Keychron V5 Max vs Vgn V98 Pro
Choose the Keychron V5 Max for QMK/VIA customization, a knob, and ISO layouts; choose the Vgn V98 Pro for its larger 8000mAh battery and musical-rhythm RGB effects.
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Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron V5 Max
Knob
Build quality in the top 10% of 96% boards under $100.
- QMK and VIA support for key remapping and macros.
- A knob and dedicated multimedia keys.
- Available in ISO variants as well as ANSI.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- Compact full-size layout. The numpad is present, the gaps of a full-size board are not.
Get the
Vgn V98 Pro
Battery
Build quality in the bottom 35% of 98% boards under $100.
- An 8000mAh battery, with vendor-stated use of up to 40 days with lights off.
- RGB lighting includes musical-rhythm effects.
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
- Compact full-size layout. The numpad is present, the gaps of a full-size board are not.
Get the Keychron V5 Max for its QMK/VIA support, knob, and ISO layout options. Choose the Vgn V98 Pro if its 8000mAh battery and musical-rhythm RGB effects matter more than programmable firmware or ISO availability.
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
Vgn V98 Pro
Layout size
96%
98%
Battery
4,000 mAh
8,000 mAh
A larger battery means fewer cables during the day
Mount style
Gasket Mount, Plate Mount
Gasket Mount
Knob
Yes
No
QMK
Yes
No
The deep option when you want to remap every key
- Keychron V5 Max
- Vgn V98 Pro
- Performance
- 8358
- Build quality
- 8657
- Productivity
- 9787
- Customizability
- 9868
- Portability
- 5364
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- Sound dampening
What will you mostly use it for?
The V5 Max leads where layout choice, programmable controls, and the stated polling rate matter. Its QMK/VIA support also makes it the stronger fit for buyers who want to remap keys or customize switches. The V98 Pro is the travel-oriented pick in this pair because its battery capacity is larger and its vendor describes long use with lighting off. Both retain a compact full-size layout, so that shared footprint does not decide the comparison.
Pick the Keychron V5 Max
- The V5 Max lists a 1000 Hz polling rate, including vendor-stated support at 2.4 GHz and wired.
- The V5 Max supports QMK and VIA for remapping keys and setting macros.
Keychron V5 Max vs Vgn V98 Pro specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
11 of 27 specs differ
Keychron V5 Max
Vgn V98 Pro
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
Compare prices
Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.
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Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.
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ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
Keychron V5 Max
- Go to Keychron
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW
Out of stockShips to you
- Go to Keychron (DE)
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW
Out of stockDoes not ship to you
Vgn V98 Pro
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
Keychron V5 Max vs Vgn V98 Pro: your questions
The V5 Max is the more feature-rich choice for programmable layouts, with QMK and VIA support, a knob, and ISO options. The V98 Pro may suit buyers who prioritize its 8000mAh battery and musical-rhythm RGB effects.
Yes, the V5 Max lists QMK and VIA support. Keychron says QMK can be used for remapping, macros, and shortcuts.
The V98 Pro product listing does not identify QMK or VIA support. Its listed features include hot-swappable switches, gasket mounting, and three-mode connectivity.
The V5 Max is listed with several ISO variants, including ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-FR, and ISO-Nordic, as well as ANSI. The V98 Pro is listed as ANSI only.
The V98 Pro has an 8000mAh battery, while the V5 Max has a 4000mAh battery. The V98 Pro vendor describes up to 40 days of use with lights off.
The V5 Max lists a 1000 Hz polling rate for 2.4 GHz and wired modes. The V98 Pro listing does not give a polling rate, so this comparison favors the V5 Max on the stated specification.
Both keyboards list hot-swappable sockets. Keychron specifies that the V5 Max supports 3-pin and 5-pin MX mechanical switches.
Both list Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and wired connectivity. The V5 Max vendor description specifies Bluetooth 5.1, while no Bluetooth version is listed for the V98 Pro.
The V5 Max lists knob support, and the vendor describes an assembled knob version. A knob is not listed among the V98 Pro features.
The V5 Max has south-facing LEDs, and its compatibility note warns that shine-through legends stay dark. The note also says some sculpted keycaps can clip the LEDs.
Both are compact full-size layouts, with the numpad present but without the gaps of a full-size board. The V5 Max is listed as 96%, while the V98 Pro is listed as 98%.
The V98 Pro vendor description explicitly lists musical-rhythm RGB effects. The V5 Max is listed with south-facing RGB lighting, but no musical-rhythm effect is specified.
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