Keychron R3 vs V5Wireless TKL vs Wired 96% Layout
Choose the Keychron R3 for wireless flexibility and a smaller footprint, or the Keychron V5 for a comprehensive, wired, and highly customizable full-size layout.
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4.8 · 8 reviews
from$74at MK
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron R3
Wireless TKL
Build quality in the bottom 30% of 80% boards under $100.
- Triple-mode connectivity with wired USB-C, Bluetooth 5.3, and 2.4 GHz wireless.
- Includes an enhanced acoustic foam package with IXPE foam, EPDM foam, silicone bottom pad, and PET film.
- Comes with Cherry profile double-shot PBT keycaps and Mac/Windows keycap sets.
- Switches are soldered. Swapping them means soldering.
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
- No numpad.
Get the
Keychron V5
Wired 96% Layout
Build quality in the top 5% of 96% boards under $100.
- Offers a 96% layout that includes a numpad and function keys in a space-saving design.
- Extensive layout support including ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, and ISO-SW.
- Highly customizable with gasket mount option, hot-swap sockets, screw-in PCB stabilizers, and barebones kit availability.
- 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.
Your primary need dictates the choice. If you require wireless freedom, a smaller desk footprint, and easy multi-device switching, the Keychron R3 is the logical pick. If you prioritize a comprehensive layout with a numpad, deep hardware customization, and wired performance for gaming or stationary work, the Keychron V5 is the better investment. Consider the V5's wider international layout support if you need a specific ISO configuration.
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 R3
Keychron V5
Layout size
80%
96%
Hot-swappable
No
Yes
Switch changes without soldering
Switch options
Linear, Tactile
Clicky, Linear, Tactile
Knob
No
Yes
VIA
No
Yes
GUI remapping without compiling firmware
- Keychron R3
- Keychron V5
- Performance
- 4491
- Build quality
- 5289
- Productivity
- 4698
- Customizability
- 4898
- Portability
- 5145
- QMK
What will you mostly use it for?
The V5 is the clear choice for stationary, feature-intensive tasks like programming and gaming, thanks to its inclusive layout and wired performance. The R3 wins for mobile and shared-desk scenarios like office work and travel, where wireless operation and a smaller size are paramount. For modding enthusiasts, the V5's design philosophy and available barebones kit make it the superior platform. Content creation needs are met by both, depending on whether a knob or wireless freedom is more valuable.
Pick the Keychron V5
- The V5 offers a 1000 Hz polling rate, which the manufacturer states makes latency hardly noticeable.
- Its wired-only connection provides a stable link without potential wireless interference.
- The V5's heavier 1170g weight provides more stability during intense use.
Keychron R3 vs V5 specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
13 of 27 specs differ
Keychron R3
Keychron V5
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
N-key rollover
Mac & Windows
Released
ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
Keychron R3
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
Keychron V5
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW
Out of stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-ES
In stockDoes not ship to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW
Out of 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 R3 vs V5: your questions
Yes, according to the vendor description, the Keychron R3 features a hot-swappable PCB. This allows you to change the MX-compatible switches without soldering.
No. The product metadata and descriptions specify that the Keychron V5 is a wired-only keyboard, connecting via a USB-C cable. It does not support Bluetooth or 2.4 GHz wireless.
Both keyboards are compatible with macOS and include keycap sets for Mac. The Keychron V5 listing specifically mentions a system toggle to save separate layouts for macOS and Windows. The R3 also includes a key sequence to toggle between systems.
Yes. Both keyboards feature south-facing RGB LEDs, which, as noted in the V5 description, are free from interference when using Cherry or OEM profile keycaps. The R3 comes with Cherry profile keycaps, confirming compatibility.
The Keychron R3 uses a TKL (Tenkeyless or 80%) layout, which removes the numpad but keeps the function row and navigation cluster. The Keychron V5 uses a 96% layout, which squeezes the numpad, function row, and navigation keys into a compact block, retaining all keys in a smaller space than a full-size board.
The Keychron V5 uses screw-in PCB stabilizers. The manufacturer states this design increases stability and makes changes easier, and the board supports third-party screw-in stabilizers.
The vendor description for the R3 lists an enhanced acoustic foam package that includes IXPE foam, EPDM foam, a silicone bottom pad, and PET film.
Yes. The Keychron V5 supports both QMK and VIA firmware. This open-source support, highlighted in its product page, allows for extensive key remapping, macro creation, and shortcut programming.
The Keychron V5 is significantly heavier, weighing 1170g for the fully assembled version. The R3's weight is not specified in the provided data, but its wireless design and smaller size suggest it is lighter and less dense.
The Keychron V5 offers configurations with and without a knob. The product listing shows options for 'Fully Assembled Knob' and 'Barebone Knob' versions, so you must select the specific model that includes it.
The fully assembled Keychron V5 comes with pre-lubed Keychron K Pro switches. The listing shows options for K Pro Red (linear), Brown (tactile), and Blue (clicky) switches.
According to the vendor description, the Keychron R3 can connect to up to 3 devices wirelessly via its Bluetooth 5.3 and 2.4 GHz modes.
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