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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 Max $120 “Wireless 96% with a gasket mount, PC plate and knob” |  Keychron Keychron Q1 Pro $168 “The Honda Civic of custom keyboards” Best Overall |
|---|---|---|
| Price , different | $120 | $168 |
| Size , different | 96% | 75% |
| Type , different | Pre-built | Barebones |
| Connectivity | Wireless + Wired | Wireless + Wired |
| Released | 2023 | 2023 |
| Mounting | Gasket | Gasket |
| Case , different | Plastic | 6063 Aluminum |
| Colors , different | Carbon Black | Carbon Black, Shell White, Silver Grey, Navy Blue |
| Weight , different | 925 ± 10g (fully assembled) | 1.74kg (fully assembled) |
| Dimensions , different | 96% | 327.5 x 145 x 35.8mm |
| Typing angle , different | Not listed | 5.2° |
| Front height , different | Not listed | 22.6mm |
| Switches | Mechanical | Mechanical |
| Profile | Standard | Standard |
| Keycaps , different | Double-shot PBT | Double-shot PBT, KSA profile (fully assembled version) |
| PCB , different | Hot-swap | Hot-swap, South-facing RGB |
| Plates | PC | PC |
| Battery , different | 4000 mAh, up to 190 hours | 4000mAh (up to 300h, backlight off) |
| Compatible switches , different | MX-style | MX-style 3-pin and 5-pin |
| Software , different | QMK, Keychron Launcher | QMK, VIA, Keychron Launcher |
| NKRO | Yes | Yes |
| RGB , different | No | Yes |
| Features , different | 96% layout, Tri-mode, Hot-swap, QMK/VIA, Knob | QMK/VIA, Hot-swap, Double Gasket Mount, Aluminum Case, Bluetooth 5.1 + USB-C, South-facing LEDs, Screw-in Stabilizers, 1000Hz Polling (wired) |
| Good for , different | Wireless users who want a numpad in a compact footprint People who switch between several devices Typists who like tactile switches and a knob | Heavy typists who want a soft, cushioned feel Buyers who want QMK programmability with Bluetooth People who switch between Mac and Windows Anyone who wants to swap switches or tune the build |
| Skip if , different | Quiet offices Players who want 8000Hz or long battery life (see the V5 Ultra 8K) Anyone who dislikes tall keycaps without a palm rest | Competitive gaming over wireless (90Hz polling) Anyone who needs a portable keyboard Buyers who want 2.4GHz wireless on this model People who prefer a low, flat keycap profile |
| Pros , different | Gasket mount with a PC plate in a 96% layout with a numpad and knob Tri-mode: 2.4GHz and wired at 1000Hz, Bluetooth 5.1 TechGearLab praised the convenience of the wireless options and the volume knob Keychron rates the 4000 mAh battery at up to 190 hours with the backlight off QMK with the Launcher web app and hot-swap sockets 925 g (Keychron's figure), lighter than the wired V5 8K | Flexible PC plate and gasket mount give a soft, bouncy typing feel (Tom's Guide) Full CNC aluminum case at 1,736 g assembled, so it stays put on the desk Bluetooth 5.1 for up to 3 devices plus USB-C; MakeUseOf found the Bluetooth connection stable QMK firmware with the Keychron Launcher web app for remapping and macros Hot-swap sockets take 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style switches 4000 mAh battery, rated up to 300 hours with the backlight off; Tom's Guide saw two to three weeks per charge Programmable aluminum knob, plus a system toggle and both Mac and Windows keycaps |
| Cons , different | Tall keys: TechGearLab advised a palm rest and recorded below-average typing speeds The numpad has a small 0 key (TechGearLab) Fairly loud, 47 dB in TechGearLab's measurement Max-series double-press and chatter reports led to a Keychron statement in July 2025 (TechPowerUp) Keycaps are not shine-through; Bluetooth polling is 90Hz (Keychron's spec table) | Wireless is Bluetooth only, at 90Hz polling; 1000Hz needs a USB-C cable No 2.4GHz option on the Pro; Keychron lists the Q1 Max for that Heavy for a 75% and not a board to carry around Tom's Guide heard a slightly hollow stock sound and occasional metallic pings Tall KSA keycaps raised mistype rates in Tom's Guide's typing test An r/Keychron owner report describes spacebar rattle from the stock stabilizers Tom's Guide called the $219 assembled price steep at review time (Nov 2024) |
| Research take , different | A convenient wireless 96% that TechGearLab picked as its favorite wireless mechanical board, with the tall keys and loudness as the main caveats. The 2025 chatter reports are the reason to buy from a recent batch. For better battery life and 8000Hz, look at the V5 Ultra 8K. | A comfort-first 75% that suits long typing sessions better than gaming or travel. Reviewers rate the build and typing feel highly and mark it down for weight, price and a stock sound that can ping. If you want 2.4GHz or magnetic switches, compare the Q1 Max and Q1 HE before buying. |