Keychron V5 Max vs Varmilo Minilo98 ProHall Effect vs ISO Choice
Choose the Keychron V5 Max for Hall Effect switch compatibility and a lower price, or the Varmilo Minilo98 Pro for its extensive ISO layout support and premium sound-dampened construction.
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4.8 (5)4.8 · 5 reviews
from$99at MK
No reviews
from$155at Varmilo
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron V5 Max
Hall Effect
Build quality in the top 10% of 96% boards under $100.
- Explicitly supports Hall Effect switches for future analog input modding.
- Available as a barebones kit, offering a lower-cost entry for custom builds.
- Includes both Type-C and Type-A 2.4 GHz receivers with magnetic storage.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- Missing ISO-IT, ISO-CH, ISO-PT. 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.
Get the
Varmilo Minilo98 Pro
ISO Choice
Build quality in the top 20% of 98% boards under $200.
- Offers an exceptionally wide range of ISO layouts, including specific keycap sets for European languages.
- Construction includes multiple sound-dampening layers: plate Poron foam, IXPE switch pad, PCB Poron foam, and bottom silicone.
- Features a CNC metal inlay frame for a premium aesthetic detail.
- Magnetic switches only. Standard MX switches will not fit.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- Missing ISO-SW. 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.
Your choice depends on your core priority. The Keychron V5 Max is the more future-proof and modder-friendly option, offering Hall Effect compatibility and a barebones version at a more accessible price. The Varmilo Minilo98 Pro justifies its higher cost with superior out-of-the-box sound dampening, an extensive selection of ISO layouts, and premium design touches like its metal inlay. For most users outside of Europe needing specific ISO keys, the V5 Max provides better value.
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 V5 Max
Varmilo Minilo98 Pro
Layout size
96%
98%
Hall effect (magnetic)
No
Yes
Adjustable actuation helps in games and not in normal typing
Case material
ABS, Plastic
Copper, Metal, Plastic
Switch options
Clicky, Linear, Tactile
Silent
Mount style
Gasket Mount, Plate Mount
Gasket Mount
- Keychron V5 Max
- Varmilo Minilo98 Pro
- Performance
- 8374
- Build quality
- 8674
- Productivity
- 9788
- Customizability
- 9889
- Portability
- 5355
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Battery: 4,000 mAh
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- QMK
- VIA
What will you mostly use it for?
The V5 Max takes the lead for gaming and modding due to its Hall Effect support and barebones availability, while the Minilo98 Pro is better suited for quiet office environments with its silent switch focus and included dust cover. For programming and content creation, the keyboards are evenly matched with their strong programmability and layout utility. Travelers might prefer the slightly lighter and lower-profile V5 Max.
Pick the Keychron V5 Max
- The V5 Max explicitly lists Hall Effect support, enabling analog input for certain games.
- Both share a 1000 Hz polling rate in 2.4 GHz and wired modes for low latency.
Keychron V5 Max vs Varmilo Minilo98 Pro specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
13 of 28 specs differ
Keychron V5 Max
Varmilo Minilo98 Pro
Switch options
Hall effect (magnetic)
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 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
Varmilo Minilo98 Pro
Varmilo
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-FR, ISO-ES
In stockShips to you
Compare prices
Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.
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Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.
Keychron V5 Max vs Varmilo Minilo98 Pro: your questions
The Keychron V5 Max explicitly lists Hall Effect support in its extra features. The Varmilo Minilo98 Pro's specifications and vendor description do not mention Hall Effect compatibility.
Yes, according to the 'In the Box' section of the Varmilo tech specs, the Minilo98 Pro includes a dust cover. The Keychron V5 Max listing does not mention one.
Yes. The Keychron vendor page shows a 'Barebone Knob' version for the V5 Max, which does not include keycaps and switches. The Varmilo Minilo98 Pro is listed as a pre-built unit only.
Based on vendor descriptions, the Varmilo Minilo98 Pro details more internal layers: a PC plate, plate Poron foam, IXPE switch pad, PCB Poron foam, and bottom silicone. The Keychron V5 Max mentions sound-absorbing foam but does not list the specific layers.
Yes. Both the Keychron V5 Max and Varmilo Minilo98 Pro list Mac and Windows support. Both include extra keycaps for Mac modifiers, and both have a function to switch between operating systems.
Both keyboards have a 1000 Hz polling rate in their 2.4 GHz wireless and wired modes, according to their specifications. The Keychron V5 Max vendor page notes its Bluetooth polling rate is 90 Hz.
The Varmilo Minilo98 Pro offers a significantly wider range of specific ISO layouts. Its vendor page details four separate keycap sets covering 12 European languages. The Keychron V5 Max supports ISO layouts but with less specific language detail provided.
Yes. The Keychron V5 Max has a listed typing angle of 4 degrees and its specs show adjustable feet for 3.5°, 8°, and 10° angles. The Varmilo Minilo98 Pro features two-stage kickstands for 4°, 7.5°, and 11° angles.
The Keychron V5 Max comes with OSA profile double-shot PBT keycaps. The Varmilo Minilo98 Pro uses Cherry profile PBT keycaps.
Both keyboards have a 4000mAh battery. The Keychron V5 Max vendor page estimates up to 190 hours with backlight off. The Varmilo Minilo98 Pro listing states over 20 days with lights off. Real-world results will vary with usage.
Yes, both the Keychron V5 Max and Varmilo Minilo98 Pro support QMK and VIA firmware. This allows for deep customization of keymaps, layers, and macros.
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