Keychron K4 HE vs Q3 ProMagnetic or Knob
Choose the K4 HE for magnetic-switch gaming features, or the Q3 Pro for its metal TKL build, programmable knob, and broader mechanical-switch customization.
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4.9 (8)4.9 · 8 reviews
from$118at MK
4.8 (24)4.8 · 24 reviews
from$149at Keychron
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K4 HE
Hall effect
Build quality in the top 10% of 96% boards under $150.
- Magnetic switches support adjustable actuation and Rapid Trigger.
- Dynamic Keystrokes can assign up to four actions per key, and the vendor also lists Analog Mode.
- 96% layout with Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and wired connectivity.
- 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 Q3 Pro
Build quality in the top 5% of 80% boards under $150.
- Full CNC-machined aluminum case with gasket mount and a polycarbonate plate.
- Hot-swappable with most 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style mechanical switches, according to Keychron.
- Programmable knob, plus four macro keys on the Special Edition.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- Missing ISO-CH. The other board is sold in those layouts.
- No numpad.
Choose the Keychron K4 HE if adjustable magnetic actuation, Rapid Trigger, or its more compact and lighter body matters most. Choose the Q3 Pro if you want a CNC aluminum gasket-mount build, wider MX-style switch compatibility, or a programmable knob. For creative workflows, check the Q3 Pro Special Edition configuration if the four macro keys are important.
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 Q3 Pro
Layout size
96%
80%
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, Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Case material
ABS, Aluminum, Plastic, Wood
Aluminum
- Keychron K4 HE
- Keychron Q3 Pro
- Performance
- 9281
- Build quality
- 8789
- Productivity
- 9497
- Customizability
- 8998
- Portability
- 5676
- Hot-swappable
- Battery: 4,000 mAh
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- QMK
- VIA
- Sound dampening
What will you mostly use it for?
The K4 HE is the more direct fit for gaming features built around magnetic switches, while the Q3 Pro takes the lead for modding and creative controls. The smaller, lighter K4 HE is the more travel-friendly option based on its listed dimensions and weight. Office use is a closer call, since both offer wireless connectivity and customization, with layout and added controls shaping the choice. For programming, the Q3 Pro’s mechanical switch options and Special Edition controls give it an edge.
Pick the Keychron K4 HE
- The K4 HE has magnetic switches with adjustable actuation and Rapid Trigger.
- Dynamic Keystrokes can assign up to four actions to a key based on press depth.
- The vendor lists Analog Mode, Last Key Priority, and Snap Click gaming features.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron K4 HE
8 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”
Keychron Q3 Pro
24 owner reviews
“I ordered this keyboard for myself and it sounds and feels amazing. I love the clacky feel over the clicky keyboard I had before!”
Keychron K4 HE vs Q3 Pro specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
17 of 29 specs differ
Keychron K4 HE
Keychron Q3 Pro
Switch options
Hall effect (magnetic)
Rapid trigger
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
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 Q3 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-Nordic, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW
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 Q3 Pro: your questions
The K4 HE is the more gaming-focused choice in these two models, with magnetic switches, adjustable actuation, and Rapid Trigger. Its vendor description also lists Analog Mode, Dynamic Keystrokes, Last Key Priority, and Snap Click.
No. The Q3 Pro uses Keychron K Pro mechanical switches, with Red and Banana options listed, or can be purchased barebones. Its hot-swap support is for most 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style mechanical switches.
Yes, the K4 HE is hot-swappable, but its magnetic switch compatibility depends on the version. Keychron says the Gateron Double-Rail version supports only Gateron Double-Rail Magnetic Switches, while the Lime version supports only Keychron Ultra-fast Lime Magnetic Switches.
The Q3 Pro has broader stated switch compatibility, accepting most 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style mechanical switches. The K4 HE uses magnetic switches and supports only the matching magnetic switch type for its version.
Yes, the Q3 Pro has a programmable aluminum knob that can be assigned to commands such as zooming or adjusting volume. Keychron also lists four macro keys on the Q3 Pro Special Edition.
The K4 HE is smaller and lighter by the listed measurements: 373 x 126 mm and 1090 g, compared with the Q3 Pro’s 415 x 144 mm and 2300 g. The Q3 Pro vendor page distinguishes assembled versions, so check the specific configuration before buying.
Both product listings include QMK and VIA support. Keychron describes its Launcher web app for remapping keys and setting macros on both models.
Keychron lists the K4 HE for up to 110 hours and the Q3 Pro for up to 300 hours with backlighting off. The Q3 Pro listing also gives up to 100 hours with RGB at its lowest brightness, and actual battery life can vary.
Both models support Bluetooth and wired USB-C connectivity. The K4 HE also lists 2.4 GHz wireless, while the Q3 Pro product description lists Bluetooth wireless and wired use.
The Q3 Pro has a programmable knob that can control tasks such as zooming, volume, or selecting clips and photos. Its four macro keys are a Special Edition feature, while the K4 HE offers QMK and Launcher customization without a listed knob.
No. The K4 HE uses PBT keycaps, with profile and shine-through details varying by version. The Q3 Pro’s keycaps also vary by version, with the product listing describing ABS shine-through keycaps and the vendor page distinguishing standard and Special Edition options.
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