Keychron K1 Pro vs K5 SEQMK or full-size keys
Get the K1 Pro for QMK/VIA customization and 1000 Hz wired polling, or the K5 SE for a full-size layout with a dedicated number pad.
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5.0 (5)5.0 · 5 reviews
from$67at Keychron
4.8 (30)4.8 · 30 reviews
from$59at Keychron
90-day lowLowest price in 90 days
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K1 Pro
QMK
Build quality in the top 15% of 80% boards under $100.
- QMK and VIA support, with vendor-described key remapping and macro customization.
- 1000 Hz polling rate in wired mode.
- Low-profile double-shot PBT keycaps.
- 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 SE
Build quality in the top 30% of 100% boards under $100.
- 100% layout with a dedicated number pad.
- Vendor-listed low-profile optical switch option, including Banana and Mint variants.
- Dedicated Screenshot and Siri (Cortana) keys in the vendor-described full-size layout.
- Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps will not fit.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
Choose the K1 Pro for QMK/VIA customization, 1000 Hz wired polling, and double-shot PBT keycaps. Choose the K5 SE for a full-size layout with a number pad and its vendor-listed low-profile optical switch option. Both are low-profile wireless keyboards with hot-swappable versions, so layout and exclusive features should guide the decision.
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 Pro
Keychron K5 SE
Layout size
80%
100%
Case material
ABS, Aluminum, Plastic
Aluminum, Plastic
QMK
Yes
No
The deep option when you want to remap every key
VIA
Yes
No
GUI remapping without compiling firmware
Layout standard
ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, ISO-UK, JIS
ANSI, JIS
ISO and JIS exist so regional layouts fit
- Keychron K1 Pro
- Keychron K5 SE
- Performance
- 8163
- Build quality
- 8066
- Productivity
- 7966
- Customizability
- 8869
- Portability
- 7355
- Connection: Bluetooth, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Battery: 2,000 mAh
- Low profile
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- Mount style: Tray Mount
What will you mostly use it for?
The K1 Pro is the clearer fit for wired gaming, programming customization, and buyers who want a smaller keyboard. The K5 SE's number pad and dedicated shortcut keys give it an advantage for workflows that use full-size key layouts. Modding favors the K1 Pro on the strength of its QMK/VIA support, while content creation is a preference call between programmable controls and a number pad. Both offer low-profile switch options and hot-swappable versions.
Pick the Keychron K1 Pro
- The K1 Pro lists a 1000 Hz polling rate, and its vendor description specifies that this applies in wired mode.
- The K5 SE vendor listing describes an optical switch option with 0.2 ms latency, but that feature is tied to the optical variant.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron K1 Pro
5 owner reviews
“I realy like this keyboard. I feel is harder to make typos compared to the K3 v2. I decided to go with the K1 Pro instead of the K3 Pro and it's going to to take time to adjust to the new layout, but the feeling and shape of the keys is definitely better.”
Keychron K5 SE
30 owner reviews
“This is my favorite keyboard. After assembling my desktop pc, I had always felt a little awkward typing on normal sized mechanical keyboards. This keyboard solved that for me. I currently use mine for my desktop, and on the go with my Steam Deck.”
Keychron K1 Pro vs K5 SE specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
8 of 24 specs differ
Keychron K1 Pro
Keychron K5 SE
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Low profile
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Display
Media keys
Connection
Max polling rate
Battery
USB-C
Case 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 K1 Pro
- Go to Keychron
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW
In stockShips to you
- Go to Keychron (DE)
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW
In stockDoes not ship to you
Keychron K5 SE
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
Keychron K1 Pro vs K5 SE: your questions
The K1 Pro is an 80% keyboard with QMK and VIA support. The K5 SE is full-size and includes a dedicated number pad.
Yes, QMK and VIA support are listed for the K1 Pro. Keychron describes key remapping and macros through its Launcher web app.
Yes, the K5 SE has a 100% layout with a dedicated number pad. Its vendor description also lists dedicated Screenshot and Siri (Cortana) keys.
The K1 Pro lists a 1000 Hz polling rate, and its vendor description specifies this rate for wired mode. No polling-rate figure is listed for the K5 SE.
Neither keyboard supports standard MX keycaps, according to their compatibility details. Both require low-profile switches and keycaps.
Both models have hot-swappable versions. The K1 Pro vendor description specifies compatibility with Gateron low-profile mechanical switches for its hot-swappable version.
The K5 SE vendor listing includes a low-profile Keychron optical switch version, alongside mechanical switch options. The optical switches are a separate version choice.
The K1 Pro's listed layout options include several ISO variants, including ISO-DE and ISO-UK. The K5 SE is listed in ANSI and JIS layouts, and its compatibility details exclude ISO variants.
The K1 Pro is an 80% layout, while the K5 SE is 100% and includes a number pad. The K1 Pro also has a listed weight of 580 g.
Both list Bluetooth, wireless, and wired connectivity, with USB-C included in their extra features. The K1 Pro vendor description specifies Bluetooth connections to up to three devices and a USB Type-C wired connection.
The K1 Pro's listed keycap materials include PBT, and Keychron describes its keycaps as low-profile double-shot PBT. The K5 SE's listed keycap material is ABS.
Both keyboards have north-facing LEDs, and their compatibility details warn that Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing. Low-profile keycaps are the specified fit for both.
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