Zerodate K87 vs Keychron X4: Budget QMK Keyboard Comparison

Compare Zerodate K87 vs Keychron Lemokey X4 Differences Side by Side

This comparison is for buyers seeking a wired, QMK-compatible mechanical keyboard on a tight budget. The decision is challenging because the Zerodate K87 offers a remarkably low price point, while the Keychron X4, at a slightly higher cost, delivers significant upgrades in construction, typing feel, and long-term customizability. Your choice hinges on whether absolute cost savings or enhanced features and modding potential are more valuable.

Model
Rating	0.0 stars (0 reviews)	0.0 stars (0 reviews)
Purchase Options
Main differences	Released in 2025 Has Linear switch options Available in a 80% layout Supports VIA configuration Weighs about 560 g Sized at 35 x 350 x 130 mm Made with a ABS case Features ABS keycaps Offers Yes, Rgb RGB lighting	Released in 2024 Has Linear, Tactile, Clicky switch options Supports hot-swappable switches Available in a 75% layout Comes with a knob Compatible with both Mac and Windows Connects via USB-C Features N-key rollover Includes screw-in stabilizers Has built-in sound dampening Uses a Gasket Mount mounting style Runs at a 1000 Hz polling rate Weighs about 712 g Sized at 41 x 325 x 145 mm Made with a ABS, Plastic case Features ABS, PBT keycaps Offers Yes, South-face, North-face RGB lighting
Score	Scores Performance: 67.4 Build Quality: 70.3 Productivity: 63.7 Customizability: 75.6 Portability: 51.9	Scores Performance: 75.2 Build Quality: 81.5 Productivity: 95.2 Customizability: 83.2 Portability: 67
Name	Name Zerodate K87	Name Keychron Lemokey X4
Release year	Release year 2025	Release year 2024
Switch Options	Switch Options Linear	Switch Options Linear, Tactile, Clicky
Profile	Profile Normal Profile	Profile Normal Profile
Hot Swappable	Hot Swappable	Hot Swappable
Layout Size	Layout Size 80%	Layout Size 75%
Layout Standard	Layout Standard ANSI	Layout Standard ANSI
Layout Ergonomics	Layout Ergonomics Normal	Layout Ergonomics Normal
Knob Support	Knob Support	Knob Support
Display Support	Display Support	Display Support
Mac/Win Support	Mac/Win Support	Mac/Win Support
Multi-Media Keys	Multi-Media Keys	Multi-Media Keys
USB-C	USB-C	USB-C
USB passthrough	USB passthrough	USB passthrough
Connection	Connection Wired, Wired only	Connection Wired, Wired only
Polling Rate	Polling Rate -	Polling Rate 1000 Hz
Battery capacity	Battery capacity -	Battery capacity -
Hall Effect Support	Hall Effect Support	Hall Effect Support
QMK Support	QMK Support	QMK Support
VIA Support	VIA Support	VIA Support
VIAL Support	VIAL Support	VIAL Support
N-Key Rollover	N-Key Rollover	N-Key Rollover
Rapid Trigger	Rapid Trigger	Rapid Trigger
Mount Style	Mount Style -	Mount Style Gasket Mount
Screw in Stabilizers	Screw in Stabilizers	Screw in Stabilizers
Sound Dampening	Sound Dampening	Sound Dampening
Backlight	Backlight Rgb	Backlight South-face, North-face
Case Colors	Case Colors	Case Colors
Case Material	Case Material ABS	Case Material ABS, Plastic
Keycaps Material	Keycaps Material ABS	Keycaps Material ABS, PBT
Dimensions	Dimensions 35 x 350 x 130 mm	Dimensions 41 x 325 x 145 mm
Weight	Weight 560g	Weight 712g

[In Stock] Zerodate K87 Full RGB Wired Mechanical Keyboard

Lemokey X4 QMK Wired Mechanical Keyboard

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Released in 2025
Has Linear switch options
Available in a 80% layout
Supports VIA configuration
Weighs about 560 g
Sized at 35 x 350 x 130 mm
Made with a ABS case
Features ABS keycaps
Offers Yes, Rgb RGB lighting

Released in 2024
Has Linear, Tactile, Clicky switch options
Supports hot-swappable switches
Available in a 75% layout
Comes with a knob
Compatible with both Mac and Windows
Connects via USB-C
Features N-key rollover
Includes screw-in stabilizers
Has built-in sound dampening
Uses a Gasket Mount mounting style
Runs at a 1000 Hz polling rate
Weighs about 712 g
Sized at 41 x 325 x 145 mm
Made with a ABS, Plastic case
Features ABS, PBT keycaps
Offers Yes, South-face, North-face RGB lighting

Scores

Performance: 67.4
Build Quality: 70.3
Productivity: 63.7
Customizability: 75.6
Portability: 51.9

Scores

Performance: 75.2
Build Quality: 81.5
Productivity: 95.2
Customizability: 83.2
Portability: 67

Name

Zerodate K87

Name

Keychron Lemokey X4

Release year

2025

Release year

2024

Switch Options

Linear

Switch Options

Linear, Tactile, Clicky

Profile

Normal Profile

Profile

Normal Profile

Hot Swappable

Layout Size

80%

Layout Size

75%

Layout Standard

ANSI

Layout Standard

ANSI

Layout Ergonomics

Normal

Layout Ergonomics

Normal

Knob Support

Display Support

Mac/Win Support

Multi-Media Keys

USB-C

USB passthrough

Connection

Wired, Wired only

Connection

Wired, Wired only

Polling Rate

1000 Hz

Battery capacity

Hall Effect Support

QMK Support

VIA Support

VIAL Support

N-Key Rollover

Rapid Trigger

Mount Style

Gasket Mount

Screw in Stabilizers

Sound Dampening

Backlight

Rgb

Backlight

South-face, North-face

Case Colors

Case Material

ABS

Case Material

ABS, Plastic

Keycaps Material

ABS

Keycaps Material

ABS, PBT

Dimensions

35 x 350 x 130 mm

Dimensions

41 x 325 x 145 mm

Weight

560g

Weight

712g

Pros and Trade-offs

For most users, the Keychron X4 is the recommended choice. The additional investment buys significant upgrades in build quality, typing experience, and long-term flexibility through hot-swap sockets and a superior mounting style. Only choose the Zerodate K87 if your budget is extremely constrained and you are willing to sacrifice easy customizability and premium features for basic QMK functionality at the lowest price.

Zerodate K87

+Extremely low cost entry point for a QMK/VIA compatible keyboard.
+Lighter weight (560g) and slightly thinner profile for easier portability.
+Includes doubleshot ABS keycaps, which are durable against legend wear.

−Uses a soldered PCB, preventing easy switch replacement without desoldering.
−Only available with linear blue switches, offering no choice in switch type.
−Construction lacks advanced features like gasket mounting or sound dampening mentioned for the competitor.

Keychron Lemokey X4

+Hot-swappable sockets enable easy switch customization without soldering.
+Gasket mount structure with a polycarbonate plate for a potentially more flexible typing feel.
+Offers choice between linear, tactile, and clicky switch types, and between ABS and PBT keycap options.
+Includes a 1000 Hz polling rate, N-key rollover, and three adjustable typing angles.
+Comes with factory sound dampening and screw-in stabilizers for better out-of-box acoustics.

−Higher price point compared to the Zerodate K87.
−Heavier at 712g, making it less portable.
−The vendor listing shows it is frequently out of stock or backordered.

Which Keyboard Is Better for Your Needs?

The Keychron X4 is the more versatile choice, winning in gaming, office, programming, modding, and content creation due to its superior feature set, including hot-swap, a gasket mount, and a more ergonomic 75% layout. The Zerodate K87's primary advantage is for travel or situations where minimizing the initial purchase price is the absolute top priority, as it undercuts the X4 while still offering QMK/VIA support.

GamingKeychron Lemokey X4

•The Keychron X4 has a specified 1000 Hz polling rate for lower latency.
•It features N-key rollover for accurate simultaneous keypress registration.
•The gasket mount and polycarbonate plate may offer a more consistent typing feel during rapid inputs.

OfficeKeychron Lemokey X4

•The Keychron X4 offers three adjustable typing angles (4°, 8°, 10°) for ergonomic support.
•Its 75% layout is more compact than the K87's 80% layout while retaining most navigation keys.
•The listing mentions Mac/Win support and sound dampening features for a quieter environment.

ProgrammingKeychron Lemokey X4

•The 75% layout of the X4 provides dedicated arrow and navigation keys in a space-saving form factor.
•QMK support via the Lemokey Launcher web app allows for deep key remapping and macro creation.
•Hot-swappable sockets allow easy switch changes to tailor the typing feel for long coding sessions.

TravelZerodate K87

•The Zerodate K87 is lighter at 560g compared to the Keychron X4's 712g.
•It has a slightly thinner profile with dimensions of 35mm height versus the X4's 41mm.
•The lower price point reduces the risk and concern associated with transporting it frequently.

ModdingKeychron Lemokey X4

•The Keychron X4 is hot-swappable, allowing for easy switch changes without soldering.
•It features a gasket mount structure and a polycarbonate plate, which are popular modding platforms.
•It includes screw-in stabilizers and sound dampening from the factory, offering a better starting point for acoustic mods.

Content CreationKeychron Lemokey X4

•Knob support on the Keychron X4 allows for the addition of a multimedia or scroll control knob.
•The extensive QMK customization enables complex macros for editing software.
•The option for PBT keycaps in some configurations offers better long-term durability against shine.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)