Keychron C4 HE vs K4 ProWired Speed vs Wireless Flexibility
Choose the C4 HE for the fastest wired magnetic switch gaming performance, or the K4 Pro for wireless flexibility and a wider switch ecosystem.
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Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron C4 HE
Wired Speed
Build quality in the top 10% of 100% boards under $100.
- 8000 Hz polling rate is ideal for split-second competitive gaming
- Hall Effect switches with adjustable actuation point for custom sensitivity
- Gasket mount design provides a softer, more 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 Pro
Wireless Flexibility
Build quality in the top 10% of 96% boards under $100.
- Wireless Bluetooth 5.1 connection with a large 4000mAh battery
- Broad compatibility with almost all 3pin and 5pin MX mechanical switches
- Available as a barebones kit for custom builds without switches and keycaps
- 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.
If your primary need is the fastest possible wired performance for competitive gaming, the Keychron C4 HE is the clear choice with its 8000 Hz polling and magnetic switches. For users who value wireless flexibility, a more compact form factor, and the ability to customize with standard mechanical switches, the Keychron K4 Pro is the better all-rounder. Your decision ultimately comes down to prioritizing wired speed versus wireless convenience and modding potential.
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 Pro
Layout size
100%
96%
Hall effect (magnetic)
Yes
No
Adjustable actuation helps in games and not in normal typing
Connection
Wired
Bluetooth, 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, Plastic
- Keychron C4 HE
- Keychron K4 Pro
- Performance
- 8981
- Build quality
- 8384
- Productivity
- 9595
- Customizability
- 9296
- Portability
- 4554
- Hot-swappable
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- QMK
- VIA
- Sound dampening
- Plate material: Steel
What will you mostly use it for?
The C4 HE wins decisively for gaming due to its 8000 Hz polling rate and Hall Effect switches, while the K4 Pro is the better choice for office and travel thanks to its wireless capabilities and more compact 96% layout. For programming and content creation, both keyboards are evenly matched since they share QMK/VIA support, media keys, and numpad functionality. Modders will prefer the K4 Pro for its broad MX switch compatibility and barebones option, a flexibility the magnetic-switch-only C4 HE cannot match.
Pick the Keychron C4 HE
- 8000 Hz polling rate for extremely low input lag
- Hall Effect magnetic switches with adjustable actuation for precise control
- Wired connection eliminates wireless interference
Keychron C4 HE vs K4 Pro 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 Pro
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
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 Pro
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW
In stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW
Out of 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 Pro: your questions
No, the Keychron C4 HE is a wired-only keyboard. It connects exclusively via USB-C and does not have any Bluetooth or wireless capabilities. This is designed to maintain the lowest possible latency with its 8000 Hz polling rate.
The K4 Pro supports almost all 3pin and 5pin MX-style mechanical switches on the market, including popular brands like Cherry, Gateron, and Kailh. This makes it very easy to customize the typing feel without any soldering.
The Keychron C4 HE has a significantly higher polling rate of 8000 Hz, which can be adjusted down to 4000 Hz or 1000 Hz. The K4 Pro has a standard 1000 Hz polling rate, which is suitable for most users but less competitive for high-speed gaming.
Yes, they are different profiles. The C4 HE uses Cherry profile double-shot PBT keycaps, which are sculpted and lower-profile. The K4 Pro uses OSA profile (OEM with spherical-angle) double-shot PBT keycaps, which have a more rounded top surface.
Yes, both keyboards feature QMK support and are compatible with the Keychron Launcher web app. This allows you to remap keys, create macros, adjust lighting, and configure advanced settings like actuation points on the C4 HE.
Yes, the K4 Pro is fully compatible with both Mac and Windows. The product description and user reviews confirm seamless switching between the two operating systems, and it includes keycaps for both platforms.
Both keyboards include sound dampening features. The C4 HE uses advanced EVA acoustic foam with a gasket mount, while the K4 Pro has sound-absorbing foam and a silicone bottom pad. User reviews note the K4 Pro is quieter than some older mechanical boards.
Based on the vendor description, the C4 HE is sold as a fully assembled version that includes the PCB, plate, case, foams, keycaps, and Keychron Ultra-fast Lime Magnetic switches. A barebones option is not mentioned for this model.
The Keychron C4 HE weighs 970g, while the Keychron K4 Pro is heavier at 1280g. The K4 Pro's extra weight likely comes from its larger internal 4000mAh battery and different internal construction.
The Keychron K4 Pro uses south-facing RGB LEDs. The vendor describes this as better for illuminating the keyboard from the typist's angle and for avoiding interference when using Cherry-profile keycaps. The C4 HE uses north-facing RGB LEDs.
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