Keychron C4 HE vs V1 UltraFull-Size Hall Effect vs Wireless 75%
Choose the C4 HE for a dedicated, full-size Hall Effect experience, or the V1 Ultra for wireless flexibility and a compact layout.
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Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron C4 HE
Full-Size Hall Effect
Build quality in the top 10% of 100% boards under $100.
- Full-size layout with dedicated numpad and navigation cluster.
- Features Hall Effect magnetic switches with adjustable actuation points.
- Includes Cherry profile double-shot PBT keycaps.
- 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 V1 Ultra
Wireless 75%
Build quality in the top 10% of 75% boards under $100.
- Tri-mode wireless connectivity (2.4 GHz, Bluetooth 5.3, wired).
- Compact 75% layout saves space while keeping function row and arrows.
- Includes a polycarbonate plate and multiple foam layers (EPDM, PET film) for a softer typing feel.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- No numpad.
Select the Keychron C4 HE if you work primarily at a single desk and rely heavily on a numpad, valuing the unique capabilities of Hall Effect switches. Opt for the Keychron V1 Ultra if you need to switch between devices, value a cleaner wireless setup, or have limited desk space. The premium for the V1 Ultra buys wireless freedom and a more portable 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 V1 Ultra
Layout size
100%
75%
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
Case material
Plastic
ABS, Plastic
Switch options
Clicky, Linear, Tactile
Linear, Tactile
- Keychron C4 HE
- Keychron V1 Ultra
- Performance
- 8991
- Build quality
- 8384
- Productivity
- 9598
- Customizability
- 9294
- Portability
- 4579
- Hot-swappable
- Max polling rate: 8,000 Hz
- Mount style: Gasket Mount
- QMK
- VIA
- Sound dampening
What will you mostly use it for?
The V1 Ultra wins for mobile and multi-device office use due to its wireless connectivity and compact form. The C4 HE is the choice for stationary setups where a full numpad is essential, such as programming or content creation. For gaming and modding, both are equally capable, offering top-tier performance and customization. Your daily workflow and desk space will dictate the winner.
It's a tie
- Both keyboards feature an 8000 Hz polling rate for minimal input lag.
- Both support N-key rollover and are hot-swappable for switch customization.
- The C4 HE offers Hall Effect switches with adjustable actuation, while the V1 Ultra provides wireless freedom with a 2.4 GHz connection.
Keychron C4 HE vs V1 Ultra specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
13 of 28 specs differ
Keychron C4 HE
Keychron V1 Ultra
Switch options
Hall effect (magnetic)
Hot-swappable
Mount style
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 C4 HE
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
Keychron V1 Ultra
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-FR, ISO-ES
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 V1 Ultra: your questions
The C4 HE is a wired, full-size keyboard featuring Hall Effect magnetic switches. The V1 Ultra is a wireless 75% keyboard with standard mechanical switches and tri-mode connectivity. The core trade-off is switch technology and size versus wireless capability and a compact layout.
Yes, the Keychron V1 Ultra supports a wired USB-C connection in addition to 2.4 GHz wireless and Bluetooth 5.3. The 8000 Hz polling rate is available in both wired and 2.4 GHz modes according to the manufacturer.
Yes, both the Keychron C4 HE and the V1 Ultra feature an 8000 Hz polling rate. The C4 HE is wired-only at this rate, while the V1 Ultra supports it in both wired and 2.4 GHz wireless modes.
Yes, the Keychron C4 HE is hot-swappable. According to its product description, it allows you to swap out its Hall Effect magnetic switches with other compatible magnetic switches without soldering.
The Keychron V1 Ultra comes with pre-lubed Keychron Silk POM Switches. The vendor listing shows options for linear (Red), tactile (Brown), and tactile (Banana) variants. These are standard 3-pin/5-pin MX-style mechanical switches.
Both keyboards are listed as compatible with macOS, Windows, and Linux. The V1 Ultra product description specifically mentions it includes keycaps for both systems and a system toggle to save separate layouts.
Yes, the Keychron C4 HE is programmable via the Keychron Launcher web app. The manufacturer states you can remap keys, create macros, adjust lighting, and fine-tune settings like actuation point and polling rate.
According to the manufacturer's description, the Keychron V1 Ultra has a 4000mAh battery that can last up to 660 hours with the RGB backlight turned off, based on 5 hours of daily use.
The Keychron V1 Ultra features south-facing RGB LEDs. The C4 HE uses north-facing RGB LEDs. South-facing LEDs avoid interference with Cherry-profile keycaps, a detail noted in the V1 Ultra's specifications.
The product metadata and description for the C4 HE do not mention knob support. In contrast, the V1 Ultra's metadata lists 'Knob Support' as an extra feature, and a 'Fully Assembled Knob' variant is shown in its vendor listing.
The C4 HE includes EVA acoustic foam and a steel plate. The V1 Ultra uses a polycarbonate plate and multiple layers of foam, including sound-absorbing foam, PET film, EPDM foam, and bottom case acoustic foam, as detailed in its component breakdown.
The Keychron V1 Ultra is more portable. It is significantly smaller (329mm wide vs 446mm) and lighter (770g vs 970g) than the C4 HE. Its wireless functionality also means one less cable to carry and manage.
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