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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 7, 2026

Ajazz AK35i V3 vs Keychron V5 MaxFull-Size Screen vs 96% Customization

Choose the Ajazz AK35i V3 for a full-size layout with a screen, or the Keychron V5 Max for advanced programmability and a compact 96% form factor.

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Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Ajazz AK35i V3

Full-Size Screen

Build quality in the top 35% of 100% boards under $100.

If you want

  • Includes a customizable 1.14-inch TFT display for time, battery status, or custom images.
  • Large 8000mAh battery for extended wireless use.
  • Full 104-key layout with dedicated numeric keypad.

Rules this board out

  • South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
  • No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.

Get the

Keychron V5 Max

96% Customization

Build quality in the top 10% of 96% boards under $100.

If you want

  • Fully programmable via open-source QMK and VIA firmware.
  • Available in both fully assembled and barebones kit versions.
  • Specifies a 1000 Hz polling rate for 2.4 GHz and wired modes.

Rules this board out

  • South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
  • Compact full-size layout. The numpad is present, the gaps of a full-size board are not.

Bottom line

Your primary need dictates the choice. If you work extensively with numbers, want the longest battery life, and enjoy the novelty of a screen, the Ajazz AK35i V3 is the logical pick. If you value software customization, a smaller desk footprint, and specs like a confirmed high polling rate for gaming, the Keychron V5 Max is the superior tool. Consider the Keychron's barebones option if you plan to install your own switches and keycaps immediately.

What actually differs

The differences that matter

Skip the 40-row spec sheet. These are the specs that change how each board feels, sounds, and fits your desk.

Ajazz AK35i V3

Keychron V5 Max

  • Layout size

    100%

    96%

  • Battery

    8,000 mAh

    4,000 mAh

    A larger battery means fewer cables during the day

  • Case material

    Plastic

    ABS, Plastic

  • Mount style

    Gasket Mount

    Gasket Mount, Plate Mount

  • Display

    TFT

    None

    A case display rather than a typing feature

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Ajazz AK35i V3
  • Keychron V5 Max
Performance
50
83
Build quality
66
86
Productivity
79
97
Customizability
77
98
Portability
59
53

What they share

  • Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
  • Hot-swappable
  • Knob
  • Sound dampening
See every spec side by side

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

The Keychron V5 Max is the more versatile choice for technical users, winning in gaming, programming, travel, and modding due to its higher polling rate, programmability, and compact form. The Ajazz AK35i V3 is the clear pick for office work where a numpad is non-negotiable and offers unique flair for content creation with its screen. For general content creation, the tools are different but equally compelling.

For gaming

Pick the Keychron V5 Max

  • The Keychron V5 Max lists a 1000 Hz polling rate for its 2.4 GHz and wired modes, which the Ajazz specifications do not mention.
  • Its 96% layout is more compact, freeing up desk space for mouse movement.
  • Both feature south-facing RGB and hot-swappable sockets for switch customization.

Full specs

Ajazz AK35i V3 vs Keychron V5 Max specs

Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.

15 of 27 specs differ

Ajazz AK35i V3

Keychron V5 Max

Typing & switches

Switch options

—
Clicky, Linear, Tactile

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Gasket Mount
Gasket Mount, Plate Mount

Sound dampening

Yes
Yes

Screw-in stabilizers

Yes
Yes

Layout

Layout size

100%
96%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, ISO-UK

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Knob

Yes
Yes

Display

TFT
None

Media keys

Yes
Yes

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired

Max polling rate

—
1,000 Hz

Battery

8,000 mAhBetter
4,000 mAh

USB-C

Yes
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

Plastic
ABS, Plastic

Plate material

FR4
Polycarbonate

Keycaps

PBT
ABS, PBT

Weight

1,230 g
925 g

Dimensions

23 x 448 x 148 mm
22 x 149 x 392 mm

Typing angle

—
4°

Backlight

RGB, south-facing
RGB, south-facing

Firmware & software

QMK

No
Yes

VIA

No
Yes

N-key rollover

No
Yes

Mac & Windows

No
Yes

Extras

Released

2024
2023

For EU buyers

ISO layouts by store

Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.

Ajazz AK35i V3

No ISO layout at the stores we track.

Keychron V5 Max

  • Keychron

    ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW

    Out of stockShips to you

  • Keychron (DE)

    ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW

    Out of stockDoes not ship to you

Where to buy

Compare prices

Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.

Prices in USD are converted to your currency and can change at any time. KeebFinder may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.

Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.

FAQ

Ajazz AK35i V3 vs Keychron V5 Max: your questions

The Ajazz AK35i V3 has a larger 8000mAh battery compared to the Keychron V5 Max's 4000mAh. The Ajazz vendor claims up to 140 hours with RGB off, while Keychron lists up to 190 hours for the V5 Max in lab tests. Real-world results will vary, but the Ajazz has a larger capacity cell.

The available information for the Ajazz AK35i V3 does not mention support for QMK, VIA, or any advanced key remapping software. The Keychron V5 Max explicitly supports both QMK and VIA, allowing for deep customization of key functions, layers, and macros.

No, the Keychron V5 Max uses a 96% layout. This layout integrates the numpad keys into a compact block alongside the main typing area, eliminating the dedicated, spaced-out numpad found on full-size boards like the Ajazz AK35i V3.

According to the vendor description, the Ajazz's 1.14-inch TFT screen can display keyboard functions like time, connection status, and battery level by default. It can also be customized with static images or animated GIFs.

The Keychron V5 Max lists a 1000 Hz polling rate for its 2.4 GHz and wired connections, which is a common spec for responsive gaming. The Ajazz AK35i V3's specifications do not state a polling rate. The Keychron's confirmed high polling rate gives it an edge for latency-sensitive gaming.

Yes, both the Ajazz AK35i V3 and the Keychron V5 Max feature hot-swappable sockets. This allows you to change the mechanical switches without soldering. The Keychron's PCB supports both 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style switches.

Yes, the Keychron V5 Max is available as a 'Barebone Knob' version. This kit includes the keyboard case, PCB, plate, and stabilizers, but does not include switches or keycaps, allowing for a fully personalized build.

Both keyboards use plastic cases. The Ajazz AK35i V3 case material is listed as plastic. The Keychron V5 Max uses an ABS plastic housing, as stated in its description.

The Keychron V5 Max explicitly lists compatibility with Windows, macOS, and Linux, and includes keycaps for both Mac and Windows. The Ajazz AK35i V3 vendor description mentions connecting to a variety of source devices but does not specify operating system compatibility.

Both have sound-dampening features. The Ajazz vendor details a five-layered structure with Sandwich PORON Cotton, IXPE undershaft padding, and silicone bottom padding. The Keychron V5 Max mentions sound-absorbing foam and a gasket mount design with a polycarbonate plate to reduce acoustic resonance.

The core layout difference is size. The Ajazz AK35i V3 is a full-size (100%) keyboard with 104 keys, including a separate numpad and function row. The Keychron V5 Max is a 96% keyboard, which condenses the numpad into the main body and removes some spacing to create a more compact footprint.

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