Keychron B1 Pro vs V4 MaxUltra-Portable vs Customizable
Choose the B1 Pro for extreme portability and a low-profile layout, or the V4 Max for deep customization and a premium typing feel.
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4.4 (7)4.4 · 7 reviews
from$37at MK
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron B1 Pro
Ultra-Portable
Build quality in the bottom 5% of 75% boards under $50.
- 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).
- Switches are soldered. Swapping them means soldering.
- Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps will not fit.
- No numpad.
Get the
Keychron V4 Max
Customizable
Build quality in the top 10% of 60% boards under $100.
- 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 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.
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.
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 B1 Pro
Keychron V4 Max
Layout size
75%
60%
Hot-swappable
No
Yes
Switch changes without soldering
Battery
800 mAh
4,000 mAh
A larger battery means fewer cables during the day
Low profile
Yes
No
Knob
No
Yes
- Keychron B1 Pro
- Keychron V4 Max
- Performance
- 5078
- Build quality
- 4286
- Productivity
- 6995
- Customizability
- 4696
- Portability
- 7888
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Case material: ABS, Plastic
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
What will you mostly use it for?
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.
Pick the Keychron 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.
Keychron B1 Pro vs V4 Max specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
17 of 28 specs differ
Keychron B1 Pro
Keychron V4 Max
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Low profile
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 B1 Pro
Keychron
ISO
In stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO
In stockDoes not ship to you
Keychron V4 Max
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
Compare prices
Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.
Prices in USD are converted to your currency and can change at any time. KeebFinder may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.
Keychron B1 Pro vs V4 Max: your questions
According to their manufacturer descriptions, the Keychron B1 Pro claims a battery life of up to 1200 hours with the backlight off. The Keychron V4 Max is stated to last up to 190 hours with RGB off. Therefore, the B1 Pro has a significantly longer claimed battery life.
No. The Keychron B1 Pro is a pre-built keyboard and its specifications do not list hot-swappable sockets. The Keychron V4 Max, however, features hot-swappable sockets that support both 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style switches.
No, not as dedicated physical keys. The Keychron V4 Max has a 60% layout, which means the arrow keys are accessed through a function layer (typically by holding a modifier key like 'Fn'). The B1 Pro, with its 75% layout, includes dedicated arrow keys.
Both keyboards list Mac support and include Mac-specific keycaps. The V4 Max description notes it includes an additional set of keycaps for Windows and macOS and has a system toggle. The B1 Pro vendor page states it provides the same multimedia and function key functions as Apple keyboards for Mac users.
The Keychron B1 Pro uses ABS keycaps, which can develop a shiny finish over time. The Keychron V4 Max uses double-shot PBT keycaps, which the manufacturer states are more oil-resistant and prevent legends from fading. PBT is generally considered more durable and has a different texture.
A gasket mount is a design where the plate holding the switches is suspended on soft gaskets within the case, aimed at reducing harsh vibrations and creating a softer typing feel. The Keychron V4 Max features a gasket mount design with a polycarbonate plate. The B1 Pro does not have this feature.
Yes, but the method and depth differ. The B1 Pro can be programmed using the Keychron Launcher web app. The V4 Max also supports Keychron Launcher and adds open-source QMK and VIA firmware support, which allows for more advanced and granular keymap programming directly on the keyboard's hardware.
The Keychron B1 Pro is significantly more portable. It weighs 425g compared to the V4 Max's 645g, and has an ultra-slim 5mm thickness versus the V4 Max's standard profile. Its lighter weight and slimmer design make it much easier to pack in a bag.
Yes, the Keychron V4 Max features south-facing RGB LED backlighting. The manufacturer notes these LEDs are designed to prevent interference with Cherry or OEM-profile keycaps. The Keychron B1 Pro does not have RGB lighting.
The Keychron B1 Pro vendor page lists multiple ISO layout options. These include Nordic, Hungarian, German (DE), UK, Swiss, Spanish (ES), Portugal, Italian, and Russian ISO layouts. The V4 Max listing does not mention ISO layout availability.
Both keyboards offer a 1000 Hz polling rate in their 2.4 GHz wireless and wired modes, according to their manufacturer descriptions. This provides a responsive connection suitable for gaming. The V4 Max vendor page specifies a 90 Hz polling rate when in Bluetooth mode.
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