Keychron Q1 vs. Glorious GMMK Pro: A Head-to-Head After 90 Days
Two enthusiast 75% boards in the same price bracket. Three months of daily typing, identical switch sets, two different sound profiles. Here's how to choose.
Q1 if you'll lube the stabs and want a slightly more 'thocky' sound.
+ What we liked
- ✓Both are CNC aluminum, gasket-mounted, hot-swap
- ✓Both have real QMK/VIA support
- ✓Both feel measurably better than the budget tier
− What could be better
- !Q1's stock stabs need lubing out of the box
- !GMMK Pro's USB-C port has been an inconsistent failure point
If you've narrowed your enthusiast keyboard choice to the Keychron Q1 and the Glorious GMMK Pro, you've made the right shortlist. After 90 days side-by-side, here's the verdict.
What's the same
Both boards are CNC aluminum, gasket mounted, hot-swap, with full QMK/VIA support. Both ship with stock keycaps that are PBT and acceptable, neither great. Both will outlast every laptop you'll own for the next decade.
What's different
Sound. The Q1 ships with a foam dampening configuration that produces a "thocky" deeper sound profile. The GMMK Pro is more "clacky" out of the box. Neither is wrong; you'll prefer one. The GMMK Pro's rotary encoder is heavier and more satisfying.
The bottom line
Either is a good buy. Pick based on sound preference and the form factor of the rotary encoder. Both will be in our long-term fleet for years.
What our readers said
- Iris L.May 17, 2025, 4:22 PM
Good honest review. The 'we don't recommend' section is the part I trust the most — most reviews can't bring themselves to be negative about anything.
- Nadia A.May 18, 2025, 2:39 AM
Reading this on a Saturday morning with my coffee. This is what subscription-supported reviews should look like.
- Yuki S.May 19, 2025, 6:56 AM★★★★★
I came here to see if you'd address the dishwasher question and you did. Bought based on that detail alone. Thanks.
- Jordan R.May 20, 2025, 10:13 AM
Long-term update: nine months in, still going strong. Wish more reviews followed up at the 12-month mark.
- Owen B.May 21, 2025, 2:30 PM
Three months of ownership. The 'set and forget' aspect is real — I genuinely don't think about this thing on a daily basis.
- Lin J.May 22, 2025, 12:47 AM
Year-and-a-half of ownership here. The button labels have worn off but otherwise it's been bulletproof.
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