Keychron K5 Max vs V5 MaxLow-Profile vs Gasket Mount

The K5 Max is a low-profile keyboard with slimmer key switches and an overall height of 18mm. The V5 Max is a normal-profile keyboard with a gasket mount design and a height of 22mm. This makes the K5 Max significantly thinner and lighter, while the V5 Max offers a more traditional mechanical key travel.

The V5 Max has a larger 4000mAh battery, while the K5 Max has a 2000mAh battery. According to the V5 Max manufacturer specifications, this provides up to 190 hours of wireless use with backlighting off. The K5 Max's smaller battery will consequently offer less wireless runtime between charges.

You can use standard Cherry MX switches on the V5 Max, as its hot-swap sockets support both 3-pin and 5-pin MX mechanical switches. The K5 Max, however, is only compatible with Gateron and Keychron low-profile mechanical switches, as stated by the manufacturer, and does not support standard MX switches.

Both keyboards are designed for Mac and Windows compatibility. Each includes keycaps for both operating systems and a system toggle switch. The K5 Max manufacturer notes it provides the same multimedia and function key functions as Apple keyboards for Mac users, but with mechanical switch tactile feedback.

The Keychron V5 Max offers versions with and without a knob. The product listing shows 'Fully Assembled Knob' and 'Barebone Knob' as types, confirming knob support is an available option for this model.

The included keycaps on both models are made of PBT and are described as non-shine-through. Customer reviews for the K5 Max specifically note that the backlight shines between the keys rather than through the legends, which can make typing in the dark difficult.

A gasket mount design, used in the V5 Max, involves suspending the plate and PCB within the case using rubber or silicone gaskets. According to Keychron, this reduces acoustic resonance for a softer, quieter typing experience with more flex compared to a traditional rigid plate mount like the one in the K5 Max.

The V5 Max is more customizable. It supports a vast array of standard MX switches, uses screw-in stabilizers that are easy to replace, and has south-facing LEDs that are compatible with Cherry and OEM profile keycaps without interference. The K5 Max's low-profile ecosystem has more limited switch and keycap options.

The K5 Max uses a standard 100% full-size layout with 108 keys and a traditional spacing. The V5 Max uses a 96% layout, which condenses the navigation cluster and numpad closer to the main typing area, eliminating some of the gap to save desk space while keeping the numpad.

Yes, both the Keychron K5 Max and V5 Max explicitly support open-source QMK firmware and the VIA configuration software. This allows for extensive key remapping, macro programming, and layer customization directly through a web app or desktop software.

According to the manufacturer, the V5 Max barebone version includes the ABS plastic housing, the keyboard PCB with screw-in stabilizers, and the polycarbonate (PC) plate. It does not include keycaps or switches, allowing you to install your own preferred components.