Not sure which keyboard to choose? Try the Keyboard Finder now!

Head to head · Prices checked Nov 1, 2026

Keychron vs Keychron V5 UltraAluminum or 8K

Choose the Keychron for an aluminum case and ISO-DE, ISO-UK, or ISO-FR layouts, or the V5 Ultra for 8K wired and 2.4 GHz polling plus wireless connectivity.

KeebFinder may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.

Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Keychron

If you want

  • Aluminum case material.
  • Layout options include ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-FR, ISO, and ANSI.
  • Hot-swappable design and DIY kit or barebones option are listed.

Rules this board out

  • Missing ISO-ES. The other board is sold in those layouts.

Get the

Keychron V5 Ultra

QMK

Build quality in the top 15% of 96% boards under $150.

If you want

  • 8000 Hz polling is listed for wired and 2.4 GHz connections.
  • Supports Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and wired connections, with a 4000 mAh battery.
  • Lists QMK and VIA support, hot-swappable switches, and knob support.

Rules this board out

  • South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
  • Missing ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-FR. The other board is sold in those layouts.

Bottom line

Choose the Keychron if an aluminum case or ISO-DE, ISO-UK, or ISO-FR layout matters most. For wireless flexibility, 8K polling in wired and 2.4 GHz modes, or named customization tools, the V5 Ultra is the more feature-rich option. Check its south-facing LED compatibility rule if you plan to use shine-through or sculpted keycaps.

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

Keychron V5 Ultra

  • Case material

    Aluminum

    ABS, Metal, 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-ES

    ISO and JIS exist so regional layouts fit

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Keychron
  • Keychron V5 Ultra
Performance
46
91
Build quality
66
83
Productivity
46
98
Customizability
67
94
Portability
42
56

What they share

  • Hot-swappable
  • Knob
See every spec side by side

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

The V5 Ultra has the clearest advantage for gaming and feature-driven work, with specified high polling, multiple connection modes, and extensive customization support. Its wireless operation and listed battery life also make it the more flexible choice away from a fixed wired setup, though its 983 g weight matters for carrying. The general Keychron remains a reasonable fit when its aluminum case or ISO-DE, ISO-UK, and ISO-FR options are priorities. Buyers choosing for modding should note that the V5 Ultra has the more fully specified customization tools and construction.

For gaming

Pick the Keychron V5 Ultra

  • The V5 Ultra lists 8000 Hz polling for wired and 2.4 GHz modes.
  • It supports wired, 2.4 GHz, and Bluetooth connections.
  • Its listed features include N-key rollover.

Full specs

Keychron vs Keychron V5 Ultra specs

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

11 of 27 specs differ

Keychron

Keychron V5 Ultra

Typing & switches

Switch options

—
Clicky, Linear, Tactile

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

—
Gasket Mount

Sound dampening

No
Yes

Screw-in stabilizers

No
Yes

Layout

Layout size

—
96%

Layout standard

ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-FR, ISO-UK
ANSI, ISO, ISO-ES

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Knob

Yes
Yes

Display

None
None

Media keys

No
Yes

Connectivity & battery

Connection

—
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired

Max polling rate

—
8,000 Hz

Battery

—
4,000 mAh

USB-C

No
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

Aluminum
ABS, Metal, Plastic

Plate material

—
Polycarbonate

Keycaps

—
PBT

Weight

—
983 g

Dimensions

—
30 x 392 x 149 mm

Typing angle

—
4°

Backlight

White
RGB, south-facing

Firmware & software

QMK

No
Yes

VIA

No
Yes

N-key rollover

No
Yes

Mac & Windows

No
Yes

Extras

Released

2026
2026

For EU buyers

ISO layouts by store

Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.

Keychron

  • Input Gear

    ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-FR

    In stockShips to you

Keychron V5 Ultra

  • Keychron (DE)

    ISO-ES

    In stockDoes not ship to you

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.

Keychron2 stores

FAQ

Keychron vs Keychron V5 Ultra: your questions

The V5 Ultra is the clearer gaming pick because it lists 8000 Hz polling in wired and 2.4 GHz modes. It also lists N-key rollover, while the general Keychron listing does not specify either feature.

Yes. Its listed connection options are Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and wired, and the vendor specifies Bluetooth 5.3. The general Keychron listing does not specify wireless connectivity.

Keychron lists an 8000 Hz polling rate for wired and 2.4 GHz modes. The vendor specifications list 125 Hz for Bluetooth.

Yes, it has a listed 4000 mAh rechargeable battery. Keychron describes up to 660 hours with the backlight off, and up to 200 hours with RGB at its lowest brightness.

The general Keychron listing includes ISO-DE, ISO-UK, and ISO-FR layouts. The V5 Ultra compatibility rules identify those three layouts as unavailable.

The V5 Ultra lists ISO-ES among its layout options. The general Keychron is identified as missing ISO-ES.

Both product listings identify hot-swappable switches. Keychron further describes the V5 Ultra as supporting many 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style mechanical switches.

The V5 Ultra lists QMK and VIA support, and Keychron describes remapping and macro customization through its Launcher web app. The general Keychron listing does not specify software or remapping support.

The V5 Ultra is listed with OSA double-shot PBT keycaps and south-facing RGB LEDs. Its compatibility rule warns that shine-through legends stay dark with the south-facing LEDs, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.

Its listed construction includes a plastic case, polycarbonate plate, and PBT keycaps. Keychron also describes gasket mounting, sound-absorbing foam, PET film, and EPDM foam layers.

The V5 Ultra is listed at 983 g, but no weight is specified for the general Keychron, so the two cannot be compared by weight from these listings. The V5 Ultra does offer Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz connectivity, and a battery for wireless use.

Yes, Keychron says the fully assembled version includes Mac and Windows keycaps. The listing also describes a system toggle and two saved layouts, one for each system.

Still torn?

Answer a few quick questions and the keyboard finder ranks 2,000+ boards by how you will actually use yours.