Keychron V4 Max vs V5Wireless 60% vs Wired 96% Layout Choice
Choose the V4 Max for wireless flexibility and portability, or the V5 for a dedicated, full-featured wired workstation keyboard.
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron V4 Max
Wireless 60%
- Tri-mode connectivity (Bluetooth 5.1, 2.4 GHz, wired) with dual receivers.
- Gasket mount design with polycarbonate plate for a potentially softer typing feel.
- Includes sound-dampening foam, according to the vendor description.
- 60% layout lacks dedicated arrow keys, function row, and numpad, requiring layers.
- Smaller size may not appeal to users who need many dedicated keys.
- Wireless functionality adds complexity with battery charging.
Get the
Keychron V5
Wired 96% Layout Choice
- 96% layout compactly includes a numpad, arrow keys, and function row.
- Extensive ISO layout support (UK, German, Nordic, etc.) for international users.
- Wired-only design simplifies setup with no battery to manage.
- Wired-only connectivity limits placement and adds cable clutter.
- Much larger and heavier (1170g), reducing portability.
- Tray mount design may offer a different, potentially less flexible typing feel than gasket mount.
Your primary need dictates the choice. If you require a numpad, prefer a stationary setup, or need specific ISO keys, the Keychron V5 is the logical pick. If wireless freedom, a minimalist desk, or easy transport are higher priorities, the Keychron V4 Max is the better tool. Both deliver excellent customizability, so you aren't sacrificing that core feature either way.
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 V4 Max
Keychron V5
Layout size
60%
96%
Connection
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Wired
Max polling rate
1,000 Hz
8,000 Hz
Mount style
Gasket Mount
Gasket Mount, Plate Mount, Tray Mount
Weight
645 g
1,170 g
- Keychron V4 Max
- Keychron V5
- Performance
- 7991
- Build quality
- 8689
- Productivity
- 9598
- Customizability
- 9698
- Portability
- 8845
- Hot-swappable
- Case material: ABS, Plastic
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- Knob
- QMK
- VIA
What will you mostly use it for?
The V5 is the clear choice for office and content creation where its numpad and full set of keys are assets. The V4 Max wins for travel and has an edge for gaming due to its wireless options. For programming and modding, both keyboards are equally capable foundations, shifting the decision to layout preference and wired versus wireless needs.
Pick the Keychron V4 Max
- Wireless 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity offers cable-free flexibility.
- Smaller 60% footprint frees up desk space for mouse movement.
- Gasket mount with polycarbonate plate may provide a softer, more consistent typing feel.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron V4 Max
No owner reviews collected yet.
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 V4 Max vs V5 specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
10 of 27 specs differ
Keychron V4 Max
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
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Keychron V4 Max vs V5: your questions
The core difference is layout and connectivity. The V4 Max is a 60% wireless keyboard, while the V5 is a larger 96% wired keyboard that includes a numpad and dedicated navigation keys.
Yes, the V4 Max is suitable for gaming. It offers a 1000 Hz polling rate in its 2.4 GHz wireless and wired modes for low latency. Its compact size also frees up desk space for mouse movement.
Yes. Both the V4 Max and V5 are listed with Mac/Win support. According to their vendor pages, they include a system toggle and extra keycaps for switching between macOS and Windows layouts.
The Keychron V4 Max is significantly more portable. It is a 60% keyboard weighing 645g with wireless connectivity. The V5 is a 96% keyboard weighing 1170g and is wired-only.
Yes. Both the Keychron V4 Max and V5 feature hot-swappable PCBs that support both 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style mechanical switches, allowing for easy switch changes without soldering.
Both keyboards support the open-source QMK firmware and the VIA configurator for advanced key remapping, macro programming, and layer configuration directly through a web app.
The fully assembled versions of both keyboards come with double-shot PBT keycaps in the OSA profile. The vendor states these are oil-resistant and have legends that won't fade.
The product metadata lists 'Knob Support' for the V4 Max, indicating the PCB may support adding one, but the vendor description does not specify if a knob is included in the standard assembly.
According to Keychron's specifications, the V4 Max's 4000mAh battery provides up to 190 hours of wireless use with backlighting off, and up to 100 hours with RGB at its lowest brightness.
The V4 Max uses a gasket mount design with a polycarbonate plate, aimed at reducing acoustic resonance. The V5 uses a tray mount design with a steel plate, which typically offers a more rigid typing feel.
The Keychron V5 is better for heavy data entry. Its 96% layout includes a full numpad, which is essential for efficient numerical input, a feature the 60% V4 Max lacks.
Yes. Both keyboards come with screw-in PCB-mounted stabilizers. The vendor pages for both models note that they also support third-party screw-in PCB stabilizers for easy replacement or modification.
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