Keychron V5 vs V696% Compact vs Full-Size Layout Comparison
Choose the V5 for a compact desk footprint with a numpad, or the V6 for a traditional full-size layout with all keys separated.
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4.8 · 8 reviews
from$74at MK
4.8 · 29 reviews
from$69at Keychron
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron V5
96% Compact
Build quality in the top 5% of 96% boards under $100.
- More compact 96% layout saves desk space while retaining a numpad.
- Lighter weight at 1170 grams.
- Shorter length (389mm) for a smaller footprint.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- Missing ISO-Nordic. 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
Keychron V6
Full-Size Layout Comparison
Build quality in the top 5% of 100% boards under $100.
- Traditional 100% full-size layout with separated navigation cluster and numpad.
- Product listing mentions included sound dampening for a potentially quieter typing experience.
- Supports JIS layout in addition to ANSI and ISO, according to its metadata.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
Select the Keychron V5 if you want a numpad but need to conserve desk space with a condensed 96% layout. Opt for the Keychron V6 if you prefer a traditional full-size keyboard with all keys in their standard positions and value the mentioned sound dampening. Beyond the layout, their core features are virtually identical, making this a straightforward decision based on form factor preference.
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
Keychron V6
Layout size
96%
100%
Weight
1,170 g
1,360 g
Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel
Layout standard
ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-SW, ISO-UK
ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, ISO-UK, JIS
ISO and JIS exist so regional layouts fit
Plate material
Polycarbonate, Steel
Steel
Dimensions
19 x 142 x 389 mm
19 x 141 x 448 mm
- Keychron V5
- Keychron V6
- Performance
- 9191
- Build quality
- 8989
- Productivity
- 9898
- Customizability
- 9898
- Portability
- 4545
- Connection: Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Max polling rate: 8,000 Hz
- Case material: ABS, Plastic
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- Mount style: Gasket Mount, Plate Mount, Tray Mount
What will you mostly use it for?
The V6 wins for office use and content creation due to its traditional full-size layout and mentioned sound dampening. The V5 is the better choice for travel thanks to its smaller dimensions and lower weight. For gaming, programming, and modding, the keyboards are effectively tied, as they share the same critical performance and customization features. Your desk space and need for a dedicated numpad are the primary deciding factors.
It's a tie
- Both have a 1000 Hz polling rate for low latency.
- Both support N-key rollover for simultaneous key presses.
- Both feature the same south-facing RGB and hot-swap compatibility.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron V5
8 owner reviews
“In love with it already. Only downside is how long it took to get the keyboard. Other then that its a great product for the price”
Keychron V6
29 owner reviews
“Great keyboard. Love using it. Two quibbles: Logo is backwards on Windows key Wish Caps Lock lit up—the LED underneath isn’t enough to indicate when Caps Lock is engaged.”
“I have never used a keyboard where every time you just as much barely graze a key' it registers. This is horrible, you pretty much have to perfectly press the keys dead center, otherwise, it will press surrounding keys as well.”
Keychron V5 vs V6 specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
5 of 26 specs differ
Keychron V5
Keychron V6
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
Display
Media keys
Connection
Max polling rate
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
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW
Out of stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-ES
In stockDoes not ship to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW
Out of stockDoes not ship to you
Keychron V6
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW
Out of stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-FR, ISO-ES
In stockDoes not ship to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW
Out of stockDoes not ship to you
Compare prices
Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.
Prices in USD are converted to your currency and can change at any time. KeebFinder may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.
Keychron V5 vs V6: your questions
The main difference is the layout size. The V5 uses a 96% layout that condenses the numpad and navigation keys to save space, while the V6 is a standard 100% full-size keyboard with all keys separated. The V6 is also larger, heavier, and its product description mentions included sound dampening.
Yes, both the V5 and V6 are hot-swappable. Their PCBs support both 3-pin and 5-pin mechanical switches, allowing you to change switches without soldering.
Yes. Both keyboards include a system toggle switch and come with extra keycaps for both macOS and Windows layouts, allowing for seamless switching between operating systems.
Yes. Both keyboards support open-source QMK firmware and the VIA configuration software, enabling deep customization of key mappings, layers, and macros directly from a web app.
The Keychron V5 is better for a small desk. It has a 96% layout that is significantly shorter (389mm long) than the full-size V6 (448mm long), saving valuable desk space while still including a numpad.
Both the V5 and V6 have a numpad. The V5 integrates it into a compact 96% layout, while the V6 features a standard, separate numpad as part of its full-size design.
Yes. Both models use screw-in PCB stabilizers for the large keys like spacebar and shift. According to Keychron, this design increases stability and makes them easier to upgrade or modify.
The fully assembled versions of both keyboards come with double-shot PBT keycaps in the OSA profile. These are not shine-through keycaps, and both sets include extras for Mac and Windows layouts.
The Keychron V6's product listing specifically mentions it includes sound dampening, while this is not stated for the V5. This suggests the V6 may have a quieter stock typing sound, but both can be modified further with aftermarket foam.
Both the Keychron V5 and V6 have a 1000 Hz polling rate. Keychron states this makes latency hardly noticeable, even for competitive gaming.
Both keyboards are available in versions with and without a knob. You can choose a 'Fully Assembled Knob' or 'Barebone Knob' option during purchase, or opt for the standard version without one.
The Keychron V6 is heavier. The fully assembled V6 weighs 1350 grams, while the V5 weighs 1170 grams, making the V6 noticeably more substantial on the desk.
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