Is the Keychron K8 Pro wireless?

Yes. The K8 Pro supports Bluetooth for up to 3 devices and USB-C wired connectivity. It also has a 4000 mAh battery.

Does the Keychron Q5 support Bluetooth?

No Bluetooth connection is listed for the Q5, which is specified as wired only. Its vendor lists Type-C connectivity.

Which is lighter, the Keychron K8 Pro or Q5?

The K8 Pro weighs 1146 g, while the Q5 weighs 2310 g in its fully assembled version. That makes the K8 Pro the more manageable option to carry between locations.

What is the layout difference between the K8 Pro and Q5?

The K8 Pro uses an 80% TKL layout, while the Q5 uses a 96% layout. Keychron describes the Q5 layout as retaining number keys and essential functions.

Do the Keychron K8 Pro and Q5 support hot-swappable switches?

Yes, both list hot-swappable switches. The Q5 vendor specifies support for 3-pin and 5-pin MX switches, while the K8 Pro vendor describes support for almost any 3-pin and 5-pin MX mechanical switches.

Can I use QMK and VIA on the K8 Pro and Q5?

Both keyboards list QMK and VIA support, and their vendor descriptions mention key remapping and macros through Keychron Launcher. The Q5 vendor also describes assigning actions and macros to its knob through VIA.

Which keyboard has a knob, the K8 Pro or Q5?

The Q5 has a programmable knob, while the K8 Pro does not list one. Keychron gives examples for the Q5 knob including volume, screen brightness, brush size, and selecting video clips or photos.

Which keyboard is better for gaming, the K8 Pro or Q5?

Both list a 1000 Hz polling rate, and the K8 Pro vendor specifies 1000 Hz in wired mode. The K8 Pro also lists N-key rollover in wired and wireless modes, while the Q5 is wired only.

Does the Keychron Q5 have a gasket mount?

Yes, the Q5 lists a gasket mount, and Keychron describes its structure as a double-gasket design. The K8 Pro lists a tray mount instead.

What keycaps come with the Keychron K8 Pro and Q5?

The K8 Pro is listed with PBT or ABS keycap options, with the vendor identifying PBT as non-shine-through and ABS as shine-through. The Q5 fully assembled version comes with OSA profile ABS backlight shine-through keycaps.

Do the K8 Pro and Q5 support Mac and Windows?

Both list Mac and Windows support and include keycap options or sets for those systems in their vendor descriptions. The K8 Pro vendor also says its Launcher tool works with Linux, while the Q5 listing names macOS and Windows.

Which keyboard is easier to carry, the K8 Pro or Q5?

The K8 Pro is lighter at 1146 g and supports Bluetooth, so it is the more travel-friendly choice of the two. The Q5 weighs 2310 g and is wired only.

Compare Keychron K8 Pro vs Q5 Differences Side by Side

This comparison suits buyers choosing between a wireless TKL board and a wired, nearly full-size layout. The K8 Pro weighs 1146 g and connects over Bluetooth or USB-C, while the 2310 g Q5 is wired only and includes a knob. Both support hot-swappable switches, QMK, VIA, and 1000 Hz polling over wired connection. The decision comes down to portability and wireless use versus the Q5’s added keys and gasket-mounted aluminum build.

Model
	94	94	Select a keyboard to compare
Rating	3.3 stars (56 reviews)	4.8 stars (49 reviews)
Purchase Options
Main differences	Available in a 80% layout Built with the ANSI, ISO, JIS, ISO-UK, ISO-DE, ISO-SW, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-Nordic layout standard Features N-key rollover Uses a Tray Mount mounting style Supports Bluetooth, Wired, Wireless connectivity Equipped with a 4000 mAh battery Weighs about 1146 g Sized at 35 x 355 x 123 mm Made with a Aluminum, Plastic, ABS case Offers Yes, Rgb, White, South-face, Rgb South-face, White South-face RGB lighting	Available in a 96% layout Built with the ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, ISO-UK layout standard Comes with a knob Uses a Gasket Mount mounting style Supports Wired, Wired only connectivity Weighs about 2310 g Sized at 20 x 145 x 390 mm Made with a Aluminum case Offers Yes, Rgb, South-face, Rgb South-face RGB lighting
Score	Scores Performance: 81.5 Build Quality: 89.5 Productivity: 94.7 Customizability: 95.9 Portability: 72.7	Scores Performance: 72.3 Build Quality: 89.3 Productivity: 97.3 Customizability: 98.3 Portability: 45.9
Name	Name Keychron K8 Pro	Name Keychron Q5
Release year	Release year 2022	Release year 2022
Switch Options	Switch Options Linear, Tactile, Clicky	Switch Options Linear, Tactile, Clicky
Profile	Profile Normal Profile	Profile Normal Profile
Hot Swappable	Hot Swappable	Hot Swappable
Layout Size	Layout Size 80%	Layout Size 96%
Layout Standard	Layout Standard ANSI, ISO, JIS, ISO-UK, ISO-DE, ISO-SW, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-Nordic	Layout Standard ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, ISO-UK
Layout Ergonomics	Layout Ergonomics Normal	Layout Ergonomics Normal
Knob Support	Knob Support	Knob Support
Display Support	Display Support	Display Support
Mac/Win Support	Mac/Win Support	Mac/Win Support
Multi-Media Keys	Multi-Media Keys	Multi-Media Keys
USB-C	USB-C	USB-C
USB passthrough	USB passthrough	USB passthrough
Connection	Connection Bluetooth, Wired, Wireless	Connection Wired, Wired only
Polling Rate	Polling Rate 1000 Hz	Polling Rate 1000 Hz
Battery capacity	Battery capacity 4000 mAh	Battery capacity -
Hall Effect Support	Hall Effect Support	Hall Effect Support
QMK Support	QMK Support	QMK Support
VIA Support	VIA Support	VIA Support
VIAL Support	VIAL Support	VIAL Support
N-Key Rollover	N-Key Rollover	N-Key Rollover
Rapid Trigger	Rapid Trigger	Rapid Trigger
Mount Style	Mount Style Tray Mount	Mount Style Gasket Mount
Screw in Stabilizers	Screw in Stabilizers	Screw in Stabilizers
Sound Dampening	Sound Dampening	Sound Dampening
Backlight	Backlight Rgb, White, South-face, White South-face	Backlight Rgb, South-face
Case Colors	Case Colors	Case Colors
Case Material	Case Material Aluminum, Plastic, ABS	Case Material Aluminum
Keycaps Material	Keycaps Material PBT, ABS	Keycaps Material PBT, ABS
Dimensions	Dimensions 35 x 355 x 123 mm	Dimensions 20 x 145 x 390 mm
Weight	Weight 1146g	Weight 2310g

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Pros and Trade-offs

Choose the K8 Pro if Bluetooth, a lighter body, and an 80% TKL layout matter most. Choose the Q5 if you want the extra keys of a 96% layout, a programmable knob, and a gasket-mounted CNC aluminum build, and do not need wireless connectivity. Both are suitable starting points for switch and firmware customization through hot-swap support and QMK/VIA.

Keychron K8 Pro

+Bluetooth connectivity supports up to 3 devices, alongside a USB-C wired connection.
+80% TKL layout and 1146 g weight make it lighter than the Q5.
+4000 mAh battery and N-key rollover in wired and wireless modes.
+Hot-swappable switches, QMK, VIA, and Keychron Launcher customization.
+Vendor describes sound-absorbing foam, a silicone dampening bottom pad, and screw-in stabilizers.

−The 80% TKL layout has fewer keys than the Q5's 96% layout.
−Its listed case materials include plastic and ABS as well as aluminum, rather than the Q5's full CNC-machined aluminum body.
−It does not list a programmable knob.

Keychron Q5

+96% layout retains number keys and essential functions.
+Full CNC-machined aluminum body with steel plate and gasket mount.
+Programmable knob supports custom actions and macros through VIA.
+Hot-swappable 3-pin and 5-pin switch support, QMK, and VIA.
+Vendor describes a double-gasket design and silicone pads intended to reduce metal resonance.

−Wired-only connectivity means no Bluetooth option.
−At 2310 g, it weighs more than the K8 Pro and is less convenient to carry.
−The fully assembled version uses ABS keycaps, while the K8 Pro offers a PBT keycap option.

Which Keyboard Is Better for Your Needs?

The K8 Pro is the practical pick for travel and for users who need wireless connection options. The Q5 has a clearer advantage when a near-full-size layout, knob, or gasket mount is central to the setup. Programming is a close call because both share QMK, VIA, hot-swap support, and Launcher customization. For gaming, both list 1000 Hz polling, but the K8 Pro adds wireless connectivity and explicitly lists N-key rollover in both modes.

GamingKeychron K8 Pro

•Both list a 1000 Hz polling rate, and the K8 Pro explicitly supports it in wired mode.
•The K8 Pro also offers Bluetooth or wired connectivity, while the Q5 is wired only.
•The K8 Pro includes N-key rollover in both wired and wireless modes.

OfficeKeychron Q5

•The Q5's 96% layout retains number keys and essential functions in a compact arrangement.
•Its programmable knob can be assigned to actions such as volume adjustment or screen brightness.
•The K8 Pro's 80% TKL layout is smaller but does not have the Q5's listed knob.

ProgrammingTie

•Both support QMK, VIA, hot-swappable switches, and key remapping and macros through Keychron Launcher.
•The Q5 adds a knob and a 96% layout, while the K8 Pro adds Bluetooth and an 80% layout.
•The better fit depends on whether the programmer prioritizes a number row and knob or wireless flexibility.

TravelKeychron K8 Pro

•The K8 Pro weighs 1146 g, compared with 2310 g for the Q5.
•The K8 Pro supports Bluetooth and has a 4000 mAh battery.
•The Q5 is wired only and is substantially heavier.

ModdingKeychron Q5

•Both support hot-swappable switches, QMK, VIA, and DIY or barebones options.
•The Q5 uses a gasket mount and its vendor describes a double-gasket design.
•The Q5's vendor describes its CNC aluminum components as designed for assembly and customization.

Content CreationKeychron Q5

•The Q5's programmable knob can be assigned to actions including selecting video clips or photos and changing brush size.
•Its 96% layout retains number keys and essential functions.
•The K8 Pro has multimedia keys but no listed programmable knob.