As an engineer and technical writer, I spend many hours every day tapping away at a keyboard. The two monitors, keyboard and mouse are my most valuable tools to get my work done. So making sure these components are optimized for my workflow is crucial to my daily life.
I’ve tested many keyboards over the past few years and most of them ranged in size from 60% to 96%. But in recent weeks, my fingers have been flying on a full-sized keyboard, with a 100% layout.
Keychron sent the Q6 Pro button model fully assembled in Shell White with Keychron K Pro banana keys. This model is priced at €205 and is ready to use right out of the box with a keycap puller, switch puller, screwdriver, hex wrench, and USB-C to USB cable. C in the box.
My wife thinks the Shell White color is straight out of the 80s and I completely agree. With some light gray color accents and red accent keys, the Q6 Pro fits in perfectly with my desktop. A rotary knob on the right side can be programmed to your preferred quick setting, which is a nice touch. By default it behaves like a volume control, and I kept it that way.
Support for Bluetooth 5.1 wireless connection
Banana switches are tactile keys with a gentle sound level. I like that they are neither too strong nor too weak; when I hit the keys there is a satisfying click.
Matthew Miller/ZDNET
One of the differences between the Q6 and the Q6 Pro is support for a Bluetooth 5.1 wireless connection, so you can pair the newer model with a tablet or smartphone. I tested the Q6 Pro with an iPad Pro and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Plus, both of which received inputs adequately. For more mobile lifestyles, having wireless connectivity is a game-changer.
Keychron claims 100 hours of work with the RGB lights at the lowest brightness and 300 hours of battery life with the backlight off. I’ll have to use the keyboard a little longer to see if the company’s claims hold true. So far, the battery has held up well.
Key mapping, shortcuts, macro commands
Twenty-two variations of RGB backlight settings are available. You can make patterns appear on the keyboard or even make lights appear when you activate each key. I recommend taking some time and trying out the different lighting modes, as there is a lot to customize. The dual-strike Keychron KSA (spherical angle) profile is very comfortable with a palm rest positioned to elevate your hands to the correct typing level.
Matthew Miller/ZDNET
As with most Keychron mechanical keyboards, you can customize your experience with VIA software that supports key mapping, shortcuts, macro commands, and more.
ZDNET’s purchasing advice
The Keychron Q5 Pro offers a similar experience in a 96% layout that’s a bit narrower than the Q6 Pro. It seems like every new model Keychron ships prompts me to replace a previous model.
I plan to use the Q6 Pro as my primary keyboard because of all the features and space it offers. I haven’t had any issues using the keyboard, and I also like the way it sounds with the banana switches. I can always change the switches, that’s one of the nice things about most mechanical keyboards.
Mechanical keyboards offer a nostalgic typing experience that many enjoy. The is one of the few keyboards that has a 100% full-size layout and is also customizable. The ability to change the switches to adapt the keyboard to your personal preferences – and the keys thanks to the VIA software – makes this a keyboard you will be able to use for a long time. This is what you have to do when you pay more than €200 for such a keyboard.