Keychron K5 V2 vs Keycool 108Wireless or wired
Choose the Keychron K5 V2 for low-profile wireless use, QMK customization and hot-swapping, or the Keycool 108 for a wired full-size board with green LED backlighting.
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Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K5 V2
Hot-swappable
Build quality in the top 15% of 100% boards under $100.
- Bluetooth and wired connectivity, with support for up to three wireless devices described by Keychron.
- QMK support and the Keychron Launcher web app for remapping keys and setting macros.
- A hot-swappable version and low-profile design, with compatibility limited to specified low-profile switches.
- 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
Keycool 108
Build quality in the bottom 15% of 100% boards under $100.
- Green LED backlighting with shine-through legends on the ABS keycaps.
- Switches are soldered. Swapping them means soldering.
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
Get the Keychron K5 V2 for Bluetooth, QMK customization, low-profile construction and a hot-swappable version, features that the Keycool 108 does not offer. Choose the Keycool 108 if its green LED backlighting suits your setup and you want a wired ANSI full-size board. For ISO layouts or switch changes without soldering, the K5 V2 is the more suitable fit, subject to its low-profile parts requirements.
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
Keycool 108
Connection
Bluetooth, Wired
Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Hot-swappable
Yes
No
Switch changes without soldering
Low profile
Yes
No
Case material
ABS, Aluminum
ABS
Mount style
PCB Mount
Plate Mount
- Keychron K5 V2
- Keycool 108
- Performance
- 8256
- Build quality
- 8045
- Productivity
- 8947
- Customizability
- 8843
- Portability
- 5440
- Layout size: 100%
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
What will you mostly use it for?
The K5 V2 leads across these use cases, especially where wireless operation, remapping or hot-swapping matters. Its low-profile format and listed weight also make it the more travel-oriented option of the two, though it still has a full-size layout. The Keycool 108 remains a straightforward wired choice with green LED lighting. Its ANSI-only layout and soldered switches make it less flexible for layout changes or switch swapping.
Pick the Keychron K5 V2
- The K5 V2 specifies a 1000 Hz polling rate in wired mode.
- Its low-profile design and wireless connection give it options beyond the Keycool 108’s wired-only setup.
Keychron K5 V2 vs Keycool 108 specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
14 of 26 specs differ
Keychron K5 V2
Keycool 108
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
Compare prices
Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.
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Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.
ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
Keychron K5 V2
- Go to Keychron
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW
In stockShips to you
- Go to Keychron (DE)
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-SW
In stockDoes not ship to you
- Go to MonacoKeys
MonacoKeys
ISO-DE
In stockDoes not ship to you
Keycool 108
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
Keychron K5 V2 vs Keycool 108: your questions
Yes. Keychron describes Bluetooth connectivity as well as a wired connection, and says the keyboard can connect wirelessly to up to three devices. The Keycool 108 is listed as wired only.
No Bluetooth connection is listed for the Keycool 108. Its product listing specifies a USB interface and wired-only connectivity.
The Keychron K5 V2 is available in a hot-swappable version. Keychron says that version supports compatible low-profile mechanical switches, while the Keycool 108’s switches are soldered.
No. The K5 V2 compatibility details specify low-profile switches and keycaps, and state that standard MX keycaps will not fit.
Yes. Its listed layouts include ISO variants, and Keychron identifies German, UK, Swiss and Nordic versions. The Keycool 108 is listed as ANSI only.
There is a compatibility caution: the K5 V2’s north-facing LEDs can cause Cherry-profile keycaps to hit the switch housing. Low-profile keycaps are required according to its compatibility details.
Yes. Keychron describes support for both macOS and Windows and includes keycaps for both operating systems. The Keycool 108 vendor listing says Windows compatible and Mac compatible: No.
The Keychron K5 V2 is listed with RGB and white backlight options. The Keycool 108 vendor description identifies green LED backlighting rather than RGB.
Keychron says its QMK firmware and Launcher web app support remapping keys and setting macro commands. The vendor description says to connect the keyboard in wired mode to use Launcher.
The product metadata lists a 1000 Hz polling rate, and Keychron specifies 1000 Hz in wired mode and 125 Hz in wireless mode. No polling rate is listed for the Keycool 108.
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