Keychron Q5 Max vs K17 MaxFull-Size Aluminum vs Low-Profile
Choose the Q5 Max for a premium, customizable typing experience, or the K17 Max for a more affordable, ultra-slim profile.
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5.0 (4)5.0 · 4 reviews
from$219at MK
4.8 (4)4.8 · 4 reviews
from$94at Keychron
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron Q5 Max
Full-Size Aluminum
Build quality in the top 5% of 96% boards under $300.
- Full CNC aluminum body construction for a premium, solid feel.
- Double-gasket mount design with a polycarbonate plate for a flexible typing experience.
- Includes multiple layers of acoustic foam (IXPE, PET, Latex) for sound dampening.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
Get the
Keychron K17 Max
Low-Profile
Build quality in the top 20% of 96% boards under $100.
- Ultra-slim, low-profile design with a 4° typing angle for ergonomic use.
- Significantly lighter at 750g, enhancing portability.
- More affordable price point.
- Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps will not fit.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
- Missing ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic. The other board is sold in those layouts.
Your budget and desired typing profile are the deciding factors. Invest in the Keychron Q5 Max if you want a premium, acoustically tuned, and highly customizable full-size keyboard with a traditional feel. Opt for the Keychron K17 Max if you prioritize a slim, lightweight design for ergonomics and portability at a more accessible cost. Both deliver excellent wireless performance and programmability.
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
Keychron K17 Max
Battery
4,000 mAh
2,000 mAh
A larger battery means fewer cables during the day
Low profile
No
Yes
Case material
Aluminum
ABS, Aluminum
Mount style
Gasket Mount, PCB Mount, Plate Mount
PCB Mount
Weight
2,215 g
750 g
Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel
- Keychron Q5 Max
- Keychron K17 Max
- Performance
- 8183
- Build quality
- 9181
- Productivity
- 9793
- Customizability
- 9891
- Portability
- 5553
- Layout size: 96%
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- Knob
What will you mostly use it for?
The K17 Max is the clear choice for office use and travel due to its low-profile ergonomics and light weight. For programming and modding, the Q5 Max's superior acoustic tuning, gasket mount, and broader compatibility take the lead. Gaming and content creation are ties, as both offer the core high-performance features needed, leaving the decision to personal preference for keyboard height and typing feel.
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.
- The Q5 Max's heavier aluminum build may feel more stable, while the K17 Max's lighter weight is easier to reposition.
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.”
Keychron K17 Max
4 owner reviews
“Wish it was metal but i do love the low profile keyboard”
Keychron Q5 Max vs K17 Max specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
11 of 28 specs differ
Keychron Q5 Max
Keychron K17 Max
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Low profile
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
Keychron K17 Max
Keychron
ISO
Out of stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO
In stockDoes not ship to you
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 K17 Max: your questions
The Q5 Max is a full-height, gasket-mounted keyboard with a heavy aluminum case, weighing 2215g. The K17 Max is an ultra-slim, low-profile keyboard with a mixed ABS and aluminum frame, weighing only 750g and designed to be much thinner.
Both offer hot-swappable versions. However, the Q5 Max's hot-swap PCB is compatible with standard 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style switches. The K17 Max's hot-swap version is only compatible with Gateron and Keychron low-profile mechanical switches.
The Keychron Q5 Max has a larger 4000mAh battery, which the manufacturer states can last up to 180 hours with the backlight off. The K17 Max has a 2000mAh battery, which typically indicates shorter wireless runtime between charges.
No. The K17 Max uses proprietary low-profile keycaps (LSA profile) designed for its specific switch height. The Q5 Max uses standard KSA or OSA profile keycaps, which are not compatible with low-profile switches.
Yes. Both the Keychron Q5 Max and K17 Max include system toggles and keycaps for both macOS and Windows, allowing for seamless switching between operating systems.
The Keychron Q5 Max uses a double-gasket mount design. This involves soft cushioning gaskets and silicone pads to isolate the plate and PCB from the aluminum case, aiming to reduce vibration and noise for a cushioned typing feel.
The K17 Max is designed for ergonomics with its low-profile switches, 4° typing angle, and included palm rest options. Its lighter actuation force and shorter travel distance may reduce finger fatigue for some users during long typing sessions.
The Q5 Max likely has a deeper, more muted sound signature due to its extensive sound-dampening foams (IXPE, PET, Latex), aluminum case, and gasket mount. The K17 Max also has IXPE and latex foam but may produce a higher-pitched sound due to its low-profile design and different case materials.
Yes. Both the Keychron Q5 Max and K17 Max support open-source QMK firmware and the Keychron Launcher web app (VIA-compatible) for advanced key remapping, macro creation, and lighting customization without proprietary software.
Both keyboards offer a 1000 Hz polling rate when using their 2.4 GHz wireless dongle or in wired mode, which is suitable for gaming. In Bluetooth mode, the polling rate is lower, at 90 Hz for both models.
The vendor description for the K17 Max lists 'Knob Support' in its extra features, and a customer review mentions a scroll dial for volume control. This indicates a version with a knob is available, though it may not be on all configurations.
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