Keychron Q5 HE vs Qwertykeys QK101Gaming Tech vs Custom Build
Choose the Keychron Q5 HE for cutting-edge gaming features, or the Qwertykeys QK101 for a highly customizable full-size build with a screen.
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5.0 (3)5.0 · 3 reviews
from$212at MK
5.0 (2)5.0 · 2 reviews
from$188at Divinikey
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Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron Q5 HE
Gaming Tech
Build quality in the top 10% of 96% boards under $300.
- Features an 8000 Hz polling rate and adjustable actuation point magnetic switches for high-performance gaming.
- Comes fully assembled with double-shot PBT keycaps, pre-lubed switches, and screw-in stabilizers.
- Includes a double-gasket mount design with multiple sound-dampening foams for a refined typing feel.
- Magnetic switches only. Standard MX switches will not fit.
- 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.
Get the
Qwertykeys QK101
Custom Build
Build quality in the top 5% of 100% boards under $200.
- Sold as a versatile barebones DIY kit with extensive customization options for plates, PCBs, and case colors.
- Includes a customizable TFT/OLED screen with themes and GIF support.
- Offers a dual-mount design (gasket and top-mount) for different typing feels.
- Missing ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-CH. The other board is sold in those layouts.
Your primary need dictates the choice. For a ready-to-use keyboard with top-tier gaming specifications like an 8K polling rate, magnetic switches, and rapid trigger, the Keychron Q5 HE is the logical pick. If you desire a project-focused, fully customizable full-size keyboard with a unique screen and wireless freedom, the Qwertykeys QK101 kit is the more suitable canvas. Consider your willingness to build and your need for a number pad or cutting-edge latency performance.
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 Q5 HE
Qwertykeys QK101
Layout size
96%
100%
Hall effect (magnetic)
Yes
No
Adjustable actuation helps in games and not in normal typing
Rapid trigger
Yes
No
Faster resets help in games and not in normal typing
Battery
4,000 mAh
8,000 mAh
A larger battery means fewer cables during the day
Max polling rate
8,000 Hz
4,000 Hz
Higher polling helps competitive FPS and does nothing for typing
- Keychron Q5 HE
- Qwertykeys QK101
- Performance
- 10078
- Build quality
- 8991
- Productivity
- 9782
- Customizability
- 9585
- Portability
- 5563
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- VIA
- Sound dampening
What will you mostly use it for?
The Keychron Q5 HE is the clear choice for competitive gaming due to its high polling rate and magnetic switch features. For office work, programming, and content creation, the Qwertykeys QK101's full layout and screen offer distinct advantages. Travelers might prefer the Q5 HE's slightly smaller footprint, while modders will be drawn to the QK101's extensive barebones kit and build options.
Pick the Keychron Q5 HE
- Features an 8000 Hz polling rate for ultra-low latency.
- Includes adjustable actuation point magnetic switches with rapid trigger and analog mode.
- Comes pre-built with gaming-optimized switches and keycaps.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron Q5 HE
3 owner reviews
“Excellent build quality with a sturdy metal chassis. Heavier than I thought haha. The keys sound significantly better than they do in videos online, though I did run into a slight issue with the initial firmware update.”
Qwertykeys QK101
2 owner reviews
Keychron Q5 HE vs Qwertykeys QK101 specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
18 of 28 specs differ
Keychron Q5 HE
Qwertykeys QK101
Switch options
Hall effect (magnetic)
Rapid trigger
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
Display
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
ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
Keychron Q5 HE
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-CH
In stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-CH
In stockDoes not ship to you
Qwertykeys QK101
Listed on the product, not split by store: ISO.
Compare prices
Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.
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Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.
Keychron Q5 HE vs Qwertykeys QK101: your questions
The Keychron Q5 HE is designed for competitive gaming. It features an 8000 Hz polling rate for minimal latency, adjustable actuation point magnetic switches, and software-enabled features like rapid trigger and analog mode that are tailored for fast-paced gameplay.
No, the Qwertykeys QK101 is sold as a barebones DIY kit. This means it does not include switches or keycaps, allowing you to choose your own components for a fully personalized build.
The Keychron Q5 HE's metadata lists wireless connectivity, but its vendor description emphasizes that the 8000 Hz polling rate is only achievable in wired mode. For wireless use, you would be limited to lower polling rates.
The Qwertykeys QK101 has a large combined 8000mAh battery. However, the manufacturer states that choosing the RGB PCB option significantly increases power consumption, which will reduce wireless battery life compared to the non-RGB PCB.
The Qwertykeys QK101 offers deeper physical customization. It is a barebones kit with choices for plate material (FR4, Aluminum), PCB type (flex-cut RGB or non-flex cut), mount style (gasket or top), and includes a customizable screen. The Keychron Q5 HE offers extensive software customization for its magnetic switches.
Yes. The Keychron Q5 HE listing explicitly states Mac/Win support and includes keycaps for both systems. The Qwertykeys QK101 vendor description lists Windows compatibility, and its programmability via VIA typically allows for cross-platform key mapping.
The Qwertykeys QK101 features a customizable TFT/OLED screen. According to the vendor, it supports multiple built-in themes and allows for uploading custom background and foreground GIFs that can sync with your typing speed.
The Keychron Q5 HE uses Hall effect magnetic switches, specifically the Keychron Ultra-fast Lime Magnetic Switch in its assembled version. These switches allow for adjustable actuation points from 0.1 to 3.35 mm and support features like rapid trigger.
The Keychron Q5 HE is more compact due to its 96% layout, measuring 408mm in width versus the QK101's 440mm full-size width. While the Q5 HE is heavier, its smaller footprint can be easier to fit in a bag. The QK101 includes a protective case.
Yes, both keyboards are hot-swappable, allowing you to change switches without soldering. The Keychron Q5 HE specifically supports hot-swapping with Keychron Lime and Gateron Jade magnetic switches.
The Keychron Q5 HE uses a gasket mount design with a double-gasket structure for sound dampening. The Qwertykeys QK101 offers a dual-mount design, allowing you to assemble it using either a gasket mount or a top mount system.
The Keychron Q5 HE is programmable via the Keychron Launcher web app for its advanced magnetic switch features and key mapping. The Qwertykeys QK101 uses QK's custom VIA web configurator for key remapping and macro programming.
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