Keychron Q5 Max vs V1 MaxAluminum 96% vs Plastic 75% Layout
Choose the Q5 Max for a premium, full-featured aluminum build with a numpad, or the V1 Max for a more affordable and portable 75% layout.
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5.0 (4)5.0 · 4 reviews
from$219at MK
4.1 (18)4.1 · 18 reviews
from$94at MK
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron Q5 Max
Aluminum 96%
Build quality in the top 5% of 96% boards under $300.
- Premium CNC-machined aluminum case for a solid feel and look.
- 96% layout includes a full numpad without the bulk of a full-size keyboard.
- Features multiple layers of acoustic foam (IXPE, PET, Latex) for a refined sound.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- Missing ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-IT. The other board is sold in those layouts.
- Compact full-size layout. The numpad is present, the gaps of a full-size board are not.
Get the
Keychron V1 Max
Plastic 75% Layout
Build quality in the top 5% of 75% boards under $100.
- Much lighter at 770 grams and more compact 75% layout for portability.
- More affordable price point.
- Includes all core customization features: hot-swap, QMK/VIA, gasket mount.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- No numpad.
Your choice depends on layout needs and budget. If you require a numpad and value a premium, heavy aluminum construction for a stationary setup, the Keychron Q5 Max is worth the investment. If you prefer a smaller, lighter keyboard to save desk space and money, and can live without a numpad, the Keychron V1 Max delivers exceptional core features at a more accessible price.
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 V1 Max
Layout size
96%
75%
Case material
Aluminum
ABS, Plastic
Mount style
Gasket Mount, PCB Mount, Plate Mount
Gasket Mount, Plate Mount
Weight
2,215 g
770 g
Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel
Layout standard
ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, ISO-UK
ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-IT, ISO-Nordic, ISO-PT, ISO-SW, ISO-UK
ISO and JIS exist so regional layouts fit
- Keychron Q5 Max
- Keychron V1 Max
- Performance
- 8183
- Build quality
- 9186
- Productivity
- 9797
- Customizability
- 9898
- Portability
- 5579
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Battery: 4,000 mAh
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- Knob
What will you mostly use it for?
The Q5 Max is the clear choice for office work and content creation where a numpad is essential, and its aluminum build appeals to those wanting a premium desk centerpiece. The V1 Max wins for programming and travel due to its compact 75% layout and significantly lighter weight. For gaming and modding, both keyboards are equally capable, sharing high-performance wireless and extensive customization features.
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 LEDs to avoid interference with Cherry-profile keycaps.
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 V1 Max
18 owner reviews
“Feels great, haven't got a new KB since my Novatouch. Great high end features and feel, DSA caps on it feel good.”
“The dongle does not work after 6 months of using it and they want me to pay to fix it. If you want to buy a keyboard that is good don’t go for keycron”
Keychron Q5 Max vs V1 Max specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
8 of 27 specs differ
Keychron Q5 Max
Keychron V1 Max
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
Keychron V1 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-IT, ISO-SW, ISO-PT
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 V1 Max: your questions
The primary differences are the case material and layout size. The Q5 Max has a CNC aluminum case and a 96% layout with a numpad. The V1 Max has an ABS plastic case and a more compact 75% layout without a numpad.
Yes. Both the Q5 Max and V1 Max offer triple-mode connectivity with 2.4 GHz wireless, Bluetooth, and wired USB-C connections. Both have a 4000mAh rechargeable battery.
The V1 Max is often better for programming due to its 75% layout. It saves desk space while keeping essential arrow and function keys, and its lighter weight makes it easy to move. Both keyboards have full QMK/VIA support for creating custom layers and shortcuts.
Yes. Both the Q5 Max and V1 Max feature hot-swappable PCBs. This allows you to easily install or change mechanical switches without soldering, supporting both 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style switches.
The Q5 Max has a more premium build quality due to its full aluminum case, which is heavier and more rigid. The V1 Max uses a durable ABS plastic construction, which is lighter but does not have the same metallic heft or acoustic properties.
Yes. Both keyboards are compatible with macOS, Windows, and Linux. Each includes a physical toggle switch to change between Mac and Windows layouts, and both come with extra keycaps for each operating system.
Both keyboards have a 1000 Hz polling rate when using the 2.4 GHz wireless dongle or the wired USB-C connection. This provides low latency suitable for gaming. The polling rate drops to 90 Hz in Bluetooth mode.
Yes. Both the Keychron Q5 Max and V1 Max feature south-facing RGB LEDs. This orientation prevents interference with Cherry-profile or OEM-profile keycaps and provides better backlighting from the typist's angle.
The V1 Max is significantly more portable. It weighs 770 grams compared to the Q5 Max's 2215 grams, and its 75% layout is 79mm shorter in length, making it much easier to transport.
Both keyboards use screw-in PCB stabilizers for the larger keys like spacebar and shift. These are generally considered more stable and rattle-free than clip-in stabilizers and are user-replaceable.
Yes. Both keyboards support the open-source QMK firmware and the VIA/Keychron Launcher web configurator. This allows for deep customization including key remapping, macro creation, and lighting control without installing software.
According to Keychron's description, the Q5 Max includes enhanced acoustic foams such as IXPE, PET, and a Latex bottom pad for sound dampening. The V1 Max listing mentions sound absorbing foam but does not specify the same multi-layer composition.
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