![Keychron V5 Max [V1 Max, V2 Max, etc.]](https://i.rtings.com/assets/products/53aJ58bV/keychron-v5-max-v1-max-v2-max-etc/design-medium.jpg?format=auto)
The Keychron V5 Max is a compact 96% model in Keychron's wider V Max series of wireless mechanical keyboards. These keyboards have plastic cases and gasket-mounted designs that lend a softer, almost springy typing experience. You can connect them wirelessly with their included USB-A or USB-C 2.4 GHz receivers or via Bluetooth with up to three devices simultaneously. They're available with various stock Gateron Jupiter mechanical switch options, and the PCBs are hot-swappable if you'd like to change the switch options yourself. Each keyboard also includes a small toolkit to help you completely disassemble your keyboard to add, remove, or repair elements.
For comparisons between other size variants in the wider V Max series, see the Differences Between Sizes and Variants section below.
Our Verdict
The Keychron V Max keyboards are great for gaming. They have impressive overall build quality and offer excellent raw performance over a 2.4GHz connection, making them suitable for playing games in all genres at a casual or competitive level. These keyboards also have full RGB backlighting and individually-lit keys. Just note that the keycaps aren't easy to read in darker rooms as the stock keycaps aren't shine-through, and the LEDs are south-facing.
- Impressive build quality.
- Excellent latency performance.
- True 1000Hz polling rate using a wired or 2.4GHz wireless connection.
- PCB has south-facing RGB and stock keycaps don't have shine-through legends, which means key legends are difficult to see in darker rooms.
- Stabilizers make faint, occasional rattling noise.
The Keychron V Max keyboards are great for office use. They offer impressive build quality with a gasket-mount design, providing a softer, almost springy typing experience. You can connect them wirelessly with an included 2.4GHz receiver or via Bluetooth with up to three devices simultaneously. You can also remap keys, change backlighting settings, and create custom profiles using web-based or downloadable configuration software. Typing on these keyboards is also very quiet, and layers of sound-dampening foam are inside the case. That said, they have a fairly high profile, and we recommend using a wrist rest for the most comfortable experience. Unfortunately, a wrist rest isn't included.
- Impressive build quality.
- Connects wirelessly with 2.4GHz receiver or via Bluetooth with up to three devices simultaneously.
- Quiet typing noise.
- Stabilizers make faint, occasional rattling noise.
The Keychron V Max keyboards are adequate for tablet and mobile use. They have impressive build quality and connect wirelessly with up to three devices simultaneously via Bluetooth. They also provide excellent typing quality and have outstanding compatibility with major mobile and tablet operating systems. The major downside is only the size and weight of these keyboards. They're available in several sizes, but even the smaller compact variants are still significantly larger than dedicated mobile keyboards, so they'll be quite unwieldy to carry with you on the go but are well-suited for jumping between hot desks or areas in your home.
- Impressive build quality.
- Connects wirelessly with 2.4GHz receiver or via Bluetooth with up to three devices simultaneously.
- Quite large and bulky.
The Keychron V Max keyboards are very good for programming. They have impressive build quality and connect wirelessly either with their USB receiver or with up to three devices simultaneously via Bluetooth. They also deliver excellent typing quality but have a fairly tall profile, so we recommend using a wrist rest for the most comfortable typing experience. Unfortunately, a wrist rest isn't included. Most size variants in this series don't have dedicated macro keys, but some do. That said, you can program macros to any key yourself and make other adjustments using the configuration software. These keyboards also have full RGB backlighting and south-facing LEDs for good visibility when you're seated at your keyboard. Note that the keycap legends aren't easy to read in darker rooms.
- Impressive build quality.
- Connects wirelessly with 2.4GHz receiver or via Bluetooth with up to three devices simultaneously.
- Quiet typing noise.
- PCB has south-facing RGB and stock keycaps don't have shine-through legends, which means key legends are difficult to see in darker rooms.
- Stabilizers make faint, occasional rattling noise.
The Keychron V Max keyboards are passable for use in a home theater or entertainment setup. They have impressive build quality and connect wirelessly with a USB receiver or via Bluetooth with up to three devices simultaneously. Unfortunately, while there's a dedicated volume knob, there aren't any dedicated media keys (for Windows). Additionally, while these keyboards have full RGB backlighting, the keycaps aren't easy to read in the dark.
- Impressive build quality.
- Connects wirelessly with 2.4GHz receiver or via Bluetooth with up to three devices simultaneously.
- PCB has south-facing RGB and stock keycaps don't have shine-through legends, which means key legends are difficult to see in darker rooms.
- No dedicated media keys (in Windows mode).
- Quite large and bulky.
The Keychron V Max keyboards provide excellent raw performance, making them well-suited for playing games in any genre. They offer outstanding single-key latency and excellent multi-key latency. Using this keyboard wired or connected wirelessly with an included 2.4 GHz provides an effective update rate of 1000Hz that isn't bottlenecked by other latency elements.
- Excellent latency performance.
- True 1000Hz polling rate using a wired or 2.4GHz wireless connection.
Changelog
-
Updated Aug 28, 2025:
Added a reference to our PBT vs ABS keycaps article in the Variants section.
-
Updated May 23, 2025:
We've added a link to the NuPhy Kick75 to the Dimensions section.
-
Updated Apr 08, 2025:
We've added a link to the Keychron K8 Max to the Typing Quality section.
- Updated Oct 16, 2024: We've added a link to the newly-reviewed AULA F99/F75 to the Typing Quality section.
Check Price
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Keychron V5 Max [Keychron V1 Max, Keychron V2 Max, etc.] series keyboards are only available in a Carbon Black colorway. They come in either fully assembled configurations with various stock Gateron Jupiter switches or a barebones configuration without switches or keycaps included. We bought and tested the fully assembled version of the Keychron V5 Max with Gateron Jupiter Red switches. If you're interested in the barebones option and are looking for more guidance on which keycaps to choose, you can take a look at our ABS vs PBT keycaps article. You can see the label for our unit here.
We expect our results in the table below to apply broadly to all current size variants in this series.
| Name | Size | Color | Connectivity | Assembly Options | Switch Type | Switch Options | Hot-Swappable | Knob | Dedicated Macro Keys |
| Keychron V1 Max | Compact (75%) | Carbon Black | 2.4GHz and Bluetooth 5.1 | Fully Assembled Knob, Barebones | Gateron Jupiter | Red, Brown, Banana | Yes | Yes | 0 |
| Keychron V2 Max | Compact (65%) | Carbon Black | 2.4GHz and Bluetooth 5.1 | Fully Assembled Knob, Barebones | Gateron Jupiter | Red, Brown, Banana | Yes | Yes | 0 |
| Keychron V3 Max | TKL (80%) | Carbon Black | 2.4GHz and Bluetooth 5.1 | Fully Assembled Knob, Barebones | Gateron Jupiter | Red, Brown, Banana | Yes | Yes | 0 |
| Keychron V4 Max | Compact (60%) | Carbon Black | 2.4GHz and Bluetooth 5.1 | Fully Assembled, Barebones | Gateron Jupiter | Red, Brown, Banana | Yes | No | 0 |
| Keychron V5 Max | Compact (96%) | Carbon Black | 2.4GHz and Bluetooth 5.1 | Fully Assembled Knob, Barebones | Gateron Jupiter | Red, Brown, Banana | Yes | Yes | 0 |
| Keychron V6 Max | Full-size (100%) | Carbon Black | 2.4GHz and Bluetooth 5.1 | Fully Assembled Knob, Barebones | Gateron Jupiter | Red, Brown, Banana | Yes | Yes | 4 |
Additional Variants
Models in the table below have Alice or Special Edition layouts, which means their case designs differ significantly from those of the unit we bought and tested. While we expect most of our tests will remain broadly applicable, these additional elements may produce differences in build and typing quality.
| Name | Size & Layout | Color | Connectivity | Assembly Options | Switch Type | Switch Options | Hot-Swappable | Knob | Dedicated Macro Keys |
| Keychron V10 Max | Compact Alice (75%) | Carbon Black | 2.4GHz and Bluetooth 5.1 | Fully Assembled Knob, Barebones | Gateron Jupiter | Red, Brown, Banana | Yes | Yes | 5 |
| Keychron V8 Max | Compact Alice (65%) | Carbon Black | 2.4GHz and Bluetooth 5.1 | Fully Assembled Knob, Barebones | Gateron Jupiter | Red, Brown, Banana | Yes | Yes | 0 |
If you have a variant within this series that isn't listed in one of the tables above or feel there are other differences or issues to mention regarding variants in our review, reach out to us in the comments, and we'll update our review.
Popular Keyboard Comparisons
The Keychron V5 Max [V1 Max, V2 Max, etc.] are a series of wireless mechanical keyboards. While related to the Keychron V Series keyboards, they include several improvements, namely, wireless connectivity, a new gasket mount system, and additional foam inside the case for improved typing quality and acoustics, as well as screw-in stabilizers and south-facing switches, which provide more options for hardware customizability. Additionally, as with other Keychron lineups carrying the new Max moniker, these keyboards have added 2.4GHz wireless connectivity with an included USB receiver in addition to Bluetooth connectivity.
With these added improvements, the V Max series keyboards now bear a closer resemblance to Keychron's more expensive Keychron Q Pro Series keyboards. The major difference is that the V Max keyboards are positioned as a budget option with cheaper plastic-only cases, while the Q-Series boards have more premium all-aluminum cases.
For more recommendations, see our picks for the best keyboards, the best wireless keyboards, and the best mechanical keyboards. For more options from Keychron, see our picks for the best Keychron keyboards.
The Keychron V5 Max and the Keychron K8 Max are similar wireless mechanical keyboards. While the V5 Max has a plastic case, the K8 Max is available in a full plastic case or a plastic case with an aluminum bracket frame, which contributes a noticeably more durable and premium feel. On the other hand, the V5 Max provides a softer, almost springier-feeling typing experience due to its gasket mount design.
The Keychron V5 Max and the Keychron Q5 Max are wireless mechanical keyboards with 96% form factors. Each keyboard also belongs to a wider lineup of V Max and Q Max series keyboards, respectively. The major difference between these two lineups is that the V Max series keyboards are a comparatively more budget-oriented offering with plastic-only cases. The Q Max series keyboards have more premium all-aluminum cases, some additional layers of acoustic foam inside the case, and a double-gasket mount rather than a standard gasket-mount design, as found on the V Max series boards.
The Keychron V5 and the Keychron V5 Max are both mechanical keyboards with compact 96% layouts. Both keyboards are also part of respective V Series and V Max series of keyboards with various other size variants. The standout difference between the V Series and V Max series is that the V Series boards are comparatively more basic wired-only models. On the other hand, the V Max boards have a more premium gasket-mounted design, layers of acoustic foam inside the case, and wireless connectivity with a 2.4 GHz wireless receiver or Bluetooth.
The Keychron K8 Pro [K2 Pro, K3 Pro, K4 Pro, etc.] and the Keychron V5 Max are wireless mechanical keyboards. Both keyboards have 96% compact layouts. Each keyboard also belongs to its own respective K Pro and V Max lineup of keyboards that include a range of other size variants. The main difference between these lineups is that the K Series boards have plastic or aluminum frame options and connect wirelessly via Bluetooth. The V Max keyboards only have plastic cases but have a comparatively more premium feeling gasket-mounted design. Also, in addition to Bluetooth connectivity, the V Max boards also support a wireless 2.4GHz connection with an included receiver.
Test Results
![Keychron V5 Max [V1 Max, V2 Max, etc.] Top Picture](https://i.rtings.com/assets/products/H1T6ReA4/keychron-v5-max-v1-max-v2-max-etc/dimensions-large.jpg?format=auto)
These keyboards are available in various sizes. We bought and tested the Keychron V5 Max, which has a compact (96%) form factor. It has most of the keys of a full-size keyboard save for several navigation cluster keys. It also has conventional spacing between keys, so typing doesn't feel cramped. However, the individual key zones, like the arrow keys and the Numpad, are closer together.
Other size variants include smaller models like the compact (75%) Keychron V1 Max as well as a larger, full-size model, the Keychron V6 Max. For a complete list of variants, see the Differences Between Variants section.
If you're interested in a similar wireless keyboard lineup from Keyboard but exclusively with low-profile case designs, check out the Keychron K5 Max.
Alternatively, if interested in a more unusual wireless keyboard that you can convert between standard and low-profile layouts using optional conversion kits, check out the NuPhy Kick75.
![Keychron V5 Max [V1 Max, V2 Max, etc.] Build Quality Close Up](https://i.rtings.com/assets/products/fVO2adFn/keychron-v5-max-v1-max-v2-max-etc/build-quality-large.jpg?format=auto)
These keyboards have impressive build quality. The case is made entirely of ABS plastic and feels solid with only minimal deck flex. Inside the case, these keyboards have a gasket-mount design, a polycarbonate plate, and several layers of foam that help soften and round out the sound profile.
The keycaps are made of high-quality, doubleshot PBT plastic and have a slightly textured finish, so they don't feel slippery. The stabilizers, like the switches, are pre-lubed from the factory and provide good stability for larger keys but can make a faint, occasional rattle while typing. Four rubber feet under the board keep it in place while you type. There is a set of two flip-out feet that also have rubber strips that do a good job of preventing the board from sliding around while they're extended.
If you're interested in a similar Keychron lineup with more premium-feeling build quality and solid aluminum cases, check out our review for the Keychron Q Max series.
![Keychron V5 Max [V1 Max, V2 Max, etc.] Side Picture](https://i.rtings.com/assets/products/XpbaGPIg/keychron-v5-max-v1-max-v2-max-etc/ergonomics-large.jpg?format=auto)
These keyboards provide acceptable ergonomics. They have a fairly tall profile, but there are a pair of flip-out feet on the underside that provide two additional incline options.
Using this keyboard with a supportive wrist rest will provide the best ergonomic experience. There isn't a wrist rest included, but Keychron sells wrist rests separately on their website here.
![Keychron V5 Max [V1 Max, V2 Max, etc.] Customizability Overview](https://i.rtings.com/assets/products/o9fWmNwO/keychron-v5-max-v1-max-v2-max-etc/custom-large.jpg?format=auto)
These keyboards offer outstanding hardware customizability. Note that if you're interested in replacing the keycaps, note that the right-side modifier keys are 1u-sized rather than the relatively more common 1.25u.
Unlike the original Keychron V-series keyboards, which have North-facing switches, the V Max boards have South-facing switches. This provides better compatibility with a wider range of aftermarket keycap sets, but it significantly impacts how visible the backlighting is if you're interested in using shine-through keycaps.
![Keychron V5 Max [V1 Max, V2 Max, etc.] Backlighting Picture](https://i.rtings.com/assets/products/nuodLI29/keychron-v5-max-v1-max-v2-max-etc/backlight-large.jpg?format=auto)
![Keychron V5 Max [V1 Max, V2 Max, etc.] Brightness Max](https://i.rtings.com/assets/products/AKY2B8TZ/keychron-v5-max-v1-max-v2-max-etc/brightness-max-large.jpg?format=auto)
![Keychron V5 Max [V1 Max, V2 Max, etc.] Brightness Min](https://i.rtings.com/assets/products/JOyUzsey/keychron-v5-max-v1-max-v2-max-etc/brightness-min-large.jpg?format=auto)
These keyboards have full RGB backlighting and individually lit keys. You can customize backlighting brightness and effects directly on the keyboard or using VIA configuration software.
If you're interested in a similar wireless mechanical keyboard but with significantly brighter RGB lighting and an additional RGB strip that wraps around the edges of the keyboard, check out the NuPhy Halo96/Halo75 V2.
![Keychron V5 Max [V1 Max, V2 Max, etc.] White Shot](https://i.rtings.com/assets/products/p4I6ZJnV/keychron-v5-max-v1-max-v2-max-etc/whiteshot-large.jpg?format=auto)
These keyboards have poor backlighting clarity. The stock keycaps don't have shine-through legends, and the PCB has south-facing LEDs. This means that even if you change the stock keycaps for keycaps with shine-through legends, the backlight clarity for illuminating legends in dark rooms remains quite poor. For reference, we've taken a photo with several stock keycaps replaced with shine-through keycaps.
The Gateron Jupiter switches that come stock with this keyboard have LED diffusers, which produce a softer backlighting effect compared to most other switches with LED lighting.
These keyboards come with a braided USB Type-C to Type-C cable, which retains some kinks from its packaging. If your computer doesn't have a USB-C port, a USB-C to USB-A adapter is also included in the box.
At the time of writing, all size variants in the Keychron V Max series have 4000 mAh batteries. Keychron advertises that the Keychron V5 Max has a wireless working time of up to 225h with backlighting off and up to 100h with the backlighting on at the lowest brightness. Keychron doesn't explicitly state the connection type used to produce these estimates, but we expect they reflect the maximum battery life using a Bluetooth connection. Using a 2.4GHz connection provides superior stability and performance at the cost of battery life.
For the best wireless performance with a 2.4GHz connection, you can use the cable as an extender for the wireless receiver by using the USB-C to USB-A adapter.
You can't program macros directly on these keyboards, but you can program macros using VIA configuration software.
At the time of writing, most keyboards in the V Max series don't have dedicated macro keys, but some do. For more details, see the Differences Between Variants section above.
![Keychron V5 Max [V1 Max, V2 Max, etc.] Extra Features](https://i.rtings.com/assets/products/oE4TBn5G/keychron-v5-max-v1-max-v2-max-etc/features-large.jpg?format=auto)
Most size variants in the V Max series have a control knob that adjusts volume by default and toggles mute when pressed. You can program the behavior of the knob using VIA configuration software.
These keyboards have an internal compartment for storing the USB Type A and C receivers when not in use.
These keyboards also have switches on the top edge, one of which toggles between connectivity modes and the other toggles between Windows/Android and Mac/iOS compatibility modes.
When you enable the Caps Lock and Num Lock keys, the backlighting remains static, acting as a lock indicator. Note that in Windows mode, the media keys are secondary, hotkey functions. However, in Mac mode, the F7 - F12 keys act as dedicated media keys, while their F functions are on the second layer.
The user documentation includes lists of hotkey combinations. You can also reference a list of hotkeys in the user manual available on Keychron's website here.
![Keychron V5 Max [V1 Max, V2 Max, etc.] Bundle Picture](https://i.rtings.com/assets/products/srm4yS3s/keychron-v5-max-v1-max-v2-max-etc/in-the-box-large.jpg?format=auto)
- USB-C to USB-C charging cable
- 2.4GHz USB-A receiver
- 2.4GHz USB-C receiver
- Extension adapter for receiver
- USB-C to USB-A adapter
- Alternate Windows keycaps
- 2x Philips screws
- 2x hex screws
- Hex key
- Screwdriver
- Keycap and switch puller
- User documentation
These keyboards offer an excellent typing experience that sounds and feels satisfying. They have a gasket-mounted design, which lends a softer, almost springy feeling to typing compared to more conventional tray-mount designs. Several layers of sound-absorbing foam contribute to quieter, more even-sounding typing.
Key spacing is also standard. The stabilizers are pre-lubed from the factory and provide good stabilization overall, although they make some inconsistent rattling sounds.
The keycaps on these keyboards are made of doubleshot PBT plastic with a slightly textured finish. They have an OSA (OEM spherical angled) profile with slightly rounder, dish-shaped tops and a similar height as conventional OEM keycaps.
If you're interested in a keyboard with an even softer and springier gasket mount system and a flex-cut PCB, check out the AULA F99. Alternatively, if you prefer a keyboard with a more traditional tray mount design that provides a comparatively stiffer typing experience, check out the Keychron K8 Max.
These keyboards are very quiet with Gateron Jupiter Red switches. You can also buy this keyboard with Gateron Jupter Brown or Gateron Jupiter Banana switches, both of which are tactile options that we expect to be somewhat louder.
These keyboards are available with your choice of Gateron Jupter mechanical switches. Gateron Jupiter switches have Nylon bottom housings and clear upper housings. They also come pre-lubed from the factory.
We bought and tested the Keychron V5 Max with linear Gateron Jupiter Red mechanical switches. You can buy these keyboards with tactile Gateron Jupiter Brown or tactile Gateron Jupter Banana (two-stage) switches.
We bought the Keychron V5 Max with Gateron Jupiter Red switches. These are lightweight linear switches with typical pre-travel and total travel distances.
Note: Keystrokes feel smooth, but during testing, we discovered a small tactile event that appears late in the travel, which is very unusual for linear switches. We weren't able to feel this very small tactile hump while typing, but you may notice it if you're particularly sensitive to switch irregularities in linear switches.
We tested multiple switches and found this unexpected behavior appeared on most but not all tested switches on our keyboard. If you have this keyboard or another keyboard with Gateron Jupiter Red switches, we encourage you to share your experience with us in the Comments below.
You can also buy this keyboard with tactile Gateron Jupiter Brown switches, which are slightly heavier and have a pronounced tactile bump, or tactile Gateron Jupter Banana switches, which have an earlier tactile bump and a two-stage spring that produces more robust return travel.
These keyboards provide remarkably good single-key latency performance, making them well-suited for playing games in any genre.
These keyboards have excellent multi-key latency performance, with very low key press and key release results, making them good choices for playing games requiring additional keypresses while keys are already being pressed and maintained.
![Keychron V5 Max [V1 Max, V2 Max, etc.] Multi-Key Raw USB](https://i.rtings.com/assets/products/z7crTJd1/keychron-v5-max-v1-max-v2-max-etc/rollover-large.jpg?format=auto)
These keyboards have a maximum polling rate of 1000Hz, and data transmission isn't bottlenecked by other latency components when connected wired or wirelessly via their 2.4 GHz receivers.
Using a Bluetooth connection limits the maximum polling rate to 125Hz, which is normal and expected.
Six-key rollover (6KRO) is enabled by default, but you can toggle full N-key rollover (NKRO) with the Fn+N hotkey.
These keyboards deliver good overall chord split performance, making them viable choices for playing rhythm games or other titles that demand many simultaneous inputs.
These keyboards support QMK firmware and VIA software for configuration. You can download and install the VIA software app for Windows, macOS, or Linux on Keychron's product page here. Alternatively, you can use a web-based version here.
This software has a straightforward layout and allows you to customize a range of expected settings, including key assignment, backlighting, and macros. You can also save your custom settings as profiles onto your keyboard's onboard memory.
These keyboards are fully compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux. There's a switch on the top edge that toggles between Windows/Android and Mac/iOS compatibility modes. There's also a set of alternative Windows keycaps included in the box.
On Linux systems, using the toggle set to Mac mode, the brightness functions and the FN+F3 hotkey do nothing, but all other functions work as expected.