Key Takeaways
1. Keychron launched two new wireless mechanical keyboard series: the high-end Q Ultra 8K and the budget-friendly V Ultra 8K.
2. The V Ultra 8K series is made from plastic, making it lighter and easier to carry compared to the aluminum Q Ultra 8K series.
3. Both keyboard series feature the same Silk POM mechanical switches, available in three options: Red, Brown, and Banana.
4. The V Ultra 8K keyboards include enhanced CNC aluminum covers for programmable knobs, allowing for full remapping and multiple functions.
5. The V Ultra 8K cases allow for adjustable typing angles (4°, 7°, and 10°), providing customization for user comfort.
We recently shared news about Keychron’s new wireless mechanical keyboard series, featuring the high-end Q Ultra 8K and the more budget-friendly V Ultra 8K lines. This launch included some visual tweaks and a fresh choice of switches. Notably, Keychron has switched from the open-source QMK firmware to ZMK firmware, which is likely aimed at achieving better battery life thanks to ZMK’s efficiency. Following the initial release, the Q Ultra 8K keyboards were available, and now the V Ultra 8K models can also be purchased from the Keychron website, starting at $114.99 for the V1 and V3 Ultra 8K, and going up to $119.99 for the V5 Ultra 8K.
Design Changes
The most significant distinction between the Q Ultra 8K series and the V Ultra 8K models is the material used for their cases; the V Ultra 8K series is made from plastic instead of aluminum. Additionally, the keycaps differ, with the V Ultra 8K series using OSA keycaps rather than KSA ones. Technically, the Keychron V Ultra 8K keyboards deliver the same performance as the Q Ultra 8K, but their plastic casings do provide some benefits. For instance, the V Ultra 8K keyboards are lighter, making them easier to carry around if desired. The same Silk POM mechanical switches introduced with the Q Ultra 8K series are included here too, available in 45 gf linear Red, 55 gf tactile Brown, and 57 gf tactile Banana options. The Banana switches give a firmer tactile feel compared to the Brown switches, similar to Gateron’s Jupiter Banana switches, which are currently priced at $39.98 for 110 switches on Amazon—recently reviewed in the Keychron Q13 Max.
Features and Adjustability
In addition, the V Ultra 8K series showcases enhanced CNC aluminum covers for the programmable knobs. Not only can the keyboard’s keys be fully remapped, but the knob can also be set up to execute a variety of functions, such as mouse keys, macros, and virtually anything else a standard key press can perform. Unlike the Q Ultra 8K series, the V Ultra 8K cases also permit typing angle adjustments with kick-out feet, accommodating angles of 4°, 7°, and 10°.
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