What is the main difference between the Keychron Q3 and V5?

The Q3 is an 80% TKL keyboard with a CNC-machined aluminum case and gasket mount. The V5 is a 96% keyboard with a numpad, an ABS plastic case, and tray mounting.

Does the Keychron V5 have a numpad?

Yes, the V5's 96% layout retains a numpad. The Q3's 80% TKL layout does not include one.

Is the Keychron Q3 or V5 lighter?

The V5 has a listed weight of 1170 g, while the Q3 is listed at 2000 g. Both use wired-only connectivity.

Are the Keychron Q3 and V5 wireless?

No, both are listed as wired-only keyboards. Their vendor descriptions specify USB-C connectivity.

Do the Keychron Q3 and V5 support hot-swappable switches?

Yes, both have hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches. This lets owners change compatible switches without soldering, as described by Keychron.

Can I remap keys on the Keychron Q3 and V5?

Both list QMK and VIA support, and Keychron describes using its Launcher web app for key remapping and macros. The vendor says the Launcher requires a wired connection.

Which keyboard has an aluminum case, the Keychron Q3 or V5?

The Q3 has a full CNC-machined aluminum case. The V5 uses an ABS plastic case.

What keycaps come with the Keychron Q3 and V5?

The vendor's Q3 description lists OSA-profile ABS shine-through keycaps. The V5 description lists double-shot PBT OSA-profile keycaps that are not shine-through.

Do the Keychron Q3 and V5 have RGB lighting?

Both list south-facing RGB lighting. The V5's vendor description notes that its PBT keycaps are not shine-through.

Which Keychron keyboard has a gasket mount?

The Q3 lists gasket mounting, and Keychron describes its design as double-gasket with silicone pads between the top and bottom cases. The V5 is listed as a tray-mount keyboard.

Can the Keychron Q3 and V5 work with Mac and Windows?

Both list Mac and Windows support, and their vendor descriptions mention a system toggle and additional keycaps for both systems. Both are wired keyboards.

Do the Keychron Q3 and V5 include a programmable knob?

Both list knob support, and the vendor descriptions identify knob versions. Keychron specifically describes assigning commands such as zoom, brush size, or volume to the Q3 knob.

Compare Keychron Q3 vs V5 Differences Side by Side

This comparison is for buyers deciding between a tenkeyless keyboard with an aluminum case and a 96% keyboard that retains a numpad. Both are wired, hot-swappable Keychron boards with QMK and VIA support, a knob option, and south-facing RGB. The Q3 is substantially heavier and uses a gasket mount, while the V5 has a plastic case and tray mount. The choice comes down to the Q3's metal construction and 80% layout versus the V5's more compact numpad-equipped arrangement.

Model
	97	96	Select a keyboard to compare
Rating	4.7 stars (321 reviews)	3.4 stars (9 reviews)
Purchase Options
Main differences	Has Linear, Tactile, Clicky, Silent switch options Available in a 80% layout Built with the ANSI, ISO, JIS, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-SW, ISO-UK layout standard Uses a Gasket Mount mounting style Weighs about 2000 g Sized at 20 x 137 x 365 mm Made with a Aluminum case Features PBT, ABS keycaps Offers Yes, Rgb, South-face, Rgb South-face RGB lighting	Has Linear, Tactile, Clicky switch options Available in a 96% layout Built with the ISO, ANSI, ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW layout standard Features N-key rollover Uses a Tray Mount mounting style Weighs about 1170 g Sized at 19 x 142 x 389 mm Made with a Plastic, ABS case Features ABS, PBT keycaps Offers Yes, Rgb, South-face, Rgb South-face, White, White South-face RGB lighting
Score	Scores Performance: 72 Build Quality: 90.9 Productivity: 97.5 Customizability: 98.1 Portability: 57.2	Scores Performance: 91 Build Quality: 88.7 Productivity: 97.7 Customizability: 98.3 Portability: 44.9
Name	Name Keychron Q3	Name Keychron V5
Release year	Release year 2022	Release year 2022
Switch Options	Switch Options Linear, Tactile, Clicky, Silent	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-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-SW, ISO-UK	Layout Standard ISO, ANSI, ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW
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 Wired, Wired only	Connection Wired, Wired only
Polling Rate	Polling Rate 1000 Hz	Polling Rate 1000 Hz;8000 Hz
Battery capacity	Battery capacity -	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 Gasket Mount	Mount Style Tray Mount
Screw in Stabilizers	Screw in Stabilizers	Screw in Stabilizers
Sound Dampening	Sound Dampening	Sound Dampening
Backlight	Backlight Rgb, South-face	Backlight Rgb, South-face, White, White South-face
Case Colors	Case Colors	Case Colors
Case Material	Case Material Aluminum	Case Material Plastic, ABS
Keycaps Material	Keycaps Material PBT, ABS	Keycaps Material ABS, PBT
Dimensions	Dimensions 20 x 137 x 365 mm	Dimensions 19 x 142 x 389 mm
Weight	Weight 2000g	Weight 1170g

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Pros and Trade-offs

Choose the Keychron Q3 if you want an aluminum 80% TKL board with gasket mounting and are comfortable with its higher listed weight. Choose the Keychron V5 if retaining a numpad and reducing the board's listed weight matter more than an aluminum case. Both offer wired operation, hot-swap switches, QMK and VIA support, and a knob option.

Keychron Q3

+CNC-machined aluminum case and steel plate.
+80% TKL layout without the V5's numpad.
+Gasket mount, with the vendor describing a double-gasket design and silicone pads between the cases.
+Hot-swap support for 3-pin and 5-pin switches, plus QMK and VIA support.
+Vendor-described programmable knob and south-facing RGB.

−At 2000 g, it is heavier than the V5's listed 1170 g.
−Wired-only connectivity offers no wireless option.
−Its 80% TKL layout does not include the V5's numpad.

Keychron V5

+96% layout retains a numpad while keeping the keyboard's listed length to 389 mm.
+ABS plastic case and listed weight of 1170 g make it lighter than the Q3.
+Double-shot PBT keycaps with an OSA profile.
+Hot-swap support for 3-pin and 5-pin switches, plus QMK and VIA support.
+Includes a knob option, south-facing RGB, and screw-in stabilizers.

−ABS plastic case rather than the Q3's aluminum construction.
−Tray mount, rather than the Q3's gasket mount.
−Wired-only connectivity, with no wireless option listed.

Which Keyboard Is Better for Your Needs?

The V5 is the practical pick for number-heavy office work and for buyers prioritizing lower listed weight, though it remains wired-only. The Q3 is more compelling for someone seeking a heavier aluminum TKL board with a gasket-based design. Gaming is close on the listed connection and polling specifications, while programming and content creation benefit from features shared by both. Modding leans toward the Q3 on construction, but both provide hot-swap sockets and firmware customization.

GamingTie

•Both list a 1000 Hz polling rate and wired-only connectivity.
•The Q3 has an 80% TKL layout, while the V5's 96% layout includes a numpad, so desk-space preference may decide.

OfficeKeychron V5

•The V5's 96% layout retains a numpad for number entry.
•Its 1170 g listed weight is lower than the Q3's 2000 g, although both are wired keyboards.

ProgrammingTie

•Both support QMK and VIA, plus hot-swappable switches and a programmable knob option.
•The Q3 lists aluminum construction and gasket mounting; the V5 offers a numpad in its 96% layout.

TravelKeychron V5

•The V5 weighs 1170 g, compared with the Q3's listed 2000 g.
•Both are wired-only, so neither offers a wireless connection for travel.

ModdingKeychron Q3

•Both have hot-swap sockets supporting 3-pin and 5-pin switches, plus QMK and VIA support.
•The Q3 combines an aluminum case with a gasket mount and vendor-described double-gasket construction.

Content CreationTie

•Both offer a knob option, and the Q3 description explicitly describes assigning the knob to commands such as zoom and brush size.
•Both support QMK and VIA for key remapping and macros.