i have spent I’ve been using the Keychron Q5 Pro and Q6 Pro mechanical keyboards for the past few weeks, and I think they’re one of the best value full-size keyboards you can get today. The Q6 Pro has a traditional full-size keyboard layout with a number pad and navigation keys, while the Q5 Pro has a slightly more compact 1800-style layout.
Both are gasket mounted, have thick aluminum casings, and have a knob in the upper right corner. You can buy either model with Keychron red linear switches, brown tactile switches, or banana tactile switches, which include hot-swappable sockets, RGB lighting, and Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity by default. You can also connect them via USB-C if you don’t mind wires. (If you want to learn more about some of these terms, read my guide How to Buy a Mechanical Keyboard!)
Why full-size layout?
Anyone who wants a full-size keyboard layout knows they want it. In my experience, it’s something you get used to, not something you switch to on a whim. These things are huge and can provide dedicated keys for everything, especially if you take advantage of the ability to reprogram keys.
Yes, the entire keyboard is fully reprogrammable. Keychron’s Q Pro series supports QMK/VIA, an open source third-party software that allows you to reprogram each key. QMK is a keyboard system that allows users to flash new firmware and keymaps, while VIA is a system that allows for quick and seamless reprogramming in a web browser. These keymaps persist across devices, giving them almost unlimited potential once you learn the software.
Because of the practicality of QMK and VIA, I find the numeric keypad useful, although I rarely use them to enter numbers. They can be easily reprogrammed and used as dedicated macro pads, or for any other purpose. (It’s worth noting that with both the QMK and VIA, you have to plug in the keyboard to reprogram it.) Placing the reset button on the top of the printed circuit board (PCB) below the space bar makes reprogramming easy because you There’s no need to take the entire keyboard apart (unlike many other keyboards, which place buttons in hard-to-reach places).
Even if you don’t plan on reprogramming any keys, the numeric keypad is great for quickly entering long strings of numbers, or if you want to use Alt codes so you don’t have to constantly Google “Em dash” and copy and paste the symbols on Windows. (Hot tip: The Alt code for a full dash is Alt + 0151.)
Typing feeling
Both the Q5 Pro and Q6 Pro use gasket mounting, which means the main keyboard components (board, switches, PCB) are suspended within the case using two layers of compressed foam, rather than being attached directly to the case. This creates a springier typing feel and isolates internal components, resulting in a softer, crisper typing sound.
Keychron’s spacer mounting system is fairly springy, which means the keys feel soft and effortless. This is paired with the provided switches, which have fairly light springs, creating an overall typing experience that’s crisp and springy without feeling cheap or flimsy.
The two boards I received feature red and banana switches from the Keychron K Pro switch series. The red switch is a simple, effective linear switch that sounds harsh and feels fairly smooth. The banana switch has a medium-hard bump feel and good travel after bump. I recommend either one as both are high-quality examples of their respective switch types that can be embraced by a large number of users.