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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 7, 2026

Keychron K4 HE vs K4 HE

This is a comparison of a single product, the Keychron K4 HE, highlighting its versatile features for different users.

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Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Keychron K4 HE

Build quality in the top 10% of 96% boards under $150.

If you want

  • Advanced magnetic switches with adjustable actuation points (0.2-3.8mm) and Rapid Trigger.
  • High level of customization via QMK/VIA firmware and a hot-swappable PCB.
  • Triple connectivity with 2.4 GHz (1000 Hz), Bluetooth, and wired USB-C.

Rules this board out

  • Magnetic switches only. Standard MX switches will not fit.
  • North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.

Get the

Keychron K4 HE

Build quality in the top 10% of 96% boards under $150.

If you want

  • Advanced magnetic switches with adjustable actuation points (0.2-3.8mm) and Rapid Trigger.
  • High level of customization via QMK/VIA firmware and a hot-swappable PCB.
  • Triple connectivity with 2.4 GHz (1000 Hz), Bluetooth, and wired USB-C.

Rules this board out

  • Magnetic switches only. Standard MX switches will not fit.
  • North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.

Bottom line

The Keychron K4 HE is a single, highly capable keyboard designed for users who want cutting-edge magnetic switch features in a space-efficient package. Choose it if you value deep customization, gaming performance with Rapid Trigger, and a numpad without a full-size footprint. Consider other options if you require maximum portability or want to use a wide variety of standard mechanical switches.

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.

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Keychron K4 HE
  • Keychron K4 HE
Performance
92
92
Build quality
87
87
Productivity
94
94
Customizability
89
89
Portability
56
56

What they share

  • Layout size: 96%
  • Hall effect (magnetic)
  • Rapid trigger
  • Connection: Bluetooth, Wired, 2.4 GHz
  • Hot-swappable
  • Battery: 4,000 mAh
See every spec side by side

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

The Keychron K4 HE is a strong all-rounder, particularly excelling in gaming and productivity due to its magnetic switch features and compact layout. Its programmability makes it a standout for programming and content creation. While its feature set is excellent for modding, its switch compatibility is limited to a specific magnetic type. Its weight and size make it less ideal for frequent travel compared to smaller keyboards.

For gaming

Pick the Keychron K4 HE

  • Features adjustable actuation points from 0.2 to 3.8mm for per-key sensitivity tuning.
  • Includes gaming-oriented features like Rapid Trigger, Analog Mode, and Last Key Priority (LKP).
  • Offers a 1000 Hz polling rate in both wired and 2.4 GHz wireless modes for low latency.

From real owners

What owners say

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

Keychron K4 HE

4.0

11 owner reviews

Praise
“So far it have met my expectations for the use i wanted it for, had a small hic up the first day i started ysing it but got easily resolved with the provided user manual”
PabloVerified buyer· via Keychron
Critique
“The keyboard is smooth to the touch, and has the nice feel. For me, it's almost an ideal keyboard but the one thing that gets me and it's a hard issue is that when connected, it takes away input from my controller when I game, especially for live service…”
Vick L.Verified buyer· via Keychron

Keychron K4 HE

4.0

11 owner reviews

Praise
“So far it have met my expectations for the use i wanted it for, had a small hic up the first day i started ysing it but got easily resolved with the provided user manual”
PabloVerified buyer· via Keychron
Critique
“The keyboard is smooth to the touch, and has the nice feel. For me, it's almost an ideal keyboard but the one thing that gets me and it's a hard issue is that when connected, it takes away input from my controller when I game, especially for live service…”
Vick L.Verified buyer· via Keychron

Full specs

Keychron K4 HE vs K4 HE specs

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

0 of 27 specs differ

Keychron K4 HE

Keychron K4 HE

Typing & switches

Switch options

Clicky, Linear, Magnetic, Tactile
Clicky, Linear, Magnetic, Tactile

Hall effect (magnetic)

Yes
Yes

Rapid trigger

Yes
Yes

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Tray Mount
Tray Mount

Sound dampening

Yes
Yes

Screw-in stabilizers

Yes
Yes

Layout

Layout size

96%
96%

Layout standard

ANSI, ISO, ISO-CH, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, ISO-UK
ANSI, ISO, ISO-CH, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, ISO-UK

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Display

None
None

Connectivity & battery

Connection

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

Max polling rate

1,000 Hz
1,000 Hz

Battery

4,000 mAh
4,000 mAh

USB-C

Yes
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

ABS, Aluminum, Plastic, Wood
ABS, Aluminum, Plastic, Wood

Plate material

Aluminum
Aluminum

Keycaps

PBT
PBT

Weight

1,090 g
1,090 g

Dimensions

31 x 126 x 373 mm
31 x 126 x 373 mm

Typing angle

5°, 8°
5°, 8°

Backlight

RGB, north-facing
RGB, north-facing

Firmware & software

QMK

Yes
Yes

VIA

Yes
Yes

N-key rollover

Yes
Yes

Mac & Windows

Yes
Yes

Extras

Released

2025
2025

For EU buyers

ISO layouts by store

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

Keychron K4 HE

  • Keychron

    ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-CH

    In stockShips to you

  • Keychron (DE)

    ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-CH

    In stockDoes not ship to you

Keychron K4 HE

  • Keychron

    ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-CH

    In stockShips to you

  • Keychron (DE)

    ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-CH

    In stockDoes not ship 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 K4 HE vs K4 HE: your questions

The Keychron K4 HE has a 1000 Hz polling rate when used in wired USB-C mode or with the 2.4 GHz wireless dongle. When connected via Bluetooth, the polling rate is 125 Hz.

Yes, the K4 HE has a hot-swappable PCB. However, Keychron states it is compatible exclusively with Gateron double-rail magnetic switches. It does not support other magnetic switches like the Gateron Magnetic Jade, nor standard mechanical switches.

The keyboard is equipped with a 4000mAh rechargeable battery. According to the manufacturer's lab tests, it can provide up to 110 hours of wireless working time, though actual usage may vary.

Yes, the K4 HE is compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux. It includes a system toggle switch and an additional set of keycaps for both Windows and Mac layouts, allowing you to save a separate layout for each system.

The Gateron double-rail magnetic switches offer several features. These include adjustable actuation points from 0.2mm to 3.8mm, Rapid Trigger, Analog Mode, Dynamic Keystrokes for up to 4 actions per key, and Last Key Priority (LKP).

The Special Edition features an aluminum case with natural rosewood accents and OSA profile double-shot PBT keycaps that are not shine-through. The Standard Version has an aluminum frame without wood and uses Cherry profile double-shot shine-through PBT keycaps.

The keyboard runs on open-source QMK firmware and is compatible with VIA for real-time key remapping. Keychron also provides its Launcher web app for configuring features like actuation points, Rapid Trigger, and backlight effects.

According to the vendor description, the keyboard contains multiple layers for sound absorption. This includes 3.5mm thick EVA acoustic foam, EPDM foam, a silicone acoustic pad, and a bottom case PET film to reduce noise and vibration.

The product specifications list plate-mounted stabilizers. The extra features metadata also confirms the keyboard uses screw-in stabilizers.

Yes. The keyboard supports Bluetooth 5.2 and can connect to and switch between up to three different devices. It also includes a 2.4 GHz wireless mode for a dedicated, low-latency connection to a single device.

The vendor description does not list a palm rest in the box. However, Keychron sells separate resin and silicone palm rests that are compatible with the K4 HE as optional accessories.

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