Keychron Q5 Pro Knob Review: The Comfort of a Heavy-Duty Keyboard

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Keychron Q5 Pro pen version

4.0/5 Buy

The Keychron Q5 Pro Knob version offers a high-quality, customizable keyboard, albeit at a higher price.

Keyboard enthusiasts love customization and customization, creating a unique typing experience. On the other hand, the average consumer simply needs a reliable keyboard for work, gaming, or writing.

Keychron strikes a balance between these two groups, creating high-quality Mac-friendly keyboards. The Keychron Q5 Pro is a 96% layout keyboard suitable for any user, offering customization and ease of use.

Out of the box, the Q5 Pro comes with four extra spacers, a USB-C-to-C cable, an A-to-C adapter, and the appropriate tools for removing keycaps and switches. In addition, the package includes a screwdriver and a hex key for disassembling the external chassis.

Keychron Q5 Pro handle version – design

The Q5 has an all-metal body, with a CNC-machined aluminum body and a polycarbonate backplate for durability and longevity. There is also a silicone gasket between the top and bottom of the keyboard case, which reduces the noise generated inside the case and creates a clearer typing sound.

As for the keys, the Q5 features angled, oil-resistant PBT keycaps that ensure durability and reduce shine over time. You can choose from Keychron's proprietary switches: Keychron K Pro Red, Pro Brown, and Pro Banana switches for different typing preferences.

Keychron takes a minimalist approach to its keyboard, choosing simple color combinations with a matte finish. Available in Carbon Black, Silver Grey, and Shell White, the keyboard is meant to be a blank sheet for your settings if you so choose.

Keychron Q5 Pro handle version – customization

The Q5 Pro is VIA compatible, providing a digital level of customization for key mapping, macros, and backlight customization. VIA can run on Chromium-based browsers, but Safari and Firefox users can download it here.

The Q5 Pro is not yet recognized by the VIA software, which means you'll have to download the JSON file for the Q5 and drag it into the Design tab that opens when you go to the settings tab.

VIA allows you to customize your keyboard at four levels: levels 0-1 are for Mac, and levels 2-3 are for Windows. Level 0 is the default on Mac, but Level 1 can be activated by pressing the fn key in combination with your assigned keys.

Even the knob is customizable, allowing you to change it to adjust brightness, zoom in/out, or other useful macros.

Keycaps and switches are hot-swappable, allowing you to conveniently change the layout and feel of your keyboard without a soldering iron. The Q5 Pro also comes in a base model for people interested in an aluminum frame but want a more customized experience.

Keychron also sells keycaps and switches separately if you need a different color layout or different switches.

Keychron Q5 Pro handle version – use

The Keychron K Pro Red Keychron switches are very responsive and a pleasure to type, write, play and program. The keycaps definitely create a more “clicky” noise when typing, but the sound is refined and not distracting.

Weighing nearly five pounds (2160g) when assembled, the Q5 Pro is a must-have addition to your workbench or desk. We won't take this anywhere unless you install it in your office.

The Q5 can also be connected to three separate devices, potentially allowing you to use the Q5 to switch between a Mac, iPhone, and iPad. This also works well with the Windows/Mac switch on the back, as you can connect the Q5 to both a PC and Mac and switch between them without having to have two keyboards.

To pair, press fn+1, 2 or 3 and hold for four seconds to connect to a new device, lightly press fn and your device number to switch to that specific device.

The Q5's latency is also extremely low because it has a processor built into the body that delivers a polling rate of 1000Hz in wired mode and 90Hz in wireless mode. Either way, it's pretty fast, but we recommend connecting a keyboard during competitive gaming.

The Keychron Q5 Pro Knob Version is an all-around solid choice for the mid-range budget

The Keychron Q5 Pro Knob Version is a good keyboard in every way. This is a good mid-to-high price range for general use, but is great for those who want to experiment with their keyboard configuration.

The selection of switches makes it suitable for a wide range of users working between office and gaming needs. This is especially ideal for those who want to create a desktop system with one keyboard to connect to all their devices.

In terms of the capabilities it provides to different audiences, we see the Q5 Pro as useful for anyone willing to shell out the extra cash for a durable, customizable keyboard.