Keychron Q5 Max vs Q4 HELayout or Hall Effect?
Choose the Q5 Max for its full feature set and numpad in a 96% layout, or the Q4 HE for its Hall Effect magnetic switches and compact form factor for competitive gaming.
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5.0 (4)5.0 · 4 reviews
from$219at MK
5.0 (2)5.0 · 2 reviews
from$219at MK
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron Q5 Max
Build quality in the top 5% of 96% boards under $300.
- 96% layout with full numpad and navigation cluster for maximum productivity without a full-size footprint.
- Multiple acoustic foam layers (IXPE, PET, Latex) and double-gasket design for an exceptionally quiet, premium typing sound.
- Double-shot PBT keycaps in KSA or OSA profile offer excellent oil resistance and legend durability.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- Compact full-size layout. The numpad is present, the gaps of a full-size board are not.
Get the
Keychron Q4 HE
Hall effect
Build quality in the top 10% of 60% boards under $300.
- Hall Effect Gateron double-rail magnetic switches with adjustable actuation (0.2-3.8 mm) and 0.1 mm sensitivity for competitive gaming.
- Rapid trigger and 4-in-1 action keys enable dynamic, multi-function keystrokes and faster response.
- Compact 60% layout (1415g) is highly portable and frees up desk space for large mouse pads.
- Magnetic switches only. Standard MX switches will not fit.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
- Compact layout only. No function row, dedicated arrow keys, or numpad.
If you need a do-everything keyboard for typing, data entry, and creative work, the Q5 Max with its 96% layout and superior acoustic foam is the clear choice. If you are a competitive gamer who values the fastest possible input response and adjustable actuation, the Q4 HE's Hall Effect switches deliver a distinct advantage. Let your primary use case dictate the layout and switch technology.
The differences that matter
Skip the 40-row spec sheet. These are the specs that change how each board feels, sounds, and fits your desk.
Keychron Q5 Max
Keychron Q4 HE
Layout size
96%
60%
Hall effect (magnetic)
No
Yes
Adjustable actuation helps in games and not in normal typing
Rapid trigger
No
Yes
Faster resets help in games and not in normal typing
Switch options
Clicky, Linear, Tactile
Clicky, Linear, Magnetic, Tactile
Mount style
Gasket Mount, PCB Mount, Plate Mount
Gasket Mount, Plate Mount
- Keychron Q5 Max
- Keychron Q4 HE
- Performance
- 8191
- Build quality
- 9185
- Productivity
- 9794
- Customizability
- 9891
- Portability
- 5590
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Battery: 4,000 mAh
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Case material: Aluminum
- Knob
What will you mostly use it for?
The Q5 Max wins in office, programming, modding, and content creation due to its full-featured 96% layout and extensive acoustic dampening. The Q4 HE dominates gaming thanks to its Hall Effect magnetic switches with rapid trigger and adjustable actuation. For travel, the Q4 HE's lighter weight and smaller footprint give it the edge. Both are tied in raw wireless capability, but their target use cases are clearly split between productivity and competitive play.
Pick the Keychron Q4 HE
- Hall Effect Gateron double-rail magnetic switches enable rapid trigger and adjustable actuation points (0.2-3.8 mm).
- Dynamic rapid trigger and 4-in-1 action keys provide faster feedback and multiple actions per keystroke.
- Compact 60% form factor saves desk space for mouse movement.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron Q5 Max
4 owner reviews
“I don't like writing reviews but I do like reading them lol. What I am trying to say is that don't sleep in this keyboard. I even liked it more than my Lemokey L3. I got the one with the side printed keys and banana switches. This is my 3rd keychron keyboard.”
Keychron Q4 HE
2 owner reviews
Keychron Q5 Max vs Q4 HE specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
12 of 29 specs differ
Keychron Q5 Max
Keychron Q4 HE
Switch options
Hall effect (magnetic)
Rapid trigger
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
Display
Media keys
Connection
Max polling rate
Battery
USB-C
Case material
Plate material
Keycaps
Weight
Dimensions
Typing angle
Backlight
QMK
VIA
N-key rollover
Mac & Windows
Released
ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
Keychron Q5 Max
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW
In stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-SW
In stockDoes not ship to you
Keychron Q4 HE
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
Compare prices
Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.
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Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.
Keychron Q5 Max vs Q4 HE: your questions
Yes, but the 60% layout requires using layers to access arrow keys, function row, and other navigation keys. The Q5 Max is more suited for programming out of the box due to its dedicated navigation cluster and numpad, but both support QMK and VIA for extensive key remapping.
The Q5 Max is designed with more extensive acoustic foam layers, including IXPE, PET, and Latex, which the vendor highlights for a premium sound experience. The Q4 HE also includes acoustic foam and a double-gasket design, but the Q5 Max's additional layers likely produce a quieter, more refined sound.
Yes, the Q4 HE is hot-swappable, but it is only compatible with Gateron double-rail magnetic switches. It does not support other magnetic switches such as Gateron Magnetic Jade or KS-20, and it cannot use standard MX mechanical switches.
No, the Q5 Max uses traditional Gateron Jupiter mechanical switches (linear, tactile, or clicky) and does not support Hall Effect or magnetic switches. It is designed for standard MX-style switches.
The Q4 HE is significantly better for travel due to its much lighter weight (1415g vs 2215g) and smaller 60% footprint (121 x 303 mm). Both have a 4000mAh battery and Bluetooth connectivity, making them wireless, but the Q4 HE is far more portable.
Yes, the Q5 Max supports 2.4 GHz wireless with a 1000 Hz polling rate, which the vendor states makes latency hardly noticeable even in competitive games. It also offers Bluetooth 5.1 for casual use, though Bluetooth polling is limited to 90 Hz.
The primary difference is layout and switch type. The Q5 Max is a 96% board with traditional mechanical switches and a numpad, ideal for productivity. The Q4 HE is a 60% board with Hall Effect magnetic switches offering adjustable actuation and rapid trigger, tailored for competitive gaming.
No, the Q4 HE is a 60% keyboard and does not include a numpad, arrow keys, or a function row. You would need to use layers or an external numpad for data entry tasks.
Yes, both the Q5 Max and Q4 HE support QMK firmware and the Keychron Launcher web app (similar to VIA) for key remapping, macros, and customization. This makes both highly programmable.
The Q5 Max is heavier at 2215g (fully assembled), while the Q4 HE weighs 1415g. The Q5 Max's additional weight comes from its larger 96% layout and more extensive internal components.
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