Key Takeaways
1. Keychron’s Q12 HE is a versatile wireless keyboard designed for both gaming and productivity, featuring a nearly full-size layout with a left-handed num pad.
2. The keyboard includes tri-mode connectivity options: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and wired, enhancing its usability across different devices.
3. It features Gateron Double-Rail Magnetic Nebula switches and a gasket mount design for a smooth, cushioned typing experience with minimized sound feedback.
4. The Q12 HE has double-shot PBT keycaps in OSA profile and south-facing per-key RGB backlighting, though it lacks shine-through lighting.
5. Priced at $249.99, the Q12 HE is currently available only on Keychron’s online store, with plans to be listed on Amazon later.
Keychron keeps impressing with its modular designs, enabling the company to release new keyboards or layouts almost weekly. Their latest product blends gaming and productivity seamlessly, creating a versatile wireless keyboard. The Keychron Q12 HE showcases a nearly full-size layout similar to the Q5 HE (currently priced at $249.99 on Amazon), featuring a left-handed num pad. This layout aims to provide the advantages of a 75% design while ensuring you have all the necessary keys for effective work. Additionally, it offers tri-mode connectivity, supporting both Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz connections along with a wired option.
Unique Design Features
One of the standout features of the Q12 HE is its left-handed design and sleek appearance. It comes close to a full 100% layout, replacing the standard navigation cluster above the arrow keys with a compact column that includes page up, page down, and home buttons. There’s also a set of three customizable shortcut buttons located above the num pad, making it just three keys shy of a complete 104-key setup. The Q12 HE also includes a customizable knob in the top left corner, which is set for volume control by default, but it can be reprogrammed for any key or macro.
Enhanced Typing Experience
Similar to the Keychron K4 HE we previously reviewed, the Q12 HE comes equipped with Gateron Double-Rail Magnetic Nebula switches. We found these switches to provide smooth performance and a clean sound profile. The Q12 HE features a gasket mount design that minimizes negative sound feedback while giving a cushioned typing experience, akin to what we noted in our review of the Q13 Max. Constructed from CNC aluminum, the case is finished with an e-coat in Shell White and Carbon Black options. Unlike the Q13 Max, the Q12 HE has an aluminum plate, which is expected to deliver a brighter sound and better input accuracy compared to the PC plate used in the Q13 Max.
Keycap and Lighting Details
The Q12 HE features double-shot PBT keycaps in Keychron’s OSA profile, which do not allow shine-through lighting. These keycaps maintain a familiar height found in most gaming keyboards while lending a unique look to the Q12 HE. From our experience, Keychron’s OSA keycaps are comfortable to type on, though they could be a bit thicker. The keyboard includes south-facing per-key RGB backlighting, which complicates finding alternative keycap sets with shine-through legends that function well.
While the Keychron Q12 HE lacks the 8 kHz polling rate found in some keyboards like the Wooting 80HE, its 1 kHz polling rate is sufficient for most gaming scenarios. The keyboard is equipped with QMK firmware, which allows for complete remapping and extensive personalization through Keychron’s Launcher software. This browser-based application offers features such as adjustable actuation, rapid trigger, SOCD, and DKS support, along with onboard macros that many gaming keyboards skip.
Availability and Pricing
Currently, the Keychron Q12 HE is available only through the Keychron online store, though it will be listed on the brand’s Amazon storefront later. The retail price is set at $249.99.
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