What is the main difference between the Keychron V5 QMK and V6?

The V5 uses a 96% layout and measures 389 mm long in the product metadata. The V6 is a full-size board measuring 448 mm long.

Does the Keychron V5 QMK have a numpad?

Yes, the V5’s 96% layout retains a number pad. Its more compact layout is intended to use less space than the V6’s full-size format.

Is the Keychron V6 a full-size keyboard?

Yes, the V6 is listed as a 100% full-size keyboard. Its listed layout options include ANSI and several ISO variants.

Are the Keychron V5 QMK and V6 wireless?

No, both are listed as wired-only keyboards. Their vendor descriptions specify a Type-C cable connection.

Can I change switches on the Keychron V5 and V6?

Both keyboards are hot-swappable, and their vendor descriptions say the sockets support 3-pin and 5-pin MX mechanical switches. This allows compatible switches to be changed without soldering.

Do the Keychron V5 and V6 support QMK?

Yes, QMK support is listed for both keyboards. Keychron’s product descriptions also identify the Launcher web app for key remapping and macros.

Does the Keychron V6 support VIA?

The V6 metadata lists VIA support, while the V5 metadata lists QMK support. Keychron’s vendor description for each board also discusses using Launcher for remapping and macros.

Which keyboard is lighter, the V5 QMK or V6?

The V5 is listed at 1170 g, while the V6 is listed at 1360 g in the comparison metadata. Both are wired, so neither has a wireless battery to account for.

Do the Keychron V5 and V6 have RGB lighting?

Both are listed with south-facing RGB. Keychron describes the lighting as positioned to illuminate the backlight from the typist’s angle.

What keycaps come with the Keychron V5 QMK and V6?

Keychron’s product descriptions specify double-shot OSA-profile PBT keycaps for the fully assembled versions of both boards. The V6 barebone version does not include keycaps or switches.

Can I buy the Keychron V6 as a barebone keyboard?

Yes, the V6 vendor listing offers barebone and barebone-knob configurations. Keychron states that the barebone version does not include keycaps or switches.

Which is better for a small desk, the Keychron V5 or V6?

The V5 is the more compact choice, measuring 389 mm long compared with the V6 at 448 mm. Both retain a number pad, but the V5 uses a 96% layout instead of the V6’s full-size layout.

Compare Keychron V5 QMK vs V6 Differences Side by Side

This comparison suits buyers choosing between a more compact 96% keyboard and a traditional full-size layout. Both are wired, hot-swappable Keychron boards with QMK support, south-facing RGB, steel plates, and screw-in stabilizers. The V5 is shorter and lighter, while the V6 offers more documented layout variants and assembled or barebone configurations. The main trade-off is desk footprint versus the V6’s broader selection of options.

Model
	78	97	Select a keyboard to compare
Rating	0.0 stars (0 reviews)	3.2 stars (47 reviews)
Purchase Options
Main differences	Released in 2024 Available in a 96% layout Built with the ANSI layout standard Weighs about 1170 g Sized at 19 x 142 x 389 mm Made with a ABS case Features PBT keycaps Offers Yes, Rgb, South-face, Rgb South-face RGB lighting	Released in 2022 Has Linear, Tactile, Clicky switch options Available in a 100% layout Built with the ISO, JIS, ANSI, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, ISO-UK layout standard Provides dedicated media keys Supports VIA configuration Features N-key rollover Has built-in sound dampening Weighs about 1360 g Sized at 19 x 141 x 448 mm Made with a Plastic, ABS case Features ABS, PBT keycaps Offers Yes, Rgb, South-face, Rgb South-face, White, White South-face RGB lighting
Score	Scores Performance: 71.4 Build Quality: 71.4 Productivity: 89.6 Customizability: 82.6 Portability: 46.5	Scores Performance: 90.8 Build Quality: 88.5 Productivity: 97.5 Customizability: 98.1 Portability: 44.8
Name	Name Keychron V5 QMK	Name Keychron V6
Release year	Release year 2024	Release year 2022
Switch Options	Switch Options -	Switch Options Linear, Tactile, Clicky
Profile	Profile Normal Profile	Profile Normal Profile
Hot Swappable	Hot Swappable	Hot Swappable
Layout Size	Layout Size 96%	Layout Size 100%
Layout Standard	Layout Standard ANSI	Layout Standard ISO, JIS, ANSI, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, ISO-UK
Layout Ergonomics	Layout Ergonomics Normal	Layout Ergonomics Normal
Knob Support	Knob Support	Knob Support
Display Support	Display Support	Display Support
Mac/Win Support	Mac/Win Support	Mac/Win Support
Multi-Media Keys	Multi-Media Keys	Multi-Media Keys
USB-C	USB-C	USB-C
USB passthrough	USB passthrough	USB passthrough
Connection	Connection Wired, Wired only	Connection Wired, Wired only
Polling Rate	Polling Rate 1000 Hz	Polling Rate 1000 Hz;8000 Hz
Battery capacity	Battery capacity -	Battery capacity -
Hall Effect Support	Hall Effect Support	Hall Effect Support
QMK Support	QMK Support	QMK Support
VIA Support	VIA Support	VIA Support
VIAL Support	VIAL Support	VIAL Support
N-Key Rollover	N-Key Rollover	N-Key Rollover
Rapid Trigger	Rapid Trigger	Rapid Trigger
Mount Style	Mount Style Tray Mount	Mount Style Tray Mount
Screw in Stabilizers	Screw in Stabilizers	Screw in Stabilizers
Sound Dampening	Sound Dampening	Sound Dampening
Backlight	Backlight Rgb, South-face	Backlight Rgb, South-face, White, White South-face
Case Colors	Case Colors	Case Colors
Case Material	Case Material ABS	Case Material Plastic, ABS
Keycaps Material	Keycaps Material PBT	Keycaps Material ABS, PBT
Dimensions	Dimensions 19 x 142 x 389 mm	Dimensions 19 x 141 x 448 mm
Weight	Weight 1170g	Weight 1360g

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Pros and Trade-offs

Choose the Keychron V5 QMK if you want to keep a number pad while reducing length and weight. Choose the Keychron V6 if you want full-size spacing, more layout and switch choices, or a barebone version for a custom build. Both are wired, hot-swappable boards with QMK support, so the decision mainly comes down to footprint and configuration flexibility.

Keychron V5 QMK

+96% layout retains a number pad while using a shorter 389 mm length.
+Lighter than the V6 at 1170 g.
+Hot-swappable sockets support 3-pin and 5-pin switches.
+Double-shot PBT keycaps, south-facing RGB, and screw-in stabilizers are specified by Keychron.

−Wired-only connectivity limits flexibility away from a desk.
−The listing identifies QMK support but does not list VIA support or a barebone configuration.
−The 96% layout offers less separation than a full-size layout.

Keychron V6

+Full-size layout with ANSI and multiple ISO variants listed.
+Barebone and fully assembled configurations are available, along with a knob option.
+Hot-swap support, QMK, VIA, and Keychron Launcher offer several customization paths.
+Includes listed multimedia keys and sound dampening.

−At 448 mm long and 1360 g, it is larger and heavier than the V5.
−Wired-only connectivity means it is not a wireless option.
−The vendor’s standard V6 description lists a 1000 Hz polling rate, despite separate references to V6 8K versions.

Which Keyboard Is Better for Your Needs?

The V6 edges ahead for gaming, office work, programming, modding, and content creation based on its listed rollover, multimedia keys, VIA support, layout choices, and barebone option. The V5 is the more manageable pick for travel because it is shorter and lighter, though both require a wired connection. Their shared hot-swap support, QMK, and 1000 Hz polling rate make the choice less about basic capability and more about layout and configuration. Consider the V5 when a smaller footprint matters, and the V6 when full-size keys and extra options matter more.

GamingKeychron V6

•Both are wired and list a 1000 Hz polling rate, so the available specs do not show a polling-rate advantage for either.
•The V6 lists N-Key Rollover, while the V5 metadata does not.
•The V6 is available with linear, tactile, or clicky switch options.

OfficeKeychron V6

•The V6 includes multimedia keys and lists sound dampening.
•The V6’s full-size layout offers a dedicated number pad, while the V5 has a more compact 96% layout.
•Both support Mac and Windows and include screw-in stabilizers.

ProgrammingKeychron V6

•Both support QMK, and the V6 also lists VIA support.
•Both vendor descriptions identify Keychron Launcher for remapping keys and setting macros.
•The V6 is offered in multiple layout variants, including ANSI and several ISO options.

TravelKeychron V5 QMK

•The V5 weighs 1170 g, compared with 1360 g for the V6 in the product metadata.
•The V5 is 389 mm long, while the V6 is 448 mm long.
•Both are wired-only, so neither offers a wireless travel setup.

ModdingKeychron V6

•Both keyboards are hot-swappable and support 3-pin and 5-pin switches.
•The V6 is listed with QMK and VIA support, while the V5 metadata lists QMK support.
•The V6 has a barebone option, allowing buyers to choose a version without switches and keycaps.

Content CreationKeychron V6

•The V6 combines a full-size number pad with multimedia keys.
•The V6 lists QMK and VIA support, and both vendor descriptions describe key remapping and macros through Keychron Launcher.
•The V5’s 96% layout is a reasonable alternative if desk space matters more than full-size spacing.