Keychron K5 Pro vs K5 Ultra
Choose the K5 Ultra for 2.4 GHz wireless and 8000 Hz polling, or the K5 Pro if QMK is your preference and you do not need 2.4 GHz.
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4.8 (8)4.8 · 8 reviews
from$135at Keychron (DE)
5.0 (4)5.0 · 4 reviews
from$114at Keychron
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K5 Pro
Build quality in the top 15% of 100% boards under $150.
- QMK and VIA support, with the vendor also describing key remapping and macros through Keychron Launcher.
- Hot-swappable switch support and a choice of linear, tactile, and clicky switch types in the metadata.
- Full-size layout with Bluetooth and wired connectivity.
- 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-IT, ISO-PT. The other board is sold in those layouts.
Get the
Keychron K5 Ultra
Battery
Build quality in the top 15% of 100% boards under $150.
- 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth, and wired connectivity, with 8000 Hz polling in wired and 2.4 GHz modes.
- An integrated aluminum rotary encoder with customizable controls through Keychron Launcher.
- Hot-swappable Keychron Milk POM switches in linear Red, tactile Brown, and Banana options.
- 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, ISO-SW. The other board is sold in those layouts.
Choose the K5 Ultra if you want 2.4 GHz wireless, higher polling in wired or 2.4 GHz modes, a knob, or its acoustic foam layers. The K5 Pro remains a sensible alternative if QMK firmware and its tray-mount construction match your preferences, and 2.4 GHz is not a requirement. Check the exact K5 Pro version before buying if switch hot-swap is essential.
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 Pro
Keychron K5 Ultra
Connection
Bluetooth, Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Battery
2,000 mAh
2,600 mAh
A larger battery means fewer cables during the day
Max polling rate
1,000 Hz
8,000 Hz
Higher polling helps competitive FPS and does nothing for typing
Case material
ABS, Aluminum, Plastic
ABS, Metal, Wood
Knob
No
Yes
- Keychron K5 Pro
- Keychron K5 Ultra
- Performance
- 7991
- Build quality
- 7975
- Productivity
- 8193
- Customizability
- 8989
- Portability
- 5556
- Layout size: 100%
- Hot-swappable
- Low profile
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- QMK
- VIA
What will you mostly use it for?
The K5 Ultra has a clearer edge for gaming and travel based on its 2.4 GHz connection, higher polling rate in supported modes, lower listed weight, and advertised battery life. Its knob and detailed acoustic construction also make it a stronger fit for workflows that can use rotary control or benefit from sound dampening. Programming and modding are closer calls: both offer hot-swap and customization tools, though their firmware differs. For general office use, either provides a full-size layout, with the Ultra adding the knob and foam layers.
Pick the Keychron K5 Ultra
- The K5 Ultra specifies 8000 Hz polling in wired and 2.4 GHz modes; the K5 Pro lists 1000 Hz.
- The K5 Ultra offers 2.4 GHz connectivity in addition to Bluetooth and wired connections.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron K5 Pro
8 owner reviews
“I love my new keyboard! It's the typing experience I've been seeking.”
Keychron K5 Ultra
4 owner reviews
“This keyboard is exactly what I was looking for. Low profile, great switches, not uber gamery. Very happy so far, hopefully it keeps working for a long time.”
Keychron K5 Pro vs K5 Ultra specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
11 of 27 specs differ
Keychron K5 Pro
Keychron K5 Ultra
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Low profile
Sound dampening
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 K5 Pro
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW
Out of stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW
In stockDoes not ship to you
Keychron K5 Ultra
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-IT
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 K5 Pro vs K5 Ultra: your questions
Yes. The K5 Ultra lists 8000 Hz polling in wired and 2.4 GHz modes, while the K5 Pro lists 1000 Hz. The Ultra's vendor specifies 125 Hz over Bluetooth, so its 8000 Hz rate does not apply to that connection.
Yes, its listed connectivity includes 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth, and wired USB-C. The K5 Pro lists Bluetooth and wired connectivity, but not 2.4 GHz.
The metadata lists the K5 Ultra at 566 g and the K5 Pro at 720 g. The Ultra vendor page separately gives a weight of 720 g ± 10 g, so buyers should verify the weight for the exact K5 Ultra listing or configuration.
Keychron advertises up to 370 hours in wireless 8K mode with the backlight off. Its listed battery capacity is 2600 mAh; battery life will depend on the stated use conditions.
Both keyboards are listed as hot-swappable. The K5 Pro vendor notes that hot-swap is available with certain RGB versions, while the K5 Ultra vendor says its Milk POM switches can be changed without soldering.
The metadata lists QMK and VIA support for both models. The K5 Ultra vendor description identifies its firmware as ZMK, while the K5 Pro vendor describes QMK firmware, so check the exact firmware and configuration details before purchasing.
Keychron describes the K5 Ultra as using open-source ZMK firmware and the K5 Pro as using QMK firmware. Both vendor pages describe Keychron Launcher for remapping and macros, and both models list VIA support in their metadata.
Yes. The K5 Ultra has an integrated aluminum rotary encoder, set to volume control by default according to Keychron. The vendor says Launcher can assign other controls, including zoom or brush size; the K5 Pro lists multimedia keys but no knob.
The K5 Ultra has listed acoustic components including IXPE foam, EPDM foam, PET film, and bottom case foam, which Keychron says reduce resonance and vibration. The K5 Pro vendor description does not identify comparable foam layers, so the available product details favor the Ultra for acoustic construction.
Yes. Both are listed with a 100% layout. The K5 Pro metadata lists several layout standards, while the K5 Ultra listing includes ISO and ANSI variants as well as several regional ISO layouts.
The K5 Ultra uses low-profile LSA double-shot PBT keycaps, described by Keychron as non-shine-through and oil resistant. The K5 Pro vendor also describes low-profile double-shot PBT keycaps, while its metadata lists ABS and PBT material options.
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