Keychron V1 Max vs Qwertykeys Neo65 Core PlusFeature-Rich vs Premium Build
Choose the Keychron V1 Max for extensive features and programmability, or the Qwertykeys Neo65 for a premium aluminum build focused on a specific acoustic profile.
KeebFinder may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.
4.1 (18)4.1 · 18 reviews
from$94at MK
5.0 (14)5.0 · 14 reviews
from$75at Divinikey
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron V1 Max
Feature-Rich
Build quality in the top 5% of 75% boards under $100.
- Extensive programmability with open-source QMK and VIA firmware support.
- Comes in a fully assembled version with OSA profile PBT keycaps and Gateron Jupiter switches.
- Offers a 75% layout with dedicated arrow and navigation keys.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- No numpad.
Get the
Qwertykeys Neo65 Core Plus
Premium Build
Build quality in the top 25% of 65% boards under $100.
- Features a premium aluminum unibody case with a choice of anodized or spray-coated colors.
- Includes a substantial brass or copper weight, contributing to a 1.34kg heft for a solid feel.
- Engineered internal structure aims for a natural, foam-free acoustic profile.
- Missing ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic. The other board is sold in those layouts.
- 65% layout. No function row and no numpad.
Your primary need dictates the choice. For a ready-to-use, highly customizable keyboard with strong software support, media controls, and a practical 75% layout, the Keychron V1 Max is the better value. If your priority is a premium aluminum build with a specific acoustic tuning philosophy and you don't mind building the keyboard yourself, the Qwertykeys Neo65 Core Plus offers distinct material quality at a competitive price for a kit.
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 V1 Max
Qwertykeys Neo65 Core Plus
Layout size
75%
65%
Battery
4,000 mAh
4,400 mAh
A larger battery means fewer cables during the day
Case material
ABS, Plastic
Aluminum
Mount style
Gasket Mount, Plate Mount
Gasket Mount
Knob
Yes
No
- Keychron V1 Max
- Qwertykeys Neo65 Core Plus
- Performance
- 8353
- Build quality
- 8680
- Productivity
- 9780
- Customizability
- 9866
- Portability
- 7988
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Sound dampening
What will you mostly use it for?
The Keychron V1 Max is the clear choice for productivity-focused tasks like office work, programming, and gaming due to its feature set and 75% layout. It also dominates in modding thanks to its open-source firmware support. The Qwertykeys Neo65 Core Plus wins for travel based on its smaller 65% size. For content creation, the choice is a tie, balancing the V1 Max's media controls against the Neo65's premium build quality.
Pick the Keychron V1 Max
- The Keychron V1 Max offers a 1000 Hz polling rate in its 2.4 GHz and wired modes, as stated by the manufacturer.
- Its 75% layout retains dedicated function and navigation keys useful for in-game shortcuts.
- South-facing RGB backlighting is included for aesthetic customization.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron V1 Max
18 owner reviews
“Feels great, haven't got a new KB since my Novatouch. Great high end features and feel, DSA caps on it feel good.”
“The dongle does not work after 6 months of using it and they want me to pay to fix it. If you want to buy a keyboard that is good don’t go for keycron”
Qwertykeys Neo65 Core Plus
14 owner reviews
“For the price, this keyboard should cost more than what it does. It sounds good, the weight of the keyboard has the heft of a more expensive keyboard. I am happy with it”
Keychron V1 Max vs Qwertykeys Neo65 Core Plus specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
15 of 27 specs differ
Keychron V1 Max
Qwertykeys Neo65 Core Plus
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 V1 Max
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW
Out of stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-IT, ISO-SW, ISO-PT
In stockDoes not ship to you
Qwertykeys Neo65 Core Plus
Listed on the product, not split by store: ISO.
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 V1 Max vs Qwertykeys Neo65 Core Plus: your questions
The Keychron V1 Max is designed with Mac compatibility in mind. The manufacturer states it includes a system toggle and an additional set of keycaps for macOS, allowing you to save separate layouts for Mac and Windows.
No, the Neo65 Core Plus is only sold as a DIY kit. According to the vendor listing, it includes the case, weight, PCB, plate, foam kit, and assembly accessories, but you must purchase switches and keycaps separately.
Yes, both offer key remapping but through different methods. The Keychron V1 Max supports full QMK and VIA programming. The vendor page for the Neo65 Core Plus lists its PCB as VIA compatible.
Based on the listed specifications, the Qwertykeys Neo65 Core Plus has a slightly larger 4400mAh battery compared to the Keychron V1 Max's 4000mAh battery. Actual battery life will depend on usage patterns and connectivity mode.
The Keychron V1 Max is positioned for gaming with a 1000 Hz polling rate in its 2.4 GHz and wired modes. Its 75% layout retains useful keys for game shortcuts, and the hot-swappable design allows for installing gaming-focused linear switches.
The Keychron V1 Max uses a gasket mount with a polycarbonate plate and sound-dampening foam for a softer, quieter typing experience. The Neo65 Core Plus is engineered with a tuned internal structure and a heavy metal weight specifically to achieve a natural, foam-free, and crisper acoustic profile.
Yes, both keyboards have hot-swappable PCBs that support standard MX-style switches. The Keychron V1 Max product page explicitly states compatibility with switches like Gateron, Cherry MX, and Kailh.
The Qwertykeys Neo65 Core Plus is significantly heavier at 1340 grams (with the brass weight), due to its aluminum case and metal weight. The Keychron V1 Max weighs 770 grams, as it uses an ABS plastic case.
Yes. The vendor description for the Neo65 Core Plus specifies that a tri-mode PCB option is available, which includes support for wired, 2.4 GHz wireless, and Bluetooth connectivity.
The Keychron V1 Max is available in a wide range of ISO layouts, including UK, German, Nordic, Spanish, French, and Italian, in addition to the standard ANSI layout. This is a key differentiator for international users.
Both keyboards use a gasket mount design for a softer typing feel. The Neo65 Core Plus additionally offers a dual-mounting system, allowing you to use a gummy O-ring mount as an alternative to the PCB gasket mount.
The Keychron V1 Max is available as a fully assembled keyboard, making it plug-and-play. For the Neo65 Core Plus, you must assemble it yourself as it is only sold as a kit, which requires installing stabilizers, switches, and keycaps.
Not sold on either?
![[In Stock] Lucky65 V2 65% Mechanical Keyboard](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0549/0262/0278/files/20250324144508.jpg?v=1742798796&width=3840&quality=75)
Still torn?
Answer a few quick questions and the keyboard finder ranks 2,000+ boards by how you will actually use yours.