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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 7, 2026

Keychron V5 Max vs V5 Max

This is a comparison of the same keyboard model, the Keychron V5 Max, which is a highly customizable 96% wireless board.

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Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Keychron V5 Max

Build quality in the top 10% of 96% boards under $100.

If you want

  • Highly customizable with QMK/VIA support and hot-swappable switches.
  • Tri-mode connectivity (Bluetooth 5.1, 2.4GHz, wired) with dual dongles included.
  • 96% compact layout retains the numpad and arrow keys.

Rules this board out

  • South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.

Get the

Keychron V5 Max

Build quality in the top 10% of 96% boards under $100.

If you want

  • Highly customizable with QMK/VIA support and hot-swappable switches.
  • Tri-mode connectivity (Bluetooth 5.1, 2.4GHz, wired) with dual dongles included.
  • 96% compact layout retains the numpad and arrow keys.

Rules this board out

  • South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.

Bottom line

You are looking at the same keyboard. The Keychron V5 Max is a compelling choice if you want a nearly full-sized layout with extensive customization and wireless freedom. Consider it if your priorities are a numpad, programmability, and a gasket-mounted typing feel, and you accept the trade-offs of a larger plastic-bodied keyboard.

What actually differs

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.

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Keychron V5 Max
  • Keychron V5 Max
Performance
83
83
Build quality
86
86
Productivity
97
97
Customizability
98
98
Portability
53
53

What they share

  • Layout size: 96%
  • Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
  • Hot-swappable
  • Battery: 4,000 mAh
  • Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
  • Case material: ABS, Plastic
See every spec side by side

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

As the products are identical, the V5 Max presents a consistent profile across all use cases. It is a strong all-rounder, particularly excelling in environments that value customization, a full numpad, and wireless flexibility. Its size and weight are the primary considerations against ultra-portability, while its feature set is broadly applicable for gaming, work, and hobbyist tinkering.

For gaming

It's a tie

  • Both offer a 1000 Hz polling rate in 2.4 GHz and wired modes for responsive input.
  • The tri-mode connectivity allows for flexible setup with a low-latency 2.4 GHz dongle.
  • N-key rollover is supported in both wireless and wired modes.

From real owners

What owners say

Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.

Keychron V5 Max

4.8

5 owner reviews

Praise
“The keys feel smooth and easy as you type. It's probably the best keyboard I've used. I've had a number of mechanical keyboards, but, none of them can compare to the v5 max. The feel of the thing while typing, is hard to not constantly repeat.”
Chris L.Verified buyer· via Keychron

Keychron V5 Max

4.8

5 owner reviews

Praise
“The keys feel smooth and easy as you type. It's probably the best keyboard I've used. I've had a number of mechanical keyboards, but, none of them can compare to the v5 max. The feel of the thing while typing, is hard to not constantly repeat.”
Chris L.Verified buyer· via Keychron

Full specs

Keychron V5 Max vs V5 Max specs

Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.

0 of 27 specs differ

Keychron V5 Max

Keychron V5 Max

Typing & switches

Switch options

Clicky, Linear, Tactile
Clicky, Linear, Tactile

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Gasket Mount, Plate Mount
Gasket Mount, Plate Mount

Sound dampening

Yes
Yes

Screw-in stabilizers

Yes
Yes

Layout

Layout size

96%
96%

Layout standard

ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, ISO-UK
ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, ISO-UK

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Knob

Yes
Yes

Display

None
None

Media keys

Yes
Yes

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired

Max polling rate

1,000 Hz
1,000 Hz

Battery

4,000 mAh
4,000 mAh

USB-C

Yes
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

ABS, Plastic
ABS, Plastic

Plate material

Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate

Keycaps

ABS, PBT
ABS, PBT

Weight

925 g
925 g

Dimensions

22 x 149 x 392 mm
22 x 149 x 392 mm

Typing angle

4°
4°

Backlight

RGB, south-facing
RGB, south-facing

Firmware & software

QMK

Yes
Yes

VIA

Yes
Yes

N-key rollover

Yes
Yes

Mac & Windows

Yes
Yes

Extras

Released

2023
2023

For EU buyers

ISO layouts by store

Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.

Keychron V5 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-SW

    Out of stockDoes not ship to you

Keychron V5 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-SW

    Out of stockDoes not ship to you

Where to buy

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.

FAQ

Keychron V5 Max vs V5 Max: your questions

Yes, the V5 Max is suitable for gaming. It offers a 1000 Hz polling rate in its 2.4 GHz wireless and wired modes, which provides responsive input for most gamers. It also features N-key rollover to ensure all pressed keys are registered correctly.

Yes, the V5 Max has full compatibility with macOS, Windows, and Linux. The product listing states it includes a system toggle switch and an additional set of keycaps for both Windows and Mac layouts, allowing you to save a separate layout for each system.

The fully assembled version comes with Gateron Jupiter switches, which are pre-lubed and available in Red (linear), Brown (tactile), or Banana (tactile) variants. The barebones kit does not include any switches, allowing you to install your own compatible 3-pin or 5-pin MX-style switches.

Yes, the V5 Max is fully programmable. It runs on open-source QMK firmware and is compatible with the VIA configurator and Keychron's own Launcher web app for remapping keys, creating macros, and adjusting layers without flashing new firmware.

The keyboard has a 4000mAh battery. According to Keychron's specifications, it can last up to 190 hours with the backlight off and up to 100 hours with the RGB lighting on at its lowest brightness, though actual use will vary.

The fully assembled V5 Max comes with double-shot PBT keycaps in the OSA profile. Keychron describes OSA as having OEM profile height with an SA-like spherical shape. These are not shine-through keycaps.

Yes, the V5 Max features a hot-swappable PCB. This allows you to change switches without soldering, and it supports most 3-pin and 5-pin mechanical MX-style switches from brands like Gateron, Cherry, and Kailh.

The V5 Max uses an ABS plastic case, a polycarbonate plate, and a gasket mount design. It includes sound-dampening foam and screw-in PCB stabilizers. This construction aims for a softer, more resonant typing sound compared to stiff tray-mounted or aluminum boards.

Yes, the Keychron V5 Max includes a knob. The vendor description lists 'Fully Assembled Knob' and 'Barebone Knob' as the available types, confirming its presence for media control or other programmable functions.

The fully assembled kit includes the ABS case, PCB with screw-in stabilizers, polycarbonate plate, double-shot PBT keycaps, and Gateron Jupiter switches. The barebones kit includes only the case, PCB, stabilizers, and plate, requiring you to supply your own switches and keycaps.

According to the manufacturer's description, the V5 Max can connect via Bluetooth 5.1 to three different devices, allowing for easy switching between a computer, phone, and tablet.

Keychron states the V5 Max has a magnetic storage slot at the top right corner of the keyboard designed to hold the included Type-C and Type-A 2.4 GHz receivers when they are not in use.

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