The Keychron M5 is the rare vertical mouse built for gaming as well as ergonomics, pairing a 47-degree angle with a PixArt 3950 sensor, 8000Hz polling and a light 95g body. Reviewers call it the best vertical gaming mouse they have used and praise its value. It is the pick for buyers who want wrist relief without giving up performance.
Full review
Real-World Performance
The Keychron M5 stands out by being a vertical mouse that does not compromise on performance. PC Gamer's reviewer, who has used ergonomic and vertical mice for years, called it the best one they had ever used, and praised it as finally a vertical mouse that is actually good for gaming thanks to its lightweight design, wireless capability and top-tier sensor. GamesRadar summed it up as vertical value at its best, scoring it 4 out of 5.
BGR, scoring it 8 out of 10, noted the vertical build lets you use the mouse without rotating your wrist into the position a traditional mouse forces, and that it feels more natural for daily use. The PixArt 3950 sensor with up to 30,000 DPI and 8000Hz polling delivers the kind of tracking and responsiveness gamers expect, which no other mouse in this group attempts. For the buyer who wants ergonomics and performance, reviewers consider the M5 a genuine breakthrough.
Build Quality and Design
The M5 uses a 47-degree vertical angle, less steep than dedicated ergonomic mice but enough to relieve wrist strain while keeping the mouse usable for fast movement. At 95g it is unusually light for a vertical mouse, which is part of why it works for gaming. The body has a smooth curve with a thumb rest that conforms to the palm, and reviewers praise the excellent finish for the price.
Connectivity is comprehensive: 2.4GHz via the included dongle, Bluetooth 5.3 and wired USB-C, with up to 140 hours of battery. The five programmable buttons round out a full feature set. Reviewers note the build does not feel premium in the way the Logitech MX Vertical does, but it does not feel cheap either, striking a strong balance for a sub-$70 mouse.
Comfort and Fit
The M5's 47-degree angle is a deliberate middle ground: steep enough to ease wrist pronation, shallow enough to allow the quick, precise movements gaming demands. BGR found it feels more natural than a traditional mouse and that it exacerbated their wrist issues less. The light weight reduces the effort of moving the mouse over long sessions.
Reviewers note that first-time vertical-mouse users adapt quickly to the M5's shape. It is not as aggressively vertical as the Evoluent, so RSI-focused users seeking maximum pronation relief may prefer a steeper mouse, but for most users the M5's angle is a comfortable, practical compromise that does not sacrifice usability.
Where It Falls Short
The M5 has a few notable gaps. There is no silent-click option, and reviewers including the Dygma hands-on test flag that the clicks are loud, which can be an issue in shared spaces. There is no left-handed version, limiting it for southpaws. The scroll wheel has been described as overly stiff in some reviews, occasionally causing unintended mouse lifting.
Its 47-degree angle, while a smart compromise, is less steeply vertical than the Evoluent VerticalMouse C, so users chasing maximum ergonomic relief may want a steeper option. And while it is a real gaming mouse, reviewers caution it will not replace an FPS-first pointer for serious competitive play.
How It Compares to Alternatives
The Keychron M5 is the performance pick of this group. It is the only vertical mouse here with a gaming-grade PixArt 3950 sensor and 8000Hz polling, leaving the Logitech MX Vertical, Logitech Lift and Evoluent VerticalMouse C behind on raw responsiveness. Its 47-degree angle is less steep than the Evoluent's fully vertical grip, and it costs more than the budget Anker.
For a buyer who wants wrist relief but also games or values a fast, light mouse, the M5 is the standout. Those who want maximum pronation relief (the Evoluent), the quietest office mouse (the Logitech Lift), or the lowest price (the Anker) have better-matched options, but none combine ergonomics and performance like the M5.
Value at This Price
At around $70, the M5 is a strong value, delivering gaming-grade hardware in a vertical form factor for the same price as the office-focused Logitech Lift. GamesRadar's vertical value at its best framing captures the appeal: you get a PixArt 3950 sensor, 8K polling, tri-mode connectivity and 140-hour battery for a mid-tier price.
The value is highest for buyers who would otherwise have to choose between ergonomics and gaming performance. Pure office users may not need the M5's sensor and could save with the Anker, while RSI-focused buyers may prefer the steeper Evoluent. But for the gamer or power user wanting both comfort and speed, the M5 punches above its price.
Who It's Best For
The Keychron M5 is for gamers and power users who want the wrist relief of a vertical mouse without giving up a fast sensor, high polling rate and light weight. Its 47-degree angle, PixArt 3950 sensor and tri-mode connectivity make it the rare vertical mouse that works for both productivity and play.
It is not the pick for left-handers (no southpaw version), quiet shared offices (loud clicks), maximum pronation relief (the Evoluent), or rock-bottom budgets (the Anker). But for combining ergonomics and performance, the M5 is the standout choice here.
Strengths
- +Gaming-grade PixArt 3950 sensor with up to 30,000 DPI and 8000Hz polling
- +Lightweight 95g body, unusually light for a vertical mouse
- +47-degree vertical angle relieves wrist strain while staying usable for gaming
- +Tri-mode connectivity: 2.4GHz, Bluetooth 5.3 and wired USB-C
- +Up to 140 hours of battery and excellent finish for the price
Watch-outs
- −No silent-click option; clicks are loud
- −No left-handed version available
- −Less steeply vertical than dedicated ergonomic mice
- −Stiff scroll wheel can cause unintended mouse lifting per some reviews
How it compares
The Keychron M5 is the only vertical mouse here with a gaming-grade sensor and 8000Hz polling, outclassing the Logitech MX Vertical, Logitech Lift and Evoluent VerticalMouse C for performance, though its 47-degree angle is less steeply vertical than the Evoluent and it costs more than the budget Anker vertical mouse.
Who this is for
At a glance: Gamers and power users who want wrist relief from a vertical mouse without sacrificing sensor performance or polling rate.
Why you’d buy the Keychron M5
- Gaming-grade PixArt 3950 sensor with up to 30,000 DPI and 8000Hz polling.
- Lightweight 95g body, unusually light for a vertical mouse.
- 47-degree vertical angle relieves wrist strain while staying usable for gaming.
Why you’d skip it
- No silent-click option; clicks are loud.
- No left-handed version available.
- Less steeply vertical than dedicated ergonomic mice.
Rating sources
“Vertical value at its best.”
“With a vertical build, you can use the mouse without having to rotate your wrist into a position that a traditional mouse forces you to.”
“I've been using ergonomic and vertical mice for years, and the Keychron M5 has been the best one I've ever used.”
Our 4.4 score is the average of these published ratings. Ratings marked * were derived from the reviewer’s written analysis or video transcript — the publisher didn’t print an explicit numeric score, so we inferred one from their own words. Click through to verify. More about methodology.
