Ducky One 2 Pro Pudding vs Keychron V5 MaxWired Full-Size vs Wireless 96%
Choose the Keychron V5 Max for wireless flexibility and deep customization, or the Ducky One 2 Pro for a simpler, wired full-size layout with included aesthetic keycaps.
Which one should you get?
Get the
Ducky One 2 Pro Pudding
Wired Full-Size
- Includes unique Double Shot PBT 'Pudding' keycaps with translucent sides for enhanced RGB effects.
- Comes with bonus Year of the Dragon themed spacebar and enter key for a personalized aesthetic.
- Features a Quack Mechanics EVA sound dampener and Q-Bounce synthetic padding pre-installed.
- Wired-only connectivity limits placement and adds cable management.
- Lacks hot-swap capability, requiring soldering to change switches.
- No support for QMK, VIA, or programmability for key remapping.
Get the
Keychron V5 Max
Wireless 96%
- Offers tri-mode connectivity with 2.4 GHz (1000 Hz polling), Bluetooth 5.1, and wired USB-C.
- Features a hot-swappable PCB and is available as a barebones kit for easy customization.
- Supports QMK and VIA open-source firmware for extensive programming and macro creation.
- The 96% layout condenses the nav cluster and may require adjustment for users accustomed to full-size boards.
- The OSA profile double-shot PBT keycaps are not shine-through, which may limit RGB legend visibility.
- At 925 grams, it is a substantial keyboard, which reduces portability despite its wireless nature.
The Keychron V5 Max is the more versatile and future-proof choice for most users, thanks to its wireless options, customization potential, and cross-platform support. Opt for the Ducky One 2 Pro Pudding if you are certain you need a wired, full-size keyboard with a specific aesthetic and have no plans to modify switches or key mappings. Your decision ultimately comes down to prioritizing modern connectivity and moddability over a traditional, fixed-format 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.
Ducky One 2 Pro Pudding
Keychron V5 Max
Layout size
100%
96%
Connection
Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Hot-swappable
No
Yes
Case material
ABS
ABS, Plastic
Switch options
Clicky, Linear, Silent, Tactile
Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- Ducky One 2 Pro Pudding
- Keychron V5 Max
- Performance
- 7283
- Build quality
- 4786
- Productivity
- 5697
- Customizability
- 4898
- Portability
- 4253
- Sound dampening
What will you mostly use it for?
The Keychron V5 Max wins in most categories due to its versatile wireless connectivity, broad system compatibility, and extensive customization features. It is the clear choice for programmers, travelers, and modders. The Ducky One 2 Pro's primary advantage is its full-size layout with a dedicated numpad, which ties it with the Keychron for content creation. For pure gaming, the Keychron's high polling rate and wireless options give it an edge.
Pick the Keychron V5 Max
- The Keychron V5 Max offers a 1000 Hz polling rate in its 2.4 GHz and wired modes for responsive input.
- Its tri-mode wireless connectivity allows for a cleaner desk setup without cable clutter.
- The 96% layout retains the numpad while saving desk space for larger mouse movements.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Ducky One 2 Pro Pudding
No owner reviews collected yet.
Keychron V5 Max
5 owner reviews
“The keys feel smooth and easy as you type. It's probably the best keyboard I've used. I've had a number of mechanical keyboards, but, none of them can compare to the v5 max. The feel of the thing while typing, is hard to not constantly repeat.”
Ducky One 2 Pro Pudding vs Keychron V5 Max specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
15 of 27 specs differ
Ducky One 2 Pro Pudding
Keychron V5 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
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Ducky One 2 Pro Pudding vs Keychron V5 Max: your questions
The Keychron V5 Max is explicitly designed for Mac users, according to its description. It includes a system toggle and an additional set of keycaps for macOS, along with full compatibility. The Ducky One 2 Pro vendor listing states it is not Mac compatible.
No, the Ducky One 2 Pro is not hot-swappable. Its vendor description lists 'Hotswap: No'. Changing switches would require desoldering the existing switches and soldering new ones onto the PCB.
Yes, the Keychron V5 Max has a 2.4 GHz wireless mode with a 1000 Hz polling rate, which the manufacturer states is suitable for competitive gaming. It also includes a magnetic storage slot on the keyboard for the USB receiver.
The Ducky One 2 Pro comes with OEM profile, double-shot PBT 'Pudding' keycaps that have translucent sides. The Keychron V5 Max comes with OSA profile (OEM height, SA shape), double-shot PBT keycaps that are not shine-through.
The Keychron V5 Max is more compact. It uses a 96% layout that integrates the numpad and navigation cluster into a condensed form factor. The Ducky One 2 Pro is a full-size (100%) keyboard with a traditional spaced-out layout.
You can program macros and remap keys on the Keychron V5 Max using its QMK and VIA support. The Ducky One 2 Pro does not support QMK or VIA, according to its vendor specs, and offers no mentioned software for macro programming.
Yes, both keyboards feature south-facing RGB LED backlighting. This design helps prevent interference with Cherry-profile keycaps and illuminates from a typist's angle.
According to Keychron, the fully assembled version includes the keyboard with ABS housing, a PC plate, screw-in stabilizers, double-shot OSA PBT keycaps for Mac and Windows, Gateron Jupiter switches, a USB-C cable, and both a Type-A and Type-C 2.4 GHz receiver.
The Ducky One 2 Pro includes a Quack Mechanics EVA sound dampener and Q-Bounce synthetic padding. The Keychron V5 Max uses a gasket mount design with sound-absorbing foam to reduce acoustic resonance.
The Keychron V5 Max has a specified weight of 925 grams. The Ducky One 2 Pro's weight is not provided in the specifications, so a direct comparison cannot be made.
The Keychron V5 Max is built with modding in mind. It features a gasket mount, a hot-swappable PCB, screw-in stabilizers, and a polycarbonate plate. These are all components favored by the custom keyboard community for altering sound and feel.
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