Keychron K3 Max vs K4 ProLow Profile or 96% Layout
Choose the K3 Max for a portable, ultra-slim low profile experience or the K4 Pro for a dedicated numpad and a larger battery in a standard profile.
KeebFinder may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.
4.1 (16)4.1 · 16 reviews
from$89at MK
4.7 (7)4.7 · 7 reviews
from$69at Keychron
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K3 Max
Build quality in the top 5% of 75% boards under $100.
- Ultra-slim aluminum body with low profile Gateron switches for a sleek feel
- Supports 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth, and wired connections with a 1000 Hz polling rate
- 75% layout saves desk space while maintaining essential keys
- 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-FR, ISO-ES. The other board is sold in those layouts.
- No numpad.
Get the
Keychron K4 Pro
Battery
Build quality in the top 10% of 96% boards under $100.
- 96% layout provides a full numpad in a relatively compact form factor
- Massive 4000mAh battery offers excellent wireless runtime
- Compatible with almost all 3-pin and 5-pin MX style switches for extensive modding
- 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 portability and a low profile typing experience are your main concerns, the Keychron K3 Max is the clear choice with its lightweight aluminum build and 2.4 GHz support. If you need a dedicated numpad and a longer battery life for desktop productivity, the Keychron K4 Pro offers more keys and a larger battery in a standard profile. Both keyboards support QMK/VIA customization and hot-swappable switches, so your final pick should align with how you prioritize layout, weight, and connectivity.
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 K3 Max
Keychron K4 Pro
Layout size
75%
96%
Connection
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Bluetooth, Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Battery
1,550 mAh
4,000 mAh
A larger battery means fewer cables during the day
Low profile
Yes
No
Case material
ABS, Aluminum, Plastic, Wood
ABS, Plastic
- Keychron K3 Max
- Keychron K4 Pro
- Performance
- 8181
- Build quality
- 8684
- Productivity
- 9495
- Customizability
- 9196
- Portability
- 7754
- Hot-swappable
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- QMK
- VIA
- Sound dampening
What will you mostly use it for?
The K3 Max wins in Gaming, Programming, and Travel due to its low profile, lighter weight, and 2.4 GHz support, making it ideal for users who need portability and quick response. The K4 Pro takes Office, Modding, and Content Creation thanks to its full numpad, larger battery, and broader switch compatibility. Both keyboards share strong QMK/VIA customization and hot-swappable features, so the choice comes down to whether you prioritize a compact, slim travel companion or a heavier, feature-rich desk keyboard with a numpad.
Pick the Keychron K3 Max
- Supports 2.4 GHz wireless connection with a 1000 Hz polling rate for lower latency
- Ultra-slim low profile design with an aluminum frame reduces weight for fast movement
- Includes IXPE acoustic foam and latex foam for quieter, responsive keystrokes
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron K3 Max
16 owner reviews
“Noce keyboard, i appreciate the level of customization QMK provides. One thing was little disappointing - the tactile feeling comparing to K3. Other than that its very good kb!”
“I sold my k3 pro and got this. The one I got drops connection intermittently or doesn't type or respond right away. It sounds nice, but stiff reds are not as pleasant to type on as previous keyboards reds. I really thought I ordered hotswap RGB max but seems…”
Keychron K4 Pro
7 owner reviews
“I previously had a normal K4 and i love the new one, the only thing is that the stabilizers lube work is kinda bad and the space bar was very rattly but after some lube work the K4 pro retakes the perfect productivity keyboard.”
Keychron K3 Max vs K4 Pro specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
13 of 27 specs differ
Keychron K3 Max
Keychron K4 Pro
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Low profile
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 K3 Max
Input Gear
ISO-DE
Out of stockShips to you
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW
Out of stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-SW
In stockDoes not ship to you
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.
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.
Keychron K3 Max vs K4 Pro: your questions
The Keychron K3 Max is better for travel because it weighs only 580g and has an ultra-slim low profile aluminum body that fits easily into a bag. The K4 Pro is much heavier at 1280g and larger, making it less convenient to carry.
Yes, the K3 Max supports 2.4 GHz wireless connection with a 1000 Hz polling rate, along with Bluetooth and wired USB-C modes. This makes it suitable for low-latency gaming on the go.
The K4 Pro is hot-swappable and compatible with almost all 3-pin and 5-pin MX style mechanical switches, including Cherry, Gateron, Kailh, and Panda. The K3 Max is limited to Gateron and Keychron low profile mechanical switches only.
The Keychron K4 Pro has a larger 4000mAh battery, while the K3 Max has a 1550mAh battery. The K4 Pro should last significantly longer between charges under similar usage conditions.
Yes, the K4 Pro features a 96% layout that includes a dedicated numpad on the right side, making it ideal for data entry and spreadsheet work. The K3 Max has a 75% layout without a numpad.
Yes, both the K3 Max and K4 Pro support QMK firmware and VIA software for key remapping, macros, and shortcuts. They also work with the Keychron Launcher web app for easy customization.
The K3 Max includes IXPE acoustic foam and latex foam designed to dampen sound, and its low profile switches are generally quieter. The K4 Pro has sound-absorbing foam and a silicone bottom pad, but its standard profile switches may produce more noise depending on the switch type.
The K3 Max uses low profile double-shot PBT keycaps in an LSA (low profile spherical-angled) profile. The K4 Pro comes with OSA profile (OEM profile with spherical-angle) double-shot PBT keycaps.
Yes, the K3 Max includes keycaps for both macOS and Windows and supports switching between the two operating systems. The K4 Pro also offers Mac and Windows compatibility with included keycaps.
Yes, the K4 Pro is available as a barebones version without switches and keycaps, allowing you to build your own configuration. The K3 Max is offered only as a pre-built or hot-swappable pre-built version.
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.