RGB for broad switch and keycap compatibility
  • Comes with a proper inverted-T arrow cluster, which is rare for 40% layout keyboards

What we don't like about Keychron Q9 QMK

  • Heavy and bulky for its size, making it less portable than other ultra-compact keyboards
  • Requires frequent layer switching for common keys like Backspace, Escape, and symbols
  • Wired-only connectivity with no built-in wireless or Bluetooth options
  • Tall profile can be ergonomically challenging and uncomfortable without a separate wrist rest
  • Stock stabilizers are occasionally reported as 'clacky' or inconsistent compared to high-end custom sets

Verdict

The Keychron Q9 QMK is an ultra-compact 40% mechanical keyboard with a CNC-machined aluminum body, a double-gasket structure, and full QMK/VIA support for deep remapping. It offers hot-swappable sockets, south-facing RGB lighting, screw-in stabilizers, and premium PBT keycaps, all in a dense layout that still preserves dedicated arrow keys. Its main strengths are the excellent build quality, extensive customization options, and refined typing feel for such a small board. The main drawbacks are a steep learning curve due to the missing number row and heavy reliance on layers, along with relatively high weight for a 40% keyboard.

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