Keychron Q5 Max vs Epomaker Galaxy100 Lite
Choose the Keychron Q5 Max for its extensive layout support and premium modding platform, or the Epomaker Galaxy100 Lite for its larger battery and lower price.
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5.0 (4)5.0 · 4 reviews
from$219at MK
4.5 (33)4.5 · 33 reviews
from$60at Epomaker
90-day lowLowest price in 90 days
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron Q5 Max
Build quality in the top 5% of 96% boards under $300.
- Extensive ISO layout support (UK, German, Nordic, Swiss).
- Available as a barebones DIY kit for full customization.
- Features screw-in PCB stabilizers and a polycarbonate plate.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
Get the
Epomaker Galaxy100 Lite
Battery
Build quality in the top 15% of 96% boards under $100.
- Significantly larger 8000mAh battery for extended wireless use.
- Lighter weight of 1660g.
- More affordable price point.
- 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.
Your primary need dictates the choice. If you require specific ISO layouts, plan to mod extensively with screw-in stabilizers and a polycarbonate plate, or want to start from a barebones kit, the Keychron Q5 Max is the clear selection. If your budget is tighter, you value maximum wireless uptime from a large battery, and ANSI layout is sufficient, the Epomaker Galaxy100 Lite delivers excellent core features for less.
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.
Keychron Q5 Max
Epomaker Galaxy100 Lite
Battery
4,000 mAh
8,000 mAh
A larger battery means fewer cables during the day
Switch options
Clicky, Linear, Tactile
Clicky, Linear
Mount style
Gasket Mount, PCB Mount, Plate Mount
Gasket Mount
Weight
2,215 g
1,660 g
Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel
Layout standard
ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, ISO-UK
ANSI
ISO and JIS exist so regional layouts fit
- Keychron Q5 Max
- Epomaker Galaxy100 Lite
- Performance
- 8183
- Build quality
- 9184
- Productivity
- 9793
- Customizability
- 9888
- Portability
- 5562
- Layout size: 96%
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Case material: Aluminum
- Knob
What will you mostly use it for?
The Keychron Q5 Max wins in scenarios demanding high customizability, specific international layouts, and a premium modding foundation. The Epomaker Galaxy100 Lite is the better choice for users prioritizing portability and battery life due to its lower weight and larger battery. For gaming and content creation, the keyboards are evenly matched on core performance specs. Office and programming users leaning towards the Q5 Max will benefit from its layout versatility and barebones option.
It's a tie
- Both offer a 1000 Hz polling rate in wired and 2.4 GHz modes for low latency.
- Both feature N-key rollover for simultaneous key presses.
- Both have south-facing RGB lighting.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron Q5 Max
4 owner reviews
“I don't like writing reviews but I do like reading them lol. What I am trying to say is that don't sleep in this keyboard. I even liked it more than my Lemokey L3. I got the one with the side printed keys and banana switches. This is my 3rd keychron keyboard.”
Epomaker Galaxy100 Lite
33 owner reviews
“I like the feel and the sounds the keyboard has. However, one of the foot is missing, and there's no feature to disable the backlight from numlock.”
“Had it for maybe a month or two and it no longer works, the lighting is gone and it won’t even turn on now”
Keychron Q5 Max vs Epomaker Galaxy100 Lite specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
11 of 27 specs differ
Keychron Q5 Max
Epomaker Galaxy100 Lite
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
Display
Media keys
Connection
Max polling rate
Battery
USB-C
Case material
Plate material
Keycaps
Weight
Dimensions
Typing angle
Backlight
QMK
VIA
N-key rollover
Mac & Windows
Released
ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
Keychron Q5 Max
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW
In stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-SW
In stockDoes not ship to you
Epomaker Galaxy100 Lite
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
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.
Keychron Q5 Max vs Epomaker Galaxy100 Lite: your questions
The Epomaker Galaxy100 Lite has a larger 8000mAh battery compared to the Keychron Q5 Max's 4000mAh battery. While actual runtime depends on usage, the Galaxy100 Lite's battery capacity is double, suggesting significantly longer wireless operation between charges.
Yes. The Keychron Q5 Max vendor description states it includes Mac and Windows keycaps and has a system toggle switch. Its listed compatible systems are macOS, Windows, and Linux.
According to its technical specifications, the Epomaker Galaxy100 Lite is not compatible with PS4, PS5, or Nintendo Switch. It is compatible with Mac, Windows, and Android devices.
The Keychron Q5 Max is more geared towards modders. It is sold as a barebones kit, uses screw-in PCB stabilizers, and has a polycarbonate plate. Its vendor description also details a multi-layer acoustic foam package and a double-gasket design for sound tuning.
Yes, both the Keychron Q5 Max and the Epomaker Galaxy100 Lite list QMK support and VIA support in their extra features, allowing for key remapping and macro programming.
The Keychron Q5 Max uses screw-in PCB stabilizers, which are generally more stable and rattle-free after tuning. The Epomaker Galaxy100 Lite uses plate-mount stabilizers, and its specifications note it is not compatible with screw-in stabilizers.
The Keychron Q5 Max is substantially heavier at 2215 grams. The Epomaker Galaxy100 Lite weighs 1660 grams, making it over 500 grams lighter.
Yes. The Galaxy100 Lite includes a 2-in-1 keycap and switch puller, two extra mechanical switches, three Mac supplementary keycaps, a 2.4GHz dongle, and a detachable USB cable according to its 'Inside the Box' list.
Yes. The Keychron Q5 Max metadata lists support for ISO-DE (German) and ISO-UK layouts. The vendor description also confirms the Q5 Max ISO collection includes UK and German layouts.
The Keychron Q5 Max uses a polycarbonate (PC) plate. The Epomaker Galaxy100 Lite uses a PP (plastic) plate, as listed in its technical specifications.
The information is mixed. The Keychron Q5 Max vendor page mentions one keycap option is OSA side-printed shine-through. The Epomaker Galaxy100 Lite vendor page states its PBT keycaps are non-shine-through, but the south-facing RGB shines from beneath.
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