Keychron K2 Max vs Q5 HE75% or magnetic 96%
Choose the K2 Max for a lighter 75% board with broader standard-switch swapping, or the Q5 HE for adjustable magnetic switches and a numpad.
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4.5 (2)4.5 · 2 reviews
from$94at Keychron
5.0 (2)5.0 · 2 reviews
from$212at MK
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K2 Max
Build quality in the top 10% of 75% boards under $100.
- 75% layout with a 940g listed weight.
- Hot-swap support for almost all 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style switches, according to Keychron.
- Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and wired connectivity.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- Missing ISO-CH. The other board is sold in those layouts.
- No numpad.
Get the
Keychron Q5 HE
Hall effect
Build quality in the top 10% of 96% boards under $300.
- 96% layout includes a numpad and lists knob support.
- Magnetic switches support adjustable actuation and Rapid Trigger.
- Aluminum case and plate with a gasket mount.
- Magnetic switches only. Standard MX switches will not fit.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- Missing ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW. The other board is sold in those layouts.
- Compact full-size layout. The numpad is present, the gaps of a full-size board are not.
Pick the K2 Max if lower weight, a 75% footprint, and broad MX-style switch swapping matter most. Choose the Q5 HE if you want a numpad, knob support, and magnetic-switch gaming features, and are comfortable with magnetic-only switch compatibility. Check the regional layout carefully, since the K2 Max lacks ISO-CH while the Q5 HE lacks ISO-Nordic and ISO-SW.
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 K2 Max
Keychron Q5 HE
Layout size
75%
96%
Hall effect (magnetic)
No
Yes
Adjustable actuation helps in games and not in normal typing
Rapid trigger
No
Yes
Faster resets help in games and not in normal typing
Max polling rate
1,000 Hz
8,000 Hz
Higher polling helps competitive FPS and does nothing for typing
Case material
ABS, Aluminum
Aluminum
- Keychron K2 Max
- Keychron Q5 HE
- Performance
- 81100
- Build quality
- 8689
- Productivity
- 9597
- Customizability
- 9195
- Portability
- 7955
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Battery: 4,000 mAh
- QMK
- VIA
- Sound dampening
What will you mostly use it for?
The Q5 HE is the gaming-oriented option, with magnetic-switch controls and a higher wired polling rate described by Keychron. The K2 Max is easier to carry and better suited to users who want a compact layout or wider standard mechanical switch choices. Programming is a close call because both offer remapping support, while their layouts prioritize different workflows. For desk-based number entry and extra controls, the Q5 HE's numpad and knob support make it the more suitable fit.
Pick the Keychron Q5 HE
- The Q5 HE supports adjustable actuation and Rapid Trigger with its magnetic switches.
- Its vendor description specifies an 8000 Hz polling rate in wired mode.
- The K2 Max lists a 1000 Hz polling rate and conventional mechanical switch options.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron K2 Max
2 owner reviews
“Négatif: Le temps de livraison et la clareté des infos”
Keychron Q5 HE
2 owner reviews
“This keyboard is so unbelievably premium. I was extremely hesitant at first to buy a keyboard in this price range but I guarantee you, you can absolutely tell that you are using an expensive, premium, top of the line product. Definitely recommend.”
Keychron K2 Max vs Q5 HE specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
13 of 29 specs differ
Keychron K2 Max
Keychron Q5 HE
Switch options
Hall effect (magnetic)
Rapid trigger
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
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 K2 Max
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW
In stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-SW
Out of stockDoes not ship to you
Keychron Q5 HE
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-CH
In stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-CH
In stockDoes not ship to you
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.
Keychron K2 Max vs Q5 HE: your questions
The K2 Max is a 75% keyboard with standard mechanical switch options, while the Q5 HE is a 96% board with magnetic switches and a numpad. The Q5 HE also supports adjustable actuation and Rapid Trigger.
The Q5 HE has magnetic switches, adjustable actuation, and Rapid Trigger, features intended for fine-grained key response. Keychron describes its 8000 Hz polling rate as available in wired mode, while the K2 Max lists 1000 Hz.
No, the Q5 HE's magnetic switch sockets are not compatible with standard MX switches. Keychron says it supports hot-swapping with compatible magnetic switches, including Keychron Lime and Gateron Jade.
The Keychron K2 Max weighs 940g, while the Q5 HE weighs 2301g. The K2 Max is the lighter choice for moving between locations.
No, the K2 Max has a 75% layout and its compatibility notes specify that it has no numpad. The Q5 HE's 96% layout includes one.
Both list Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and wired connectivity in their metadata. Keychron's Q5 HE product description specifically identifies its 8000 Hz polling mode as wired.
The K2 Max supports almost all 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style switches in its hot-swappable version, according to Keychron. The Q5 HE is restricted to compatible magnetic switches, including Keychron Lime and Gateron Jade.
Both keyboards list QMK and VIA support. Their vendor descriptions also mention Keychron Launcher for remapping.
The K2 Max is not offered in ISO-CH, while the Q5 HE is not offered in ISO-Nordic or ISO-SW. Both list ANSI, ISO, ISO-UK, and ISO-DE layouts.
Both products have south-facing LEDs, and their compatibility notes warn that shine-through legends stay dark. The notes also caution that some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
The Q5 HE has a numpad in its 96% layout, making it the more direct fit for frequent number entry. The K2 Max is a 75% layout without a numpad.
Adjustable actuation is listed for the Q5 HE's magnetic switches, not for the K2 Max. The K2 Max instead supports hot-swapping compatible mechanical switches in its hot-swappable version.
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