Keychron K5 V2 vs Keycool 108Wireless Customization vs Basic Wired
Choose the Keychron K5 for its extensive wireless connectivity and customization, or the Keycool 108 for a simple, no-frills wired option.
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K5 V2
Wireless Customization
- Wireless Bluetooth 5.2 and wired connectivity with multi-device pairing.
- Hot-swappable PCB option and extensive QMK/VIA firmware customization.
- Low-profile design with adjustable feet and enhanced IXPE, EPDM, and latex foam.
- Low-profile switch compatibility is limited to specific Keychron or Gateron models.
- Wireless polling rate is reduced to 125Hz compared to the 1000Hz wired rate.
- The vendor description indicates frequent stock shortages.
Get the
Keycool 108
Basic Wired
- Simple, plug-and-play wired USB operation.
- Available with PBT keycap material option according to the metadata.
- Includes blue LED backlighting with shine-through legends.
- Wired-only connectivity with no wireless option.
- No hot-swap capability, requiring soldering for switch changes.
- Vendor listing states no Mac compatibility, limiting it to Windows.
The Keychron K5 QMK V2 is the clear recommendation for most users seeking a full-size mechanical keyboard, given its modern wireless features, exceptional customizability, and cross-platform support. Only consider the Keycool 108 if your budget is strictly limited and you have no need for wireless operation, Mac support, or future modifications.
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
Hot-swappable
Yes
No
Low profile
Yes
No
Case material
ABS, Aluminum
ABS
Mount style
PCB Mount
Plate Mount
- Keychron K5 V2
- Keycool 108
- Performance
- 8257
- Build quality
- 7946
- Productivity
- 8047
- Customizability
- 8842
- Portability
- 5440
- Layout size: 100%
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
What will you mostly use it for?
The Keychron K5 QMK V2 is the decisive winner across all defined use cases due to its superior feature set. Its wireless capability, deep programmability, and modern construction make it versatile for gaming, productivity, and customization. The Keycool 108 serves a narrower role as a basic, wired-only keyboard for users who need a simple full-size layout without any advanced features.
Pick the Keychron K5 V2
- The Keychron K5 offers a 1000Hz polling rate in wired mode for lower latency.
- Its QMK firmware supports extensive macro programming for complex commands.
- It features N-key rollover in both wireless and wired modes.
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…”
Keycool 108
No owner reviews collected yet.
Keychron K5 V2 vs Keycool 108 specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
13 of 25 specs differ
Keychron K5 V2
Keycool 108
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Low profile
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.
Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.
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.
Keychron K5 V2 vs Keycool 108: your questions
Yes, the Keychron K5 QMK V2 is fully compatible with macOS and Windows. The manufacturer states it includes keycaps for both operating systems and offers a Mac layout with matching multimedia keys.
No, the Keycool 108 is not hot-swappable. The vendor description lists 'Hotswap: No', meaning any switch changes would require desoldering the existing switches and soldering in new ones.
The Keychron K5 QMK V2 has a 2000mAh battery. The manufacturer does not provide an estimated battery life, which will vary based on usage and backlighting settings.
No, the Keycool 108 does not have RGB lighting. According to the vendor description, it features blue LED backlighting only.
The manufacturer states the hot-swappable K5 V2 is currently compatible only with Keychron Milk POM switches or Gateron/Keychron low-profile mechanical switches. It does not support low-profile optical switches.
The Keychron K5 QMK V2 has a 1000Hz polling rate when used in wired mode. When using the wireless Bluetooth connection, the polling rate is 125Hz.
The Keycool 108 offers a standard full-size layout which is useful for programming, but it lacks programmability features. It has no software for macros or key remapping, unlike the Keychron K5 which supports QMK and VIA.
The Keychron K5 QMK V2 uses an ABS and aluminum frame, according to its specifications. This combination aims to provide a lightweight yet rigid structure.
Yes. The manufacturer states the Keychron K5 can connect to up to 3 devices via Bluetooth 5.2, allowing you to switch seamlessly between a computer, phone, and tablet.
The metadata lists PBT as a possible keycap material for the Keycool 108, but the vendor description only mentions laser-engraved ABS keycaps. You would need to verify the specific variant at purchase.
RGB backlighting on the Keychron K5 QMK V2 can be customized through the Keychron Launcher web app. The app allows you to adjust the hue, saturation, brightness, effect speed, and choose from over 22 dynamic modes.
The Keychron K5 is more portable due to its wireless capability and low-profile, ultra-slim design. The Keycool 108 is a standard-height, wired-only keyboard, making it less convenient to move around.
Not sold on either?
Still torn?
Answer a few quick questions and the keyboard finder ranks 2,000+ boards by how you will actually use yours.