Epomaker TH40 vs Keychron K5 Pro40% vs Full-Size Low Profile
Choose the Epomaker TH40 for extreme portability and a gasket-mounted sound, or the Keychron K5 Pro for a full layout with a low-profile design.
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3.9 (56)3.9 · 56 reviews
from$55at Epomaker
90-day lowLowest price in 90 days
4.8 (8)4.8 · 8 reviews
from$135at Keychron (DE)
Which one should you get?
Get the
Epomaker TH40
40%
Build quality in the top 30% of 40% boards under $150.
- Extremely compact 40% layout with split spacebar for portability and minimized finger travel.
- Gasket mount design with Poron plate foam and bottom foam for a dampened acoustic signature.
- South-facing RGB LEDs ensure compatibility with most aftermarket keycap sets.
- 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.
- Compact layout only. No function row, dedicated arrow keys, or numpad.
Get the
Keychron K5 Pro
Full-Size Low Profile
Build quality in the top 15% of 100% boards under $150.
- Full 100% layout with numpad, arrow keys, function row, and 12 multimedia keys for complete functionality.
- Low-profile design with Gateron low-profile switches and an aluminum frame for a slim, sleek build.
- Offers adjustable typing angles for ergonomic support.
- Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps will not fit.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
Your primary need dictates the choice. If your priority is maximum portability, a unique typing project with gasket-mounted acoustics, and you are comfortable with a layer-based workflow, the Epomaker TH40 is the clear candidate. If you require a full set of keys for office tasks, gaming, or content creation in a sleek, low-profile form factor with ergonomic adjustments, the Keychron K5 Pro is the more practical daily driver. Both are competent, customizable boards on opposite ends of the layout spectrum.
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.
Epomaker TH40
Keychron K5 Pro
Layout size
40%
100%
Connection
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Bluetooth, Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Battery
3,000 mAh
2,000 mAh
A larger battery means fewer cables during the day
Low profile
No
Yes
Ergonomics
Split Spacebar
Standard
- Epomaker TH40
- Keychron K5 Pro
- Performance
- 7379
- Build quality
- 7578
- Productivity
- 6282
- Customizability
- 8589
- Portability
- 8455
- Hot-swappable
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- QMK
- VIA
What will you mostly use it for?
The Keychron K5 Pro is the more versatile choice for traditional use cases like office work, gaming, and content creation due to its complete key set and low-profile ergonomics. The Epomaker TH40 dominates for travel and offers a compelling project for keyboard modding enthusiasts with its gasket mount and sound-dampening foams. For programming, the choice is a draw, hinging entirely on the user's preference for a minimalist or full-size layout, as both support deep software customization.
Pick the Keychron K5 Pro
- The K5 Pro offers a 1000 Hz polling rate in wired mode, which the manufacturer states is engineered for competitive gaming.
- Its full layout includes dedicated arrow and function keys, which are often used in game controls and macros.
- The TH40's 40% layout requires heavy layer use for gaming commands, which can be less intuitive.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Epomaker TH40
56 owner reviews
“Overall good little keyboard for the price, other 40s cost more but better quality, also I could not find a few characters mapped on this one, not in manual or online.”
“The keyboard is very solid ooverall, but frequently will type two letters instead of one on key press. This is a very frustrating issue and leads to many typos. Without this problem, it would easily be a 5-star keyboard.”
Keychron K5 Pro
8 owner reviews
“I love my new keyboard! It's the typing experience I've been seeking.”
Epomaker TH40 vs Keychron K5 Pro specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
16 of 25 specs differ
Epomaker TH40
Keychron K5 Pro
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Low profile
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
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.
Epomaker TH40
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
Keychron K5 Pro
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW
Out of stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW
In stockDoes not ship to you
Compare prices
Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.
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Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.
Epomaker TH40 vs Keychron K5 Pro: your questions
It depends on your preference. The Keychron K5 Pro uses low-profile Gateron switches and LSA keycaps for a slim, potentially faster typing experience with a full layout. The Epomaker TH40 offers a gasket-mounted typing feel with sound-dampening foams but requires adapting to a 40% layout using layers for most punctuation and modifiers.
The product listing states the K5 Pro is QMK/VIA enabled. However, some user reviews mention needing to use the Keychron Launcher web app for programming instead of the standard VIA desktop application. It's advisable to check the latest support documentation from Keychron for confirmed compatibility.
No. The Epomaker TH40 is a 40% layout keyboard with only 44 keys. It does not have a dedicated numpad, arrow keys, or a top function row. Number input is achieved through a function layer, which requires holding a modifier key.
Yes, both keyboards offer hot-swappable versions. The Epomaker TH40 has a 3/5-pin hotswap PCB. The Keychron K5 Pro's hot-swappable version, according to the vendor, is compatible only with Gateron low-profile mechanical switches.
Based on the specifications, the Epomaker TH40 has a larger 3000mAh battery compared to the Keychron K5 Pro's 2000mAh battery. This suggests the TH40 may offer longer wireless usage between charges, though actual battery life depends on usage patterns and lighting settings.
Yes. The Keychron K5 Pro listing highlights it offers a Mac layout with matching multimedia and function keys. It includes keycaps for both macOS and Windows, making it one of the few mechanical keyboards marketed with specific Apple keyboard functionality.
A gasket mount is a design where the plate holding the switches is suspended on soft gaskets within the case to reduce vibration and noise. The Epomaker TH40 uses this advanced gasket design, incorporating Poron foams. The Keychron K5 Pro uses a more traditional tray mount system.
The K5 Pro uses low-profile LSA keycaps and low-profile switches. Finding aftermarket keycap sets for low-profile layouts can be more challenging than for standard profile keyboards. Additionally, its north-facing LEDs may cause interference with the legends on some Cherry-profile keycaps.
The Epomaker TH40 is significantly more portable. It measures 258 x 97 mm and weighs 500g, while the Keychron K5 Pro measures 435 x 120 mm and weighs 720g. The TH40's 40% layout is specifically designed for portability.
Yes, both support wireless connectivity. The Epomaker TH40 supports tri-mode connectivity: Bluetooth, 2.4GHz wireless, and USB-C wired. The Keychron K5 Pro supports Bluetooth and USB-C wired connectivity, but its listing does not mention a 2.4GHz wireless option.
Both keyboards offer a 1000 Hz polling rate in their wired modes, which is standard for responsive gaming. The Epomaker TH40 vendor page specifies a 125 Hz polling rate over Bluetooth. The Keychron K5 Pro listing states a 90 Hz polling rate in wireless mode.
The Epomaker TH40 has an ABS plastic case. The Keychron K5 Pro features a frame made of a combination of aluminum and ABS plastic, giving it a more premium and rigid feel according to the product description.
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