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Keychron - Q1 Max vs SteelSeries - Apex Pro TKL (2023)

Last updated · How Mars Score works
Q1 MaxKEYCHRONRENDER
Probe A
Keychron
Q1 Max
44.3/ 100D
Switches—· 40%
Layout & Build—· 30%
Connectivity44· 30%
Apex Pro TKL (2023)STEELSERIESRENDER
Probe B
SteelSeries
Apex Pro TKL (2023)
95.0/ 100S
Switches—· 40%
Layout & Build—· 30%
Connectivity95· 30%
Quick verdict

Between the Q1 Max and Apex Pro TKL (2023), the Q1 Max comes out ahead in hot-swappable and rotary knob, while the Apex Pro TKL (2023) wins on polling rate and size. Overall, the Q1 Max scores 44.3 and the Apex Pro TKL (2023) scores 95 on our Mars Score.

Buying advice

Which should you buy?

The Apex Pro TKL (2023) is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 50.7 points on the Mars Score. The margin is wide enough that the underdog only makes sense if its individual strengths line up with what you specifically need.

Pick the Q1 Max if you care most about hot-swappable and rotary knob. The biggest gaps in its favor are hot-swappable, rotary knob, wireless.

Pick the Apex Pro TKL (2023) if you care most about polling rate and size. Its strongest claims are polling rate, size.

There are no meaningful ties on the headline specs — every popular-comparison metric has a winner.

Bottom line: the Apex Pro TKL (2023) is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.

Why Keychron - Q1 Max wins

  • ▲Has Hot-swappable.
  • ▲Has Rotary knob.
  • ▲Wireless: true (vs false).

Why SteelSeries - Apex Pro TKL (2023) wins

  • ▲Polling rate — 700.00% more. 8000 Hz vs 1000 Hz.
  • ▲Size: TKL (vs 75%).
Full readout

Spec comparison

Switches

SpecKeychron - Q1 MaxSteelSeries - Apex Pro TKL (2023)
Switch typeGateron JupiterOmniPoint 2.0 Hall-effect
Hot-swappabletrueleadfalse

Layout & Build

SpecKeychron - Q1 MaxSteelSeries - Apex Pro TKL (2023)
Size75%TKLlead
RGBtruetrue
Rotary knobtrueleadfalse
Case materialAluminumAluminum

Connectivity

SpecKeychron - Q1 MaxSteelSeries - Apex Pro TKL (2023)
Wirelesstrueleadfalse
2.4 GHztrueleadfalse
Battery100 hlead0 h
Polling rate1000 Hz8000 Hzlead
Reader questions

Frequently asked

Drill down

Spec-level deep dives

Switch type→Hot-swappable→Size→RGB→Rotary knob→Case material→Wireless→2.4 GHz→Battery→Polling rate→
By manufacturer

More from the same brands

Keychron →4
SteelSeries →4

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