Keychron’s New V5 Max is an Affordable, Customizable Mechanical Keyboard for Mac
Reading Time: 4 minutes An affordable mechanical keyboard with everything you need–whether it’s your first or you’re looking to add another to your collection.
Many people are interested in purchasing their first mechanical keyboard. There are so many options out there, and the prices range from below $20 to more than $400. You may be wondering how much you need to spend to get a board that you will be happy with. For starters, no one needs to spend $400 on a board…unless you really want to. If you are simply looking for a keyboard that will work for you out of the box–that you can customize if you want to–the $99 Keychron V5 Max fits the bill.
The Keychron V5 Max
When I first pulled the V5 Max out of the box, set it up and started typing, I was really impressed with how nice it sounded and the feel of the keypresses while typing. I was also pleasantly surprised with the aesthetics of the board. I found it to be a much nicer-looking board in person–the pictures on the Keychron website don’t really do it justice.
The Pros and cons
The Pros
• Affordably priced
• Good Bluetooth connection and battery life
• Included number pad
• Hot-swappable means you can change the switches for a different typing feel and sound
The Cons
• Plastic board may not feel as premium as an all-aluminum board
• Only available in black
Key features of the Keychron V5 Max
The Keychron V5 Max is an excellent entry-level keyboard that enthusiasts might also find interesting. With the fully assembled version (including keycaps and switches), the board is nice to use out-of-the-box. All you will need to do is connect up the Bluetooth and start typing. But even if you choose the fully-assembled board, it is still a hot-swappable, customizable board; so, if you decide later you want to change the switches or keycaps or even make some changes inside the board, it is designed for that. The V5 Max comes with all the tools you would need to remove the keycaps and switches, take apart the case and unscrew the stabilizers.
You may also be interested in Review: Keychron’s Q5 Max Keyboard Is a Workhorse for Mac Users.
What’s new in the V5 Max
The V5 Max is the latest upgraded version of the V5. The most obvious change has been the addition of a wireless connectivity option. You can connect using Bluetooth or 2.4 GHz wireless. To power the wireless board, the V5 Max contains an ample 4000mAh battery. The new Max also comes with a gasket-mounted PC plate for a softer typing experience and quieter sound.
The aesthetics
The design and aesthetics are basic but pleasing. The board itself is black with a matte finish. The keycaps, if you get the fully assembled version, are double-shot PBT with two shades of soft blue with white legends.
Functionality
The 96% design is really optimal for anyone who needs a number pad. It is significantly smaller than the classic, full-sized keyboard while still retaining the most important navigation keys for most people: the delete, home and end buttons. The keyboard has a switch where you can choose Mac/iOS or Windows/Android. It comes with keycaps labeled for Mac: the Command and Option keys, and the F-row keycaps are labeled with the Mac media functions just like you would see on a MacBook or Magic Keyboard. You can also easily connect up to three devices via Bluetooth.
For gamers, the 2.4 GHz connection has a 1000 Hz polling rate. If you like to customize your keyboard with macros or change the key mapping, the Keychron V5 Max supports QMK/VIA.
The switches
The Gateron Jupiter Banana switches in this board are nice. They are a tactile switch, which means that when you press a key, it sort of pops down and back up. Pressing the keys produces a light popping sound, which shouldn’t be too loud in most office settings. (If you are worried about how loud the board will be, you can choose either the Red or Brown switch option, which are quieter.)
Conclusion
At $99 fully-assembled, the Keychron V5 Max is a solid option for anyone who doesn’t want to spend too much–for comparison, Keychron’s all-aluminum Q5 Max is $219–but still wants a high-quality, customizable mechanical keyboard.
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