Keychron K1 Max vs K5 Max80% TKL vs 100% Full-Size Low Profile
Choose the K1 Max for a portable, space-saving TKL layout, or the K5 Max if you require a dedicated number pad and full-size functionality.
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4.6 (10)4.6 · 10 reviews
from$89at Keychron
90-day lowLowest price in 90 days
4.6 (13)4.6 · 13 reviews
from$94at Keychron
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K1 Max
80% TKL
Build quality in the top 10% of 80% boards under $100.
- More portable 80% TKL layout (346mm wide, 608g).
- Larger 4000mAh battery capacity for extended wireless use.
- Includes sound-dampening IXPE and latex foam.
- Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps will not fit.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
- No numpad.
Get the
Keychron K5 Max
100% Full-Size Low Profile
Build quality in the top 15% of 100% boards under $100.
- Full 100% layout with integrated number pad for data entry.
- Includes sound-dampening IXPE and latex foam.
- Hot-swappable for Gateron/Keychron low-profile switches.
- Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps will not fit.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
Your need for a number pad is the deciding factor. If you regularly work with numbers or prefer a traditional full-size keyboard, the Keychron K5 Max is the logical choice. If you value a cleaner desk, more mouse space, or plan to move the keyboard often, the more compact and longer-lasting Keychron K1 Max is the better option. Both deliver the same premium low-profile typing experience and customization features.
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 K1 Max
Keychron K5 Max
Layout size
80%
100%
Battery
4,000 mAh
2,000 mAh
A larger battery means fewer cables during the day
Case material
ABS, Aluminum, Plastic
ABS, Aluminum
Weight
608 g
720 g
Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel
Plate material
Plastic, Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate
- Keychron K1 Max
- Keychron K5 Max
- Performance
- 8281
- Build quality
- 8181
- Productivity
- 9088
- Customizability
- 8988
- Portability
- 7353
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Low profile
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- Mount style: PCB Mount, Plate Mount
What will you mostly use it for?
The K5 Max is the clear choice for office work and content creation where a number pad is essential. The K1 Max wins for gaming and travel due to its more compact, lightweight form factor and larger battery. For programming and modding, the keyboards are functionally identical, leaving the decision to personal layout preference. Your daily tasks will dictate which layout serves you better.
Pick the Keychron K1 Max
- The 80% TKL layout of the K1 Max frees up more mouse movement space.
- It is lighter at 608g compared to the K5 Max's 720g, making it slightly easier to reposition.
- Both offer the same 1000Hz polling rate for responsive gameplay.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron K1 Max
10 owner reviews
“My first better keyboard and I am absolutely satisfied. We'll see how it works after a longer time. I just thought of one small thing, I have nowhere to hide the receiver when I leave with just the laptop and I want to leave the keyboard at home. Like you can…”
Keychron K5 Max
13 owner reviews
“This is by far the best keyboard I've ever had. I did my research with AI defined the one I should get. I'm glad I did this first! I type about a hundred words a minute and do a lot of document creation as well as coding. This keyboard keeps up with me in the…”
“I would give this product a higher rating if the key caps were shine through. I saw that ither versions of the K5 QMK (non max) all had shine through key caps and foolishly assumed this keyboard would too. The MAX branding makes one think that you are getting…”
Keychron K1 Max vs K5 Max specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
6 of 26 specs differ
Keychron K1 Max
Keychron K5 Max
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Low profile
Sound dampening
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
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
ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
Keychron K1 Max
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic
Out of stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK
Out of stockDoes not ship to you
Keychron K5 Max
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic
In stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK
In stockDoes not ship to you
Compare prices
Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.
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Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.
Keychron K1 Max vs K5 Max: your questions
The core difference is the layout size. The K1 Max uses an 80% TKL (Tenkeyless) layout, omitting the number pad. The K5 Max uses a 100% full-size layout which includes a dedicated number pad. This impacts the desk footprint, portability, and suitability for data-heavy tasks.
According to the specifications, the Keychron K1 Max has a 4000mAh battery, while the K5 Max has a 2000mAh battery. This suggests the K1 Max will generally last longer on a single charge under similar usage conditions, which is a significant advantage for wireless use.
No. Both keyboards come with low-profile double-shot PBT keycaps. The manufacturer's description and customer reviews for both models note that these keycaps are not shine-through, meaning the RGB backlighting primarily illuminates the area around the keys rather than the legends themselves.
For switches, yes, but only with specific types. Both are hot-swappable and compatible with Gateron and Keychron low-profile mechanical switches. For keycaps, you would need low-profile keycap sets that match the respective layout (87 keys for K1 Max, 108 keys for K5 Max).
Yes, the K5 Max is excellent for programming due to its full QMK and VIA firmware support, allowing deep customization of layers, macros, and key mappings. The inclusion of a number pad can be useful for some developers, though others may prefer the more compact K1 Max for its mouse space.
The Keychron K1 Max is better for small desks. Its 80% TKL layout is 78mm narrower than the K5 Max, freeing up considerable space for your mouse or other peripherals without sacrificing the main typing area.
Yes. According to the manufacturer, both the K1 Max and K5 Max include keycaps for both macOS and Windows layouts, and the Keychron Launcher web app allows you to configure different keymaps for each operating system.
Keychron's product description states that both the K1 Max and K5 Max feature advanced IXPE acoustic foam for quieter keystrokes and resilient latex foam for switch support and responsiveness.
Some customer reviews for the K1 Max mention occasional issues with key chatter or double-inputs when used in wireless mode. This is not a universally reported issue but is a potential consideration noted in user feedback.
Yes. Both keyboards are powered by open-source QMK firmware and are compatible with the VIA and Keychron Launcher configuration tools. This allows for remapping of every key, creating macros, and adjusting lighting effects without flashing firmware.
The Keychron K5 Max is heavier. It weighs 720 grams, while the K1 Max weighs 608 grams. The extra weight of the K5 Max is due to its larger 100% size, which can contribute to a more stable typing feel.
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