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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 7, 2026

Keychron K3 Max SE vs K4 MaxSize vs Full Layout

Choose the K3 Max SE for travel and a slim wooden design, or the K4 Max if you need a full numpad and greater battery life.

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Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Keychron K3 Max SE

Size

Build quality in the top 30% of 75% boards under $150.

If you want

  • Ultra-slim low-profile design with a wooden side frame for a unique look.
  • Lightweight at 566g, making it one of the most portable wireless mechanical keyboards.
  • Includes EPDM acoustic foam and bottom case foam for a quieter typing experience.

Rules this board out

  • Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps 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.
  • No numpad.

Get the

Keychron K4 Max

Full Layout

Build quality in the top 20% of 96% boards under $100.

If you want

  • 96% layout includes a full numpad for efficient number input.
  • Large 4000mAh battery provides extended wireless usage.
  • Screw-in stabilizers with reinforced sidewalls improve large key stability.

Rules this board out

  • 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.

Bottom line

Choose the Keychron K3 Max SE if portability and a low-profile, wooden aesthetic are your top priorities for on-the-go typing. Opt for the Keychron K4 Max if you need a full numpad, longer battery life, and a heavier, more stable platform for extensive data entry or modding. The K4 Max offers more features for a stationary desk setup, while the K3 Max SE excels in travel and minimalist environments.

What actually differs

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 SE

Keychron K4 Max

  • Layout size

    75%

    96%

  • Battery

    1,550 mAh

    4,000 mAh

    A larger battery means fewer cables during the day

  • Low profile

    Yes

    No

  • Case material

    ABS, Wood

    ABS

  • Weight

    566 g

    1,290 g

    Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Keychron K3 Max SE
  • Keychron K4 Max
Performance
80
82
Build quality
74
80
Productivity
89
89
Customizability
86
92
Portability
80
51

What they share

  • Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
  • Hot-swappable
  • Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
  • Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
  • QMK
  • VIA
See every spec side by side

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

For travel, the K3 Max SE's light weight and slim profile make it the clear choice. In office and content creation scenarios, the K4 Max's numpad and larger battery give it an advantage for data entry and extended use. Both keyboards tie in gaming and programming due to shared features like QMK/VIA support and a 1000 Hz polling rate. Modders will prefer the K4 Max's screw-in stabilizers and broader switch compatibility, while the K3 Max SE appeals to those prioritizing a ultra-portable setup.

For gaming

It's a tie

  • Both support a 1000 Hz polling rate over 2.4 GHz and wired connections for low latency.
  • Both offer hot-swappable switches to customize feel for gaming.
  • The K3 Max SE's low-profile design may appeal to gamers who prefer a lighter, faster keystroke.
  • The K4 Max's steel plate provides a more stable, heavier platform for aggressive play.

From real owners

What owners say

Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.

Keychron K3 Max SE

5.0

2 owner reviews

Praise
“Beautiful service from yourselves, got updates at every point required. Product is amazing and arrived wrapped well. Only issue was the courier delivering the parcel by throwing it into the house rather than handing it in person. Already reviewed their poor…”
RyanVerified buyer· via Keychron

Keychron K4 Max

5.0

1 owner reviews

Full specs

Keychron K3 Max SE vs K4 Max specs

Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.

13 of 27 specs differ

Keychron K3 Max SE

Keychron K4 Max

Typing & switches

Switch options

Clicky, Linear, Tactile
Clicky, Linear, Tactile

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

—
PCB Mount

Low profile

Yes
No

Sound dampening

Yes
Yes

Screw-in stabilizers

No
Yes

Layout

Layout size

75%
96%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI, ISO

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Display

None
None

Media keys

No
Yes

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired

Max polling rate

1,000 Hz
1,000 Hz

Battery

1,550 mAh
4,000 mAhBetter

USB-C

Yes
No

Build & materials

Case material

ABS, Wood
ABS

Plate material

Aluminum
Steel

Keycaps

PBT
PBT

Weight

566 g
1,290 g

Dimensions

20 x 319 x 126 mm
31 x 391 x 140 mm

Typing angle

—
3°

Backlight

RGB, north-facing
RGB, south-facing

Firmware & software

QMK

Yes
Yes

VIA

Yes
Yes

N-key rollover

Yes
Yes

Mac & Windows

Yes
Yes

Extras

Released

2026
2025

For EU buyers

ISO layouts by store

Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.

Keychron K3 Max SE

No ISO layout at the stores we track.

Keychron K4 Max

  • Keychron

    ISO

    In stockShips to you

Where to buy

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.

FAQ

Keychron K3 Max SE vs K4 Max: your questions

The Keychron K4 Max has a significantly larger 4000mAh battery, which can last longer on a single charge. The Keychron K3 Max SE has a 1550mAh battery, which is smaller but still adequate for a day's work, though you may need to charge it more frequently.

Yes, both keyboards are hot-swappable, allowing you to change switches without soldering. The K3 Max SE uses low-profile Keychron Milk POM switches, while the K4 Max supports standard 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style switches, giving the K4 Max broader compatibility with aftermarket options.

Both keyboards offer a 1000 Hz polling rate in 2.4 GHz and wired modes, resulting in low latency suitable for competitive gaming. There is no stated difference in performance between the two for gaming purposes based on the provided data.

The Keychron K4 Max features a 96% layout that includes a dedicated numpad. The Keychron K3 Max SE has a 75% layout and does not include a numpad, making it more compact but less suited for heavy number entry.

Yes, both keyboards use double-shot PBT keycaps, which are known for their durability and resistance to shine and oil. The K3 Max SE uses LSA profile keycaps, while the K4 Max uses OSA profile keycaps, but both are PBT material.

The Keychron K3 Max SE is much lighter at 566 grams compared to the K4 Max at 1290 grams. Its compact low-profile design also makes it easier to fit into a bag, making it the preferred choice for travel.

Yes, both the Keychron K3 Max SE and K4 Max support QMK firmware and VIA software, allowing for extensive key remapping and macro programming via the Keychron Launcher web app. This provides a high degree of customizability for both models.

The Keychron K4 Max is stated to have upgraded screw-in stabilizers with reinforced sidewalls for improved stability on larger keys. The K3 Max SE uses plate-mounted stabilizers, which are adequate but generally less stable than screw-in designs.

Yes, both keyboards are stated to support both macOS and Windows. The K3 Max SE includes a Mac layout with multimedia and function keys, and both come with a system toggle and additional keycaps for cross-platform use.

The K3 Max SE has north-facing RGB with per-key and mix RGB customization. The K4 Max has south-facing RGB, which is better for compatibility with Cherry-profile keycaps and provides consistent lighting from the typist's angle. Both offer over 22 RGB backlight settings.

The provided data does not specify a typing angle for the K3 Max SE, only that its feet height is 1.3mm. The K4 Max is stated to have a typing angle of 3 degrees, with some descriptions mentioning three levels of adjustable angles.

Both keyboards include sound dampening. The K3 Max SE features EPDM acoustic foam and bottom case acoustic foam. The K4 Max includes multiple layers such as IXPE foam, PET film, and EPDM foam for a superior, quieter typing experience.

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