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Pick two boards from the directory and see how they differ.
Shaded rows are where they differ.
| Spec |  Keychron Keychron V5 $65–$75 “Wired 96% with a numpad, knob and tray-mounted plastic case” | Keychron Keychron Q1 Max $230 “The 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth and wired 75% Q” |
|---|---|---|
| Price , different | $65–$75 | $230 |
| Size , different | 96% | 75% |
| Type | Pre-built | Pre-built |
| Connectivity , different | Wired | Wireless + Wired |
| Released , different | 2022 | 2023 |
| Mounting , different | Tray Mount | Gasket |
| Case , different | Plastic | 6063 Aluminum |
| Colors , different | Frosted Black (Translucent), Carbon Black (Non-transparent) | — |
| Weight , different | Not listed | 1.72kg (fully assembled) |
| Dimensions , different | 96% | 327.5 x 145mm |
| Typing angle , different | Not listed | 5.2° |
| Front height , different | Not listed | 20.7mm |
| Switches | Mechanical | Mechanical |
| Profile | Standard | Standard |
| Keycaps , different | Double-shot PBT | Double-shot PBT, KSA or OSA profile (fully assembled version) |
| PCB , different | Hot-swap | Hot-swap, South-facing RGB |
| Plates , different | Not listed | PC |
| Battery , different | — | 4000mAh (up to 180h, backlight off) |
| Compatible switches , different | MX-style | MX-style 3-pin and 5-pin |
| Software | QMK, Keychron Launcher | QMK, Keychron Launcher |
| NKRO | Yes | Yes |
| RGB , different | No | Yes |
| Features , different | 96% layout, Wired, Hot-swap, QMK/VIA, Knob | QMK/VIA, Hot-swap, Double Gasket Mount, Aluminum Case, 2.4GHz + Bluetooth 5.1, South-facing RGB, Screw-in Stabilizers, 1000Hz Polling (2.4GHz & wired) |
| Good for , different | Typists and spreadsheet users who want a numpad in a compact footprint QMK users who want macros on a budget People who want a rotary knob on a wired board | Typists who want a wireless 75% with a quiet, cushioned sound Users who want a low-latency dongle option without leaving the Q line People who like to open the board and adjust foam |
| Skip if , different | Anyone who needs wireless People who use PgUp, PgDn and the menu key heavily and do not want to remap Buyers who work in dark rooms and dislike LED glare | Buyers who want a low-profile keycap shape or adjustable height Anyone who needs a travel keyboard People who want magnetic switches; the Q1 HE covers that |
| Pros , different | Compact 96% footprint with a numpad, arrows and a rotary knob Hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches QMK with the Launcher web app; an owner got macros with mouse actions working in QMK (Mortensen) South-facing per-key RGB with 22 modes in the v1.1 firmware (Mortensen) Both ANSI and ISO layouts were sold (Keychron) About 1.34 kg in Mortensen's measurement, so it stays put on the desk | Three connection modes: 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth 5.1 (three devices) and wired, with 1000 Hz on 2.4 GHz and wired Muffled sound with little case resonance from layered foam and a double-gasket design (AppleInsider) Thick aluminum shell that XDA Developers says will not move on the desk; Keychron lists 1,724 g PC plate, hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches, QMK/VIA and a knob Gateron Jupiter Red, Brown or Banana switches come pre-installed on the assembled version 4000 mAh battery, rated up to 180 hours by Keychron |
| Cons , different | Wired only The 96% numpad squeezes out dedicated PgUp, PgDn and context-menu keys (Mortensen) South-facing LEDs bleed bright light toward the typist at higher brightness (Mortensen) Owners on Amazon.de criticized the keycap quality (via testberichte.de summary) No easy way to cancel a running QMK macro (Mortensen) | No adjustable feet; the angle is fixed at 5.2 degrees (AppleInsider) Wirecutter criticises the tall keycaps and the steep, non-adjustable case slope Keychron's 1000 Hz rating applies to 2.4 GHz and wired; the sibling Q1 HE drops to 90 Hz on Bluetooth (Tom's Guide) Heavy at about 1.7 kg, so not a portable 75% Wirecutter notes it costs more than its own upgrade pick, and AppleInsider's headline calls it costly |
| Research take , different | A capable wired 96% for QMK and macro use, with the usual 96% compromises on page and menu keys. It has been replaced by the V5 8K, V5 Max and V5 Ultra 8K, so check what is actually in stock. | The most complete mechanical 75% in the Q line: reviewers praised the build, the sound and the 2.4 GHz option. The tall caps and fixed slope are the recurring complaints, so a wrist rest is worth budgeting for. |