The Keychron Q3 HE is a good compact mechanical keyboard, one that gives a lot of customization because of its Corridor Impact switches.
It is 2025 and it is raining keyboards, be they large, small, mechanical, low-profile, RGB lights, wired, or wi-fi. With a cavalcade of options as huge because the acts from an Eighties Vaudeville present, the trade is busting on the seams.
Firms around the globe are producing wonderful keyboards, however Keychron stands out as an trade chief with its staggering array of kinds, colours, and options. In contrast to many producers, Keychron presents keyboards focused at Mac customers with cross-platform compatibility.
The Keychron Q3 HE is likely one of the newest releases from the corporate, and I put it by an prolonged take a look at drive in my seek for the mechanical keyboard to earn a everlasting place in my workspace.
Keychron Q3 HE evaluate: Contained in the field
The Q3 HE is a mechanical keyboard that helps 2.4GHz, Bluetooth connectivity, and wired connections with a wide range of customizations. It is an 80% Tenkeyless design, in that it loses out on the numpad often positioned on the left-hand facet.
The sturdy and well-packed Keychron Q3 HE field
It arrives in a black field with a metallic brand. The keyboard and equipment are packaged in heavy foam cutouts for max journey security.
Contained in the field:
Q3 HE Max keyboard
Fast begin information
USB-A to USB-C cable
USB adapter
USB 2.4 GHz dongle
Hex driver
Keycap and puller software
Additional keycaps (for Mac or Home windows configurations)
PCB Stabilizers
Handbook
Keychron Q3 HE evaluate: Construct High quality
The Q3 HE has a metallic case, and even on the decreased measurement, I used to be shocked by the burden of it. This can be a very weighty compact keyboard that can face up to the trials of each day use, and it seems beautiful as properly.
Keychron solely presents the Q3 HE in two colours: Carbon Black and Shell White.
The Keychron Q3 HE has Corridor Impact magnetic switches
The Q3 HE arrives with Gateron Magnetic Nebula switches as commonplace. They’re the one switches out there for the Q3 HE on the Keychron web site.
The HE refers back to the switches being magnetic Corridor Impact switches, which makes use of magnetic discipline sensing to cope with change actuations. This permits a substantial quantity of customization for the person to say how a lot they need to press on the important thing for it to be counted as an precise press.
Each Keychron product I’ve examined to date feels prefer it’s constituted of premium supplies and constructed to final for years. The Q3 HE is not any exception.
From the case to the keycaps, the adapters and instruments, all the things within the field appears like a white glove service.
The again of the keyboard features a USB-C port for charging the interior battery, or utilizing the keyboard in wired mode. There are additionally two switches subsequent to the USB port.
One change lets you change between Bluetooth or cable connection varieties. The opposite change toggles between default Mac and Home windows configurations.
Keychron Q3 HE evaluate: Customization
The Q3 HE presents all kinds of customization choices. From customized third-party keycap customizations to the remapping variations out there from Keychron’s proprietary Keychron Launcher software, the sky is the restrict.
The Keychron Launcher software is web-based, and it lets you change all the things from keymapping to the interior RGB lights, in addition to permitting you so as to add customized macros.
Rear switches and USB-C of the Keychron Q3 HE
As with earlier Keychron keyboards, the Keychron Launcher requires you to attach the Q3 HE to your pc with the USB-C cable offered to customise it. You additionally get a USB-C to USB-A adapter, simply in case you want it.
Earlier variations of the Keychron Launcher didn’t play properly with Mac and several other browsers. Now, the method is easy, and it’s good to see a producer handle high quality of life points.
The RGB lights on the Q3 HE are beautiful. The distinction of the intense lights in opposition to the white metallic physique and keycaps makes all the things pop visually in a method that darkish RGB keyboards can’t handle.
Keychron Q3 HE evaluate: In use
I used the Q3 HE for per week, previous to penning this evaluate, and I can report that it was a really, superb expertise. That is the perfect Keychron expertise I’ve needed to date.
The Q3 HE is the quietest mechanical keyboard I’ve ever used. This can be a compact keyboard, and I completely love the tactile really feel of the keys and the smooth, deeply satisfying non-sound from the keys whereas typing.
The Keychron Q3 HE’s RGB lighting system
In case you choose to make use of low-profile keyboards or the Magic Keyboard, like I do, I can report that I by no means had a second the place I felt my fingers cramping, and there was zero adjustment time wanted. The Q3 HE simply works for me.
The quantity adjustment push knob on the Q3 HE is wonderful, and it’s a easy high quality of life characteristic that I like. It actually not one thing I anticipated, and the clickable knob made quick-muting really feel satisfying.
On my workspace, I exploit a digital drawing pill with my proper hand and a wi-fi keyboard with my left hand for key instructions. I would like to maneuver the pill and the keyboard round usually all through my workday, and I discover most full-size keyboards to be cumbersome on this area.
I just lately examined a Keychron K10 Max, and it was on my desk once I examined the Q3 HE. Nearly as good because the K10 Max is, for me and my workspace, the Q3 HE is best.
The compact measurement of the Q3 HE makes use of the identical footprint as a Mac Magic Keyboard. The heavier weight of the keyboard additionally prevented undesirable motion whereas working and taking part in video games.
Keychron Q3 HE evaluate: A wonderful compact mechanical keyboard
The Q3 HE is an incredible mechanical keyboard, and I extremely advocate it.
The retail value of the Q3 HE is $239, and that isn’t anyplace near cheap or budget-friendly for many, however the sticker value is price it.
You get loads of important keys on the Keychron Q3 HE, however not a numpad.
I’ve examined many Keychron mechanical keyboards, and I like the construct high quality, the burden, and the broad potential for customizations with the Q3 HE.
The Q3 HE has the identical disadvantage Keychron has with most of their keyboards, specifically a extreme lack of case colour choices. With the Q3 HE, it’s both black or white, nothing else.
Outdoors of some small notes, the Q3 HE is great, and it’s a part of my workspace now. I’m thrilled to have one.
Keychron Q3 HE Execs
Quiet tactile keys
Small workspace footprint
Excessive construct high quality
Glorious customization choices in software program
Keychron Q3 HE Cons
Excessive entry value for keyboards
Case colour choices are restricted
Ranking 4.5 out of 5
The place to purchase the Keychron Q3 HE
The Keychron Q3 HE is offered on the Keychron web site for $239. It’s also out there on Amazon for $244.
