Keychron V1 vs V5Compact 75% or 96% Layout
Choose the V1 for a smaller 75% footprint, or the V5 if you want a numpad and function keys in a 96% layout.
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4.8 · 63 reviews
from$44at Keychron
4.8 · 8 reviews
from$74at MK
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron V1
Build quality in the top 5% of 75% boards under $50.
- 75% layout with a shorter listed length than the V5.
- Hot-swappable sockets support 3-pin and 5-pin MX switches, per Keychron.
- QMK and VIA support, plus a programmable knob listed in the metadata.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- No numpad.
Get the
Keychron V5
Build quality in the top 5% of 96% boards under $100.
- 96% layout retains the numpad and function keys, according to Keychron.
- Hot-swappable sockets support 3-pin and 5-pin MX switches, per Keychron.
- QMK and VIA support, with knob support listed in the metadata.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- Missing ISO-Nordic. The other board is sold in those layouts.
- Compact full-size layout. The numpad is present, the gaps of a full-size board are not.
Pick the Keychron V1 if desk space and a smaller layout matter more than a numpad. Choose the V5 if you regularly use number-pad keys and want to retain function keys in a 96% layout. Their shared wired, hot-swappable QMK/VIA feature set makes layout the clearest deciding factor.
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
Keychron V5
Layout size
75%
96%
Weight
995 g
1,170 g
Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel
Layout standard
ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, ISO-UK, JIS
ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-SW, ISO-UK
ISO and JIS exist so regional layouts fit
Dimensions
18 x 149 x 329 mm
19 x 142 x 389 mm
- Keychron V1
- Keychron V5
- Performance
- 9191
- Build quality
- 8989
- Productivity
- 9898
- Customizability
- 9898
- Portability
- 6545
- Connection: Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Max polling rate: 8,000 Hz
- Case material: ABS, Plastic
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- Mount style: Gasket Mount, Plate Mount, Tray Mount
What will you mostly use it for?
The V5’s numpad and retained function keys make it the more suitable pick for office work that relies on those inputs. The V1 is easier to accommodate in tighter spaces and is lighter by the listed metadata. For gaming, programming, and switch customization, their listed core features are closely matched. The V1’s vendor description specifically details creative knob assignments, while the V5’s description emphasizes its compact full-featured layout.
It's a tie
- Both are wired keyboards with a listed 1000 Hz polling rate.
- Both offer linear, tactile, and clicky switch options, plus hot-swappable sockets.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron V1
63 owner reviews
“Even tho I live in the middle of Europe the shipping only took 11 working days. It feels and sounds great to type on. And the opening experience was also great.”
“Good quality of build but its actually pretty trash keyboard, 2 years and started to not register keys, double typing ect and its not problem of the switch because i changed them with working ones and still had the problem”
Keychron V5
8 owner reviews
“In love with it already. Only downside is how long it took to get the keyboard. Other then that its a great product for the price”
Keychron V1 vs V5 specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
4 of 26 specs differ
Keychron V1
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
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
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW
In stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-FR, ISO-ES
In stockDoes not ship to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW
In stockDoes not ship to you
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 V1 vs V5: your questions
The V1 is a 75% keyboard, while the V5 uses a 96% layout that retains the numpad and function keys. The V5 is also longer and heavier in the listed dimensions and weight.
Yes. Keychron describes the V5’s 96% layout as retaining the numpad and function keys.
Yes. The V1 is listed at 329 mm long and 995 g, while the V5 is listed at 389 mm long and 1170 g.
No wireless connection is listed for either keyboard. Both are described as wired-only, with USB-C connectivity listed in their metadata.
Yes. Both support hot-swappable switches, and Keychron specifies sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin MX switches. Switches can be changed without soldering, according to the vendor descriptions.
Both list QMK and VIA support in their metadata. Keychron also describes QMK firmware and its Launcher web app for remapping keys and setting macros.
The V5 is the more direct fit because its 96% layout retains a numpad and function keys. The V1’s 75% layout is more compact but does not list a numpad.
Both list Mac/Windows support. Keychron says each includes a system toggle and additional keycaps for macOS and Windows.
Both list south-facing RGB lighting. Keychron says the south-facing LEDs are designed to illuminate from the typist’s angle with non-shine-through PBT keycaps.
Keychron specifies double-shot OSA-profile PBT keycaps for both fully assembled versions. The vendor describes the profile as OEM height with an SA-like shape.
Both offer hot-swappable switches, QMK/VIA support, knob support, and screw-in stabilizers in their metadata. The vendor descriptions also specify 3-pin and 5-pin switch support for both, so the listed customization options are closely matched.
The V1 is the more portable option based on the listed dimensions and weight: it is shorter and lighter than the V5. Both are wired-only, so either requires a cable for use.
Not sold on either?
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