Compare Keychron K3 Pro vs K4 Pro Differences Side by Side

This comparison is for buyers deciding between Keychron's ultra-slim K3 Pro and the full featured K4 Pro. The decision is tough because both offer QMK/VIA support, Bluetooth, and hot-swappable switches, but they target different priorities. The K3 Pro is a 75% low-profile board built for portability and a slim typing angle, while the K4 Pro is a 96% board with a numpad, steel plate, and sound dampening. Your choice comes down to whether you value a compact travel-friendly design or a full layout with a numeric keypad.

Model
	87	92	Select a keyboard to compare
Rating	4.7 stars (52 reviews)	4.7 stars (7 reviews)
Purchase Options
Main differences	Features a low-profile design Available in a 75% layout Built with the ISO, JIS, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, ISO-UK, ANSI layout standard Equipped with a 1550 mAh battery Weighs about 525 g Sized at 15 x 306 x 116 mm Made with a Aluminum, Plastic, ABS case Features ABS, PBT keycaps Offers Yes, Rgb, South-face, Rgb South-face, White, North-face, Rgb North-face, White North-face RGB lighting	Available in a 96% layout Built with the ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, ISO-UK layout standard Includes screw-in stabilizers Has built-in sound dampening Equipped with a 4000 mAh battery Weighs about 1280 g Sized at 31 x 391 x 139 mm Made with a Plastic, ABS case Features PBT, ABS keycaps Offers Yes, Rgb, White, South-face, Rgb South-face, White South-face RGB lighting
Score	Scores Performance: 81 Build Quality: 81.5 Productivity: 79.9 Customizability: 89.2 Portability: 77	Scores Performance: 81.4 Build Quality: 83.9 Productivity: 94.7 Customizability: 97.3 Portability: 53.7
Name	Name Keychron K3 Pro	Name Keychron K4 Pro
Release year	Release year 2022	Release year 2022
Switch Options	Switch Options Linear, Tactile, Clicky	Switch Options Linear, Tactile, Clicky
Profile	Profile Low Profile	Profile Normal Profile
Hot Swappable	Hot Swappable	Hot Swappable
Layout Size	Layout Size 75%	Layout Size 96%
Layout Standard	Layout Standard ISO, JIS, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, ISO-UK, ANSI	Layout Standard ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, ISO-UK
Layout Ergonomics	Layout Ergonomics Normal	Layout Ergonomics Normal
Knob Support	Knob Support	Knob Support
Display Support	Display Support	Display Support
Mac/Win Support	Mac/Win Support	Mac/Win Support
Multi-Media Keys	Multi-Media Keys	Multi-Media Keys
USB-C	USB-C	USB-C
USB passthrough	USB passthrough	USB passthrough
Connection	Connection Bluetooth, Wired, Wireless	Connection Bluetooth, Wired, Wireless
Polling Rate	Polling Rate 1000 Hz	Polling Rate 1000 Hz
Battery capacity	Battery capacity 1550 mAh	Battery capacity 4000 mAh
Hall Effect Support	Hall Effect Support	Hall Effect Support
QMK Support	QMK Support	QMK Support
VIA Support	VIA Support	VIA Support
VIAL Support	VIAL Support	VIAL Support
N-Key Rollover	N-Key Rollover	N-Key Rollover
Rapid Trigger	Rapid Trigger	Rapid Trigger
Mount Style	Mount Style Tray Mount	Mount Style Tray Mount
Screw in Stabilizers	Screw in Stabilizers	Screw in Stabilizers
Sound Dampening	Sound Dampening	Sound Dampening
Backlight	Backlight Rgb, South-face, White, North-face	Backlight Rgb, White, South-face, White South-face
Case Colors	Case Colors	Case Colors
Case Material	Case Material Aluminum, Plastic, ABS	Case Material Plastic, ABS
Keycaps Material	Keycaps Material ABS, PBT	Keycaps Material PBT, ABS
Dimensions	Dimensions 15 x 306 x 116 mm	Dimensions 31 x 391 x 139 mm
Weight	Weight 525g	Weight 1280g

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Pros and Trade-offs

If you prioritize a compact, lightweight keyboard for travel or gaming, the K3 Pro with its low profile and slim design is the better fit. If you need a numpad for office work or content creation and prefer a sturdier build with sound dampening, the K4 Pro is the clear choice. Both are excellent programmable keyboards with QMK/VIA support, so your decision should hinge on layout size and portability.

Keychron K3 Pro

+Ultra-slim low profile body with Gateron low-profile switches for a reduced typing height
+Compact 75% layout with a 930g weight, easy to carry for travel
+Three level adjustable typing angle for ergonomic wrist support
+Hot-swappable low-profile Gateron switches without soldering
+Available with both shine-through ABS and double-shot PBT keycap options

−Only compatible with Gateron low-profile mechanical switches, limiting switch choices
−Plastic plate material may feel less rigid compared to a steel plate
−Smaller 1550mAh battery requires more frequent charging than the K4 Pro
−7 customer reviews indicate a lower sample size for reliability feedback

Keychron K4 Pro

+Full 96% layout with a dedicated numpad for productivity tasks
+Steel plate and sound dampening foam with a silicone bottom pad for a quieter and more solid typing feel
+Screw-in PCB stabilizers reduce wobble on larger keys like space bar and enter
+Larger 4000mAh battery supports extended wireless use
+Accepts a wide range of 3pin and 5pin MX style switches for maximum customization

−Heavier at 1280g and larger footprint (391 x 139 mm), less portable
−Normal profile design lacks the slim ergonomics of the K3 Pro
−Some early reports of PCB defects on first-run units (e.g., numpad zero key issue)
−Double-shot PBT keycaps are non-shine-through, reducing RGB legibility

Which Keyboard Is Better for Your Needs?

For gaming and travel, the K3 Pro wins due to its lighter weight and compact low-profile design. The K4 Pro takes the lead for office and content creation thanks to its numpad, sound dampening, and larger battery. Programming is a tie as both offer the same QMK/VIA programmability and hot-swap capabilities. Modders will prefer the K4 Pro for its sturdier steel plate and pre-installed foam.

GamingKeychron K3 Pro

•1000 Hz polling rate on wired mode for low latency
•Lighter 930g weight makes it easier to transport to LAN events
•Low profile design may suit gamers who prefer a shallow key travel

OfficeKeychron K4 Pro

•96% layout with a dedicated numpad speeds up data entry
•Sound dampening with silicone bottom pad and steel plate for a quieter typing experience
•Larger 4000mAh battery reduces charging frequency

ProgrammingTie

•Both offer QMK and VIA support for full key remapping and macros
•Both provide hot-swappable switches for customizing feel
•K3 Pro has a more compact layout saving desk space; K4 Pro provides a numpad which some developers prefer

TravelKeychron K3 Pro

•Weighs 930g, significantly lighter than the 1280g K4 Pro
•Compact 75% dimensions (306 x 116 mm) fit easily in a bag
•Ultra-slim low profile design is 31% slimmer than normal profile switches

ModdingKeychron K4 Pro

•Steel plate and screw-in PCB stabilizers provide a sturdier modding foundation
•Sound dampening foam and silicone bottom pad included from the factory
•Accepts almost all 3pin and 5pin MX style switches, offering more variety

Content CreationKeychron K4 Pro

•Dedicated numpad is useful for entering numerical values in video timelines or budgets
•OSA profile double-shot PBT keycaps offer oil resistance for long editing sessions
•Larger battery supports longer wireless use without interruption