Is the Keychron C1 Pro or K4 Pro better for gaming?

The C1 Pro lists 8000 Hz and 1000 Hz polling options and uses a wired-only connection. The K4 Pro lists 1000 Hz polling and can connect wirelessly or by wire.

Does the Keychron K4 Pro support wireless use?

Yes, the K4 Pro supports Bluetooth as well as a wired USB-C connection. Keychron says it can connect wirelessly to up to three devices, and its listed battery capacity is 4000 mAh.

Is the Keychron C1 Pro wireless?

No, the C1 Pro is listed as wired only, with USB-C connectivity. The K4 Pro is the option in this comparison that offers wireless connectivity.

What is the layout difference between the C1 Pro and K4 Pro?

The C1 Pro has an 80% TKL layout, while the K4 Pro has a 96% layout. The K4 Pro's larger layout includes a number pad, according to its vendor description.

Are the Keychron C1 Pro and K4 Pro hot-swappable?

Yes, both keyboards are listed as hot-swappable. Keychron says each supports 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style switches without soldering.

Do the C1 Pro and K4 Pro support QMK and VIA?

Both are listed with QMK and VIA support. Their vendor descriptions also discuss using Keychron Launcher for key remapping and macros.

Which keyboard is lighter, the C1 Pro or K4 Pro?

The C1 Pro is listed at 830 g, while the K4 Pro is listed at about 1280 g. The C1 Pro is also smaller in its listed dimensions.

Does the Keychron K4 Pro have a number pad?

The K4 Pro uses a 96% layout, and its vendor description refers to its number pad. The C1 Pro is an 80% TKL layout.

What keycaps come with the Keychron C1 Pro and K4 Pro?

The C1 Pro is listed with PBT keycaps, and Keychron describes them as OSA-profile double-shot PBT that are not shine-through. The K4 Pro is listed with PBT keycaps, and its vendor description also identifies OSA-profile double-shot PBT keycaps.

Do both Keychron keyboards have RGB lighting?

Both are listed with south-facing RGB lighting. Keychron describes the C1 Pro's default PBT keycaps as not shine-through, and the K4 Pro vendor page lists RGB and white-backlight versions.

Which keyboard has a steel plate?

The K4 Pro is listed with a steel plate. The C1 Pro is listed with a plastic plate.

Can I use the C1 Pro and K4 Pro with Mac and Windows?

Both are listed with Mac and Windows support, and both vendor descriptions mention keycaps for those systems. The C1 Pro vendor description also says its Launcher web app works with macOS, Windows, and Linux.

Compare Keychron C1 Pro vs K4 Pro Differences Side by Side

This comparison is for buyers choosing between a compact, wired TKL keyboard and a larger keyboard with wireless and wired connectivity. The C1 Pro lists 8000 Hz polling, while the K4 Pro pairs a 96% layout with a 4000 mAh battery and Bluetooth. Both support hot-swapping, QMK, VIA, RGB lighting, and multiple switch types. The choice depends mainly on whether wired responsiveness and a smaller footprint or wireless flexibility and a more expansive layout matter more.

Model
	92	92	Select a keyboard to compare
Rating	4.8 stars (10 reviews)	4.7 stars (7 reviews)
Purchase Options
Main differences	Released in 2023 Has Tactile, Linear, Clicky switch options Available in a 80% layout Built with the ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-IT, ANSI layout standard Comes with a knob Supports Wired, Wired only connectivity Runs at a 8000 Hz polling rate Weighs about 830 g Sized at 20 x 357 x 131 mm Features PBT keycaps Offers Yes, Rgb, South-face, Rgb South-face, White, White South-face RGB lighting	Released in 2022 Has Linear, Tactile, Clicky switch options Available in a 96% layout Built with the ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, ISO-UK layout standard Provides dedicated media keys Supports Bluetooth, Wired, Wireless connectivity Runs at a 1000 Hz polling rate Equipped with a 4000 mAh battery Weighs about 1280 g Sized at 31 x 391 x 139 mm Features PBT, ABS keycaps Offers Yes, Rgb, White, South-face, Rgb South-face, White South-face RGB lighting
Score	Scores Performance: 90.9 Build Quality: 82.9 Productivity: 97.6 Customizability: 91.2 Portability: 57.3	Scores Performance: 81.5 Build Quality: 83.9 Productivity: 94.7 Customizability: 95.8 Portability: 53.5
Name	Name Keychron C1 Pro	Name Keychron K4 Pro
Release year	Release year 2023	Release year 2022
Switch Options	Switch Options Tactile, Linear, Clicky	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 96%
Layout Standard	Layout Standard ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-IT, ANSI	Layout Standard ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, ISO-UK
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 Bluetooth, Wired, Wireless
Polling Rate	Polling Rate 8000 Hz;1000 Hz	Polling Rate 1000 Hz
Battery capacity	Battery capacity -	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 Tray Mount	Mount Style Tray Mount
Screw in Stabilizers	Screw in Stabilizers	Screw in Stabilizers
Sound Dampening	Sound Dampening	Sound Dampening
Backlight	Backlight Rgb, South-face, White, White South-face	Backlight Rgb, White, South-face, White South-face
Case Colors	Case Colors	Case Colors
Case Material	Case Material Plastic, ABS	Case Material Plastic, ABS
Keycaps Material	Keycaps Material PBT	Keycaps Material PBT, ABS
Dimensions	Dimensions 20 x 357 x 131 mm	Dimensions 31 x 391 x 139 mm
Weight	Weight 830g	Weight 1280g

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Pros and Trade-offs

Choose the C1 Pro if you want a wired TKL board and value its listed 8000 Hz polling option. Choose the K4 Pro if wireless connectivity, multi-device use, or a number pad matters more than minimizing weight and size. Both offer hot-swapping and QMK/VIA support, so layout and connection preference are the main deciding factors.

Keychron C1 Pro

+Lists wired polling options of 8000 Hz and 1000 Hz.
+The 80% TKL layout is smaller and lighter than the K4 Pro, at 830 g.
+Hot-swappable sockets support 3-pin and 5-pin switches, according to Keychron.
+QMK and VIA support, plus south-facing RGB lighting and PBT keycaps.
+Keychron describes sound-absorbing foam, EPDM foam, and a silicone bottom pad.

−Wired-only connectivity does not offer the K4 Pro's wireless option.
−The 80% layout does not offer the K4 Pro's 96% layout with a number pad.
−The listing identifies the plate material as plastic, rather than the K4 Pro's steel plate.

Keychron K4 Pro

+Bluetooth and wired connectivity, with a 4000 mAh battery listed.
+The 96% layout offers a number pad in a smaller format than a full-size keyboard.
+Hot-swappable switches, QMK, VIA, and a barebones version are available.
+The steel plate is paired with sound-absorbing foam and a thick silicone dampening bottom pad, according to Keychron.
+Keychron describes wireless connections to up to three devices.

−The listed polling rate is 1000 Hz, below the C1 Pro's 8000 Hz option.
−At 1280 g, it weighs more than the C1 Pro's 830 g.
−Its 96% layout and listed dimensions make it larger than the C1 Pro.

Which Keyboard Is Better for Your Needs?

The C1 Pro has the clearest gaming advantage on paper because it lists an 8000 Hz polling option and uses a wired connection. The K4 Pro suits office use where wireless connectivity and switching among devices are useful, and it also offers the larger layout for numeric work. Programming is a close call because both support QMK, VIA, and hot-swappable switches, with layout preference deciding the fit. For travel, the C1 Pro is lighter and smaller, while the K4 Pro avoids a required cable but weighs more.

GamingKeychron C1 Pro

•The C1 Pro lists 8000 Hz and 1000 Hz polling options, compared with 1000 Hz for the K4 Pro.
•The C1 Pro uses a wired-only connection, while the K4 Pro also offers wireless connectivity.

OfficeKeychron K4 Pro

•The K4 Pro supports Bluetooth and wired connections, while the C1 Pro is wired only.
•The K4 Pro vendor description says it can connect wirelessly to up to three devices.
•The K4 Pro has a 96% layout, while the C1 Pro uses an 80% TKL layout.

ProgrammingTie

•Both keyboards support QMK and VIA, and both vendor descriptions mention remapping keys and macros through Keychron Launcher.
•The C1 Pro has an 80% TKL layout, while the K4 Pro's 96% layout includes a number pad.
•Both support hot-swappable switches and include Windows and macOS support.

TravelTie

•The C1 Pro is lighter at 830 g, compared with 1280 g for the K4 Pro.
•The C1 Pro is smaller in the listed dimensions, but it requires a wired connection.
•The K4 Pro supports wireless use and has a 4000 mAh battery, but it is heavier and larger.

ModdingKeychron K4 Pro

•Both keyboards are hot-swappable and support QMK and VIA.
•The K4 Pro has a barebones version available, giving buyers an option without switches and keycaps.
•The K4 Pro vendor description specifies PCB-mounted hot-swap sockets and support for many 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style switches.

Content CreationKeychron K4 Pro

•The K4 Pro's 96% layout includes a number pad, which may suit workflows involving frequent numeric entry.
•The K4 Pro supports wireless and wired connections, while the C1 Pro is wired only.
•The C1 Pro is the smaller 80% TKL option for buyers who prefer to reserve more desk space.