Keychron vs Keychron V5 MaxAluminum or Wireless
Choose Keychron for its aluminum case, or the Keychron V5 Max for its 96% layout, wireless connectivity, 1000 Hz polling, and QMK/VIA customization.
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Keychron
No reviews
from$19at Input Gear
4.8 (5)4.8 · 5 reviews
from$99at MK
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron
- Aluminum case material.
- Missing ISO-Nordic, ISO-ES, ISO-SW. The other board is sold in those layouts.
Get the
Keychron V5 Max
QMK
Build quality in the top 10% of 96% boards under $100.
- Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and wired connectivity, with 1000 Hz polling specified for 2.4 GHz and wired modes.
- QMK and VIA support, plus a gasket mount and polycarbonate plate.
- 96% layout with ISO-Nordic, ISO-ES, and ISO-SW listed among its layout options.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
Choose the aluminum-cased Keychron if that material is your priority. Choose the V5 Max for its 96% layout, wireless modes, 1000 Hz polling, QMK/VIA support, gasket mount, and broader listed ISO layout selection.
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
Keychron V5 Max
Case material
Aluminum
ABS, Plastic
QMK
No
Yes
The deep option when you want to remap every key
VIA
No
Yes
GUI remapping without compiling firmware
Sound dampening
No
Yes
Layout standard
ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-FR, ISO-UK
ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, ISO-UK
ISO and JIS exist so regional layouts fit
- Keychron
- Keychron V5 Max
- Performance
- 4783
- Build quality
- 6786
- Productivity
- 4797
- Customizability
- 6998
- Portability
- 4253
- Hot-swappable
- Knob
What will you mostly use it for?
The V5 Max has the clearest advantage for gaming, office work, programming, travel, modding, and content creation because its feature set is documented in more detail. Its wireless modes and 1000 Hz polling are relevant for gaming and mobile setups, while QMK/VIA and its knob add useful customization options. The aluminum-cased Keychron remains a distinct choice for buyers who prioritize that case material. Layout availability may also decide the purchase for shoppers seeking ISO-Nordic, ISO-ES, or ISO-SW.
Pick the Keychron V5 Max
- The V5 Max specifies 1000 Hz polling over 2.4 GHz and wired connections.
- It offers Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and wired connectivity.
Keychron vs Keychron V5 Max specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
12 of 27 specs differ
Keychron
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
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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Amazon
Check price
ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
Keychron
- Go to Input Gear
Input Gear
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-FR
Out of stockShips to you
Keychron V5 Max
- Go to Keychron
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW
Out of stockShips to you
- Go to Keychron (DE)
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW
Out of stockDoes not ship to you
Keychron vs Keychron V5 Max: your questions
The listed Keychron has an aluminum case, while the V5 Max has an ABS plastic case. The V5 Max also specifies a 96% layout, Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz wireless, 1000 Hz polling over 2.4 GHz and wired connections, and QMK/VIA support.
Yes. Its listed connectivity includes Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz, as well as wired operation.
The V5 Max is listed at 1000 Hz polling. The vendor specifies that rate for 2.4 GHz and wired modes.
Yes, QMK and VIA support are listed for the V5 Max. Keychron's product description also describes using QMK and Keychron Launcher for remapping keys, macros, and shortcuts.
The product listing identifies the Keychron case as aluminum. The V5 Max is listed with an ABS plastic case.
The V5 Max listing includes ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, and ISO-UK. ISO-Nordic, ISO-ES, and ISO-SW are not listed for the other Keychron.
The V5 Max is listed as hot-swappable. Keychron says its sockets support 3-pin and 5-pin MX mechanical switches.
The V5 Max is listed with a gasket mount and polycarbonate plate. Keychron describes its gasket mount and plate as reducing acoustic resonance for a softer, quieter typing experience.
Yes, the V5 Max has south-facing RGB LEDs. Its product listing warns that shine-through legends stay dark and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LEDs.
The V5 Max supports Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz wireless connections and lists a 4000mAh battery. Its listed weight is 925g, so buyers should consider that when choosing a keyboard to carry.
The V5 Max listing includes Mac/Win support, and Keychron describes a system toggle and additional keycaps for both systems. The vendor also says it can save separate layouts for the two systems.
The V5 Max has listed QMK and VIA support, hot-swappable sockets, and a DIY kit/barebones option. Keychron specifies that the sockets accept 3-pin and 5-pin MX switches.
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