Keychron C4 HE vs K4 HE8000Hz vs Wireless Magnetic
Choose the C4 HE for the lowest latency wired gaming or the K4 HE for wireless flexibility and a premium wood/aluminum build.
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No reviews
from$99at Keychron
4.2 (10)4.2 · 10 reviews
from$118at MK
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron C4 HE
8000Hz
Build quality in the top 10% of 100% boards under $100.
- 8000 Hz polling rate for ultra-low latency.
- Full-size layout with dedicated navigation keys.
- Gasket mount for reduced vibration and a cushioned typing feel.
- Magnetic switches only. Standard MX switches will not fit.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
Get the
Keychron K4 HE
Wireless Magnetic
Build quality in the top 10% of 96% boards under $150.
- Triple connectivity: 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth, and wired.
- Aluminum or aluminum and wood construction for a premium look.
- 4000mAh battery supports long wireless sessions.
- Magnetic switches only. Standard MX switches will not fit.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
- Compact full-size layout. The numpad is present, the gaps of a full-size board are not.
The Keychron C4 HE is the right pick if you prioritize competitive gaming performance and want the lowest possible input lag from an 8000 Hz polling rate. The Keychron K4 HE is better for users who need wireless freedom for office, travel, or content creation, and who prefer a smaller layout with a more premium aluminum or wood build. Assess your need for cables vs. portability to make the final call.
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 C4 HE
Keychron K4 HE
Layout size
100%
96%
Rapid trigger
No
Yes
Faster resets help in games and not in normal typing
Connection
Wired
Bluetooth, Wired, 2.4 GHz
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Max polling rate
8,000 Hz
1,000 Hz
Higher polling helps competitive FPS and does nothing for typing
Case material
Plastic
ABS, Aluminum, Plastic, Wood
- Keychron C4 HE
- Keychron K4 HE
- Performance
- 8992
- Build quality
- 8387
- Productivity
- 9594
- Customizability
- 9289
- Portability
- 4556
- Hall effect (magnetic)
- Hot-swappable
- QMK
- VIA
- Sound dampening
- Keycaps: PBT
What will you mostly use it for?
The C4 HE wins for gaming due to its 8000Hz polling rate and wired stability. The K4 HE takes office and travel categories thanks to wireless connectivity and a more compact 96% layout. Both keyboards tie for programming and modding because they share QMK/VIA support and hot-swappable magnetic switches. For content creation, the K4 HE's multi-device Bluetooth and build materials give it a slight edge.
Pick the Keychron C4 HE
- 8000 Hz polling rate delivers lower latency than 1000 Hz for competitive play.
- Wired connection eliminates wireless interference and battery concerns.
- Gasket mount may reduce vibration for a more stable gaming feel.
Keychron C4 HE vs K4 HE specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
15 of 28 specs differ
Keychron C4 HE
Keychron K4 HE
Switch options
Hall effect (magnetic)
Rapid trigger
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
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 C4 HE
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
Keychron K4 HE
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-CH
In stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-CH
In stockDoes not ship to you
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 C4 HE vs K4 HE: your questions
No, the Keychron C4 HE is a wired-only keyboard. It connects via USB-C and does not support Bluetooth or 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity, so you will need a cable connection to your device at all times.
No, the Keychron K4 HE supports a maximum polling rate of 1000 Hz in both wired and 2.4 GHz modes. Bluetooth polling rate is 125 Hz. The 8000 Hz polling rate is exclusive to the C4 HE model.
The K4 HE offers a more premium build with an aluminum frame (Standard Version) or aluminum with wood accents (Special Edition). The C4 HE uses a plastic case, making the K4 HE feel more substantial and visually upscale on a desk.
Yes, the C4 HE is hot-swappable with compatible Hall Effect magnetic switches. It comes with Keychron Ultra-fast Lime Magnetic Switches, and you can swap them for other magnetic switches that fit the socket.
The K4 HE uses Gateron Double-Rail Magnetic Switches. These are Hall Effect switches that use magnetic sensors for actuation, and the keyboard is only compatible with Gateron double-rail magnetic switches sold by Keychron.
Yes, both the Keychron C4 HE and Keychron K4 HE support QMK open-source firmware and can be configured using the Keychron Launcher web app, which allows key remapping, macros, lighting adjustments, and advanced settings like actuation points.
Both are excellent for programming because they offer full key remapping via VIA, PBT keycaps for durability, and adjustable actuation. The choice depends on whether you prefer the full-size layout of the C4 HE or the space-saving 96% layout of the K4 HE.
The K4 HE has a 4000mAh rechargeable battery. According to Keychron, wireless working time can reach up to 110 hours depending on actual use, such as lighting and connection mode.
The K4 HE's vendor page includes a user report mentioning that when connected via wire, it could interfere with controller input in some games. If you use a controller alongside a keyboard, the C4 HE's wired-only connection may pose similar risks, but this behavior is not officially specified.
It depends on the version. The Standard Version of the K4 HE comes with Cherry profile double-shot shine-through PBT keycaps. The Special Edition uses OSA profile double-shot PBT keycaps that are not shine-through, so RGB lighting will not illuminate the legends.
The C4 HE offers three levels of adjustable typing angle: 4 degrees, 6 degrees, and 8.7 degrees. This ergonomic support is achieved via flip-out feet, with Cherry profile keycaps contributing to a comfortable wrist position.
The C4 HE weighs approximately 970g, while the K4 HE Standard Version is about 1090g and the Special Edition is around 1066g. The K4 HE is heavier despite its smaller 96% layout, likely due to its aluminum or wood construction.
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