Keychron Q5 Max vs Epomaker Galaxy100
Choose the Keychron Q5 Max for extensive layout options and modding potential, or the Epomaker Galaxy100 for a larger battery and more affordable price.
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5.0 (4)5.0 · 4 reviews
from$219at MK
4.6 (68)4.6 · 68 reviews
from$87at 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.
- Available as a barebones DIY kit for complete customization.
- Supports multiple ISO layouts (UK, German, Nordic, Swiss).
- Features a detailed acoustic package with IXPE, PET, and Latex foams.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
Get the
Epomaker Galaxy100
Battery
Build quality in the top 15% of 96% boards under $100.
- Features a large 8000mAh battery for extended wireless use.
- Offers a more affordable price point.
- Comes with pre-lubed linear switches (Feker Marble White or Epomaker Wisteria).
- 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 budget and specific needs dictate the choice here. If you require ISO layouts, want the deepest modding platform starting from a barebones kit, and value detailed acoustic engineering, the Keychron Q5 Max justifies its higher cost. If your priority is maximizing wireless battery life, you prefer a pre-lubed linear switch out of the box, and you want to spend less, the Epomaker Galaxy100 is a compelling alternative, albeit with fewer layout and build-style options.
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
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
2,000 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
- 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 is the clear choice for programmers and modders due to its barebones kit option and developer-focused features. It also wins for office use, especially in international settings, thanks to its wide array of ISO layouts. The Epomaker Galaxy100 is better suited for travel or situations where maximum battery life is a priority. For gaming and content creation, the keyboards are evenly matched on core specs like polling rate, programmability, and the inclusion of a control knob.
It's a tie
- Both offer a 1000 Hz polling rate in 2.4 GHz and wired modes for low latency.
- Both feature N-key rollover for simultaneous key presses.
- Both have south-facing RGB backlighting.
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
68 owner reviews
“Amazing keyboard, via support could be better, but it works! i love the knob, its so nice. this has to be the worst financial decision ive ever made and i dont regret it”
“The keyboard has been great but when I received it a couple keys were broken. I had to glue the inside connector back together as it had broken apart. Otherwise the keyboard has functions very well.”
Keychron Q5 Max vs Epomaker Galaxy100 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
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
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: your questions
The Epomaker Galaxy100 has a significantly larger 8000mAh battery compared to the Keychron Q5 Max's 4000mAh battery. Based on battery capacity alone, the Galaxy100 should offer longer wireless operating times between charges.
Yes. The Keychron Q5 Max vendor description states it is built with Mac users in mind and includes a system toggle plus an additional set of keycaps for both macOS and Windows. The Galaxy100 is also listed as compatible with Mac systems.
Yes, both the Keychron Q5 Max and Epomaker Galaxy100 list support for QMK and VIA in their specifications. However, the Epomaker vendor page includes a note that QMK supports working in wired mode for the Galaxy100.
The Keychron Q5 Max is the only one that supports ISO layouts. Its vendor page specifically mentions it comes with UK, German, Nordic, and Swiss layouts. The Epomaker Galaxy100 is listed with an ANSI US layout only.
Yes. The Keychron Q5 Max is offered in a Barebone Knob version, which does not include keycaps and switches, according to the vendor's product description. The Epomaker Galaxy100 is only available as a pre-built keyboard.
The Keychron Q5 Max uses screw-in PCB stabilizers. The Epomaker Galaxy100 uses plate-mount stabilizers, and its technical specifications note it is not compatible with screw-in stabilizers.
The Epomaker Galaxy100 comes with factory-lubed linear switches, either Feker Marble White or Epomaker Wisteria. The Keychron Q5 Max vendor page states its Gateron Jupiter switches are pre-lubed for the fully assembled version.
Both keyboards offer a 1000 Hz polling rate when using their 2.4 GHz wireless connection, as stated in their specifications. This is suitable for low-latency gaming.
The Keychron Q5 Max vendor description mentions multiple layers including IXPE foam, PET film, and a Latex bottom pad. The Epomaker Galaxy100 specs list five layers: Poron sandwich pad, IXPE switch pad, PET sound enhancement pad, EMDP switch socket pad, and a PET bottom pad.
The Keychron Q5 Max is heavier, weighing 2215g for the fully assembled version. The Epomaker Galaxy100 weighs 2000g (2kg), making it slightly lighter.
Yes, both the Keychron Q5 Max and the Epomaker Galaxy100 include a control knob, as indicated in their extra features and vendor descriptions.
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