Keychron B5 Pro vs V2 MaxFull-size or hot-swap?
Choose the B5 Pro for a full-size layout and lighter keyboard, or the V2 Max for hot-swappable switches and deeper customization.
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Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron B5 Pro
Build quality in the bottom 5% of 100% boards under $100.
- Full-size 100% ANSI layout with a numpad.
- 623 g listed weight and an ultra-thin 9.9 mm body described by Keychron.
- Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and wired connectivity, with a 1000 Hz polling rate.
- Switches are soldered. Swapping them means soldering.
Get the
Keychron V2 Max
Hot-swappable
Build quality in the top 10% of 65% boards under $100.
- Hot-swappable sockets support compatible 3-pin and 5-pin MX switches.
- QMK and VIA support, plus Keychron Launcher for remapping and macros.
- Gasket mount, polycarbonate plate, sound dampening, and screw-in stabilizers.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- 65% layout. No function row and no numpad.
Pick the Keychron B5 Pro if you need a full-size keyboard, prefer its lighter listed weight, or want a simpler option with multimedia keys. Choose the V2 Max if switch swapping, QMK/VIA customization, RGB, or its compact 65% layout better fits your setup. Check the V2 Max's south-facing LED compatibility rule if shine-through keycaps are important to you.
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 B5 Pro
Keychron V2 Max
Layout size
100%
65%
Hot-swappable
No
Yes
Switch changes without soldering
Battery
1,200 mAh
4,000 mAh
A larger battery means fewer cables during the day
Case material
ABS
ABS, Plastic
Knob
No
Yes
- Keychron B5 Pro
- Keychron V2 Max
- Performance
- 5179
- Build quality
- 4387
- Productivity
- 7095
- Customizability
- 4999
- Portability
- 5289
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
What will you mostly use it for?
The B5 Pro is the more suitable fit when a numpad, full-size layout, or lower listed weight matters most. The V2 Max takes the lead for switch changes, firmware-based customization, and gaming features such as N-key rollover. Travel is a close trade-off: the B5 Pro is lighter and described as ultra-thin, while the V2 Max has the larger listed battery. For content creation, choose based on whether you prefer the V2 Max knob and customization or the B5 Pro's full-size key layout.
Pick the Keychron V2 Max
- Both list a 1000 Hz polling rate, and the V2 Max supports N-key rollover in wired and wireless modes.
- The V2 Max has hot-swappable switches, while the B5 Pro's switches are soldered.
- The V2 Max includes south-facing RGB; the B5 Pro has no RGB.
Keychron B5 Pro vs V2 Max specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
16 of 27 specs differ
Keychron B5 Pro
Keychron V2 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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Keychron B5 Pro vs V2 Max: your questions
The B5 Pro is a 100% keyboard with a numpad, while the V2 Max is a 65% keyboard without a function row or numpad. The V2 Max adds hot-swappable switches, QMK/VIA support, and south-facing RGB.
Yes. Keychron says its PCB-mounted sockets accept compatible 3-pin and 5-pin MX mechanical switches, which can be changed without soldering. The B5 Pro's switches are soldered.
Yes, the B5 Pro has a 100% layout with a numpad. The V2 Max uses a 65% layout and does not include a numpad or function row.
Both models list Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz wireless, as well as wired connectivity. Both also list a 1000 Hz polling rate.
The V2 Max has N-key rollover in both wired and wireless modes, plus hot-swappable switches and south-facing RGB. Both models list a 1000 Hz polling rate, so that spec alone does not distinguish them.
Yes. Keychron describes the B5 Pro as compatible with its Launcher web app for key remapping, macros, and shortcuts. Its switches are soldered, so remapping does not mean the switches can be swapped without soldering.
Yes, the V2 Max lists QMK and VIA support, and Keychron describes using Launcher for key remapping and macros. The B5 Pro also supports Launcher customization, but its listed feature set does not include QMK or VIA.
The B5 Pro is listed at 623 g, while the fully assembled V2 Max is listed at 696 g. Keychron also describes the B5 Pro as ultra-thin.
Yes, it has south-facing RGB LEDs. Its compatibility notes say shine-through legends stay dark and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
The B5 Pro's switches are soldered, so swapping them requires soldering. For switch changes without soldering, the V2 Max has hot-swappable sockets for compatible 3-pin and 5-pin MX switches.
The V2 Max lists a 4000 mAh battery, while the B5 Pro metadata lists 1200 mAh. Keychron's B5 Pro product description gives a different battery figure, so check the exact product listing before buying.
Not sold on either?
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