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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 14, 2026

Keychron B35 vs V2 MaxNumpad or hot-swap

Get the Keychron B35 for its numpad and lighter 510g build, or the Keychron V2 Max for hot-swappable switches, QMK/VIA support, and south-facing RGB.

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Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Keychron B35

Build quality in the bottom 15% of 96% boards under $100.

If you want

  • 96% layout with a numpad for dedicated number entry.
  • 510g weight.

Rules this board out

  • Switches are soldered. Swapping them means soldering.
  • Compact full-size layout. The numpad is present, the gaps of a full-size board are not.

Get the

Keychron V2 Max

Hot-swappable

Build quality in the top 10% of 65% boards under $100.

If you want

  • Hot-swappable sockets support 3-pin and 5-pin MX mechanical switches.
  • QMK and VIA support for key remapping, macros, and shortcuts.
  • South-facing RGB lighting, a polycarbonate plate, and PBT keycaps.

Rules this board out

  • South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
  • 65% layout. No function row and no numpad.

Bottom line

Choose the B35 if you want a numpad and a lighter 510g keyboard. Choose the V2 Max if you value hot-swappable switches, QMK/VIA customization, and south-facing RGB. Its 65% layout omits both the function row and numpad, so the B35 is the better fit when you need those dedicated keys.

What actually differs

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 B35

Keychron V2 Max

  • Layout size

    96%

    65%

  • Hot-swappable

    No

    Yes

    Switch changes without soldering

  • Battery

    800 mAh

    4,000 mAh

    A larger battery means fewer cables during the day

  • Knob

    No

    Yes

  • Weight

    510 g

    696 g

    Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Keychron B35
  • Keychron V2 Max
Performance
60
79
Build quality
44
86
Productivity
71
95
Customizability
49
99
Portability
53
89

What they share

  • Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
  • Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
  • Case material: ABS, Plastic
  • Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
See every spec side by side

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

The B35 is a practical fit for buyers who want a numpad or prioritize lower keyboard weight. The V2 Max takes the edge for switch changes and software-based customization, with RGB as an additional differentiator. Content creation depends on the task: number entry and multimedia keys favor the B35, while the V2 Max offers knob support and RGB. Both provide the same listed connection options and polling rate.

For gaming

Pick the Keychron V2 Max

  • The V2 Max has south-facing RGB lighting, while the B35 has no RGB.
  • The V2 Max supports hot-swappable switches, so switches can be changed without soldering.

Full specs

Keychron B35 vs V2 Max specs

Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.

14 of 27 specs differ

Keychron B35

Keychron V2 Max

Typing & switches

Switch options

Clicky, Linear, Tactile
Clicky, Linear, Tactile

Hot-swappable

No
Yes

Mount style

—
Gasket Mount, Plate Mount

Sound dampening

No
Yes

Screw-in stabilizers

No
Yes

Layout

Layout size

96%
65%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Knob

No
Yes

Display

None
None

Media keys

Yes
Yes

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired

Max polling rate

1,000 Hz
1,000 Hz

Battery

800 mAh
4,000 mAhBetter

USB-C

Yes
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

ABS, Plastic
ABS, Plastic

Plate material

—
Polycarbonate

Keycaps

ABS
PBT

Weight

510 g
696 g

Dimensions

26 x 136 x 381 mm
23 x 123 x 330 mm

Typing angle

7°
4°

Backlight

None
RGB, south-facing

Firmware & software

QMK

No
Yes

VIA

No
Yes

N-key rollover

Yes
Yes

Mac & Windows

Yes
Yes

Extras

Released

2025
2024

Where to buy

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 B353 stores

FAQ

Keychron B35 vs V2 Max: your questions

Yes. Its 96% layout includes a numpad, though the layout does not have the gaps of a full-size keyboard.

No. The V2 Max is a 65% keyboard and has no numpad or function row.

The B35 weighs 510g, while the V2 Max weighs 696g. The B35 is the lighter option based on the listed weights.

The B35's switches are soldered, so changing them requires soldering. The product specifications do not describe its switches as hot-swappable.

Yes. Its sockets support 3-pin and 5-pin MX mechanical switches, and switches can be changed without soldering.

Yes. The V2 Max lists QMK and VIA support, with key remapping, macros, and shortcuts among the stated customization options.

The V2 Max has south-facing RGB lighting. The B35 is listed without RGB.

Both list Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz connectivity, as well as wired connections. Their listed polling rate is 1000 Hz.

The B35 has a numpad in its 96% layout. The V2 Max's 65% layout does not include one.

No. Its PBT keycaps are listed as not shine-through, and the board uses south-facing LEDs. The compatibility note also cautions that some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.

The V2 Max is the more direct choice for switch changes because it has hot-swappable sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin MX switches. Replacing switches on the B35 requires soldering.

The V2 Max has a listed 4000mAh battery, while the B35 has an 800mAh battery. These are the capacities listed for each keyboard.

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