Keychron P1 HE DAYZ Special Edition Keyboard Review

The Keychron P1 HE DayZ Special Edition keyboard takes one of the company’s best keyboards and puts a DayZ-themed spin on things. Working with the game’s development team, Keychron has been able to go the extra mile while designing a collector-style aesthetic. Here is my review.

A solid starting point

The underlying Keychron P1 HE makes for a superb foundation. It uses Gateron’s magnetic switches, which means players can take advantage of Hall-effect features, which are fast becoming a modern must-have. 

Beyond the switches, the P1 HE boasts the best-of-both-worlds 75% layout, the ideal middle point between form and function. It’s small enough to avoid getting in the way of a frantically swung mouse, but big enough to still have critical keys like the function row and arrows. 

Getting connected is achieved through the P1 HE’s three connectivity methods: wired USB-C, 2.4 GHz, and Bluetooth. Once connection is achieved, users can fine-tune settings through Keychron’s excellent web-based — so no installs necessary! — application. 

Build quality is excellent, with the full metal case offering a reassuring amount of heft. The gasket-mounted structure and multiple layers of acoustic foam help to soften the typing experience, however, which is appreciated, especially for what is primarily expected to be a gaming keyboard.

The DayZ aesthetic 

What makes this version of the P1 HE so special though is the DayZ theming. With its muted gray colors, impressively detailed dye-sub space bar, and tiny logo accents, this homage to one of the most impactful survival games is delightfully executed.

When it comes to downsides, the P1 HE DayZ Special Edition suffers from tough-to-avoid natural negatives. Its build and heft means that it’s not the most portable keyboard, and its magnetic switch type means that other, traditional switches aren’t compatible.

One other slight nitpick, which is exclusive to this edition of the board, is that I’d like to have seen even deeper customization for this DayZ Special Edition. Some custom default lighting mode, perhaps, or just a nod to this being the DayZ version in the configuration software.

Disclosure: Review sample provided by Keychron.