Jamesdonkey RS2 vs Keychron V5 MaxBudget 96% vs Premium Custom
Choose the Keychron V5 Max for superior firmware support and performance, or the Jamesdonkey RS2 for a more budget-conscious entry into the 96% layout.
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from$89at WhatGeek
4.8 (5)4.8 · 5 reviews
from$99at MK
Which one should you get?
Get the
Jamesdonkey RS2
Budget 96%
Build quality in the top 25% of 96% boards under $100.
- Often available at a lower price point than the Keychron V5 Max.
- Includes double-shot PBT keycaps according to its vendor description.
- Hot-swappable PCB compatible with both 3-pin and 5-pin switches.
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
Get the
Keychron V5 Max
Premium Custom
Build quality in the top 10% of 96% boards under $100.
- Native support for QMK and VIA firmware for extensive key remapping and macros.
- Specifies a 1000 Hz polling rate in 2.4 GHz/wired modes and N-key rollover.
- Larger 4000mAh battery and includes both Type-C and Type-A wireless receivers.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
Your budget and need for advanced features are the deciding factors. The Keychron V5 Max is the clear recommendation if you value programmability via QMK/VIA, need specific ISO layouts, or want the assured performance of a 1000 Hz polling rate. It's a more future-proof and customizable platform. Opt for the Jamesdonkey RS2 if your primary goal is to acquire a solid, feature-packed 96% keyboard with hot-swap capability and basic wireless functionality at a more accessible cost.
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.
Jamesdonkey RS2
Keychron V5 Max
Battery
6,000 mAh
4,000 mAh
A larger battery means fewer cables during the day
Case material
ABS, Aluminum, Plastic
ABS, Plastic
Mount style
Gasket Mount
Gasket Mount, Plate Mount
Weight
2,200 g
925 g
Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel
QMK
No
Yes
The deep option when you want to remap every key
- Jamesdonkey RS2
- Keychron V5 Max
- Performance
- 6883
- Build quality
- 7686
- Productivity
- 8597
- Customizability
- 8298
- Portability
- 6553
- Layout size: 96%
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- Knob
- Sound dampening
What will you mostly use it for?
The Keychron V5 Max is the more versatile choice, winning in most categories due to its professional-grade features. It excels for programming and office use with its QMK/VIA support and multi-ISO layouts, and for gaming with its specified high polling rate. The Jamesdonkey RS2 remains a competent budget alternative, but it lacks the advanced firmware, explicit performance specs, and layout options that give the V5 Max a broad advantage. For travel, their similar size and wireless capabilities result in a tie.
Pick the Keychron V5 Max
- The Keychron V5 Max lists a 1000 Hz polling rate for its 2.4 GHz and wired modes, which can offer more responsive input.
- Its manufacturer description specifies N-key rollover for both wireless and wired modes, ensuring all keypresses are registered.
- The V5 Max includes a polycarbonate plate which, combined with its gasket mount, may offer a consistent typing feel during rapid key presses.
Jamesdonkey RS2 vs Keychron V5 Max specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
14 of 27 specs differ
Jamesdonkey RS2
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
ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
Jamesdonkey RS2
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
Keychron V5 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-SW
Out of 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.
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Jamesdonkey RS2 vs Keychron V5 Max: your questions
The Keychron V5 Max has a significant advantage in software. It supports both open-source QMK firmware and the VIA configurator, allowing for deep key remapping, layer creation, and macro programming. The Jamesdonkey RS2 does not list support for these advanced programming platforms.
Yes, both keyboards list Mac support. The Keychron V5 Max specifically includes a system toggle switch and an extra set of keycaps tailored for macOS, making it easier to switch between Mac and Windows layouts. The Jamesdonkey RS2 vendor page also states it supports both systems.
The Keychron V5 Max provides specific performance metrics, listing a 1000 Hz polling rate for its 2.4 GHz and wired connections. The Jamesdonkey RS2's product information does not specify a polling rate, so a direct performance comparison cannot be made from the available data.
The Jamesdonkey RS2 comes with double-shot PBT keycaps according to its vendor description. The Keychron V5 Max fully assembled version includes double-shot PBT keycaps for the alphas, but the listing specifies ABS keycaps for the modifiers, with OSA profile PBT keycaps also mentioned as part of its design.
Based on the listed specifications, the Keychron V5 Max has a larger 4000mAh battery compared to the Jamesdonkey RS2's 3000mAh battery. The V5 Max's product page also provides estimated wireless working times, suggesting potentially longer usage between charges.
Both use a gasket mount design aimed at improving typing feel and reducing acoustic resonance. The Keychron V5 Max adds a polycarbonate plate and sound-absorbing foam. The Jamesdonkey RS2 uses an FR4 plate and a silencing padded structure with foam and switch pads. Both are designed for a more pleasant auditory experience.
Yes, both the Jamesdonkey RS2 and Keychron V5 Max feature hot-swappable PCBs. The RS2 vendor page states compatibility with both 3-pin and 5-pin switches. The V5 Max is also listed as compatible with most 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style switches.
Yes, the Keychron V5 Max explicitly supports a wide range of ISO layouts, including UK, German, French, Spanish, and Nordic. The Jamesdonkey RS2, according to its metadata, only supports the ANSI layout standard.
Yes, both the Jamesdonkey RS2 and the Keychron V5 Max include a multimedia control knob, as listed in their extra features. This knob can typically be used for volume adjustment and other media functions.
The Keychron V5 Max uses screw-in PCB stabilizers, which are generally considered more stable and less prone to rattle than clip-in stabilizers. The Jamesdonkey RS2 product information does not specify the type of stabilizers it uses.
The Keychron V5 Max specifically lists south-facing RGB LEDs, which prevent interference with Cherry or OEM profile keycaps. The Jamesdonkey RS2 is listed with white backlighting, and its product description does not specify the LED orientation.
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