Keychron C2 vs V5Full-Size or QMK Customization
Get the Keychron C2 for a standard full-size layout with more spacing, or the Keychron V5 for QMK/VIA customization, PBT keycaps, and compact ISO layout options.
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4.8 (214)4.8 · 214 reviews
from$43at Keychron
90-day lowLowest price in 90 days
4.8 (8)4.8 · 8 reviews
from$74at MK
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron C2
Build quality in the top 40% of 100% boards under $100.
- Standard 100% ANSI layout with full-size spacing and a number pad.
- Dedicated multimedia keys.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
Get the
Keychron V5
polling rate
Build quality in the top 5% of 96% boards under $100.
- QMK and VIA support for key remapping, macros, and shortcuts.
- Double-shot PBT keycaps and south-facing RGB LEDs.
- 96% layout with ISO variants, knob support, and a DIY kit or barebones option.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- Compact full-size layout. The numpad is present, the gaps of a full-size board are not.
Choose the C2 if you want the spacing of a standard 100% layout and dedicated multimedia keys. Choose the V5 if QMK/VIA, double-shot PBT keycaps, south-facing LEDs, and a compact layout with ISO options matter more.
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 C2
Keychron V5
Layout size
100%
96%
Max polling rate
1,000 Hz
8,000 Hz
Higher polling helps competitive FPS and does nothing for typing
Mount style
Tray Mount
Gasket Mount, Plate Mount, Tray Mount
Knob
No
Yes
QMK
No
Yes
The deep option when you want to remap every key
- Keychron C2
- Keychron V5
- Performance
- 6691
- Build quality
- 6289
- Productivity
- 7798
- Customizability
- 7598
- Portability
- 4845
- Connection: Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Case material: ABS, Plastic
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
What will you mostly use it for?
The C2 is the more straightforward fit for a desk where conventional full-size spacing and a number pad matter. The V5 takes the lead for programming, modding, and content workflows that benefit from QMK/VIA customization and its knob-support feature. Its 96% form also saves space while retaining the number pad, making it the more compact option for travel setups, though it remains wired-only. Gaming favors the V5 for its remapping options and keycap flexibility.
Pick the Keychron V5
- The V5 has QMK/VIA support for key remapping and macros.
- Its south-facing LEDs avoid interference with OEM or Cherry-profile alternative keycaps, according to Keychron.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron C2
214 owner reviews
“really liking this keyboard. the only problem is the "screen capture" key isn't working and i cant find a way to program it .... well at list an simple one :)”
Keychron V5
8 owner reviews
“In love with it already. Only downside is how long it took to get the keyboard. Other then that its a great product for the price”
Keychron C2 vs V5 specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
13 of 26 specs differ
Keychron C2
Keychron V5
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
Display
Media keys
Connection
Max polling rate
USB-C
Case material
Plate material
Keycaps
Weight
Dimensions
Typing angle
Backlight
QMK
VIA
N-key rollover
Mac & Windows
Released
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.
ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
Keychron C2
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
Keychron V5
- Go to Keychron
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW
Out of stockShips to you
- Go to Keychron (DE)
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW
In stockDoes not ship to you
Keychron C2 vs V5: your questions
The C2 has a standard 100% ANSI layout, while the V5 uses a compact 96% layout that retains a number pad. The V5 also adds QMK/VIA support and PBT keycaps.
Yes, the V5 supports QMK and VIA. Keychron describes its customization as including key remapping, macros, and shortcuts.
Yes, the C2 is a 100% ANSI keyboard with a number pad. Keychron describes its full-size version as a 104-key layout.
Yes, the V5's 96% layout retains a number pad. Its compact arrangement has less spacing than a conventional full-size keyboard.
The V5 is listed with ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, and ISO-SW options, as well as ANSI. The C2 is listed in ANSI and does not offer ISO variants.
Both keyboards are listed as wired-only, with USB-C connectivity. Neither is described as offering wireless connectivity.
Both models are listed as hot-swappable. Keychron says the V5 supports 3-pin and 5-pin MX switches, while the C2's hot-swappable versions support MX-style 3-pin and 5-pin switches.
The C2 has north-facing LEDs, and its compatibility note warns that Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing. The V5 has south-facing LEDs, which Keychron says avoid interference with OEM or Cherry-profile alternative keycaps.
The C2's white and RGB backlight versions are described as using double-shot keycaps that let the backlight shine through the legends. The V5's double-shot PBT keycaps are listed as not shine-through, so their legends stay dark with its south-facing LEDs.
The V5 has QMK/VIA support, screw-in stabilizers, and a DIY kit or barebones option. The C2 offers hot-swappable versions, but the supplied feature details do not list QMK or VIA support for it.
Knob support is listed as a feature of the V5. The C2's listed extra features include multimedia keys, but not knob support.
Both keyboards list Mac/Windows support, and Keychron describes included keycaps for Mac and Windows with the C2. The V5 vendor description also mentions a system toggle and additional Mac and Windows keycaps.
Not sold on either?
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