Keychron K5 Max vs Nuphy Node 100QMK or Gasket
Choose the Keychron K5 Max for QMK/VIA customization and more regional layouts, or the Nuphy Node 100 for its gasket mount and larger battery.
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Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K5 Max
Build quality in the top 15% of 100% boards under $100.
- QMK and VIA support, with vendor-described key remapping and macros through Keychron Launcher.
- Listed layouts include ISO-DE, ISO-Nordic, ISO-UK, ISO, and ANSI.
- Includes multimedia keys and supports N-key rollover in wireless and wired modes.
- Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps will not fit.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
Get the
Nuphy Node 100
Battery
Build quality in the bottom 45% of 100% boards under $100.
- Gasket mount with a polycarbonate plate.
- 3000 mAh battery and three-level typing angle options in the vendor description.
- Vendor-listed SOCD support for gaming and NuPhy IO web-based configuration and macros.
- Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps will not fit.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
- Missing ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic. The other board is sold in those layouts.
Choose the Keychron K5 Max if QMK/VIA support, multimedia keys, or ISO-UK and ISO-Nordic layout options are priorities. Pick the Nuphy Node 100 if you prefer a gasket mount, its vendor-described SOCD support, or a 3000 mAh battery. Both are low-profile, hot-swappable wireless boards, so layout and customization are the clearest deciding factors.
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 K5 Max
Nuphy Node 100
Battery
2,000 mAh
3,000 mAh
A larger battery means fewer cables during the day
Case material
ABS, Aluminum
ABS
Switch options
Clicky, Linear, Tactile
Clicky, Linear
Mount style
PCB Mount, Plate Mount
Gasket Mount
Weight
720 g
787.3 g
Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel
- Keychron K5 Max
- Nuphy Node 100
- Performance
- 8174
- Build quality
- 8156
- Productivity
- 8965
- Customizability
- 8858
- Portability
- 5353
- Layout size: 100%
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Low profile
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Plate material: Polycarbonate
What will you mostly use it for?
The K5 Max takes the lead for office work, programming, modding, and content workflows, mainly because it combines QMK/VIA support with multimedia keys and more listed layouts. The Node 100 has a gaming-specific SOCD feature, though both boards list the same polling rate in 2.4 GHz and wired modes. For travel, the trade-off is balanced: the Node 100 has the larger battery, while the K5 Max weighs less. Both retain wireless and wired connectivity in a low-profile format.
Pick the Nuphy Node 100
- Both list a 1000 Hz polling rate, while the Node 100 vendor description also specifies SOCD support for gaming.
- The Node 100 offers clicky or linear switches and a gasket mount.
Keychron K5 Max vs Nuphy Node 100 specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
13 of 26 specs differ
Keychron K5 Max
Nuphy Node 100
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Low profile
Sound dampening
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
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 K5 Max
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic
In stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK
In stockDoes not ship to you
Nuphy Node 100
Input Gear
ISO-DE
In stockShips to you
Input Gear
ISO-DE
In stockShips to you
Input Gear
ISO-DE
In stockShips to you
Compare prices
Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.
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Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.
Keychron K5 Max vs Nuphy Node 100: your questions
The K5 Max supports QMK and VIA and lists ISO-UK and ISO-Nordic layouts. The Node 100 uses a gasket mount and has a 3000 mAh battery, compared with the K5 Max's 2000 mAh battery.
The K5 Max lists QMK support, and its vendor description also names VIA and the Keychron Launcher web app. The Node 100 vendor description names NuPhy IO for web-based configuration and macros.
Both product listings specify hot-swap support. The K5 Max vendor says it supports Gateron and Keychron low-profile mechanical switches, while the Node 100 vendor describes low-profile hot-swap compatibility.
No. Both compatibility rules specify low-profile switches and keycaps only, so standard MX keycaps will not fit. The K5 Max vendor describes its included keycaps as low-profile double-shot PBT.
Both use north-facing LEDs, and both compatibility rules warn that Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing. Consider low-profile keycaps instead.
The K5 Max lists ISO-DE, ISO-Nordic, ISO-UK, ISO, and ANSI layouts. The Node 100 lists ISO-DE, ISO, and ANSI, so ISO-UK and ISO-Nordic are not listed for that model.
The Nuphy Node 100 has a 3000 mAh battery, while the Keychron K5 Max has a 2000 mAh battery. The Node 100 vendor description also gives separate battery-life estimates for RGB-on and RGB-off use.
Both list Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz connectivity, with a 1000 Hz polling rate specified for 2.4 GHz and wired modes. The Node 100 vendor description also specifically lists SOCD support for gaming.
The K5 Max weighs 720 g, while the Node 100 weighs 787.3 g. Both are full-size low-profile boards with Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and wired connectivity.
The K5 Max listing includes linear, tactile, and clicky switch types, with its vendor page naming Red, Brown, and Banana options. The Node 100 listing includes linear and clicky, while its vendor description names Red Nano, Brown Nano, and Blush Nano options.
The Node 100 vendor description lists a 2.4 GHz dongle, USB-C cable, keycap/switch puller, additional keycaps, and documentation in the box. These listed accessories are not specified for the K5 Max in its product description.
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