Keychron K5 V2 vs K5 Ultra
Choose the K5 Ultra for 2.4 GHz, 8000 Hz polling and PBT keycaps, or the K5 V2 if you need its ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic or ISO-SW layouts.
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5.0 (6)5.0 · 6 reviews
from$89at MK
4.8 (5)4.8 · 5 reviews
from$114at Keychron
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K5 V2
Build quality in the top 15% of 100% boards under $100.
- Supports QMK and VIA, with Keychron Launcher for key remapping and macros.
- Offers Bluetooth and wired connectivity, with 1000 Hz polling listed in metadata.
- Hot-swappable versions support low-profile mechanical switches.
- 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-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-IT. 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.
- Supports 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth and wired connectivity, with 8000 Hz polling listed for wired and 2.4 GHz modes.
- Uses low-profile double-shot PBT keycaps and an anodized aluminum alloy plate.
- Includes an integrated aluminum rotary encoder that can be customized through Keychron Launcher.
- 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.
Pick the K5 Ultra if 2.4 GHz with 8000 Hz polling, PBT keycaps or the configurable knob matters most. Choose the K5 V2 when you need ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic or ISO-SW, or prefer its listed QMK and VIA support. Both require low-profile switches and keycaps, so account for that before planning replacements.
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 V2
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
ABS, Metal, Wood
Knob
No
Yes
- Keychron K5 V2
- Keychron K5 Ultra
- Performance
- 8291
- Build quality
- 8075
- Productivity
- 8993
- Customizability
- 8889
- Portability
- 5456
- Layout size: 100%
- Hot-swappable
- Low profile
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- QMK
- VIA
What will you mostly use it for?
The K5 Ultra leads for gaming, travel and content creation on connectivity, polling, weight and its knob. Office use favors the Ultra for its knob and PBT keycaps, though regional layout needs can reverse that choice. Programming and modding are close: both support hot-swapping and customization, with the V2 offering QMK/VIA and the Ultra using ZMK. Check the regional layout and low-profile part restrictions before choosing either board.
Pick the Keychron K5 Ultra
- The K5 Ultra lists 8000 Hz polling in wired and 2.4 GHz modes, compared with the K5 V2's 1000 Hz wired polling.
- The Ultra offers 2.4 GHz wireless, while the V2 lists Bluetooth and wired connectivity.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron K5 V2
6 owner reviews
“Genuinely happy with the keyboard. Had a low-profile one from another brand that has been used for 12+ years, and it degraded over time. This K5 feels very good. Still have to get used to the distance between the "primary," arrows, and numpad blocks, but…”
Keychron K5 Ultra
5 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 V2 vs K5 Ultra specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
10 of 27 specs differ
Keychron K5 V2
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
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.
ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
Keychron K5 V2
- Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW
In stockShips to you
- Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-SW
In stockDoes not ship to you
- MonacoKeys
ISO-DE
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
Keychron K5 V2 vs K5 Ultra: your questions
The K5 Ultra adds 2.4 GHz connectivity, 8000 Hz polling in wired and 2.4 GHz modes, PBT keycaps and an integrated knob. The K5 V2 lists QMK and VIA support and offers ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic and ISO-SW layouts missing from the Ultra.
The K5 Ultra is the stronger fit if you want the higher listed polling rate: it supports 8000 Hz in wired and 2.4 GHz modes. The K5 V2 lists 1000 Hz polling and Bluetooth or wired connectivity.
Yes, the K5 Ultra lists 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth and wired connectivity. Its 8000 Hz polling rate is specified for wired and 2.4 GHz modes.
The K5 V2 listing specifies Bluetooth and wired connectivity, not 2.4 GHz. The K5 Ultra explicitly lists 2.4 GHz alongside Bluetooth and wired use.
The K5 Ultra has a listed 2600 mAh battery, while the K5 V2 has a 2000 mAh battery. Keychron describes the Ultra as lasting up to 370 hours with backlighting off in wireless 8K mode; the V2 vendor listing says up to 160 hours.
Both product listings include hot-swappable versions or support. The K5 V2 vendor description limits compatibility to low-profile mechanical switches, and the K5 Ultra description says its switches can be swapped without soldering.
No, both compatibility rules specify low-profile switches and keycaps only, so standard MX keycaps will not fit. The K5 Ultra comes with low-profile double-shot PBT keycaps, while the K5 V2 is listed with ABS keycaps.
Both keyboards have north-facing LEDs, and their compatibility rules warn that Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing. Consider low-profile keycaps instead.
The K5 V2 is listed with ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic and ISO-SW, which the K5 Ultra lacks. The Ultra is listed with ISO-ES, ISO-FR and ISO-IT, which are missing from the V2.
Yes, the K5 Ultra includes an integrated aluminum rotary encoder that defaults to volume control. Keychron Launcher can customize it for tasks such as media control, zooming or changing brush size.
The K5 V2 lists QMK and VIA support. The K5 Ultra uses ZMK firmware and its vendor description identifies Keychron Launcher for remapping and macros.
The K5 Ultra is listed at 566 g, while the K5 V2 is listed at 732 g. Both have a full-size layout, so their weight difference does not mean either has a smaller layout.
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