Keychron K17 Max vs K4 V3Low-Profile or MX
Get the Keychron K17 Max for its low-profile build and 2.4 GHz connection, or the Keychron K4 V3 for wider MX switch and keycap compatibility and more regional ISO layouts.
KeebFinder may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.
4.8 (4)4.8 · 4 reviews
from$94at Keychron
5.0 (4)5.0 · 4 reviews
from$94at Keychron
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K17 Max
Build quality in the top 20% of 96% boards under $100.
- Low-profile Gateron mechanical switches and low-profile PBT keycaps in an ultra-slim design.
- 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity alongside Bluetooth and wired modes.
- A listed knob and three adjustable typing angles.
- Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps will not fit.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
- Missing ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic. The other board is sold in those layouts.
Get the
Keychron K4 V3
Battery
Build quality in the top 5% of 96% boards under $100.
- Hot-swap support for almost all 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style switches, according to Keychron.
- Regional ISO options include UK, German, Swiss, and Nordic layouts.
- DIY kit or barebones availability and screw-in stabilizers.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
Choose the K17 Max if a low-profile form, 2.4 GHz connectivity, or a built-in knob matters more than standard MX compatibility and regional ISO choices. Choose the K4 V3 for broader MX switch swapping, more listed regional layouts, or its DIY kit option. Both offer QMK, hot-swap versions, and a 96% layout, so those shared basics are not the deciding factors.
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 K17 Max
Keychron K4 V3
Connection
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Bluetooth, Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Battery
2,000 mAh
4,000 mAh
A larger battery means fewer cables during the day
Low profile
Yes
No
Case material
ABS, Aluminum
Aluminum, Plastic
Mount style
PCB Mount
Tray Mount
- Keychron K17 Max
- Keychron K4 V3
- Performance
- 8382
- Build quality
- 8187
- Productivity
- 9395
- Customizability
- 9196
- Portability
- 5354
- Layout size: 96%
- Hot-swappable
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- QMK
- VIA
What will you mostly use it for?
The K17 Max has the edge for buyers who specifically want a low-profile board or 2.4 GHz wireless, with its listed knob adding a distinct control option. The K4 V3 is the more adaptable choice for regional layouts and standard MX-style switch changes. For office and programming use, its layout range and component options are the more useful differentiators. Travel is a closer call: the K17 Max is slim and its listed weight is 750g, but the K4 V3 has the larger battery.
Pick the Keychron K17 Max
- Both list a 1000 Hz polling rate, while the K17 Max specifically offers that rate in 2.4 GHz and wired modes.
- The K17 Max adds 2.4 GHz connectivity, which the K4 V3 does not list.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron K17 Max
4 owner reviews
“Wish it was metal but i do love the low profile keyboard”
Keychron K4 V3
4 owner reviews
“I am overall extremely impressed with this keyboard! I upgraded from a Corsair K70 Luxe that I had for many years, and this feels like miles better of an experience. I am impressed how good the Banana switches are, they are a little more tactile than the…”
Keychron K17 Max vs K4 V3 specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
12 of 27 specs differ
Keychron K17 Max
Keychron K4 V3
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Low profile
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
Display
Media keys
Connection
Max polling rate
Battery
USB-C
Case 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.
Prices in USD are converted to your currency and can change at any time. KeebFinder may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.
ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
Keychron K17 Max
- Go to Keychron
Keychron
ISO
Out of stockShips to you
- Go to Keychron (DE)
Keychron (DE)
ISO
In stockDoes not ship to you
Keychron K4 V3
- Go to Keychron
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-CH
In stockShips to you
Keychron K17 Max vs K4 V3: your questions
The K17 Max is a low-profile keyboard with 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth, and wired connectivity. The K4 V3 uses a normal-profile design and supports a wider range of MX-style switches in its hot-swappable version.
Yes, the K17 Max lists 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth, and wired connectivity. Keychron specifies a 1000 Hz polling rate for its 2.4 GHz and wired modes.
The K4 V3’s listed connections are Bluetooth and wired, not 2.4 GHz. Choose the K17 Max if 2.4 GHz wireless is a requirement.
No, its compatibility rules specify low-profile switches and keycaps, and say standard MX keycaps will not fit. The K4 V3 uses standard-profile keycaps and Keychron describes it as compatible with MX-style switches.
The K4 V3 supports almost all 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style switches in its hot-swappable version, according to Keychron. The K17 Max is limited to Gateron or Keychron low-profile mechanical switches in the vendor description.
The K4 V3 lists ISO-UK, ISO-DE, ISO-CH, and ISO-Nordic options, as well as ISO and ANSI. The K17 Max’s compatibility rules identify ISO-DE, ISO-UK, and ISO-Nordic as unavailable for that model.
The K4 V3 lists a 4000mAh battery, compared with 2000mAh for the K17 Max. Battery capacity alone does not establish how long either keyboard will run between charges.
Yes, both list QMK support. Keychron describes QMK and its Launcher web app as tools for remapping keys and setting macros on both models.
Both products have north-facing LED configurations, and their compatibility rules warn that Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing. The K4 V3 also lists south-facing LED versions, which have separate keycap caveats.
The K17 Max is explicitly listed as low profile, and Keychron describes it as ultra-slim. The K4 V3 is listed as normal profile.
Both list hot-swap support, though the vendor descriptions indicate hot-swappable versions are optional. The K17 Max’s hot-swap version is for low-profile Gateron mechanical switches, while the K4 V3 supports almost all 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style mechanical switches.
Not sold on either?
Still torn?
Answer a few quick questions and the keyboard finder ranks 2,000+ boards by how you will actually use yours.