Keychron Q5 HE vs Qwertykeys QK80 Mk296% Layout vs TKL Gaming Choice
Choose the Keychron Q5 HE for competitive gaming features and a full number pad, or the QK80 Mk2 for a more compact, highly customizable TKL build with a screen.
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5.0 (2)5.0 · 2 reviews
from$212at MK
3.0 (4)3.0 · 4 reviews
from$145at Divinikey
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron Q5 HE
96% Layout
Build quality in the top 10% of 96% boards under $300.
- Features Hall Effect magnetic switches with adjustable actuation points (0.2-3.8mm) and rapid trigger.
- Offers a 96% layout with a number pad and supports multiple ISO and ANSI layouts.
- Includes premium build features like a double-gasket design, aluminum case, screw-in stabilizers, and sound dampening foams.
- 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 QK80 Mk2
TKL Gaming Choice
Build quality in the top 5% of 80% boards under $150.
- Offers extensive customization with multiple plate materials and a wide array of case color finishes.
- Features a unique leaf-spring mount design for a bouncier typing feel.
- Includes a TFT LCD display and dot-matrix LED panel with built-in themes and a game.
- Missing ISO-UK, ISO-CH. The other board is sold in those layouts.
- No numpad.
Your primary need dictates the choice. If competitive gaming features, a number pad, and out-of-the-box advanced functionality are critical, the Keychron Q5 HE is the recommended path. If you value a compact form factor, enjoy the building process with extensive material choices, and want a unique screen, the Qwertykeys QK80 Mk2 is the better project. Be prepared for a wait with the QK80 Mk2, as it is made to order.
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 QK80 Mk2
Layout size
96%
80%
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
Case material
Aluminum
Aluminum, Copper, Steel
- Keychron Q5 HE
- Qwertykeys QK80 Mk2
- Performance
- 10068
- Build quality
- 8989
- Productivity
- 9784
- Customizability
- 9585
- Portability
- 5587
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Mount style: Gasket Mount, Plate Mount
- VIA
- Sound dampening
- Keycaps: PBT
What will you mostly use it for?
The Keychron Q5 HE is the clear choice for gaming and office productivity due to its Hall Effect switches and included number pad. For travel and deep customization, the QK80 Mk2 takes the lead with its compact TKL form factor, included case, and extensive material options. Programming is a tie, balancing the Q5 HE's full layout against the QK80's space-saving design. Content creators may favor the Q5 HE for its macro support and number pad.
Pick the Keychron Q5 HE
- The Keychron Q5 HE has a specified 1000 Hz polling rate in its 2.4 GHz and wired modes.
- It features Hall Effect magnetic switches with adjustable actuation points and rapid trigger functionality.
- It supports 4-in-1 dynamic keystrokes per the manufacturer's description.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron Q5 HE
2 owner reviews
“This keyboard is so unbelievably premium. I was extremely hesitant at first to buy a keyboard in this price range but I guarantee you, you can absolutely tell that you are using an expensive, premium, top of the line product. Definitely recommend.”
Qwertykeys QK80 Mk2
4 owner reviews
“I ordered a keyboard set and keycaps from divinikey the 2 sets go out of stock almost everytime so I decided to go with Divinikey and they game me a time frame of up to12 weeks which was perfectly fine and the package came in after 6-7 weeks I was super happy…”
“I'm not sure why the QK80 is getting the reviews it's getting. Let's go down the list of the brand new QK80 I have and what I'm regretting getting it: 1) The screen worked for all of five seconds before going blank. Nothing I do brings it back 2) You can't…”
Keychron Q5 HE vs Qwertykeys QK80 Mk2 specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
16 of 28 specs differ
Keychron Q5 HE
Qwertykeys QK80 Mk2
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 QK80 Mk2
MonacoKeys
ISO-DE
In stockDoes not ship to you
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.
Keychron Q5 HE vs Qwertykeys QK80 Mk2: your questions
The Keychron Q5 HE is designed for competitive gaming. It has a 1000 Hz polling rate in its 2.4GHz and wired modes, and its Hall Effect switches support rapid trigger and adjustable actuation points, which can reduce input latency. The QK80 Mk2's gaming performance specifications are not detailed in the provided listings.
No. According to Keychron, the Q5 HE's hot-swap sockets are compatible exclusively with Gateron double-rail magnetic Hall Effect switches. It does not support standard mechanical switches or other magnetic switch types like the Gateron Magnetic Jade.
Yes. The vendor listing for the QK80 Mk2 states that a keyboard protective case is included as a complementary free gift with the kit. However, the disclaimer notes that if this item is damaged or missing, it will not be re-shipped or replaced.
The Keychron Q5 HE offers more physical layout options. It is available in ANSI, ISO, ISO-UK, ISO-DE, and ISO-CH layouts. The Qwertykeys QK80 Mk2 is listed as an ANSI layout, with a choice between WK (with key) and WKL (without key) bottom row configurations.
The Keychron Q5 HE uses open-source QMK firmware. You can program it using the Keychron Launcher web app for remapping keys, adjusting actuation points, and creating macros. The manufacturer notes to use the latest Chrome, Opera, or Edge browser and connect the keyboard via wired mode for Launcher access.
The leaf-spring mount is a mounting style used in the QK80 Mk2. According to Qwertykeys, it is designed to provide a bouncier typing feedback and improve acoustic performance compared to other mount styles like a standard gasket mount.
The QK80 Mk2 has a larger combined battery capacity at 8800mAh (two 4400mAh batteries). The Keychron Q5 HE has a 4000mAh battery. Keychron claims up to 100 hours for the Q5 HE with backlighting off, but no runtime is stated for the QK80 Mk2, making a direct comparison impossible.
The Keychron Q5 HE explicitly states Mac/Win support, includes keycaps for both systems, and has a system toggle. The QK80 Mk2 vendor description does not mention specific operating system compatibility, though VIA software typically works on both.
The QK80 Mk2 kit includes the aluminum case, a tri-mode PCB, two 4400mAh batteries, a plate, a foam set (PET, IXPE, PCB, Case foam), an accessory pack, and free gifts like stabilizers, a protective case, pullers, a screwdriver, and a USB-C cable.
The Keychron Q5 HE uses a double-gasket design with silicone pads, and its bottom features acoustic foam, PET film, and latex. The QK80 Mk2 includes a comprehensive acoustic foam package with a PET sheet, IXPE sheet, PCB foam, case foam, and an anti-static film.
The vendor description for the Qwertykeys QK80 Mk2 does not mention adjustable actuation points or Hall Effect technology. This feature is specific to the magnetic switches in the Keychron Q5 HE.
The Qwertykeys QK80 Mk2 is more portable. It has a smaller 80% TKL layout, includes a carrying case, and is likely lighter than the 2187-gram Keychron Q5 HE, though its exact weight is not provided.
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