Keychron V5 Max vs Yunzii AL98Plastic Customizability vs Aluminum Build
Choose the Keychron V5 Max for extensive layout support and a lighter, more customizable package, or the Yunzii AL98 for a heavier, all-aluminum build with a larger battery.
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4.8 (5)4.8 · 5 reviews
from$99at MK
No reviews
from$109at Yunzii
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron V5 Max
Plastic Customizability
Build quality in the top 10% of 96% boards under $100.
- Extensive layout support including multiple ISO variants (DE, Nordic, UK, ES, FR, SW).
- Available as a barebones DIY kit for full customization from the ground up.
- 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.
- Compact full-size layout. The numpad is present, the gaps of a full-size board are not.
Get the
Yunzii AL98
Aluminum Build
Build quality in the top 5% of 98% boards under $150.
- Full CNC aluminum case construction for a premium, durable feel.
- Substantially larger 8000mAh battery for extended wireless use.
- Higher 7° typing angle for a more aggressive typing posture.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- 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.
Select the Keychron V5 Max if you need specific international layouts, value a lighter keyboard for travel, or want the option to build from a barebones kit. Opt for the Yunzii AL98 if a solid aluminum build and extremely long battery life are your top priorities, and you only require a standard ANSI layout. Both deliver core features like gasket mounts, QMK/VIA, and tri-mode wireless effectively.
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
Yunzii AL98
Layout size
96%
98%
Battery
4,000 mAh
8,000 mAh
A larger battery means fewer cables during the day
Case material
ABS, Plastic
Aluminum
Switch options
Clicky, Linear, Tactile
Linear
Mount style
Gasket Mount, Plate Mount
Gasket Mount
- Keychron V5 Max
- Yunzii AL98
- Performance
- 8380
- Build quality
- 8682
- Productivity
- 9789
- Customizability
- 9886
- Portability
- 5367
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- QMK
- VIA
- Sound dampening
What will you mostly use it for?
The Keychron V5 Max wins in most categories due to its layout flexibility, lighter weight, and strong modding foundation with its barebones kit option. It is the clear choice for international users, travelers, and tinkerers. The Yunzii AL98 takes the lead for content creation primarily due to its massive battery capacity, and its aluminum construction appeals to those seeking a heftier, premium feel. For gaming and programming, both are capable, but Keychron's switch variety and customization edge give it an advantage.
Pick the Keychron V5 Max
- Both offer a 1000 Hz polling rate for responsive input.
- The Keychron V5 Max is significantly lighter at 925g, making it easier to reposition.
- Keychron's listing mentions a 1000 Hz polling rate in its 2.4 GHz and wired modes for low latency.
Keychron V5 Max vs Yunzii AL98 specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
13 of 27 specs differ
Keychron V5 Max
Yunzii AL98
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
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
Yunzii AL98
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
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 Yunzii AL98: your questions
The Yunzii AL98 has a significantly larger 8000mAh battery compared to the Keychron V5 Max's 4000mAh battery. Based on battery capacity alone, the Yunzii should offer longer usage between charges, which its vendor description also emphasizes.
Yes. The Keychron V5 Max listing confirms Mac support. Its vendor page specifically notes it includes an additional set of keycaps for macOS and has a system toggle to switch between macOS and Windows layouts.
Yes, the Yunzii AL98 is substantially heavier. It weighs 2175g (about 4.8 lbs), while the Keychron V5 Max weighs 925g. This is primarily due to the Yunzii's full aluminum case construction.
Yes, both the Keychron V5 Max and Yunzii AL98 feature hot-swappable PCBs. The Keychron's description confirms compatibility with most 3-pin and 5-pin MX mechanical switches.
The Keychron V5 Max has a stronger foundation for modding. It is sold as a barebones DIY kit, and its vendor description details mod-friendly components like its polycarbonate plate, screw-in PCB stabilizers, and sound-absorbing foam.
The Keychron V5 Max offers Gateron Jupiter switches in Linear (Red), Tactile (Brown), and Clicky (Banana) variants. The Yunzii AL98, according to its vendor page, comes with pre-lubed linear switches, specifically the Milk V2 or Cocoa Cream V2.
Yes, both keyboards support full programmability via open-source QMK firmware and the VIA configuration software. This allows for extensive key remapping, macro creation, and lighting customization.
Yes. Both keyboards are in the 96% (or 98%) layout category, which incorporates a number pad into a compact form factor by removing some of the navigation cluster and spacing.
The Keychron V5 Max is the only option, as it explicitly supports ISO-UK and ISO-DE layouts. The Yunzii AL98 metadata only lists ANSI layout support.
Yes, both keyboards feature south-facing RGB LED backlighting. South-facing LEDs are preferred by enthusiasts as they avoid interference with Cherry-profile keycaps and provide better illumination from the typist's angle.
Both keyboards list a 1000 Hz polling rate. The Keychron V5 Max vendor page specifies this rate applies to its 2.4 GHz wireless and wired modes, with a 90 Hz rate in Bluetooth mode.
Yes. The Keychron V5 Max uses an ABS plastic housing, as stated in its specifications and vendor description. The Yunzii AL98 uses an aluminum case.
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