Keychron Q5 vs MMD KM40Full Layout or Wireless 40%
Choose the Q5 for a near-full-size layout with a numpad, or the KM40 for wireless connectivity and a far smaller, lighter design.
KeebFinder may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.
4.8 (17)4.8 · 17 reviews
from$119at Keychron
5.0 (4)5.0 · 4 reviews
from$84at MonacoKeys
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron Q5
Knob
Build quality in the top 5% of 96% boards under $150.
- 96% layout retains a numpad and multi-media keys.
- Wired connection with a listed 1000 Hz polling rate.
- Aluminum case, steel plate, and gasket mount.
- 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
MMD KM40
Build quality in the top 10% of 40% boards under $150.
- Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and wired connectivity, with a 2000 mAh battery.
- 620 g weight and 40% ANSI layout make it the more portable option.
- Aluminum case, polycarbonate plate, and gasket mount.
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
- Compact layout only. No function row, dedicated arrow keys, or numpad.
Pick the Keychron Q5 if you want a numpad, dedicated keys, and a programmable knob in a wired 96% keyboard. Choose the MMD KM40 if a lighter board with Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz connectivity matters more than a conventional key layout. Before buying the KM40, make sure you are comfortable using layers in place of dedicated keys.
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
MMD KM40
Layout size
96%
40%
Connection
Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Switch options
Clicky, Linear, Tactile
Linear, Tactile
Mount style
Gasket Mount, Plate Mount
Gasket Mount
Knob
Yes
No
- Keychron Q5
- MMD KM40
- Performance
- 7261
- Build quality
- 8983
- Productivity
- 9769
- Customizability
- 9883
- Portability
- 4684
- Hot-swappable
- Case material: Aluminum
- QMK
- VIA
- Sound dampening
What will you mostly use it for?
The Q5 is the more straightforward choice for desk work that benefits from a numpad, dedicated keys, or its configurable knob. The KM40 stands out when moving between locations or devices, thanks to its low weight and three connection modes. Programming is a preference-driven tie: the Q5 reduces reliance on layers, while the KM40 offers a very compact layout designed around them. For modding, the Q5 has the edge on the listed build options and components.
Pick the Keychron Q5
- The Q5 has a 1000 Hz polling rate and wired connectivity.
- Its 96% layout retains dedicated keys and a numpad, while the KM40 is a 40% board without dedicated arrow keys or a function row.
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.”
MMD KM40
4 owner reviews
“Keycaps are dyesub, but still PBT Tactile switches feature a proper tactile feeling with great typing experience The case feels and looks really premium layer activation could be nicer but in the end you just gotta get used to the board”
Keychron Q5 vs MMD KM40 specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
14 of 26 specs differ
Keychron Q5
MMD KM40
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
Display
Media keys
Connection
Max polling rate
Battery
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
MMD KM40
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
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.
- Check on Amazon
Amazon
Check price
Keychron Q5 vs MMD KM40: your questions
The Q5 has a 96% layout with a numpad and multi-media keys, so it keeps more dedicated controls available. The KM40 uses a 40% layout, and its vendor describes accessing numbers, arrows, and function keys through layers.
Yes, the Q5's 96% layout retains number keys and a numpad. Its compact layout does not have the gaps of a full-size board.
The KM40 has no dedicated arrow keys or function row. Its vendor says those functions can be accessed through layers, which users can customize with QMK/VIA.
No, the Q5 is listed as wired only and uses USB-C connectivity. The MMD KM40 supports wired, Bluetooth, and 2.4 GHz connections.
The KM40 is the more travel-oriented option: it weighs 620 g and supports wireless connections. The Q5 weighs 2310 g, has a 96% layout, and is wired only.
Yes, both keyboards are listed as hot-swappable. Keychron specifies that the Q5 supports 3-pin and 5-pin MX switches, while the KM40 vendor description specifies a hot-swap PCB for 5-pin MX switches.
Both are listed with QMK and VIA support. The Q5 vendor also describes using Keychron Launcher for remapping and macros, while the KM40 vendor describes browser-based VIA configuration.
The KM40 may suit programmers who want a 40% layout and are comfortable assigning functions to layers. The Q5 is a more conventional option, with a 96% layout that retains a numpad and dedicated keys.
The Q5 includes a programmable knob that Keychron says can be assigned to tasks such as zooming, changing brush size, or selecting video clips. It also retains multi-media keys and a numpad.
The Q5 vendor describes its ISO version with ABS shine-through keycaps and south-facing RGB LEDs. The compatibility note warns that shine-through legends can stay dark with south-facing LEDs, and some sculpted keycaps may clip the LED.
No, the KM40 is listed with an ANSI layout only. Its compatibility notes specify that ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
The Keychron Q5 weighs 2310 g, while the MMD KM40 weighs 620 g. That makes the KM40 the lighter option for carrying between locations.
Not sold on either?
Still torn?
Answer a few quick questions and the keyboard finder ranks 2,000+ boards by how you will actually use yours.