 |
| The Keychron Q6 Ultra 8K will run ZMK firmware for efficiency. |
If you’ve used a wireless mechanical keyboard, you know the drill: great feel, clacky satisfaction, but a lurking anxiety about battery life. Keychron’s popular models, like the Q13 Max or K4 HE, have offered solid endurance—anywhere from 83 to 100 hours. That’s enough for a couple of busy work weeks, but still a monthly charging commitment.
Now, Keychron is turning "decent" into "decisive" with its new Q Ultra and V Ultra series, promising not weeks, but months of use on a single charge. The secret? A shift to ZMK firmware, renowned in custom keyboard circles for its exceptional efficiency.
 |
| Keychron Q6 Ultra. |
The Q Ultra Series: Premium Build, Monumental Battery
The first wave includes the Q1 Ultra, Q3 Ultra, and Q6 Ultra. These aren't just incremental updates. By adopting ZMK, Keychron projects a staggering 660 hours of battery life—that’s over 27 days of continuous typing. While exact battery capacities aren't listed yet, this leap suggests a keyboard you might charge quarterly, not weekly.
All three share a premium foundation:
- CNC Aluminum Chassis with gasket mount for a flexy, comfortable typing experience.
- Internal Case Foams for a deeper, more muted acoustic profile.
- New CNC Aluminum Knob (similar to the one on the excellent Q1 HE 8K).
- Beloved KSA Keycaps, made from durable, double-shot PBT with a retro profile.
- Tri-Mode Connectivity: 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth, and USB-C wired.
- 8K Polling Rate, the new competitive standard for ultra-responsive input.
They differ where it counts:
- Q6 Ultra ($239.99): The full-size powerhouse. It includes a num pad, a full navigation cluster, a row of macro keys, and that customizable knob in the function row.
- Q3 Ultra ($229.99): A Tenkeyless (TKL) format. It loses the num pad but keeps the arrow keys, nav cluster, and knob for a more compact desk footprint.
- Q1 Ultra ($229.99): A sleek 75% layout. It retains the arrow keys and knob but condenses the layout further, maximizing space for your mouse.
The V Ultra Series: Premium Features, Approachable Price
For enthusiasts wanting the core advancements without the full premium price tag, the V Ultra series is the answer. The V1 Ultra, V3 Ultra, and V5 Ultra mirror the layouts of their Q-series counterparts but housed in a high-quality plastic case.
 |
| Keychron Q1 Ultra wireless mechcanical keyboard in black. |
 |
| Keychron Q3 Ultra wireless mechcanical keyboard in white. |
 |
| Keychron Q3 Ultra wireless mechcanical keyboard in black. |
 |
| Keychron Q6 Ultra wireless mechcanical keyboard in white. |
 |
| Keychron Q6 Ultra 8K wireless mechcanical keyboard in black. |
 |
| Keychron Q6 Ultra wireless mechcanical keyboard in white. |
Key differences that might sway your choice:
- More Affordable: The V1 and V3 Ultra start at $114.99, with the V5 Ultra at $119.99.
- OSA Keycap Profile: These are still double-shot PBT, but use a profile closer to Cherry or OEM, which many typists find immediately familiar.
- Lighter Weight: The plastic construction makes them notably more portable.
- 1800 Layout (V5 Ultra): Unlike the full-size Q6, the V5 Ultra uses a compact 1800 layout. It keeps the num pad and knob but uses a 1u zero key and a smarter key arrangement to save even more desk space—a clever design reminiscent of boards like the Epomaker Galaxy 100, but further refined.
Available in minimalist black or white with a red escape key accent, the V Ultra series launches in late January.
The New Switch in Town: Silk POM
Launching alongside these keyboards are Keychron’s new Silk POM switches. Made entirely from POM (Polyoxymethylene, or Delrin), a material prized for its self-lubricating properties and incredibly smooth glide, these switches aim to be a premium stock option.
They will be available in both linear and tactile variants, effectively serving as direct upgrades to Keychron's previous Red, Brown, and Banana switch offerings, promising a buttery-smooth feel right out of the box.
The Bottom Line
Keychron is addressing one of the last remaining pain points of wireless mechanical keyboards: battery anxiety. With the Q Ultra series, they’re offering a no-compromise, ultra-long-endurance premium option. With the V Ultra series, they’re bringing that groundbreaking efficiency and core features to a much wider audience. Whether you're a professional writer, a programmer, or a gamer who hates charging peripherals, your next keyboard might just be a Keychron—and your charger might just get lonely.
 |
| Keychron V3 Ultra wireless mechanical keyboard in white. |
 |
| Keychron V3 Ultra wireless mechanical keyboard in black |
 |
| eychron V5 Ultra wireless mechanical keyboard in black. |