Keychron Q5 vs Q796% Layout or Compact 70% Board
Choose the Q5 for its 96% layout and number pad, or the smaller Q7 if a compact 70% footprint matters more.
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4.8 (17)4.8 · 17 reviews
from$119at Keychron
4.0 (3)4.0 · 3 reviews
from$59at Keychron
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron Q5
Media keys
Build quality in the top 5% of 96% boards under $150.
- 96% layout retains number keys and essential functions.
- Programmable knob support and multi-media keys are listed features.
- CNC-machined aluminum case, steel plate, gasket mount, and sound dampening.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- Missing ISO-FR, ISO-ES. The other board is sold in those layouts.
- Compact full-size layout. The numpad is present, the gaps of a full-size board are not.
Get the
Keychron Q7
- 70% layout and smaller dimensions than the Q5, measuring 341 mm long and 121 mm wide.
- Weighs 1820 g, less than the Q5.
- Double-shot OSA PBT keycaps are included with the fully assembled version.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
Choose the Keychron Q5 if you want a number pad, a 96% layout, or a programmable knob for productivity and creative controls. Choose the Keychron Q7 if you prefer a smaller, lighter 70% board and double-shot PBT keycaps on the assembled version. Both offer wired use, aluminum construction, hot-swap switches, and QMK/VIA support, so layout and footprint should drive the decision.
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
Keychron Q7
Layout size
96%
70%
Weight
2,310 g
1,820 g
Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel
Layout standard
ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, ISO-UK
ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, ISO-UK, JIS
ISO and JIS exist so regional layouts fit
Media keys
Yes
No
Dimensions
20 x 145 x 390 mm
20 x 121 x 341 mm
- Keychron Q5
- Keychron Q7
- Performance
- 7266
- Build quality
- 8990
- Productivity
- 9795
- Customizability
- 9896
- Portability
- 4663
- Connection: Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Case material: Aluminum
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- Mount style: Gasket Mount, Plate Mount
What will you mostly use it for?
The Q5 has the edge for office work, programming, and creative workflows where a number pad or programmable knob is useful. The Q7 is the more suitable pick when reducing keyboard dimensions and weight takes priority. Gaming and modding are close calls because both share wired operation, hot-swap support, QMK/VIA, and similar construction features. Neither is wireless, which limits their appeal for untethered travel.
It's a tie
- Both are wired and list a 1000 Hz polling rate.
- Both offer hot-swappable switches and south-facing RGB lighting.
- The Q5 includes knob support, while the Q7 has the smaller 70% layout.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron Q5
17 owner reviews
“I really like this keyboard. I have a couple of Q1s, and I like this layout better. The key caps on the silver gray model look terrific.”
Keychron Q7
3 owner reviews
“The Q7 is unconventional, compact, and surprisingly usable once you give it a little time. It feels solid and intentional, not experimental. A great option if you like smaller layouts but still want something different. The layout is what stands out…”
“Was displeased to find out afterwards inhad purchased that i had to pay an import fee. Wouldn’t have purchased had i known”
Keychron Q5 vs Q7 specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
5 of 25 specs differ
Keychron Q5
Keychron Q7
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
Display
Media keys
Connection
Max polling rate
USB-C
Case material
Plate material
Keycaps
Weight
Dimensions
Typing angle
Backlight
QMK
VIA
Mac & Windows
Released
ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
Keychron Q5
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW
In stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW
Out of stockDoes not ship to you
Keychron Q7
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW
In stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW
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 vs Q7: your questions
The Q5 uses a 96% layout with number keys, while the Q7 uses a 70% layout. The Q5 also lists knob support, whereas the Q7 is smaller and lighter.
The Q5 is listed as a 96% layout, and its vendor description says it retains number keys and essential functions. That makes it the better fit of these two for buyers who want number-key access.
Yes. The Q7 measures 341 mm long by 121 mm wide, while the Q5 measures 390 mm by 145 mm.
The Q7 is listed at 1820 g, compared with 2310 g for the Q5. Both are aluminum keyboards, so the Q7 is lighter but remains a substantial board.
No. Both are listed as wired-only keyboards with USB-C connectivity.
Yes. Both support hot-swappable 3-pin and 5-pin MX switches, so switches can be changed without soldering.
Both list QMK and VIA support, and their vendor descriptions mention the Keychron Launcher web app for remapping and macros. The vendor says Launcher requires connecting the keyboard in wired mode.
The Q5 lists knob support, and its vendor description says the knob can be customized for controls such as volume, brush size, or selecting video clips. Knob support is not listed among the Q7’s extra features.
The Q5 ISO vendor listing specifies OSA-profile ABS shine-through keycaps. The Q7’s fully assembled version includes double-shot OSA PBT keycaps that the vendor describes as non-shine-through.
Both list south-facing RGB lighting. The Q5’s ISO vendor listing pairs its RGB with shine-through ABS keycaps, while the Q7’s assembled PBT keycaps are described as non-shine-through.
Both support QMK/VIA and hot-swappable switches, so either supports keyboard customization. The Q5’s 96% layout is the more suitable choice if you want number keys, while the Q7 saves space with a 70% layout.
The Q7 is the more compact option at 341 mm long, 121 mm wide, and 1820 g. However, both keyboards are wired-only, and their listed weights make them substantial to carry.
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