Keychron - V5 Max QMK/VIA Wireless Custom Mechanical Keyboard

I’ve got the v5 max and have no complaints at all. Love it. Everything works well. VIA is great. I wasn’t a massive fan of the look of the keycaps but I actually prefer the feel to anything I’ve used before and now can’t bring myself to change them. I have just had a play about with changing the Jupiter browns to milky yellows as decided I want a linear quieter board for work. Plus the milky yellows lubed up are providing a nice thocky noise. But don’t get me wrong it sounded creamy as heck with the Jupiter browns

If you want low profile, get an odd-numbered K Max line board. Make sure it's hot swap. Otherwise, get V or Q (although I would avoid Q cuz it's heavy, as you said, and you plan to travel with it). I would avoid the Razer because it's membrane and loud. Since you're traveling with this board, I doubt the people around you would like to hear the board, too.

You can get a V Max on Amazon and return it if you don't like it.

I really wouldn't recommend either of those boards. Keychron V/Q6 Max, Monsgeek M5, QK101. All available in ISO except the M5, if you needed that.

Keychron V5 Max. SRGB has custom firmware available for it to flash.

Keychron V/Q6 Max, Monsgeek M5, QK100 (wired-only PCB). You would have to get separate switches for all of these options.

Keychron V/Q6 Max, QK100/101

Keychron Q/V6 Max, QK100/101, Monsgeek M2 V5 VIA. For the QK100, only the wired-only hotswap PCB has RGB.

I bought a Q3 Max with red switches and it was very silent. Be aware, Keychron HE keeb is compatible only with its own HE switches. For me it was a no-go.

Get a Keychron V5 or Q5 if you can stretch the budget. Barebones V5 is $60 right now so plenty left over for your preferred set of keycaps and switches.

keychron v5/6 max (96/100%) are what you should aim for.

I started with the jupiter browns on my Q5 max, and I've swapped to akko cs lavender purples, I haven't personally tried the bananas but they seem to have a higher pitched sound profile compared to the browns I started with. I prefer the Lavender purples I'm using because they have a softer lower pitched sound and lower actuation force than both the brown and bananas that feels nicer for my ears and fingers personally but ultimately its up to your preference.

Really hard to go wrong with Keychron. Their V-series is a reliably excellent choice, and right at the correct price point. I prefer the [96%](https://www.keychron.com/products/keychron-v5-max-qmk-via-wireless-custom-mechanical-keyboard) but they have everything from 60-100%. As for 'nice' build, sound, and aesthetic, that's unfortunately down to user prefence, haha. To get recommendations regarding those you'd have to know a little more what you're looking for—do you want minimalist or RGB bonanza? Tactile or linear switches? Quiet or loud? Clicky or thocky? It's definitely a rabbit hole for almost every aspect of the board, lol.

I tried out Keychron K1V5. Love it. I paired it with a cheap A4tech numeric keypad

I think most of the ones catering specifically to gamers are overpriced for what you get, but you can get a really good customizable keyboard with RGB and low latency from keychron and rest easy knowing it’ll last and sound good. In that price range you can easily get a V Series (v max if you want wireless) or K series for low profile and he will be happy with it. With the money you save you can even get him a gift card to a quality keycap site if he wants shine through or similar. I would recommend silent switches if he hates noise. Gateron makes a great silent switch.

You must be looking at the low-profile boards. There are plenty of full-height boards from Keychron... Check the V Max series, you'll get the best bang for buck there.