Is the Keychron Q5 wireless?

No. The Keychron Q5 is listed as wired only, connecting over USB-C with a 1000 Hz polling rate. If you need Bluetooth or 2.4 GHz, the Keychron R5 is the wireless option in this comparison.

Does the Keychron R5 have Bluetooth?

Yes. The R5 supports Bluetooth 5.3 and 2.4 GHz wireless alongside USB-C wired, and it can connect up to 3 devices wirelessly. It also has a 4000 mAh rechargeable battery for cable-free use.

What is the difference between the Q5 and R5 cases?

The Q5 uses a full CNC machined aluminum case with a steel plate, while the R5 uses an ABS case with a plastic plate. That makes the Q5 the heavier, more rigid build and the R5 the lighter option.

Can I use QMK on both keyboards?

Yes. Both the Q5 and R5 list QMK support, and both work with the Keychron Launcher web app for key remapping and macros. The Q5 additionally lists VIA support.

Does the Keychron Q5 have a knob?

Yes, the Q5 supports a rotary knob, and it can be programmed through VIA to commands such as zoom, brush size, volume, or backlight hue. The R5 does not list a knob.

Which keyboard has better ISO layout support?

The Q5 offers UK, German, Nordic, Swiss, French, and Spanish ISO layouts. The R5 is listed in ANSI only, so buyers needing an ISO layout should lean toward the Q5.

Are both keyboards hot-swappable?

Yes. The Q5 supports 3-pin and 5-pin MX switches without soldering, and the R5 is also listed as hot-swappable. Both use south-facing RGB so aftermarket keycaps are less likely to interfere.

What foam does the Keychron R5 use?

The R5 uses an enhanced acoustic package with IXPE foam, EPDM foam, a silicone bottom pad, and PET film. The Q5 instead relies on its double-gasket design with silicone pads between the top and bottom cases.

How heavy is the Keychron Q5?

The fully assembled Q5 weighs 2310 g plus or minus 10 g, per the manufacturer. That is a desk-bound weight, which is consistent with its wired-only design.

Which is better for travel, Q5 or R5?

The R5 is the more practical travel option because it supports Bluetooth 5.3 and 2.4 GHz and has a 4000 mAh battery. The Q5 is wired only and weighs 2310 g fully assembled, so it is not suited to being carried around.

Can I buy the Keychron Q5 as a barebone kit?

Yes. The Q5 is offered as fully assembled or as a barebone kit, including barebone knob versions in Carbon Black, Silver Grey, and Navy Blue. The R5 is listed as a pre-built keyboard.

What keycaps come with the R5 and Q5?

The R5 ships with Cherry profile double-shot PBT keycaps plus both Windows and Mac keycaps. The fully assembled Q5 ISO version uses OSA profile ABS backlight shine-through keycaps.

Compare Keychron Q5 vs R5 Differences Side by Side

This comparison is for buyers deciding between two 96% Keychron keyboards that share QMK programmability, hot-swappable sockets, south-facing RGB, and a 1000 Hz polling rate. The decision is hard because they diverge on the fundamentals: the Q5 uses a CNC machined aluminum case with a steel plate and double-gasket design but is wired only, while the R5 uses an ABS case and plastic plate but adds Bluetooth 5.3, 2.4 GHz, and a 4000 mAh battery. Layout coverage also differs, with the Q5 offering multiple ISO variants and the R5 listed in ANSI. Your choice comes down to whether case material and mounting feel matter more than wireless freedom and layout availability.

Model
	94	75	Select a keyboard to compare
Rating	4.8 stars (49 reviews)	0.0 stars (0 reviews)
Purchase Options
Main differences	Released in 2022 Has Linear, Tactile, Clicky switch options Built with the ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, ISO-UK layout standard Comes with a knob Supports VIA configuration Includes screw-in stabilizers Uses a Gasket Mount mounting style Supports Wired, Wired only connectivity Weighs about 2310 g Sized at 20 x 145 x 390 mm Made with a Aluminum case Features PBT, ABS keycaps	Released in 2026 Has Tactile, Linear switch options Built with the ANSI layout standard Features N-key rollover Uses a Plate Mount mounting style Supports Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless connectivity Equipped with a 4000 mAh battery Made with a ABS case Features PBT keycaps
Score	Scores Performance: 72.3 Build Quality: 89.3 Productivity: 97.3 Customizability: 98.3 Portability: 45.9	Scores Performance: 78.8 Build Quality: 63.3 Productivity: 83.8 Customizability: 78.5 Portability: 53.9
Name	Name Keychron Q5	Name Keychron R5
Release year	Release year 2022	Release year 2026
Switch Options	Switch Options Linear, Tactile, Clicky	Switch Options Tactile, Linear
Profile	Profile Normal Profile	Profile Normal Profile
Hot Swappable	Hot Swappable	Hot Swappable
Layout Size	Layout Size 96%	Layout Size 96%
Layout Standard	Layout Standard ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, ISO-UK	Layout Standard ANSI
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 Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless
Polling Rate	Polling Rate 1000 Hz	Polling Rate 1000 Hz
Battery capacity	Battery capacity -	Battery capacity 4000 mAh
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 Plate 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
Case Colors	Case Colors	Case Colors
Case Material	Case Material Aluminum	Case Material ABS
Keycaps Material	Keycaps Material PBT, ABS	Keycaps Material PBT
Dimensions	Dimensions 20 x 145 x 390 mm	Dimensions -
Weight	Weight 2310g	Weight -

*Something incorrect or missing? Please

let me know

!

Pros and Trade-offs

Pick the Q5 if you want a CNC machined aluminum case, double-gasket mount, a programmable knob, barebone options, or an ISO layout, and you can live with a wired connection. Pick the R5 if wireless freedom matters more, since Bluetooth 5.3, 2.4 GHz, and a 4000 mAh battery outweigh its ABS case and plastic plate. The primary differentiator is connectivity versus construction, so decide which you will notice more day to day.

Keychron Q5

+Full CNC machined aluminum case with a steel plate and double-gasket design for a rigid, damped feel.
+QMK and VIA support plus the Keychron Launcher web app for remapping and macros.
+Programmable rotary knob that can be assigned to zoom, brush size, volume, or backlight hue.
+Barebone and barebone knob options let you choose your own switches and keycaps.
+ISO layout coverage including UK, German, Nordic, Swiss, French, and Spanish versions.

−Wired only, so there is no Bluetooth or 2.4 GHz option.
−At 2310 g fully assembled, it is heavy and not suited to being moved regularly.
−The fully assembled version ships with ABS shine-through keycaps, not PBT.

Keychron R5

+Tri-mode connectivity: USB-C wired, Bluetooth 5.3, and 2.4 GHz, with up to 3 wireless devices.
+4000 mAh rechargeable battery supports cable-free use.
+1000 Hz polling rate in wired and 2.4 GHz mode.
+Enhanced acoustic package with IXPE foam, EPDM foam, silicone bottom pad, and PET film.
+Double-shot PBT keycaps in Cherry profile with both Windows and Mac keycaps included.

−ABS case and plastic plate rather than metal construction.
−Listed only in ANSI, with no ISO variants shown.
−No reviews available yet on the vendor page.
−No rotary knob listed, unlike the Q5.

Which Keyboard Is Better for Your Needs?

The Q5 takes office, programming, modding, and content creation on the strength of its aluminum case, gasket mount, barebone options, and programmable knob. The R5 wins gaming and travel because it matches the 1000 Hz polling rate wirelessly and adds Bluetooth 5.3, 2.4 GHz, and a 4000 mAh battery. Layout coverage pushes European buyers toward the Q5, which lists UK, German, Nordic, Swiss, French, and Spanish ISO versions. Neither board is a universal pick: the Q5 is tethered by its wired-only connection, and the R5 trades metal for plastic.

GamingKeychron R5

•The R5 lists a 1000 Hz polling rate in both wired and 2.4 GHz mode, so wireless play keeps the same polling figure.
•The Q5 also runs 1000 Hz but is wired only, which limits placement freedom.
•The R5 adds N-Key Rollover, useful for simultaneous key presses in games.

OfficeKeychron Q5

•The Q5 pairs a CNC machined aluminum case with a steel plate and double-gasket design for a solid, damped typing feel.
•Sound dampening and screw-in PCB stabilizers on the Q5 target quieter, steadier big-key use.
•The R5 counters with a 4000 mAh battery and tri-mode connectivity for cable-free desks.

ProgrammingKeychron Q5

•The Q5 supports QMK and VIA plus the Keychron Launcher web app for key remapping and macros.
•A programmable knob can be mapped to zoom, brush size, or volume through VIA.
•The R5 also supports QMK and the Launcher but lacks a listed knob.

TravelKeychron R5

•The R5 offers Bluetooth 5.3 and 2.4 GHz wireless and can connect up to 3 devices.
•Its 4000 mAh rechargeable battery supports cable-free use away from a desk.
•The Q5 is wired only, which ties it to a cable.

ModdingKeychron Q5

•The Q5 is sold as a fully assembled board or a barebone kit, including barebone knob variants.
•Its double-gasket design, steel plate, and screw-in stabilizers give more structure to tune.
•The R5 is hot-swappable and QMK compatible but ships as a pre-built with an ABS case and plastic plate.

Content CreationKeychron Q5

•The Q5's programmable knob can be mapped to zoom, brush size, or video scrubbing via VIA.
•QMK and the Launcher web app allow per-key macros for editing shortcuts.
•The R5 supports QMK but has no listed rotary knob.