Keychron K4 HE vs K5 MaxMagnetic Gaming vs Low-Profile Slim
Choose the K4 HE for advanced magnetic gaming features, or the K5 Max for a slimmer, low-profile typing experience.
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4.0 (11)4.0 · 11 reviews
from$118at MK
4.1 (16)4.1 · 16 reviews
from$94at Keychron
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K4 HE
Magnetic Gaming
Build quality in the top 10% of 96% boards under $150.
- Advanced Gateron Double-Rail magnetic switches with adjustable actuation points (0.2-3.8mm).
- Includes gaming features like Rapid Trigger, Analog Mode, and Dynamic Keystrokes.
- Robust sound dampening with EVA foam, EPDM foam, a silicone pad, and PET film.
- Magnetic switches only. Standard MX switches will not fit.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
- Compact full-size layout. The numpad is present, the gaps of a full-size board are not.
Get the
Keychron K5 Max
Low-Profile Slim
Build quality in the top 15% of 100% boards under $100.
- Ultra-slim low-profile design, with a height of just 18mm.
- Lighter weight at 720g for better portability.
- Full 100% layout includes a numpad and 12 multimedia keys.
- Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps will not fit.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
- Missing ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-CH. The other board is sold in those layouts.
Your primary need dictates the choice. If you want the latest in switch technology for gaming customization and a thocky, mod-friendly build, the Keychron K4 HE is the superior investment. If you prioritize a sleek, modern aesthetic, a slimmer profile for ergonomics or travel, and a full-size layout for data entry, the Keychron K5 Max is the more practical daily driver.
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 K4 HE
Keychron K5 Max
Layout size
96%
100%
Hall effect (magnetic)
Yes
No
Adjustable actuation helps in games and not in normal typing
Rapid trigger
Yes
No
Faster resets help in games and not in normal typing
Connection
Bluetooth, Wired, 2.4 GHz
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Battery
4,000 mAh
2,000 mAh
A larger battery means fewer cables during the day
- Keychron K4 HE
- Keychron K5 Max
- Performance
- 9281
- Build quality
- 8781
- Productivity
- 9488
- Customizability
- 8988
- Portability
- 5653
- Hot-swappable
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- QMK
- VIA
- Sound dampening
What will you mostly use it for?
The K4 HE is the clear choice for gamers and modders, thanks to its magnetic switches and extensive feature set. The K5 Max wins for office use, travel, and content creation, where its slim form factor, full layout, and multimedia keys are advantageous. For programming, both are excellent due to their shared QMK/VIA support, leaving the choice to layout preference.
Pick the Keychron K4 HE
- Features adjustable actuation points from 0.2 to 3.8mm for per-key customization.
- Includes gaming-specific features like Rapid Trigger, Analog Mode, and Last Key Priority.
- Uses magnetic switches with TMR sensors for contactless, low-latency input.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron K4 HE
11 owner reviews
“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”
“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…”
Keychron K5 Max
16 owner reviews
“This is by far the best keyboard I've ever had. I did my research with AI defined the one I should get. I'm glad I did this first! I type about a hundred words a minute and do a lot of document creation as well as coding. This keyboard keeps up with me in the…”
“The printing quality of the Hungarian keycaps is very poor. The stroke thickness of the letters varies even within a single keycap—one letter is thick while another is thin. They look ugly. Also, on the internet the "esc" key appears orange, but in reality it…”
Keychron K4 HE vs K5 Max specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
18 of 29 specs differ
Keychron K4 HE
Keychron K5 Max
Switch options
Hall effect (magnetic)
Rapid trigger
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 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 K5 Max
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic
In stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK
In 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 K4 HE vs K5 Max: your questions
The K4 HE uses Gateron Double-Rail magnetic switches, which are contactless and allow for adjustable actuation points. The K5 Max uses standard low-profile Gateron mechanical switches (linear, tactile, or clicky), which are physically slimmer but lack the programmability of magnetic sensors.
No. The Keychron K4 HE product listing states it is compatible exclusively with Gateron Double-Rail Magnetic Switches. It does not support other magnetic switches or standard mechanical switches.
Yes, the K5 Max is designed for typing with its low-profile switches, LSA keycap profile, and a low 3-degree typing angle. User reviews mention a satisfying and quiet typing experience suitable for office environments.
The K4 HE has a larger 4000mAh battery, while the K5 Max has a 2000mAh battery. Based on the specifications, the K4 HE should offer longer wireless operating time between charges.
Yes. Both the Keychron K4 HE and K5 Max include keycaps for both macOS and Windows layouts and have a system toggle switch. Their vendor descriptions confirm compatibility with Mac, Windows, and Linux.
Yes. Both keyboards feature north-facing RGB LEDs and can be customized through the Keychron Launcher web app. The K5 Max also offers a white-backlight-only version.
The Keychron K5 Max is more portable. It is significantly lighter (720g vs 1090g) and much thinner (18mm height vs 41mm height) than the K4 HE, making it easier to carry in a bag.
Hot-swappable means you can change the switches without soldering. However, each board has restrictions: the K4 HE only works with Gateron Double-Rail magnetic switches, and the K5 Max only works with Gateron or Keychron low-profile mechanical switches.
Yes. The Keychron K5 Max has a 100% layout, which includes a full numpad. The K4 HE has a 96% layout, which integrates the numpad into a condensed format near the arrow keys.
The K4 HE includes 3.5mm EVA acoustic foam, EPDM foam, a silicone pad, and bottom case PET film. The K5 Max uses IXPE acoustic foam and latex foam for sound dampening and switch support.
Yes. Both the Keychron K4 HE and K5 Max support open-source QMK firmware and the VIA configuration software for extensive key remapping and macro creation.
The Keychron K4 HE is better suited for competitive gaming. Its magnetic switches offer features like Rapid Trigger, adjustable actuation points, and Analog Mode, which are designed to provide a latency and customization advantage in fast-paced games.
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