Keychron K5 V2 vs V1 UltraFull Size or 8K
Choose the K5 V2 for a low-profile full-size layout with a numpad, or the V1 Ultra for a compact layout, 2.4 GHz wireless, and an 8000 Hz polling rate.
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4.5 · 8 reviews
from$89at MK
5.0 · 1 reviews
from$97at MK
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K5 V2
Build quality in the top 15% of 100% boards under $100.
- 100% layout includes a numpad and 12 multimedia keys.
- Low-profile format with a 3° typing angle.
- QMK, VIA, hot-swappable switches, and N-key rollover.
- 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. The other board is sold in those layouts.
Get the
Keychron V1 Ultra
Battery
Build quality in the top 10% of 75% boards under $100.
- 75% layout with a knob and no numpad.
- Three connection options: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and wired.
- 8000 Hz polling rate and a 4000 mAh battery.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- Missing ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW. The other board is sold in those layouts.
- No numpad.
Pick the Keychron K5 V2 if a numpad and low-profile full-size layout are priorities. Choose the V1 Ultra if you prefer a compact board with 2.4 GHz wireless, an 8000 Hz polling rate, a knob, and broader MX-style switch-swapping options. Check the regional layout and keycap compatibility rules before ordering either model.
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 V1 Ultra
Layout size
100%
75%
Connection
Bluetooth, Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Battery
2,000 mAh
4,000 mAh
A larger battery means fewer cables during the day
Low profile
Yes
No
Max polling rate
1,000 Hz
8,000 Hz
Higher polling helps competitive FPS and does nothing for typing
- Keychron K5 V2
- Keychron V1 Ultra
- Performance
- 8291
- Build quality
- 7984
- Productivity
- 8098
- Customizability
- 8894
- Portability
- 5479
- Hot-swappable
- QMK
- VIA
What will you mostly use it for?
The V1 Ultra takes the gaming, travel, modding, and content creation picks, with its higher polling rate, compact layout, broader switch options, and knob. The K5 V2 is the office pick for buyers who want a full-size layout and low-profile typing. Programming is a closer call because both offer QMK, VIA, hot-swapping, and Launcher support, but the V1 Ultra adds a knob and broader MX-style switch compatibility. Both can connect over Bluetooth or wired USB-C.
Pick the Keychron V1 Ultra
- The V1 Ultra lists an 8000 Hz polling rate, compared with 1000 Hz for the K5 V2.
- The V1 Ultra supports 2.4 GHz wireless as well as wired and Bluetooth connections.
- Both keyboards have N-key rollover and hot-swappable switches.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron K5 V2
8 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…”
“Got this keyboard so I could keep my K5 Pro at work and this one at home. Both are the RGB version with brown switches, the K5v2 is quieter than the Pro and just as good to use. It also reports battery state over Bluetooth, which is a nice QoL improvement…”
Keychron V1 Ultra
1 owner reviews
“Keychron has the best keyboard for keyboard enthusiasts. This is my 3rd and I have no notes. Exactly what I wanted, versatility, thockiness, and portability.”
Keychron K5 V2 vs V1 Ultra specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
18 of 28 specs differ
Keychron K5 V2
Keychron V1 Ultra
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Low profile
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
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 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
Keychron V1 Ultra
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-FR, ISO-ES
In stockDoes not ship 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 V2 vs V1 Ultra: your questions
Yes. The V1 Ultra is listed at 8000 Hz, while the K5 V2 is listed at 1000 Hz. Keychron specifies 8000 Hz for the V1 Ultra in wired and 2.4 GHz modes.
The K5 V2 has a 100% layout with a numpad. The V1 Ultra is a 75% layout and its compatibility notes specify that it has no numpad.
The K5 V2 lists Bluetooth and wired connectivity, but not 2.4 GHz. The V1 Ultra supports Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and wired connections.
The K5 V2 is the low-profile option, and its layout ergonomics are listed as normal and low profile. The V1 Ultra is listed as normal profile and uses OSA double-shot PBT keycaps.
Both are listed as hot-swappable. The K5 V2 uses low-profile mechanical switches, while Keychron says the V1 Ultra accepts many 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style switches without soldering.
No. The K5 V2 compatibility rules specify low-profile switches and keycaps only, so standard MX keycaps will not fit. Its north-facing LEDs can also interfere with some Cherry-profile keycaps.
Both list QMK and VIA support. Both also support Keychron Launcher for remapping keys and setting macros, according to their product descriptions.
The V1 Ultra has a 4000 mAh battery, while the K5 V2 has a 2000 mAh battery. Keychron lists up to 660 hours for the V1 Ultra with backlighting off, while the K5 V2 listing gives up to 160 hours.
The K5 V2 compatibility rules list ISO-FR and ISO-ES as unavailable. The V1 Ultra lists ISO-FR and ISO-ES layouts, so it is the option to check for those regional layouts.
The V1 Ultra is narrower, with listed dimensions of about 329 mm wide, compared with 424 mm for the K5 V2. Its 75% layout also omits the numpad that the K5 V2 includes.
The V1 Ultra compatibility notes warn that shine-through legends stay dark with its south-facing LEDs. They also note that some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
Both list Mac/Windows support, and Keychron says each includes keycaps for both systems. The V1 Ultra product description also says it has a system toggle and can save two layouts, one for each system.
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