Keychron K17 Pro vs K5 ProCompact or Full-Size
Get the K17 Pro for a compact 96% layout and a knob, or the K5 Pro for a full-size layout and ISO variants that the K17 Pro does not offer.
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5.0 (2)5.0 · 2 reviews
from$119at Keychron (DE)
4.8 (8)4.8 · 8 reviews
from$135at Keychron (DE)
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K17 Pro
Knob
Build quality in the top 25% of 96% boards under $150.
- A dedicated knob adds a physical control for supported tasks.
- The 96% layout includes a numpad in a shorter 387 mm board.
- Double-shot PBT keycaps are specified, with a listed 679 g weight.
- 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.
- Compact full-size layout. The numpad is present, the gaps of a full-size board are not.
Get the
Keychron K5 Pro
Build quality in the top 15% of 100% boards under $150.
- Full-size 100% layout provides the conventional full-size arrangement.
- ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-FR, and other listed ISO variants provide regional layout choices.
- The K5 Pro listing specifies 108 keys and ABS or PBT keycap material options.
- Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps will not fit.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
Choose the K17 Pro if you want a knob and a compact 96% layout that keeps the numpad in a shorter board. Choose the K5 Pro if you need a full-size layout or one of its listed ISO variants, which the K17 Pro does not offer. Both are low-profile boards with wired and wireless use, hot-swap options, and QMK support.
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
Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel
Layout standard
ANSI
ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, ISO-UK, JIS
ISO and JIS exist so regional layouts fit
Keycaps
PBT
ABS, PBT
- Keychron K17 Pro
- Keychron K5 Pro
- Performance
- 8279
- Build quality
- 8078
- Productivity
- 8781
- Customizability
- 9189
- Portability
- 5655
- 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?
The K5 Pro is the clearer fit when a full-size layout or an ISO regional layout is important. The K17 Pro suits users who want a knob or a narrower board that still includes a numpad. Gaming and modding are close calls because both list the same wired polling rate, N-Key Rollover, and low-profile hot-swap and QMK options. For travel, the K17 Pro is lighter and shorter by the listed dimensions, though both remain full-featured wireless boards rather than compact layouts without a numpad.
It's a tie
- Both list 1000 Hz polling in wired mode and N-Key Rollover.
- Both offer wireless and wired connectivity with low-profile linear, tactile, and clicky switch options.
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
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 K17 Pro
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
Keychron K5 Pro
- Go to Keychron
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW
Out of 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 K17 Pro vs K5 Pro: your questions
The K17 Pro has a compact 96% layout and a knob, while the K5 Pro has a full-size 100% layout. The K5 Pro is also listed in several ISO variants, whereas the K17 Pro is ANSI only.
Yes, the K17 Pro has a numpad in its compact 96% layout. Its layout is shorter than the K5 Pro's full-size arrangement, but it does not have the gaps of a conventional full-size board.
Yes, the K5 Pro is listed as a 100% layout with 108 keys. It is the choice here for buyers who want a full-size layout rather than the K17 Pro's 96% arrangement.
The K5 Pro is offered in ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-Nordic, ISO-UK, ISO-SW, ISO-FR, and ISO-ES variants, among others. The K17 Pro is listed as ANSI only.
Both product specifications list Bluetooth, wireless, and wired connectivity. The vendor descriptions also specify Bluetooth connections to up to three devices and USB Type-C wired use.
Both list 1000 Hz polling in wired mode and N-Key Rollover. Choose between them based on layout preference: the K17 Pro is compact and has a knob, while the K5 Pro is full-size.
No, both are specified for low-profile switches and keycaps, and standard MX keycaps will not fit. The product descriptions identify low-profile double-shot PBT keycaps for both boards.
Use caution, both boards have north-facing LEDs, and their compatibility notes warn that Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing. Low-profile keycaps are the safer specified fit.
Both offer hot-swappable versions for low-profile mechanical switches. The vendor descriptions specify Gateron low-profile mechanical switches for hot-swap, so check the version and switch type when buying.
The K17 Pro is listed at 679 g and 387 mm long, compared with 720 g and 435 mm for the K5 Pro. Both have wireless connectivity, but the K17 Pro has the lighter and shorter listed dimensions.
Yes, knob support is listed as an extra feature for the K17 Pro. The K5 Pro's listed extra features do not include a knob.
The product metadata lists QMK and VIA support for both the K17 Pro and K5 Pro. Keychron's descriptions also mention its Launcher web app for key remapping and macros.
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