What is the main difference between the Keychron K3 Pro and K5 Max?

The K3 Pro has a 75% layout and weighs 525 g, while the K5 Max has a 100% layout with 108 keys and weighs 720 g. The K5 Max also supports 2.4 GHz wireless, which the K3 Pro does not list.

Does the Keychron K5 Max have 2.4 GHz wireless?

Yes, the K5 Max supports 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth, and wired connections. Its vendor description lists a 1000 Hz polling rate for 2.4 GHz and wired modes.

Does the Keychron K3 Pro have a full-size layout?

No, the K3 Pro is a 75% keyboard. The K5 Max is the full-size option, with a 100% layout and 108 keys.

Which keyboard is lighter, the K3 Pro or K5 Max?

The K3 Pro weighs 525 g, while the K5 Max weighs 720 g. The K3 Pro is also shorter, measuring 306 mm wide compared with 424 mm for the K5 Max.

Are the Keychron K3 Pro and K5 Max hot-swappable?

Both models offer hot-swappable versions. The K3 Pro vendor description specifies Gateron low-profile mechanical switches, while the K5 Max description names Gateron and Keychron low-profile mechanical switches.

Do the K3 Pro and K5 Max support QMK and VIA?

Both keyboards list QMK and VIA support. Their vendor descriptions also identify Keychron Launcher for key remapping and macros.

Which Keychron keyboard has a larger battery, K3 Pro or K5 Max?

The K5 Max has a 2000 mAh battery, compared with 1550 mAh in the K3 Pro. The K5 Max vendor page also states up to 95 hours of battery life.

Do the Keychron K3 Pro and K5 Max have shine-through keycaps?

The vendor descriptions list low-profile double-shot PBT keycaps for both and describe the material as non-backlight shine-through. The K3 Pro Special Edition instead has dye-sublimated PBT keycaps.

Which keyboard is better for a small desk?

The K3 Pro is the more compact choice, with a 75% layout and dimensions of 306 x 116 mm. The K5 Max is 424 x 119 mm and uses a 100% layout.

Do the K3 Pro and K5 Max work with Mac and Windows?

Both list Mac/Win support, and each vendor description says the keyboard includes keycaps for macOS and Windows. The vendor pages also list Keychron Launcher compatibility with macOS, Windows, and Linux.

Does the Keychron K5 Max include sound-dampening foam?

The K5 Max vendor description lists IXPE acoustic foam and latex foam inside the keyboard. The K3 Pro metadata does not list those foam layers.

Which keyboard is better for gaming, K3 Pro or K5 Max?

The K5 Max has an advantage for wireless gaming because it supports 2.4 GHz with a listed 1000 Hz polling rate. Both keyboards list a 1000 Hz wired polling rate and N-key rollover for wired and wireless modes.

Compare Keychron K3 Pro vs K5 Max Differences Side by Side

This comparison is for buyers choosing between two low-profile Keychron keyboards with QMK support, hot-swap options, and wired and wireless connectivity. The K3 Pro takes up less desk space and weighs less, while the K5 Max has a full-size layout with 2.4 GHz wireless. Both offer low-profile mechanical switches and PBT keycaps, so layout, connection options, and portability are the main trade-offs. The K5 Max also lists acoustic foam, while the K3 Pro offers a smaller footprint.

Model
	87	88	Select a keyboard to compare
Rating	4.7 stars (54 reviews)	3.8 stars (24 reviews)
Purchase Options
Main differences	Released in 2022 Available in a 75% layout Built with the ISO, JIS, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, ISO-UK, ANSI layout standard Uses a Tray Mount mounting style Supports Bluetooth, Wired, Wireless connectivity Equipped with a 1550 mAh battery Weighs about 525 g Sized at 15 x 306 x 116 mm Made with a Aluminum, Plastic, ABS case Features ABS, PBT keycaps Offers Yes, Rgb, South-face, Rgb South-face, White, North-face, Rgb North-face, White North-face RGB lighting	Released in 2024 Available in a 100% layout Built with the ISO-DE, ISO-Nordic, ISO-UK, ISO, ANSI layout standard Has built-in sound dampening Uses a PCB Mount mounting style Supports Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless connectivity Equipped with a 2000 mAh battery Weighs about 720 g Sized at 18 x 424 x 119 mm Made with a ABS, Aluminum case Features PBT, ABS keycaps Offers Yes, Rgb, White, North-face, Rgb North-face, White North-face RGB lighting
Score	Scores Performance: 81.1 Build Quality: 81.4 Productivity: 79.9 Customizability: 88 Portability: 76.9	Scores Performance: 81.3 Build Quality: 81.5 Productivity: 88.9 Customizability: 88.2 Portability: 53.1
Name	Name Keychron K3 Pro	Name Keychron K5 Max
Release year	Release year 2022	Release year 2024
Switch Options	Switch Options Linear, Tactile, Clicky	Switch Options Linear, Tactile, Clicky
Profile	Profile Low Profile	Profile Low Profile
Hot Swappable	Hot Swappable	Hot Swappable
Layout Size	Layout Size 75%	Layout Size 100%
Layout Standard	Layout Standard ISO, JIS, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, ISO-UK, ANSI	Layout Standard ISO-DE, ISO-Nordic, ISO-UK, ISO, ANSI
Layout Ergonomics	Layout Ergonomics Normal	Layout Ergonomics Normal
Knob Support	Knob Support	Knob Support
Display Support	Display Support	Display Support
Mac/Win Support	Mac/Win Support	Mac/Win Support
Multi-Media Keys	Multi-Media Keys	Multi-Media Keys
USB-C	USB-C	USB-C
USB passthrough	USB passthrough	USB passthrough
Connection	Connection Bluetooth, Wired, Wireless	Connection Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless
Polling Rate	Polling Rate 1000 Hz	Polling Rate 1000 Hz
Battery capacity	Battery capacity 1550 mAh	Battery capacity 2000 mAh
Hall Effect Support	Hall Effect Support	Hall Effect Support
QMK Support	QMK Support	QMK Support
VIA Support	VIA Support	VIA Support
VIAL Support	VIAL Support	VIAL Support
N-Key Rollover	N-Key Rollover	N-Key Rollover
Rapid Trigger	Rapid Trigger	Rapid Trigger
Mount Style	Mount Style Tray Mount	Mount Style PCB Mount
Screw in Stabilizers	Screw in Stabilizers	Screw in Stabilizers
Sound Dampening	Sound Dampening	Sound Dampening
Backlight	Backlight Rgb, South-face, White, North-face	Backlight Rgb, White, North-face
Case Colors	Case Colors	Case Colors
Case Material	Case Material Aluminum, Plastic, ABS	Case Material ABS, Aluminum
Keycaps Material	Keycaps Material ABS, PBT	Keycaps Material PBT, ABS
Dimensions	Dimensions 15 x 306 x 116 mm	Dimensions 18 x 424 x 119 mm
Weight	Weight 525g	Weight 720g

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Pros and Trade-offs

Choose the K3 Pro if portability and a compact 75% layout matter more than a full-size key set or 2.4 GHz wireless. Choose the K5 Max if you want 108 keys, 2.4 GHz connectivity, and the added internal foam. Both provide QMK and VIA support, so customization alone is not the deciding factor.

Keychron K3 Pro

+75% layout and 525 g weight make it the smaller, lighter option.
+Supports Bluetooth and wired connectivity, with the vendor listing Bluetooth connections to up to three devices.
+QMK and VIA support, plus a hot-swappable version.
+Low-profile double-shot PBT keycaps are listed, with dye-sublimated PBT on the Special Edition.

−Does not list 2.4 GHz connectivity.
−The 75% layout is less expansive than the K5 Max's 100% layout.
−Its 1550 mAh battery is smaller than the K5 Max's 2000 mAh battery.

Keychron K5 Max

+100% layout with 108 keys for buyers who want a full-size arrangement.
+Supports 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth, and wired connections.
+The 2000 mAh battery is larger than the K3 Pro's 1550 mAh battery.
+Vendor description lists IXPE acoustic foam and latex foam inside the keyboard.
+Hot-swap version is described as compatible with Gateron and Keychron low-profile mechanical switches.

−At 720 g and 424 mm wide, it is heavier and longer than the K3 Pro.
−Its 100% layout takes up more desk space than the K3 Pro's 75% layout.
−The listed double-shot PBT keycaps are described as non-backlight shine-through.

Which Keyboard Is Better for Your Needs?

The K3 Pro is the more practical pick when carrying the keyboard or keeping a smaller desk footprint matters. The K5 Max has the edge for users who want a full-size layout or 2.4 GHz wireless, and its internal foam may appeal to buyers focused on the typing sound and feel. Both have substantial customization options through QMK, VIA, and hot-swap variants. For modding, the K5 Max vendor description names a wider set of compatible switch brands, though both support hot-swapping.

GamingKeychron K5 Max

•The K5 Max supports 2.4 GHz wireless with a 1000 Hz polling rate in that mode.
•Both keyboards list a 1000 Hz polling rate for wired use and N-key rollover for wired and wireless modes.

OfficeKeychron K5 Max

•The K5 Max has a 100% layout with 108 keys, while the K3 Pro has a 75% layout.
•The K5 Max adds 2.4 GHz connectivity alongside Bluetooth and wired connections.
•Its vendor description lists IXPE acoustic foam and latex foam inside the keyboard.

ProgrammingKeychron K5 Max

•Both keyboards support QMK and VIA, with vendor descriptions also listing key remapping and macros through Keychron Launcher.
•The K5 Max's 100% layout provides a full-size set of keys in its 108-key configuration.
•Both have hot-swappable versions, but the K5 Max vendor description names Gateron and Keychron low-profile mechanical switch compatibility.

TravelKeychron K3 Pro

•The K3 Pro weighs 525 g, compared with 720 g for the K5 Max.
•At 306 mm wide, the K3 Pro is shorter than the K5 Max at 424 mm.
•The K3 Pro has a 75% layout, making it the more compact option of the two.

ModdingTie

•Both list QMK support, VIA support, and hot-swappable options.
•Both vendor descriptions identify Keychron Launcher for remapping keys and creating macros.
•The K3 Pro hot-swap version is described for Gateron low-profile mechanical switches, while the K5 Max description names Gateron and Keychron low-profile mechanical switches.

Content CreationKeychron K5 Max

•The K5 Max's 100% layout includes 108 keys, while the K3 Pro uses a 75% layout.
•Both list multimedia keys and support QMK and VIA.
•The K5 Max offers 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth, and wired connectivity.