Keychron B1 Pro vs V4 Max: Ultra-Portable vs Customizable

Compare Keychron B1 Pro vs V4 Max Differences Side by Side

This comparison is for buyers deciding between Keychron's budget-friendly ultra-portable and their enthusiast-focused customizable model. The choice is difficult because both offer triple-mode wireless connectivity but target completely different user priorities. The B1 Pro is an ultra-slim, lightweight keyboard with a 75% layout, while the V4 Max is a heavier, 60% keyboard built for modification. Your decision hinges on whether you value a sleek, travel-ready form factor or a feature-rich platform for personalization.

Model
Rating	4.2 stars (15 reviews)	0.0 stars (0 reviews)
Purchase Options
Main differences	Features a low-profile design Available in a 75% layout Built with the ANSI, ISO, JIS layout standard Provides dedicated media keys Equipped with a 800 mAh battery Weighs about 425 g Sized at 5 x 296 x 130 mm Features ABS keycaps Offers No RGB lighting	Supports hot-swappable switches Available in a 60% layout Built with the ANSI layout standard Comes with a knob Supports QMK firmware Supports VIA configuration Features N-key rollover Includes screw-in stabilizers Has built-in sound dampening Uses a Gasket Mount mounting style Equipped with a 4000 mAh battery Weighs about 645 g Sized at 28 x 123 x 305 mm Features PBT keycaps Offers Yes, Rgb, South-face, Rgb South-face RGB lighting
Score	Scores Performance: 48.1 Build Quality: 41.6 Productivity: 66.1 Customizability: 45 Portability: 77.9	Scores Performance: 78.6 Build Quality: 85.7 Productivity: 94.7 Customizability: 97.4 Portability: 88.4
Name	Name Keychron B1 Pro	Name Keychron V4 Max
Release year	Release year 2024	Release year 2024
Switch Options	Switch Options Linear, Tactile, Clicky	Switch Options Linear, Tactile, Clicky
Profile	Profile Low Profile	Profile Normal Profile
Hot Swappable	Hot Swappable	Hot Swappable
Layout Size	Layout Size 75%	Layout Size 60%
Layout Standard	Layout Standard ANSI, ISO, JIS	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 Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless	Connection Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless
Polling Rate	Polling Rate 1000 Hz	Polling Rate 1000 Hz
Battery capacity	Battery capacity 800 mAh	Battery capacity 4000 mAh
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	Backlight Rgb, South-face
Case Colors	Case Colors	Case Colors
Case Material	Case Material Plastic, ABS	Case Material Plastic, ABS
Keycaps Material	Keycaps Material ABS	Keycaps Material PBT
Dimensions	Dimensions 5 x 296 x 130 mm	Dimensions 28 x 123 x 305 mm
Weight	Weight 425g	Weight 645g

Keychron B1 Pro Ultra-Slim Wireless Keyboard ISO Layout Collection

Keychron V4 Max QMK/VIA Wireless Custom Mechanical Keyboard

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4.2 stars (15 reviews)

0.0 stars (0 reviews)

Features a low-profile design
Available in a 75% layout
Built with the ANSI, ISO, JIS layout standard
Provides dedicated media keys
Equipped with a 800 mAh battery
Weighs about 425 g
Sized at 5 x 296 x 130 mm
Features ABS keycaps
Offers No RGB lighting

Supports hot-swappable switches
Available in a 60% layout
Built with the ANSI layout standard
Comes with a knob
Supports QMK firmware
Supports VIA configuration
Features N-key rollover
Includes screw-in stabilizers
Has built-in sound dampening
Uses a Gasket Mount mounting style
Equipped with a 4000 mAh battery
Weighs about 645 g
Sized at 28 x 123 x 305 mm
Features PBT keycaps
Offers Yes, Rgb, South-face, Rgb South-face RGB lighting

Scores

Performance: 48.1
Build Quality: 41.6
Productivity: 66.1
Customizability: 45
Portability: 77.9

Scores

Performance: 78.6
Build Quality: 85.7
Productivity: 94.7
Customizability: 97.4
Portability: 88.4

Name

Keychron B1 Pro

Name

Keychron V4 Max

Release year

2024

Release year

2024

Switch Options

Linear, Tactile, Clicky

Switch Options

Linear, Tactile, Clicky

Profile

Low Profile

Profile

Normal Profile

Hot Swappable

Layout Size

75%

Layout Size

60%

Layout Standard

ANSI, ISO, JIS

Layout Standard

ANSI

Layout Ergonomics

Normal

Layout Ergonomics

Normal

Knob Support

Display Support

Mac/Win Support

Multi-Media Keys

USB-C

USB passthrough

Connection

Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless

Connection

Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless

Polling Rate

1000 Hz

Polling Rate

1000 Hz

Battery capacity

800 mAh

Battery capacity

4000 mAh

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, South-face

Case Colors

Case Material

Plastic, ABS

Case Material

Plastic, ABS

Keycaps Material

ABS

Keycaps Material

PBT

Dimensions

5 x 296 x 130 mm

Dimensions

28 x 123 x 305 mm

Weight

425g

Weight

645g

Pros and Trade-offs

Your budget and core need should guide this choice. If your priority is a lightweight, ready-to-use keyboard for typing on the go with a practical layout, the Keychron B1 Pro is the logical pick. If you are an enthusiast willing to invest more for a deeply customizable platform where you can modify switches, keycaps, sound, and firmware, the Keychron V4 Max is the superior foundation. The B1 Pro is about convenience and portability, while the V4 Max is about personalization and a premium typing experience.

Keychron B1 Pro

+Extremely portable with a 5mm ultra-slim profile and 425g weight.
+Long claimed battery life of up to 1200 hours with backlight off.
+Offers a wide selection of ISO layouts (e.g., UK, German, Nordic).
+75% layout includes dedicated arrow and navigation keys.
+Includes a protective, washable silicone skin according to the vendor page.

−Uses ABS keycaps, which are less durable than PBT.
−Lacks RGB backlighting.
−Pre-built design is not hot-swappable for easy switch changes.
−Lower 3° typing angle may be less ergonomic for some.

Keychron V4 Max

+Fully customizable with hot-swappable sockets and QMK/VIA firmware.
+Features a gasket mount design with sound-dampening foam and a polycarbonate plate.
+Includes double-shot PBT keycaps for better durability and feel.
+South-facing RGB LEDs prevent keycap interference.
+Large 4000mAh battery supports extended wireless use with RGB.

−Heavier and bulkier at 645g and a standard 28mm height.
−60% layout lacks dedicated arrow and function keys, requiring layers.
−More expensive than the B1 Pro.
−No ISO layout options are listed for this model.

Which Keyboard Is Better for Your Needs?

The B1 Pro is the clear choice for office work, programming, and travel due to its practical 75% layout, light weight, and slim profile. The V4 Max dominates for modding and has an edge for gaming with its customizable build and south-facing RGB. For content creation, the decision is a toss-up between the B1 Pro's convenience features and the V4 Max's macro programmability.

GamingKeychron V4 Max

•The V4 Max has a 1000 Hz polling rate in its 2.4 GHz and wired modes, matching the B1 Pro's spec.
•Its gasket mount design and sound-dampening foam can provide a more stable, consistent typing platform.
•South-facing RGB LEDs prevent interference with Cherry or OEM-profile keycaps, a feature the B1 Pro lacks.

OfficeKeychron B1 Pro

•The B1 Pro's 75% layout retains dedicated arrow and function keys, which the 60% V4 Max does not have.
•Its ultra-slim 5mm profile and 425g weight make it easier to transport or store.
•The manufacturer claims up to 1200 hours of battery life, significantly longer than the V4 Max's stated 190 hours with RGB off.

ProgrammingKeychron B1 Pro

•The 75% layout provides dedicated arrow keys and some navigation keys, which are more accessible than the layered functions on a 60% board.
•It offers multiple ISO layout options (like UK, German, Nordic), which the V4 Max does not list.
•Its lighter weight and lower profile may reduce fatigue during long coding sessions for some users.

TravelKeychron B1 Pro

•The B1 Pro is significantly lighter at 425g compared to the V4 Max's 645g.
•It has an ultra-slim 5mm thickness, making it far more packable than the standard-profile V4 Max.
•The manufacturer claims a longer battery life, which is beneficial when away from power sources.

ModdingKeychron V4 Max

•The V4 Max is hot-swappable, supporting 3-pin and 5-pin MX switches, while the B1 Pro is a pre-built board.
•It features a gasket mount design, a polycarbonate plate, and screw-in stabilizers for tuning acoustics and feel.
•It has open-source QMK and VIA firmware support for deep keymap programming, a level of customization not mentioned for the B1 Pro.

Content CreationTie

•The B1 Pro offers a quick emoji shortcut (fn+shift) which can be useful for social media.
•The V4 Max's programmable macros via QMK/VIA are powerful for complex editing software shortcuts.
•Both support Mac and Windows layouts, making them suitable for cross-platform creative workflows.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)