Keychron V5 Ultra vs V8 Max
Choose the V5 Ultra for a numpad, ISO options, and 8000 Hz polling, or the V8 Max for a lighter 65% Alice layout.
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3.0 (1)3.0 · 1 reviews
from$119at MK
4.7 (6)4.7 · 6 reviews
from$99at Keychron
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron V5 Ultra
polling rate
Build quality in the top 15% of 96% boards under $150.
- 96% layout includes a numpad and multi-media keys.
- Supports ANSI and ISO layout variants.
- 8000 Hz polling rate is listed for wired and 2.4 GHz modes.
- 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
Keychron V8 Max
Build quality in the top 10% of 65% boards under $100.
- 65% Alice layout provides a distinct ergonomic arrangement.
- At 745 g, it is lighter than the V5 Ultra.
- Hot-swap support, QMK and VIA support, gasket mount, and polycarbonate plate.
- 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.
- 65% layout. No function row and no numpad.
Pick the V5 Ultra if you need a numpad, want ISO layout options, or value its listed 8000 Hz wired and 2.4 GHz polling rate. Choose the V8 Max if the Alice layout and lower weight matter more than a function row and numpad. Both provide hot-swappable switches, gasket mounting, and wireless connectivity, so those shared features are less decisive.
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 Ultra
Keychron V8 Max
Layout size
96%
65%
Ergonomics
Standard
Alice
Max polling rate
8,000 Hz
1,000 Hz
Higher polling helps competitive FPS and does nothing for typing
Case material
ABS, Metal, Plastic
ABS, Plastic
Weight
983 g
745 g
Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel
- Keychron V5 Ultra
- Keychron V8 Max
- Performance
- 9178
- Build quality
- 8386
- Productivity
- 9898
- Customizability
- 9496
- Portability
- 5688
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Battery: 4,000 mAh
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- Mount style: Gasket Mount
- Knob
What will you mostly use it for?
The V5 Ultra takes the edge for gaming, programming, and content creation when a numpad, broader layout options, or its higher listed polling rate matter. The V8 Max suits office use and travel if the Alice arrangement and lower weight are priorities. Modding is close: both support switch changes and customization, while the V8 Max adds a barebones purchase option. The choice largely comes down to layout and size rather than shared mounting or wireless features.
Pick the Keychron V5 Ultra
- The V5 Ultra lists 8000 Hz polling for wired and 2.4 GHz modes, compared with the V8 Max's 1000 Hz.
- The V5 Ultra's 96% layout retains a numpad, while the V8 Max is a 65% layout without a function row or numpad.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron V5 Ultra
1 owner reviews
“Hi Keychron team, I wanted to share some feedback regarding your new Ultra line of keyboards. While the backlighting is present, the legends on most of your keyboards are not properly illuminated. I don’t quite understand the point of this design—these…”
Keychron V8 Max
6 owner reviews
“This board adds great wireless connectivity options to the already great V8. I love that the case includes slots for storing the wireless adapters. My only complaint is that the way that the gasket mounting is implemented results in a lot of flex in the four…”
Keychron V5 Ultra vs V8 Max specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
9 of 27 specs differ
Keychron V5 Ultra
Keychron V8 Max
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 Ultra
Keychron (DE)
ISO-ES
In stockDoes not ship to you
Keychron V8 Max
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 Ultra vs V8 Max: your questions
The V5 Ultra is a 96% board with a numpad and support for ANSI and ISO variants. The V8 Max is a 65% ANSI board with an Alice layout and no function row or numpad.
Yes. The V5 Ultra lists 8000 Hz polling in wired and 2.4 GHz modes, while the V8 Max lists 1000 Hz in those modes.
The V5 Ultra has a numpad as part of its 96% layout. The V8 Max's 65% layout does not include a numpad.
Yes, the V8 Max has an Alice ergonomic layout. The V5 Ultra uses a normal ergonomic layout.
The V8 Max weighs 745 g, while the V5 Ultra weighs 983 g. Both have Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity, as well as a 4000 mAh battery.
The V5 Ultra lists ANSI and ISO variants, including ISO-ES. The V8 Max is ANSI only and does not offer ISO variants.
Yes, both are listed as hot-swappable. The vendors specify support for MX-style switches, including 3-pin and 5-pin types.
Both vendor descriptions say Keychron Launcher supports key remapping and macros. The V5 Ultra uses ZMK firmware, while the V8 Max uses QMK firmware.
Keychron lists the V5 Ultra for up to 660 hours with the backlight off and the V8 Max for up to 190 hours with the backlight off. Actual runtime can vary with use.
Both use south-facing RGB LEDs, and their compatibility notes warn that shine-through legends stay dark. The V8 Max vendor description also identifies its supplied PBT keycaps as non-shine-through.
Yes, the V8 Max is offered as a barebones version as well as fully assembled. The vendor specifies that the barebones version does not include keycaps or switches.
The V5 Ultra is a stronger fit if you need a numpad or an ISO layout, since it has a 96% layout and lists ANSI and ISO variants. The V8 Max may suit buyers who prefer an Alice layout, but its 65% form has no function row or numpad.
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