Keychron K3 V3 vs K4 MaxCompact vs Full Layout Showdown
Choose the K3 V3 for extreme portability with a low-profile design, or the K4 Max for extensive productivity features and a larger battery.
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from$99at Keychron
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K3 V3
Compact
Build quality in the top 10% of 75% boards under $100.
- Ultra-slim low-profile design for enhanced portability.
- Lightweight at only 540 grams.
- Offers a 75% compact layout with a small footprint.
- Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps will not fit.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
- No numpad.
Get the
Keychron K4 Max
Full Layout Showdown
Build quality in the top 20% of 96% boards under $100.
- Full 96% layout includes a number pad for enhanced data entry.
- Larger 4000mAh battery for longer wireless use.
- Offers 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth, and wired connectivity options.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- Missing ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic. The other board is sold in those layouts.
- Compact full-size layout. The numpad is present, the gaps of a full-size board are not.
If your top priority is a keyboard you can easily toss in a bag and use on the go, the Keychron K3 V3 is the clear winner. Its low-profile design and light weight are unmatched in this comparison. However, if you need a dedicated number pad, want the fastest wireless gaming performance with 2.4 GHz, and prefer a longer battery life, the Keychron K4 Max is the better choice for a desktop setup.
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 V3
Keychron K4 Max
Layout size
75%
96%
Connection
Bluetooth, Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, 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
ABS
- Keychron K3 V3
- Keychron K4 Max
- Performance
- 8282
- Build quality
- 8380
- Productivity
- 8089
- Customizability
- 8992
- Portability
- 7751
- Hot-swappable
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- QMK
- VIA
What will you mostly use it for?
The Keychron K4 Max is the stronger choice for gaming and office productivity due to its 2.4 GHz connectivity, dedicated number pad, and acoustic foam. For travel, the K3 V3 wins hands down because of its slim profile and light weight. The two keyboards are evenly matched for programming and modding, as both offer full customization through QMK and VIA. Content creators who value a complete key set and longer battery life will lean toward the K4 Max.
Pick the Keychron K4 Max
- Offers 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity for a stable, low-latency gaming experience.
- Includes a steel plate for added stability and responsive feedback.
- The vendor description states its 2.4 GHz and wired modes have a 1000 Hz polling rate for competitive gaming.
Keychron K3 V3 vs K4 Max specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
16 of 27 specs differ
Keychron K3 V3
Keychron K4 Max
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 V3
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW
In stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-SW
In stockDoes not ship to you
Keychron K4 Max
Keychron
ISO
In stockShips to you
Compare prices
Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.
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Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.
Keychron K3 V3 vs K4 Max: your questions
The Keychron K4 Max is better for gaming because it supports a 2.4 GHz wireless connection with a 1000 Hz polling rate, as stated in the vendor description. The K3 V3 does not have 2.4 GHz, and its wireless mode operates at 90 Hz, making the K4 Max a stronger option for competitive play.
Yes, the Keychron K4 Max features a 96% layout, which includes a dedicated number pad. This is a major advantage over the 75% K3 V3 for users who frequently input numbers or work with spreadsheets.
The Keychron K3 V3 is much more portable. It weighs only 540 grams and has an ultra-slim low-profile design, making it easy to slip into a bag. The K4 Max, by comparison, weighs 1290 grams and has a much larger footprint.
Yes, both keyboards are available in a hot-swappable version that allows you to change switches without soldering. The K4 Max is compatible with most 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style switches, while the K3 V3 is limited to low-profile mechanical switches like Keychron Milk POM or Gateron low-profile switches.
Yes, both the Keychron K3 V3 and the Keychron K4 Max support QMK firmware and can be customized using the Keychron Launcher web app. This allows for key remapping, macro creation, and multiple layers.
The Keychron K4 Max has a significantly larger 4000mAh battery. The Keychron K3 V3 has a 1550mAh battery. This means the K4 Max can last much longer on a single charge, especially when using Bluetooth.
The Keychron K4 Max is designed with enhanced acoustics, featuring multiple layers of foam (IXPE, PET, EPDM) and a steel plate to produce a more refined and quieter sound. The K3 V3 includes acoustic foam as well, but its thinner, low-profile construction will produce a different sound profile.
Yes. The K3 V3 uses a unique LSA profile (low-profile spherical angle) shine-through ABS keycaps. The K4 Max uses an OSA profile (OEM spherical angle) double-shot PBT keycaps, which are more resistant to developing a shiny look over time.
Yes, the K3 V3 supports Bluetooth 5.2 and can connect to up to three devices wirelessly. It does not have a 2.4 GHz wireless connection option, unlike the K4 Max.
The Keychron K4 Max is significantly heavier at 1290 grams, which helps with desk stability but hurts portability. The K3 V3 is much lighter at only 540 grams.
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