Keychron M5 excels in FPS with ergonomic vertical design
Source: rtings.com
TL;DR
- RTINGS reviews the Keychron M5 as a wireless vertical ergonomic mouse with top gaming performance.[[1]](https://www.rtings.com/mouse/reviews/keychron/m5)
- It uses PixArt PAW3950 sensor up to 30,000 DPI, 8000Hz polling, weighs 98g, and has click latency around 1ms wireless.[[1]](https://www.rtings.com/mouse/reviews/keychron/m5)[[2]](https://www.reddit.com/r/MouseReview/comments/1sbln07/keychron_m5_review_after_8_months_a_legitimate)
- Vertical design reduces wrist strain while delivering FPS-level speed, making it suitable for mixed productivity and gaming use.[[3]](https://www.rtings.com/mouse/tools/compare/keychron-m6-vs-keychron-m5/47526/97521)
The story at a glance
RTINGS.com tests the Keychron M5, a right-handed vertical wireless mouse from Keychron aimed at ergonomics with gaming-grade specs. It praises the mouse's outstanding raw performance for FPS games despite its ergonomic shape. The review came out amid rising interest in high-spec vertical mice as alternatives to traditional ones.[[1]](https://www.rtings.com/mouse/reviews/keychron/m5)
Key points
- Outstanding raw performance: Supports 8000Hz polling rate, remarkably low click latency (1.0ms wireless receiver, 0.8ms wired per tests), and accurate PixArt 3950 sensor.[[1]](https://www.rtings.com/mouse/reviews/keychron/m5)[[2]](https://www.reddit.com/r/MouseReview/comments/1sbln07/keychron_m5_review_after_8_months_a_legitimate)
- Vertical "handshake" shape at about 47° angle reduces long-term strain; weighs 98.1g, lightweight for its size, suits medium to large hands.[[3]](https://www.rtings.com/mouse/tools/compare/keychron-m6-vs-keychron-m5/47526/97521)
- Tri-mode connectivity: 2.4GHz dongle, Bluetooth 5.1 (up to 3 devices), wired USB-C; 600mAh battery lasts up to 120 hours at 1000Hz (2.4GHz) or 140 hours Bluetooth.[[2]](https://www.reddit.com/r/MouseReview/comments/1sbln07/keychron_m5_review_after_8_months_a_legitimate)
- Features thumb scroll wheel for horizontal scrolling, Huano 80M switches, PTFE feet for smooth glide, and customizable software for DPI, polling, macros.[[4]](https://www.gamesradar.com/hardware/gaming-mice/keychron-m5-review)
- Best for FPS gaming among vertical mice, outperforms productivity-focused rivals like Logitech MX Vertical in speed and latency.[[5]](https://www.rtings.com/mouse/reviews/logitech/mx-vertical)
Details and context
The M5 stands out in RTINGS tests with top-tier sensor accuracy (low SRAV like 0.42% at 800 CPI) and latency metrics rivaling flat gaming mice, not typical for ergonomics-focused designs.[[2]](https://www.reddit.com/r/MouseReview/comments/1sbln07/keychron_m5_review_after_8_months_a_legitimate) Its build uses premium materials with good grip, though right-handed only and bulkier shape may not fit small hands or claw grips well.
Compared to peers, it beats Logitech MX Vertical in performance and accommodates more hand sizes, while edging Razer Pro Click V2 Vertical in gaming metrics despite less premium feel.[[6]](https://www.rtings.com/mouse/reviews/razer/pro-click-v2-vertical) Battery holds up even at high polling, but drops faster above 1000Hz.
Software allows full customization on Windows/Mac, including onboard profiles, making it versatile for work or play.
Key quotes
None from the RTINGS review are directly quoted in available sources.
Why it matters
Vertical mice like the M5 address wrist strain from prolonged use, now with specs that don't sacrifice speed for competitive gaming or fast tasks. For gamers or desk workers with pain issues, it offers a practical, affordable option under $70 with pro-level responsiveness. Watch for firmware updates on polling stability and competitors raising ergonomic gaming standards.[[1]](https://www.rtings.com/mouse/reviews/keychron/m5)