Keychron Q15 Max vs Q5 Ultra
Choose the Q15 Max for an ortholinear, QMK-based setup, or the Q5 Ultra for a conventional 96% layout and 8000 Hz polling in wired and 2.4 GHz modes.
KeebFinder may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.
4.8 (8)4.8 · 8 reviews
from$199at Keychron
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron Q15 Max
QMK
- Ortholinear grid layout with split spacebar.
- QMK and VIA support, plus a listed DIY kit/barebones option.
- Gasket mount, aluminum case, and polycarbonate plate.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
Get the
Keychron Q5 Ultra
polling rate
Build quality in the top 35% of 96% boards under $300.
- 96% layout with a numpad and multi-media keys.
- 8000 Hz polling in wired and 2.4 GHz modes.
- 4000 mAh battery, with vendor-listed runtime up to 660 hours with backlighting off.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- Compact full-size layout. The numpad is present, the gaps of a full-size board are not.
Choose the Q15 Max if ortholinear typing, QMK/VIA support, or a lighter and smaller board matters most. Pick the Q5 Ultra if you want a conventional 96% layout with a numpad, multi-media keys, and 8000 Hz polling in wired and 2.4 GHz modes. Both are hot-swappable wireless keyboards, so the key decision is layout and polling rate rather than basic connectivity.
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 Q15 Max
Keychron Q5 Ultra
Ergonomics
Ortholinear, Split Spacebar
Standard
Max polling rate
1,000 Hz
8,000 Hz
Higher polling helps competitive FPS and does nothing for typing
Mount style
Gasket Mount
Gasket Mount, Plate Mount
Weight
1,232 g
2,098 g
Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel
QMK
Yes
No
The deep option when you want to remap every key
- Keychron Q15 Max
- Keychron Q5 Ultra
- Performance
- 7789
- Build quality
- 8874
- Productivity
- 9391
- Customizability
- 9677
- Portability
- 5256
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Battery: 4,000 mAh
- Case material: Aluminum
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- Knob
What will you mostly use it for?
The Q5 Ultra has the clearest edge for gaming, where its 8000 Hz polling rate sets it apart, and for office or media-heavy setups that benefit from its 96% layout and multi-media keys. The Q15 Max suits people who specifically want an ortholinear layout or QMK/VIA customization. It is also the lighter, smaller option of the two for buyers prioritizing easier transport. Both provide wireless connectivity, hot-swap switches, and programmable features.
Pick the Keychron Q5 Ultra
- The Q5 Ultra supports 8000 Hz polling in wired and 2.4 GHz modes, compared with the Q15 Max's 1000 Hz.
- Both models offer 2.4 GHz connectivity and N-key rollover in wired and wireless modes.
- Both are hot-swappable and have south-facing RGB backlighting.
Keychron Q15 Max vs Q5 Ultra specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
12 of 27 specs differ
Keychron Q15 Max
Keychron Q5 Ultra
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
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
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 Q15 Max
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
Keychron Q5 Ultra
- Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-ES
In stockDoes not ship to you
Keychron Q15 Max vs Q5 Ultra: your questions
The Q15 Max has an ortholinear layout with a split spacebar, while the Q5 Ultra uses a conventional 96% layout with a numpad. The Q5 Ultra also offers 8000 Hz polling in wired and 2.4 GHz modes, compared with 1000 Hz for the Q15 Max.
The Q5 Ultra has the higher listed polling rate, at 8000 Hz over wired and 2.4 GHz connections. The Q15 Max is listed at 1000 Hz, and its vendor description specifies 90 Hz over Bluetooth.
Yes. The Q15 Max has an ortholinear grid layout with equally sized keys and a split-spacebar design.
Yes. The Q5 Ultra is a 96% layout with a numpad and multi-media keys. Its compact full-size layout does not have the gaps of a standard full-size board.
The Q15 Max weighs 1232 g, while the Q5 Ultra weighs 2098 g. The Q15 Max also has smaller listed dimensions, though both are substantial aluminum keyboards.
Yes, both keyboards are listed as hot-swappable. Keychron describes both as compatible with many 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style mechanical switches.
The Q15 Max lists QMK and VIA support. The Q5 Ultra uses ZMK firmware and supports key remapping and macros through Keychron Launcher.
Keychron lists up to 660 hours for the Q5 Ultra with the backlight off and up to 180 hours for the Q15 Max with the backlight off. Actual battery life depends on use, and the Q15 Max listing also gives a separate estimate for RGB use.
Both keyboards support Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz wireless, and wired connections. The Q15 Max vendor listing specifies Bluetooth 5.1, while the Q5 Ultra listing specifies Bluetooth 5.3.
The Q15 Max is not offered in ISO layouts, according to its compatibility information. The Q5 Ultra lists ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE, and ISO-ES layout options.
Both use south-facing RGB LEDs, and both compatibility notes warn that shine-through legends stay dark. Some sculpted keycaps may also clip the LED.
Both support key remapping and macros through Keychron Launcher, and both are hot-swappable. The Q15 Max adds listed QMK and VIA support, while the Q5 Ultra's vendor description specifically includes per-key RGB and Mix RGB controls.
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.