Keychron C4 HE vs K4 MaxFull-Size vs 96% Wireless
Choose the C4 HE for ultra-low latency wired gaming and full-size layout, or the K4 Max for wireless flexibility and a compact 96% layout.
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Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron C4 HE
Full-Size
Build quality in the top 10% of 100% boards under $100.
- 8000 Hz polling rate for ultra-low latency in wired mode.
- Hall Effect magnetic switches (Keychron Ultra-fast Lime) with adjustable actuation.
- Gasket mount design for a potentially softer 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 Max
96% Wireless
Build quality in the top 20% of 96% boards under $100.
- Tri-mode connectivity: 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth, and wired.
- Compact 96% layout saves desk space while retaining a numpad.
- Built-in 4000mAh battery for extended wireless use.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- Compact full-size layout. The numpad is present, the gaps of a full-size board are not.
Select the Keychron C4 HE if your top priority is maximum wired performance and a full-size layout for gaming. Choose the Keychron K4 Max if you need wireless connectivity and a more compact footprint for a cleaner desk setup or for use across multiple devices. Both offer excellent customization and build quality, so your final choice hinges on connectivity and form factor.
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 Max
Layout size
100%
96%
Hall effect (magnetic)
Yes
No
Adjustable actuation helps in games and not in normal typing
Connection
Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
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
- Keychron C4 HE
- Keychron K4 Max
- Performance
- 8982
- Build quality
- 8380
- Productivity
- 9589
- Customizability
- 9292
- Portability
- 4551
- Hot-swappable
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- QMK
- VIA
- Sound dampening
- Plate material: Steel
What will you mostly use it for?
The Keychron C4 HE wins for pure gaming and modding, owing to its faster 8000 Hz polling rate and gasket mount design. The Keychron K4 Max is the better choice for office and travel due to its wireless capabilities and more compact footprint. For programming and content creation, both keyboards are strong, with the decision resting on whether you prefer a full-size wired keyboard or a compact wireless one.
Pick the Keychron C4 HE
- Offers an 8000 Hz polling rate for extremely low input latency in wired mode.
- Features Hall Effect magnetic switches (Keychron Ultra-fast Lime) for adjustable actuation.
- The full-size layout includes a dedicated numpad, useful for MMOs and simulators.
Keychron C4 HE vs K4 Max specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
14 of 27 specs differ
Keychron C4 HE
Keychron K4 Max
Switch options
Hall effect (magnetic)
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
Compare prices
Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.
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Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.
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 Max
- Keychron
ISO
In stockShips to you
Keychron C4 HE vs K4 Max: your questions
The main difference is connectivity and layout size. The C4 HE is a fully wired keyboard with a 100% full-size layout, while the K4 Max supports wireless connections via Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz with a more compact 96% layout.
The Keychron C4 HE has a faster polling rate of 8000 Hz, compared to the K4 Max's 1000 Hz. This makes the C4 HE potentially better for competitive gaming where every millisecond counts.
Yes, both the Keychron C4 HE and K4 Max support hot-swappable switches. The C4 HE is compatible with Hall Effect magnetic switches, while the K4 Max supports almost all 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style mechanical switches.
Yes, the K4 Max supports a 2.4 GHz wireless connection which boasts a 1000 Hz polling rate, making it suitable for gaming without a wired connection. It also supports Bluetooth 5.1 for connecting to multiple devices.
The Keychron K4 Max has a more compact 96% layout, making it smaller than the full-size C4 HE. This makes it a better option if you have limited desk space.
The Keychron C4 HE uses Keychron Ultra-fast Lime Magnetic Switches, which are Hall Effect switches. The Keychron K4 Max uses standard mechanical switches, such as the Keychron Super Red, Brown, or Banana.
Yes, both keyboards support QMK and VIA firmware, and they can also be configured using the Keychron Launcher web app. This allows for remapping keys, creating macros, and adjusting lighting.
The Keychron K4 Max may be better for an office environment due to its multiple layers of acoustic foam (IXPE, PET, and EPDM), which are designed to dampen sound and provide a quieter typing experience.
Yes, both keyboards include a numpad. The C4 HE has a full-sized numpad as part of its 100% layout, while the K4 Max integrates a more compact numpad into its 96% layout.
The Keychron K4 Max is heavier, weighing 1290g, compared to the Keychron C4 HE which weighs 970g. The K4 Max's extra weight comes from its larger battery and wireless components.
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