Keychron Q5 Max vs K5 SE2.4 GHz or low profile
Get the Q5 Max for 2.4 GHz wireless, QMK/VIA customization and its gasket-mounted aluminum build; choose the K5 SE for its low-profile, full-size design and adjustable feet.
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5.0 (4)5.0 · 4 reviews
from$219at MK
4.8 (30)4.8 · 30 reviews
from$59at Keychron
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Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron Q5 Max
Battery
Build quality in the top 5% of 96% boards under $300.
- 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity with a 1000 Hz polling rate in 2.4 GHz and wired modes.
- QMK/VIA support, a knob and a DIY kit/barebones option.
- Aluminum case, PC plate, double-gasket construction and multiple acoustic foam layers.
- 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.
Get the
Keychron K5 SE
Build quality in the top 30% of 100% boards under $100.
- Low-profile design with two-level adjustable rubber feet.
- Full-size layout with a number pad and dedicated Screenshot and Siri (Cortana) keys.
- Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps will not fit.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
Choose the Q5 Max if you want 2.4 GHz connectivity with a stated 1000 Hz polling rate, QMK/VIA remapping and a gasket-mounted aluminum build. Choose the K5 SE if its low-profile design, adjustable feet and full-size layout matter more. The K5 SE is also the one to consider if you specifically want a low-profile keyboard, while the Q5 Max is the choice for more extensive firmware customization and a 96% layout.
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 K5 SE
Layout size
96%
100%
Connection
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Bluetooth, Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Battery
4,000 mAh
2,000 mAh
A larger battery means fewer cables during the day
Low profile
No
Yes
Case material
Aluminum
Aluminum, Plastic
- Keychron Q5 Max
- Keychron K5 SE
- Performance
- 8162
- Build quality
- 9166
- Productivity
- 9766
- Customizability
- 9869
- Portability
- 5555
- Hot-swappable
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
What will you mostly use it for?
The Q5 Max has the clearest edge for gaming and customization-heavy work, with 2.4 GHz support, a stated 1000 Hz polling rate in 2.4 GHz and wired modes, and QMK/VIA. The K5 SE makes more sense for buyers who specifically want a low-profile full-size board with adjustable typing feet. Travel is a close call: the K5 SE is low-profile, while the Q5 Max is smaller in layout but notably listed as a heavy keyboard. For content creation and programming, the Q5 Max’s remapping features and additional controls are useful differentiators.
Pick the Keychron Q5 Max
- The Q5 Max supports 2.4 GHz wireless with a 1000 Hz polling rate, as well as wired operation at 1000 Hz.
- It has N-Key Rollover in both wireless and wired modes.
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 K5 SE
30 owner reviews
“This is my favorite keyboard. After assembling my desktop pc, I had always felt a little awkward typing on normal sized mechanical keyboards. This keyboard solved that for me. I currently use mine for my desktop, and on the go with my Steam Deck.”
Keychron Q5 Max vs K5 SE specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
16 of 28 specs differ
Keychron Q5 Max
Keychron K5 SE
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
Compare prices
Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.
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Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.
ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
Keychron Q5 Max
- Go to Keychron
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW
In stockShips to you
- Go to Keychron (DE)
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-SW
In stockDoes not ship to you
Keychron K5 SE
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
Keychron Q5 Max vs K5 SE: your questions
The Q5 Max is a 96% keyboard with 2.4 GHz connectivity, QMK/VIA support and a gasket-mounted aluminum build. The K5 SE is a low-profile 100% keyboard with adjustable rubber feet.
Yes, the Q5 Max supports 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth and Type-C wired connectivity. Keychron lists a 1000 Hz polling rate for its 2.4 GHz and wired modes.
The K5 SE is listed with Bluetooth and wired connectivity. Its vendor description also specifies Bluetooth 5.1 and a Type-C cable connection.
The Q5 Max has 2.4 GHz wireless with a stated 1000 Hz polling rate, and it supports N-Key Rollover in wireless and wired modes. These features make it the stronger fit for buyers prioritizing the listed gaming specifications.
The Q5 Max is listed as a 96% layout. It includes a numpad, but its compact full-size arrangement does not have the gaps of a conventional full-size board.
Yes, the K5 SE is listed as low profile, and its vendor describes it as an ultra-slim full-size keyboard. It also has two-level adjustable rubber feet.
The K5 SE requires low-profile switches and keycaps, and standard MX keycaps will not fit. Its north-facing LEDs may also interfere with Cherry-profile keycaps.
Keychron says the Q5 Max hot-swaps most 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style mechanical switches, including examples such as Cherry, Gateron and Kailh. The board is also listed as hot-swappable.
Yes, the Q5 Max is listed with QMK and VIA support. Keychron describes using its Launcher web app to customize keys, macros and shortcuts.
Both keyboards include a numpad. The Q5 Max has a 96% compact full-size layout, while the K5 SE is a 100% full-size layout.
The K5 SE is listed with ANSI and JIS layouts, and its compatibility notes say ISO variants are not offered. The Q5 Max is listed with ANSI and several ISO layout options.
The Q5 Max has QMK/VIA support and a DIY kit/barebones option, alongside hot-swappable switches. The K5 SE has hot-swappable options for specified low-profile switch versions, but its switches and keycaps must remain low profile.
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