Keychron V5

The V5 is the 96% model in the original V line, launched in October 2022 (per Greenkeys). Keychron's spec page lists a plastic case on a tray mount, hot-swap sockets, K Pro switches, double-shot OSA PBT keycaps, QMK with the Launcher web app, and a rotary knob. Both ANSI and ISO versions were sold. It is wired only.

Peter Mortensen's write-up focuses on QMK and macros. He found the V5 fully capable of macros, including mouse actions, once he moved from VIA to proper QMK, but pointed out that there is no easy way to cancel a macro in progress. He is critical of the 96% layout: the numpad squeezes out dedicated PgUp, PgDn and context-menu keys, which he remapped onto numpad keys. He also found the south-facing LEDs bleed bright light toward the typist, so he had to turn the brightness down. He measured the board at about 1.34 kg, and noted 22 lighting modes in firmware version 1.1 and the usual hot-swap sockets.

testberichte.de, which summarizes 24 Amazon.de owner opinions, lists the typing feel and build as strengths and keycap quality as a common complaint; treat that as an aggregate, not a test. The V5 8K and V5 Ultra 8K are Keychron's later versions of this layout.