Keychron Q5 vs Mxrskey WINGMAN XII96% vs Numpad
Choose the Keychron Q5 for a full typing layout with ISO options and QMK/VIA support, or the WINGMAN XII for a compact 12-key pad with USB expansion ports.
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4.8 · 17 reviews
from$119at Keychron
No reviews
from$109at WhatGeek
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron Q5
96%
Build quality in the top 5% of 96% boards under $150.
- 96% layout retains a numpad while using a compact full-size arrangement.
- QMK and VIA support enable remapping and macros, and the knob is programmable.
- Hot-swappable sockets support 3-pin and 5-pin switches.
- 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
Mxrskey WINGMAN XII
Numpad
Build quality in the bottom 45% of Numpad boards under $150.
- 12 keys and a knob provide a dedicated compact control-pad format.
- Two USB 2.0 expansion ports are listed.
- The vendor describes all keys as programmable and the backlight as adjustable.
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
- Numpad only. This is not a full keyboard.
Choose the Keychron Q5 if you need a daily typing keyboard with a numpad, ISO options, programmable firmware or a stated 1000 Hz polling rate. Pick the Mxrskey WINGMAN XII if a dedicated 12-key pad and two USB 2.0 expansion ports fit your setup better than a full keyboard.
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
Mxrskey WINGMAN XII
Layout size
96%
Numpad
Switch options
Clicky, Linear, Tactile
Linear
QMK
Yes
No
The deep option when you want to remap every key
VIA
Yes
No
GUI remapping without compiling firmware
Sound dampening
Yes
No
- Keychron Q5
- Mxrskey WINGMAN XII
- Performance
- 7262
- Build quality
- 8961
- Productivity
- 9754
- Customizability
- 9864
- Portability
- 4671
- Connection: Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Case material: Aluminum
- Knob
- Keycaps: ABS, PBT
What will you mostly use it for?
The Q5 is the more complete choice for typing-focused work, gaming and customization, with a full layout, configurable firmware and a stated polling rate. Its knob also gives it a clear edge for content workflows that benefit from adjustable shortcuts. The WINGMAN XII is better treated as a specialized 12-key pad, particularly if its USB expansion ports suit the intended setup. Neither has a wireless connection, and the available size information is insufficient to call one the clear travel pick.
Pick the Keychron Q5
- The Q5 has a listed 1000 Hz polling rate; no polling rate is listed for the WINGMAN XII.
- The Q5 offers linear, tactile and clicky switch options, while the WINGMAN XII is listed with linear switches.
Keychron Q5 vs Mxrskey WINGMAN XII specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
12 of 26 specs differ
Keychron Q5
Mxrskey WINGMAN XII
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 passthrough
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
Mxrskey WINGMAN XII
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
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 vs Mxrskey WINGMAN XII: your questions
The Q5 is a 96% keyboard with a numpad and the essential functions of a full-size layout. Its compact arrangement has fewer gaps than a full-size board.
No. The WINGMAN XII is a 12-key keyboard with a knob, rather than a full typing keyboard. Its vendor description also presents it as a switch tester.
Yes. The Q5 is offered in ISO variants including UK, German, Nordic, Swiss, French and Spanish layouts. ANSI is also listed for the Q5.
No ISO layout is offered for the WINGMAN XII. Its listed layout standard is ANSI, so it does not provide ISO-DE, UK or other ISO variants.
Yes. The Q5 has hot-swappable sockets that support 3-pin and 5-pin MX mechanical switches. Keychron lists Gateron G Pro Red and Brown switches for assembled versions.
Yes. The WINGMAN XII is listed as hot-swappable, and its vendor description identifies transparent Phantom switches. The description does not specify switch pin compatibility.
Yes. The Q5 lists QMK and VIA support, and Keychron describes remapping and macros through its Launcher web app. The keyboard connects to the device by wire when using Launcher.
Yes. The WINGMAN XII is listed with two USB 2.0 expansion ports. The product metadata also lists USB pass-through.
The Keychron Q5 lists a 1000 Hz polling rate. No polling rate is specified for the WINGMAN XII, so a direct rate comparison is unavailable.
Both are listed as wired-only keyboards. The Q5 uses USB-C, and the WINGMAN XII is described with a two-way Type-C wired connection mode.
The Q5 is the more complete fit if you need a full typing layout and a programmable knob. Keychron describes knob uses such as zooming, adjusting brush size and selecting video clips.
The assembled Q5 ISO version is described with ABS backlight shine-through keycaps and south-facing RGB LEDs. The compatibility notes caution that shine-through legends stay dark with south-facing LEDs and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
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