Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K17 Pro
96%
- Compact 96% layout with 103 keys saves desk space.
- Includes a knob for volume or shortcut control.
- Slightly lighter (679g) and narrower (387mm) than the K5 Pro.
- Lacks dedicated number pad found on full-size layouts.
- No ISO layout option available (ANSI only).
- Keycaps are not shine-through, limiting RGB visibility in the dark.
Get the
Keychron K5 Pro
Full-Size
- Full-size 100% layout with 108 keys including a dedicated number pad.
- Available in multiple layouts: ANSI, ISO (DE, Nordic, UK, FR, ES, SW) and JIS.
- Rated highly by users for coding and office use over a long period.
- Heavier (720g) and wider (435mm) than the K17 Pro.
- Does not include a knob.
- Wider form factor may not fit well in smaller bags.
Select the Keychron K17 Pro if a compact layout with a knob is your priority, and you prefer a lighter, more portable keyboard. Choose the Keychron K5 Pro if you need a full-size layout with a dedicated number pad and require ISO layout options. Both offer excellent low profile typing experiences with the same core technology.
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 K17 Pro
Keychron K5 Pro
Layout size
96%
100%
Knob
Yes
No
Weight
679 g
720 g
Layout standard
ANSI
ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, ISO-UK, JIS
Keycaps
PBT
ABS, PBT
- Keychron K17 Pro
- Keychron K5 Pro
- Performance
- 8480
- Build quality
- 8279
- Productivity
- 8781
- Customizability
- 9189
- Portability
- 5456
- Connection: Bluetooth, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Battery: 2,000 mAh
- Low profile
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Case material: ABS, Aluminum, Plastic
What will you mostly use it for?
In gaming and programming, the choice is a tie as both keyboards share the same wireless technology, polling rate, and switch compatibility. The K5 Pro wins for office work thanks to its full-size layout and ISO layout options. The K17 Pro is the better pick for travel, modding, and content creation due to its lighter weight, compact size, and included knob.
It's a tie
- Both have a 1000 Hz polling rate in wired mode as stated by Keychron.
- Both use the same Gateron low profile switches with similar latency characteristics.
- The choice depends on whether you prefer a compact layout or a full-size layout with a dedicated number pad.
- Both are compatible with QMK for custom keybinds.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron K17 Pro
2 owner reviews
“I love this keyboard. It works very well with my setup. The key switches and the knob are perfect. My only feedback is that I wish there was a southpaw version of this keyboard. As a person working with numbers and creativity, the K17 Pro Southpaw version…”
Keychron K5 Pro
8 owner reviews
“I love my new keyboard! It's the typing experience I've been seeking.”
Keychron K17 Pro vs K5 Pro specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
7 of 25 specs differ
Keychron K17 Pro
Keychron K5 Pro
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Low profile
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
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
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Keychron K17 Pro vs K5 Pro: your questions
Yes, both keyboards connect via Bluetooth 5.1 for wireless use. Keychron states a 90 Hz polling rate in wireless mode, which is suitable for casual gaming but competitive gamers should use the wired mode with 1000 Hz polling for lower latency.
Both keyboards use the same low profile Gateron switch stem, so low profile keycaps designed for MX-style stems will be compatible. The included keycaps on both are low-profile double-shot PBT, but the K17 Pro keycaps are described as non-backlight shine-through, which may affect RGB visibility.
Yes, both the K17 Pro and K5 Pro support QMK firmware and the Keychron Launcher web app for customization. Keychron states the K5 Pro works with VIA, though some user reviews note that VIA support may require using the Keychron Launcher instead.
The Keychron K5 Pro is better for data entry due to its full-size 100% layout with a dedicated number pad. The K17 Pro has a 96% layout, which consolidates the number pad into the main area, which can be less efficient for heavy numeric input.
Yes, hot-swappable versions are available for both keyboards. They are compatible with Gateron low-profile mechanical switches only. Keychron notes that QMK does not support low-profile optical switches, so those cannot be used.
Both keyboards are equipped with a 2000mAh battery. Actual battery life depends on usage, such as RGB brightness and typing habits. Keychron does not specify runtime hours in the provided materials.
Only the Keychron K17 Pro includes knob support. The Keychron K5 Pro does not list a knob in its extra features. The knob on the K17 Pro can be customized via QMK/VIA for volume control or other shortcuts.
No, the Keychron K17 Pro is only available in ANSI layout. The Keychron K5 Pro offers a wide range of ISO layouts, including ISO-DE, ISO-Nordic, ISO-UK, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, and ISO-SW, making it more suitable for international users.
The K17 Pro is more portable due to its lighter weight (679g vs 720g) and narrower width (387mm vs 435mm). Its 96% layout is also more compact, making it easier to fit into bags compared to the full-size K5 Pro.
Yes, both keyboards come with keycaps for both macOS and Windows and are fully compatible with both operating systems. Keychron mentions that the K17 Pro and K5 Pro include additional esc and enter keys for switching between systems.
Both the K17 Pro and K5 Pro use redesigned stabilizers, according to Keychron, which are designed to reduce wobble on larger keys like the space bar, left Shift, backspace, and Enter key. The specific stabilizer type is not detailed in the provided materials.
The Keychron K17 Pro has a 5/5 rating from 4 reviews, while the Keychron K5 Pro has a 4.8/5 rating from 8 reviews. Both are highly rated, but the K5 Pro has a larger sample size.
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