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- Table of Contents
- Top
- Main Differences
- Design
- Typing Experience
- Performance
- Software and Operating System
- Comments
Keychron K8 Pro [K2 Pro, K3 Pro, K4 Pro, etc.] vs Keychron V5 Max [V1 Max, V2 Max, etc.]
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Keychron K8 Pro [K2 Pro, K3 Pro, K4 Pro, etc.]
Keychron V5 Max [V1 Max, V2 Max, etc.]
Tested using Methodology v1.3.1
Updated Apr 08, 2025 04:39 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.3.1
Updated Apr 08, 2025 04:38 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com![Keychron K8 Pro [K2 Pro, K3 Pro, K4 Pro, etc.] Picture](https://i.rtings.com/assets/products/XSuXWhSC/keychron-k8-pro-k2-pro-k3-pro-k4-pro-etc/design-large.jpg?format=auto)
![Keychron V5 Max [V1 Max, V2 Max, etc.] Picture](https://i.rtings.com/assets/products/53aJ58bV/keychron-v5-max-v1-max-v2-max-etc/design-large.jpg?format=auto)
ConnectivityWireless
SizeTenKeyLess (80%)
Switch TypeMechanical
N-Key Rollover (NKRO)Yes
Hot-Swappable SwitchesYes
ConnectivityWireless
SizeCompact (96%)
Switch TypeMechanical
N-Key Rollover (NKRO)Yes
Hot-Swappable SwitchesYes
Variants
- K10 Pro (100%)
- K5 Pro (Low Profile) (100%)
- K9 Pro (Low Profile) (60%)
- K12 Pro (60%)
- K6 Pro (65%)
- K7 Pro (Low Profile) (65%)
- K14 Pro (70%)
- K2 Pro (75%)
- K3 Pro (Low Profile) (75%)
- K1 Pro (Low Profile) (80% (TKL))
- K13 Pro (Numpad) (80% (TKL))
- K8 Pro (80% (TKL))
- K4 Pro (96%)
- K17 Pro (Low Profile) (96%)
- V6 Max (Carbon Black - 100%)
- V4 Max (Carbon Black - 60%)
- V2 Max (Carbon Black - 65%)
- V8 Max (Carbon Black - 65%/Alice)
- V1 Max (Carbon Black - 75%)
- V10 Max (Carbon Black - 75%/Alice)
- V3 Max (Carbon Black - 80%)
- V5 Max (Carbon Black - 96%)
Our Verdict
Keychron K8 Pro [K2 Pro, K3 Pro, K4 Pro, etc.]
Keychron V5 Max [V1 Max, V2 Max, etc.]
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.
Check Price
100%
K10 Pro
Searching
Finding storeCarbon Black - 100%
V6 Max
Searching
Finding store100%
K5 Pro (Low Profile)
Searching
Finding storeCarbon Black - 60%
V4 Max
Searching
Finding store60%
K9 Pro (Low Profile)
Searching
Finding storeCarbon Black - 65%
V2 Max
Searching
Finding store60%
K12 Pro
Searching
Finding storeCarbon Black - 65%/Alice
V8 Max
Searching
Finding store65%
K6 Pro
Searching
Finding storeCarbon Black - 75%
V1 Max
Searching
Finding store65%
K7 Pro (Low Profile)
Searching
Finding storeCarbon Black - 75%/Alice
V10 Max
Searching
Finding store70%
K14 Pro
Searching
Finding storeCarbon Black - 80%
V3 Max
Searching
Finding store75%
K2 Pro
Searching
Finding storeCarbon Black - 96%
V5 Max
Searching
Finding store75%
K3 Pro (Low Profile)
Searching
Finding store80% (TKL)
K1 Pro (Low Profile)
Searching
Finding store80% (TKL)
K13 Pro (Numpad)
Searching
Finding store80% (TKL)
K8 Pro
Searching
Finding store96%
K4 Pro
Searching
Finding store96%
K17 Pro (Low Profile)
Searching
Finding storeMain Differences forGaming
Gaming
Threshold
Gaming
8.2
8.4
Single-Key Latency
8.3
9.2
Multi-Key Latency
8.0
8.7
Chord Split
8.8
7.8
Full Comparison
Design
Dimensions
Top Picture
![Keychron K8 Pro [K2 Pro, K3 Pro, K4 Pro, etc.] Top Picture](https://i.rtings.com/assets/products/g3ZBIz7N/keychron-k8-pro-k2-pro-k3-pro-k4-pro-etc/dimensions-large.jpg?format=auto)
![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)
Size
TenKeyLess (80%)
Compact (96%)
Height
1.7" (4.3 cm)
1.6" (4.1 cm)
Width
14.1" (35.8 cm)
15.4" (39.0 cm)
Depth
5.1" (13.0 cm)
5.9" (14.9 cm)
Depth With Wrist Rest
N/A
N/A
Weight
2.95 lbs (1.336 kg)
2.02 lbs (0.918 kg)
Build Quality
8.5
8.0
Build Quality Close Up
![Keychron K8 Pro [K2 Pro, K3 Pro, K4 Pro, etc.] Build Quality Close Up](https://i.rtings.com/assets/products/AIwsofg3/keychron-k8-pro-k2-pro-k3-pro-k4-pro-etc/build-quality-large.jpg?format=auto)
![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)
Keycap Material
PBT
PBT
Ergonomics
6.0
6.0
Side Picture
![Keychron K8 Pro [K2 Pro, K3 Pro, K4 Pro, etc.] Side Picture](https://i.rtings.com/assets/products/nORvGWaw/keychron-k8-pro-k2-pro-k3-pro-k4-pro-etc/ergonomics-large.jpg?format=auto)
![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)
Curved/Angled
No
No
Split Keyboard
No
No
Key Alignment
Staggered
Staggered
Minimum Incline
4°
3.5°
Medium Incline
8°
6.5°
Maximum Incline
10.5°
9.3°
Home Row Height
35.5 mm (1.4")
32.8 mm (1.3")
Hardware Customizability
10
9.8
Customizability Overview
![Keychron K8 Pro [K2 Pro, K3 Pro, K4 Pro, etc.] Customizability Overview](https://i.rtings.com/assets/products/4onG3Sag/keychron-k8-pro-k2-pro-k3-pro-k4-pro-etc/custom-large.jpg?format=auto)
![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)
Replaceable Cherry Stabilizers
Yes
Yes
Stabilizer Fixation
Screw-in
Screw-in
Spacebar Stabilizer Size
6.25u
6.25u
Size Of Right Mod Keys
1.25u
1u
Hot-Swappable Switches
Yes
Yes
Switch Stem Shape
Cherry MX Style
Cherry MX Style
Switch PCB Socket
5-pin Cherry
5-pin Cherry
North-Facing Cherry MX Interference
No
No
Backlight Features
10
10
Backlighting Picture
![Keychron K8 Pro [K2 Pro, K3 Pro, K4 Pro, etc.] Backlighting Picture](https://i.rtings.com/assets/products/DLMqNDbF/keychron-k8-pro-k2-pro-k3-pro-k4-pro-etc/backlight-large.jpg?format=auto)
![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)
Brightness Max
![Keychron K8 Pro [K2 Pro, K3 Pro, K4 Pro, etc.] Brightness Max](https://i.rtings.com/assets/products/UymXC5JD/keychron-k8-pro-k2-pro-k3-pro-k4-pro-etc/brightness-max-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)
Backlighting
Yes
Yes
Brightness Min
![Keychron K8 Pro [K2 Pro, K3 Pro, K4 Pro, etc.] Brightness Min](https://i.rtings.com/assets/products/CRXUcxbd/keychron-k8-pro-k2-pro-k3-pro-k4-pro-etc/brightness-min-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)
RGB
Yes
Yes
Per-Key Backlighting
Yes
Yes
Effects
Yes
Yes
Software Controllable
Yes
Yes
Backlight Clarity
4.0
4.0
White Shot
![Keychron K8 Pro [K2 Pro, K3 Pro, K4 Pro, etc.] White Shot](https://i.rtings.com/assets/products/bWYOIvL6/keychron-k8-pro-k2-pro-k3-pro-k4-pro-etc/whiteshot-large.jpg?format=auto)
![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)
Cable & Connector
Connectivity
Wireless
Wireless
Detachable
Yes (Wired Mode and Charge)
Yes (Wired Mode and Charge)
Length
3.9 ft (1.2 m)
5.9 ft (1.8 m)
Connector (Keyboard side)
USB type-C
USB type-C
Wireless Versatility
10
10
Bluetooth
Yes
Yes
Bluetooth Multi-Device Pairing
3
3
Proprietary Receiver
No
Yes
Battery Type
Rechargeable
Rechargeable
Macro Keys And Programming
4.0
4.0
Dedicated Macro Keys Count
0
0
Onboard Macro Programming
No
No
Macro Programming With Software
Yes
Yes
Extra Features
Extra Features
![Keychron K8 Pro [K2 Pro, K3 Pro, K4 Pro, etc.] Extra Features](https://i.rtings.com/assets/products/45Ft8roK/keychron-k8-pro-k2-pro-k3-pro-k4-pro-etc/features-large.jpg?format=auto)
![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)
Media Keys
Non-Dedicated
Non-Dedicated
Trackpad / Trackball
No
No
Scroll Wheel
No
No
Control Knob
No
Yes
USB Passthrough
No
No
Numpad
No
Yes
Windows Key Lock
No
Yes
Lock Indicator
Caps Lock
Caps & Num Lock
In The Box
Bundle Picture
![Keychron K8 Pro [K2 Pro, K3 Pro, K4 Pro, etc.] Bundle Picture](https://i.rtings.com/assets/products/aYxEVk7V/keychron-k8-pro-k2-pro-k3-pro-k4-pro-etc/in-the-box-large.jpg?format=auto)
![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)
Typing Experience
Typing Quality
8.0
8.5
Key Spacing
19.0 mm (0.748")
19.0 mm (0.748")
Typing Noise
4.3
9.0
Typing Sample
Average Loudness
55.9 dBA
45.6 dBA
High Pitch Clicks
Yes
No
Switches
Wobble Video
Switch Name
Gateron G Pro Blue
Gateron Jupiter Red
Switch Type
Mechanical
Mechanical
Feel
Clicky
Linear
Analog
No
No
Keystrokes
Key Switch Actuation Graph
Operating Force
57 gf
45 gf
Actuation Force
43 gf
45 gf
Pre-Travel
2.3 mm
2.5 mm
Total Travel
4.5 mm
3.9 mm
Performance
Single-Key Latency
8.3
9.2
Single-Key Latency Graph
Best Connection
9.8 ms
3.1 ms
Best Connection Std Dev
±1.0 ms
±0.4 ms
Wired
9.8 ms
3.1 ms
Receiver
N/A
4.8 ms
Bluetooth
19.9 ms
11.4 ms
PCB (Estimated)
6.6 ms
1.0 ms
Multi-Key Latency
8.0
8.7
Latency Video
Multi-Key Latency Graph
Connection Evaluated
Wired
Receiver
Key Press
9.9 ms
4.7 ms
Key Release
12.9 ms
7.7 ms
Data Transmission
8.2
8.2
Multi-Key Raw USB
![Keychron K8 Pro [K2 Pro, K3 Pro, K4 Pro, etc.] Multi-Key Raw USB](https://i.rtings.com/assets/products/KggffvjK/keychron-k8-pro-k2-pro-k3-pro-k4-pro-etc/rollover-large.jpg?format=auto)
![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)
Connection Evaluated
Wired
Receiver
USB Polling Rate
1,000 Hz
1,000 Hz
Effective Update Rate
1,000 Hz
1,000 Hz
N-Key Rollover (NKRO)
Yes
Yes
Multiple Keys Per USB Report
No
No
Chord Split
8.8
7.8
Chord Split Graph
4 Chord Split Delay
3.3 ms
6.3 ms
8 Chord Split Delay
10.8 ms
8.9 ms
Software and Operating System
Configuration Software
Software Tour
Software Name
VIA
VIA
Software Windows Compatible
Yes
Yes
Software macOS Compatible
Yes
Yes
Onboard Memory
Yes
Yes
Profiles
6+
6+
Computer Compatibility
10
10
Windows
Fully Compatible
Fully Compatible
macOS
Fully Compatible
Fully Compatible
Linux (Ubuntu 22)
Fully Compatible
Fully Compatible
Media Key Compatibility
Windows, MacOS & Linux
Windows, MacOS & Linux
Wireless Mobile Compatibility
10
10
Android
Fully Compatible
Fully Compatible
iOS
Fully Compatible
Fully Compatible
iPadOS
Fully Compatible
Fully Compatible
Media Key Compatibility
Android, iPhone & iPad
Android, iPhone & iPad
Check Price
100%
K10 Pro
Searching
Finding storeCarbon Black - 100%
V6 Max
Searching
Finding store100%
K5 Pro (Low Profile)
Searching
Finding storeCarbon Black - 60%
V4 Max
Searching
Finding store60%
K9 Pro (Low Profile)
Searching
Finding storeCarbon Black - 65%
V2 Max
Searching
Finding store60%
K12 Pro
Searching
Finding storeCarbon Black - 65%/Alice
V8 Max
Searching
Finding store65%
K6 Pro
Searching
Finding storeCarbon Black - 75%
V1 Max
Searching
Finding store65%
K7 Pro (Low Profile)
Searching
Finding storeCarbon Black - 75%/Alice
V10 Max
Searching
Finding store70%
K14 Pro
Searching
Finding storeCarbon Black - 80%
V3 Max
Searching
Finding store75%
K2 Pro
Searching
Finding storeCarbon Black - 96%
V5 Max
Searching
Finding store75%
K3 Pro (Low Profile)
Searching
Finding store80% (TKL)
K1 Pro (Low Profile)
Searching
Finding store80% (TKL)
K13 Pro (Numpad)
Searching
Finding store80% (TKL)
K8 Pro
Searching
Finding store96%
K4 Pro
Searching
Finding store96%
K17 Pro (Low Profile)
Searching
Finding store
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Keychron K8 Pro [K2 Pro, K3 Pro, K4 Pro, etc.]
Keychron V5 Max [V1 Max, V2 Max, etc.]
Comments
Keychron K8 Pro [K2 Pro, K3 Pro, K4 Pro, etc.] vs Keychron V5 Max [V1 Max, V2 Max, etc.]: Main Discussion
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