Keychron Q3 review

Since we got my first Keychron K2, I’ve built up a great collection. Even though the K2 is a great mechanical keyboard for people just starting out, I kept wanting more. I had to get my hands on Keychron’s new high-end and premium Q-series keyboards as soon as they came out. The Keychron Q3, the newest member of the Q-series, has an 80% tenkeyless (TKL) layout. This means that you can buy a version with or without the knob, and it has almost everything except the number pad.

The Keychron Q3 is a great mechanical keyboard to think about if you don’t need the smallest keyboard but don’t need to type in a lot of numbers. At the moment, you can only buy a Keychron Q3 from the company’s website. It comes in six different versions that you can choose from based on your needs: Barebone ISO, Barebone ISO Knob, Barebone, Barebone Knob, Fully Assembled, and Fully Assembled Knob.

The fully built versions come with OSA PBT keycaps and your choice of Gateron G Pro Red, Brown, or Blue switches. You must buy the switches and keycaps separately with the barebone versions.

Keychron Q3 review: Design

The Keychron Q3 is a TenKeyLess keyboard that can be set up to work well in the office and help you get more done. It’s the third model in the Keychron Q series of keyboards, which have PCBs that can be swapped out quickly and a gasket-mounted design to reduce noise and make typing quieter.

These Q-series keyboards are different from Keychron’s regular keyboards because they have spherical keycaps made of PBT plastic and a different color scheme. There are also no wireless connection options. You can get this keyboard from its official website.

Keychron Q3 review: keys

The Keychron Q3 is different from the Q1 and Q2 versions because it doesn’t have 10 keys. This means that the number pad is gone, but the navigation cluster is still there. This includes more than just the arrow keys and a few buttons.

The way this keyboard is made and put together is simply amazing. The typing has some bounce to it because it is mounted on gaskets. The switches make a quiet, pleasant sound because they are attached to the board and protected by layers of sound-dampening foam. In a similar way, the chassis and baseplate are made of solid aluminum. This makes the keyboard heavy and stable.

Keychron Q3 review: RGB lighting

The main difference between the Q3 and its siblings is how the keyboard is set up. I’ve already said that the Q2 is a 65% board. The Q3 is 80% tenkeyless and has everything except for a number pad. (There is also a 100% version if you need the number pad.)

You also get the Insert, Home, and End buttons along with Page Up, Page Down, and Delete. On top of these six buttons are three more that can take screenshots, start digital assistants, or cycle through the RGB backlight settings.

The good news is that the independent VIA app, which works on computer, Mac, and Linux, lets you fully program these keys. You can change the symbol on a key to match its new function, but you will need to buy a new keycap to do so. I’ll talk about the VIA experience and how to change the RGB lighting later.

Keychron Q3 review: Connectivity

Not being able to connect wirelessly is another problem with the Q3. Because the Q3 is made of all metal, getting a strong wireless connection is hard. Keychron has a great alternative in the K8 Pro if wireless connectivity is important.

Lastly, the Q3 and the other boards in the Q-series are not as cheap as mechanical keyboards made by Keychron, which I often recommend to beginners because they are so cheap. Since most of Keychron’s products cost less than $100, the starting price of $154 for the Q3 may not be appealing to many customers. But the Q-series from Keychron is a great “premium” mechanical keyboard at a fair price. This makes it a good choice for people who really want to get into the mechanical keyboard hobby but don’t know where to start.

Keychron Q3 review: Performance

There are both fully built and unfinished versions of the same build level for sale. Also, the colors Carbon Black, Silver Grey, and Navy Blue have always been the same shades. The red, blue, and brown switches on the Gateron G Pro are the same as before. The only difference between them is the shape and color of the stabilizers. If you want a 65% board, you should get the Q2. Choose the Q3 if you want a stronger and more useful car.

There isn’t a better wireless keyboard that I can think of. A Ducky One 3 might be able to compete with a Q3 QMK, but in terms of performance, it all comes down to what you like. Check out the K2 range if you want a cheaper Keychron wireless keyboard.

Keychron Q3 review: Conclusion

We were really disappointed with the Q3 because the Q2 was so great. But for $184, you still get a gasket-mount mechanical keyboard with many ways to change it (rotary knob version). You can get the Q3 for $20 less if you buy it in its most basic form, with the rotary knob. The Q3 can also be bought without a rotary knob for $174 fully assembled or $154 unassembled (without keycaps or switches).

Even though the knob is in an odd place, this could be the right choice for you if you want a rotary and love the TKL layout. Keychron messed up the typing experience by making the chassis feel hollow and the keyboard not bend at all. Even though this keyboard isn’t bad, Keychron has made better ones. I really want the company to grow, no matter what size of boards it sells.