Keychron R5 vs V6 Ultra96% vs Full-Size Layout
Choose the R5 for a more compact numpad layout, or the V6 Ultra for a full-size layout, knob support, and higher polling rate.
KeebFinder may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.
5.0 (6)5.0 · 6 reviews
from$119at MK
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron R5
96%
Build quality in the top 50% of 96% boards under $100.
- Compact 96% layout retains a numpad.
- Supports Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and wired connections, with up to three wireless devices according to the vendor description.
- QMK support and Keychron Launcher programmability are listed.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
- Compact full-size layout. The numpad is present, the gaps of a full-size board are not.
Get the
Keychron V6 Ultra
Full-Size Layout
Build quality in the top 15% of 100% boards under $150.
- Full-size layout is offered in ANSI, ISO, and JIS variants.
- Supports 8,000 Hz polling in wired and 2.4 GHz modes.
- Gasket mount and polycarbonate plate, with screw-in stabilizers.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
Pick the Keychron R5 if desk space matters and you want a 96% layout with a numpad and QMK support. Choose the V6 Ultra if you prefer a standard full-size layout, need ISO or JIS options, or value its knob, gasket mount, and 8,000 Hz polling in wired and 2.4 GHz modes.
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 R5
Keychron V6 Ultra
Layout size
96%
100%
Connection
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Wired, Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Max polling rate
1,000 Hz
8,000 Hz
Higher polling helps competitive FPS and does nothing for typing
Case material
ABS
ABS, Aluminum, Metal, Plastic
Switch options
Linear, Tactile
Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- Keychron R5
- Keychron V6 Ultra
- Performance
- 7989
- Build quality
- 6377
- Productivity
- 8391
- Customizability
- 7879
- Portability
- 5456
- Hot-swappable
- Battery: 4,000 mAh
- Sound dampening
- Keycaps: PBT
What will you mostly use it for?
The V6 Ultra leads for gaming, office work, programming, modding, and content creation, mainly through its full-size layout, knob support, higher polling rate, and gasket-mount construction. The R5 is the more travel-oriented option because its 96% layout takes a more compact approach while retaining the numpad. Both offer wireless and wired connections, hot-swap support, and a 4000 mAh battery. For layout flexibility, the V6 Ultra also offers ISO and JIS variants that the R5 does not.
Pick the Keychron V6 Ultra
- The V6 Ultra supports an 8,000 Hz polling rate in wired and 2.4 GHz modes, compared with the R5's 1,000 Hz.
- Both keyboards offer 2.4 GHz and wired connections, hot-swappable switches, and N-key rollover.
Keychron R5 vs V6 Ultra specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
11 of 26 specs differ
Keychron R5
Keychron V6 Ultra
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
N-key rollover
Mac & Windows
Released
ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
Keychron R5
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
Keychron V6 Ultra
Input Gear
ISO-DE
Out of stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-FR, ISO-ES
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 R5 vs V6 Ultra: your questions
The R5 uses a compact 96% layout, while the V6 Ultra is a 100% full-size keyboard with knob support. The V6 Ultra also lists an 8,000 Hz polling rate, compared with 1,000 Hz for the R5.
Both keyboards include a numpad. The R5 fits it into a compact 96% layout, while the V6 Ultra uses a 100% full-size layout.
The V6 Ultra lists an 8,000 Hz polling rate in wired and 2.4 GHz modes, while the R5 lists 1,000 Hz. Both include N-key rollover and support wired and 2.4 GHz connections.
The V6 Ultra supports a knob, and the vendor listing describes a fully assembled knob version. The R5's listed features do not include knob support.
Yes, both are listed as hot-swappable. Keychron says the V6 Ultra supports 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style mechanical switches without soldering.
The V6 Ultra is offered in ANSI, ISO, and JIS layouts, including ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-ES, and ISO-FR. The R5 is ANSI only.
Both support Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz wireless, as well as wired USB-C connectivity. The R5 vendor description says it can connect to up to three devices wirelessly, and the V6 Ultra vendor description also specifies Bluetooth connections to three devices.
Both keyboards have a listed 4000 mAh battery. Keychron says the V6 Ultra can run for up to 660 hours with the backlight off, or up to 200 hours with RGB at its lowest brightness.
Both list Mac and Windows support and include multimedia keys. The R5 vendor description also specifies a key sequence to toggle between Windows and Mac systems and layouts.
Both are hot-swappable, so switch customization is supported on each. The R5 lists QMK support, while the V6 Ultra uses ZMK and offers key remapping and macros through Keychron Launcher.
Both have south-facing LEDs, and the compatibility notes warn that shine-through legends stay dark. The V6 Ultra vendor description identifies its included caps as OSA double-shot PBT, while the R5 vendor description identifies Cherry-profile double-shot PBT keycaps.
The R5 is the more compact choice by layout, using a 96% design rather than the V6 Ultra's 100% full-size layout. The V6 Ultra's listed dimensions are 31 x 448 x 149 mm and its listed weight is 1130 g.
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.