keyboards.sh

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Pick two boards from the directory and see how they differ.

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Shaded rows are where they differ.

Keychron K5 Max compared with Keychron K5
Spec Keychron K5 Max

Keychron

Keychron K5 Max

$95–$115

“Slim low-profile full-size with 2.4 GHz and QMK/VIA”

Keychron K5

Keychron

Keychron K5

$75–$83

“K5, from Keychron's store”

Price , different $95–$115 $75–$83
Size Full Full
Type , different Pre-built Barebones
Connectivity Wireless + Wired Wireless + Wired
Released , different 2024 2021
Mounting , different Integrated Plate Tray Mount
Case , different ABS with aluminum frame Aluminum & Plastic
Colors , different Black, White See the store
Weight , different 720 g 770 g +/- 10 g
Dimensions , different 424 x 119 mm 435 x 120 mm
Typing angle Not listed Not listed
Front height Not listed Not listed
Switches Low Profile Low Profile
Profile Low Profile Low Profile
Keycaps , different Low-profile double-shot PBT LSA ABS keycaps, not shine-through
PCB Hot-swap Hot-swap
Plates Not listed Not listed
Battery , different 2000 mAh, up to 95 hours 2000 mAh, up to 90 hours
Compatible switches Keychron low-profile Keychron low-profile
Software , different QMK, VIA, Keychron Launcher QMK
NKRO Yes Yes
RGB No No
Features Full layout, Tri-mode, Hot-swap, QMK/VIA, Low profile Full layout, Tri-mode, Hot-swap, QMK/VIA, Low profile
Good for , different Office and home users who want a slim numpad board with a dongle QMK/VIA users who want a low-profile keyboard Buyers who want a lightweight full-size Office users who want a slim full-size board Buyers who want optical switch options People who value Bluetooth multi-device pairing
Skip if , different Travelers who need a compact board (see the K3 Max or K7 Max) Buyers who want bright RGB through the legends Gamers who need 8 kHz polling Anyone who wants a lighter case (see the SE) Gamers who want 2.4 GHz Buyers who need verified reviews of this exact model
Pros , different 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth and wired (maker) IXPE foam gives a more refined sound than older low-profile Keychrons (Phandroid) Light for a full-size (Phandroid) Web-based remapping (GameRevolution) MX-style stems on the low-profile switches (Phandroid) Slim full-size with a numpad (maker) Optical or mechanical low-profile switches Hot-swappable Aluminum-and-plastic tray-mount case Bluetooth plus wired
Cons , different Keycaps are not shine-through, so RGB looks muted (GameRevolution) Some legend fonts look odd (GameRevolution) Only low-profile switches fit (GameRevolution) Too bulky to travel with, per Phandroid Battery rated at 95 hours Heavier than the SE at about 770 g Battery rated at only 90 hours Non-shine-through ABS keycaps No dongle No review of this model was found
Research take , different The K5 to pick for most buyers; both reviewers liked it. An alternative to the SE with a mixed case. Evidence is thin.