Keychron K5 vs Keychron K5 Max
The Keychron K5 and the Keychron K5 Max are close alternatives. The main differences: the Keychron K5 is the cheaper of the two at $75 versus $95; stock, the Keychron K5 sounds light clack and the Keychron K5 Max soft clack.
- Lower priceKeychron K5$75 versus $95
- Easier to modKeychron K5 Maxhot-swap sockets and QMK/VIA
- More ways to connectKeychron K5 Max3 connection modes versus 2
- Bigger batteryKeychron K54000 mAh versus 2000 mAh
Choose the Keychron K5 if
- you want to spend less ($75).
Choose the Keychron K5 Max if
- you mainly want it for typing.
- you want QMK/VIA remapping.
Keychron K5 vs Keychron K5 Max, spec by spec
| Keychron K5 | Keychron K5 Max | |
|---|---|---|
| Layout | full | full |
| Height | Low profile | Low profile |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, Wired | Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired (stronger spec) |
| Hot-swap | Yes | Yes |
| Keycaps | ABS shine-through, low-profile | PBT double-shot, LSA low-profile |
| Case | Aluminum body with ABS bottom | ABS plastic, aluminum top frame |
| Mount | Tray | n/a |
| Backlight | RGB | RGB |
| QMK / VIA | No | Yes (stronger spec) |
| Battery | 4000 mAh (stronger spec) | 2000 mAh |
| Typical price | $75 (stronger spec) | $95 |
| Sound (stock) | light clack | soft clack |
| Released | 2021 | 2024 |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ; a check marks the objectively stronger spec (price, battery, modability). Feel and preference rows never get a check. Fields marked n/a are unpublished by the maker; we list only verifiable numbers.
Where they sit among all 509 boards we track
14% of the 509 boards tracked here cost less than the Keychron K5; 29% of the 509 boards tracked here cost less than the Keychron K5 Max.
34% of the 172 wireless boards tracked here carry a smaller battery than the Keychron K5; 7% of the 172 wireless boards tracked here carry a smaller battery than the Keychron K5 Max.
Where to buy the Keychron K5
Where to buy the Keychron K5 Max
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