Keychron K3 Pro vs K4 ProLow Profile vs Full Layout
Choose the K3 Pro if portability and a low-profile design matter most; pick the K4 Pro if you need a numpad and a full featured layout with a steel plate.
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Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K3 Pro
Low Profile
Build quality in the top 15% of 75% boards under $100.
- 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
- Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps will not fit.
- 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.
- No numpad.
Get the
Keychron K4 Pro
Full Layout
Build quality in the top 10% of 96% boards under $100.
- 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
- 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 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.
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 Pro
Keychron K4 Pro
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, Aluminum, Plastic
ABS, Plastic
Mount style
Plate Mount, Tray Mount
Tray Mount
- Keychron K3 Pro
- Keychron K4 Pro
- Performance
- 8182
- Build quality
- 8184
- Productivity
- 8095
- Customizability
- 8896
- Portability
- 7754
- Connection: Bluetooth, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- QMK
- VIA
What will you mostly use it for?
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.
Pick the Keychron 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
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron K3 Pro
54 owner reviews
“For anyone buying this, remember to toggle the switch to the correct operating system. Other than that, the feel is good and it comes with a good feature set for a low price”
“I was happy at the beginning but after few months of use I'm getting more and more frustrated. Keyboard just hangs sometimes and I'm not able to connect with BT. I use it to operate two laptops and using Fn+1 anf Fn+2 combination is great... when it works…”
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 Pro vs K4 Pro specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
11 of 27 specs differ
Keychron K3 Pro
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 Pro
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW
Out of stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW
Out of 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 Pro vs K4 Pro: your questions
Both are excellent for programming because they support QMK and VIA for full key remapping and macros. The K3 Pro offers a more compact layout that saves desk space, while the K4 Pro includes a numpad that some developers prefer for quick number entry. The choice depends on whether you value a smaller footprint or a dedicated numpad.
Yes, the K3 Pro is fully compatible with Mac and comes with keycaps for both macOS and Windows. The vendor notes that it includes the same multimedia and function key functions as Apple keyboards for Mac users. You can also configure different keymaps for each operating system using the Keychron Launcher web app.
Yes, the K4 Pro uses a steel plate, which provides a sturdier typing feel and more responsive feedback. This is in contrast to the K3 Pro, which uses a plastic plate. The steel plate also contributes to the K4 Pro's higher weight of 1280g.
The K4 Pro has a larger 4000mAh battery, while the K3 Pro has a 1550mAh battery. The vendor does not specify exact battery life in days, but the larger capacity in the K4 Pro will generally support longer use between charges. The K3 Pro's lower capacity is a trade-off for its slim and lightweight design.
It depends on which version you buy. The K3 Pro ABS keycaps version is shine-through and designed for backlight visibility. The PBT version features double-shot PBT keycaps which are non-shine-through. Both versions have south-facing RGB LEDs that illuminate from the typist's angle.
The K4 Pro is generally better for modding because it comes with a steel plate, screw-in PCB stabilizers, and sound dampening foam. It also accepts almost all 3pin and 5pin MX style switches, giving you more switch options. The K3 Pro is limited to Gateron low-profile mechanical switches only.
Yes, the K4 Pro supports Bluetooth 5.1 and can connect to up to 3 devices wirelessly. It also supports a wired USB Type-C connection. The vendor describes it as a solution for multitasking across a laptop, phone, and tablet.
The K3 Pro offers a 1000 Hz polling rate on wired mode, which the vendor says is engineered for competitive gaming and makes latency hardly noticeable. Its lighter weight and low profile design may also appeal to gamers who prefer a compact setup. However, it only accepts Gateron low-profile switches, so switch choices are limited.
The K3 Pro is a 75% layout measuring 306 x 116 mm and weighing 930g. The K4 Pro is a 96% layout with a numpad, measuring 391 x 139 mm and weighing 1280g. The K3 Pro is significantly more compact and lighter, making it better for travel.
Both keyboards support QMK firmware and can be customized using the Keychron Launcher web app. The vendor states that you can program each key or create macro commands through the web app. The keyboards need to be connected via wired mode to use the launcher with Chrome, Opera, or Edge browsers.
Yes, the vendor states that the K4 Pro includes added sound-absorbing foam and a thick silicone dampening bottom pad. These are designed to provide a more peaceful typing sound. The K3 Pro does not mention sound dampening in its vendor description.
The K4 Pro has a higher build quality score based on metadata, and its steel plate and screw-in stabilizers contribute to a solid feel. The K3 Pro uses a plastic plate and a thinner aluminum case, but it is designed to be ultra-slim. Reviews for the K3 Pro note that it feels well built for a low-profile keyboard.
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