Keychron K4 HE vs Q5Magnetic vs Full Metal 96% Showdown
Choose the K4 HE for cutting-edge magnetic switch gaming features, or the Q5 for a superior build and deep customization at a lower price.
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4.0 (11)4.0 · 11 reviews
from$118at MK
4.8 (17)4.8 · 17 reviews
from$119at Keychron
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K4 HE
Magnetic
Build quality in the top 10% of 96% boards under $150.
- Magnetic switches with adjustable actuation (0.2-3.8 mm) and Rapid Trigger for gaming.
- Tri-mode connectivity: 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth, and wired for flexible setup.
- Large 4000 mAh battery for long wireless sessions.
- Magnetic switches only. Standard MX switches will not fit.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
Get the
Keychron Q5
Full Metal 96% Showdown
Build quality in the top 5% of 96% boards under $150.
- Full CNC machined 6063 aluminum body provides exceptional build quality.
- Double gasket mount design for a superior, cushioned typing feel.
- Available as a barebone kit and supports standard 3 and 5 pin MX switches.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- Missing ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-CH. The other board is sold in those layouts.
Your choice hinges on your primary activity. If competitive gaming with cutting-edge features like adjustable actuation and rapid trigger is your priority, the K4 HE is the clear pick. If you value an unmatched typing experience, a premium full metal build, and deep customizability through a barebone kit at a lower price, the Q5 is the superior option.
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 Q5
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
Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Case material
ABS, Aluminum, Plastic, Wood
Aluminum
Switch options
Clicky, Linear, Magnetic, Tactile
Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- Keychron K4 HE
- Keychron Q5
- Performance
- 9272
- Build quality
- 8789
- Productivity
- 9497
- Customizability
- 8998
- Portability
- 5646
- Layout size: 96%
- Hot-swappable
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- QMK
- VIA
- Sound dampening
What will you mostly use it for?
For pure gaming performance, the K4 HE's magnetic switches and rapid trigger features make it the clear winner. However, the Q5 takes the lead in programming, modding, and content creation due to its superior aluminum build, double gasket mount, and programmable knob. For office use, they tie, as both offer similar layouts and software support, though the K4 HE adds wireless convenience. Travel is firmly in the K4 HE's court thanks to its lighter weight and wireless options.
Pick the Keychron K4 HE
- Features Hall Effect magnetic switches with adjustable actuation points from 0.2 to 3.8 mm.
- Offers Rapid Trigger, Snap Click, and Last Key Priority for competitive gaming responsiveness.
- Supports analog mode for variable input control in racing and sports games.
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 Q5
17 owner reviews
“I really like this keyboard. I have a couple of Q1s, and I like this layout better. The key caps on the silver gray model look terrific.”
Keychron K4 HE vs Q5 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 Q5
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 Q5
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW
In stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, 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 K4 HE vs Q5: your questions
The Keychron Q5 has a superior build quality. It features a full CNC machined 6063 aluminum body, while the K4 HE uses a combination of an aluminum top frame and an ABS plastic bottom case.
Yes, the K4 HE supports a 2.4 GHz wireless connection which boasts a 1000 Hz polling rate, making it suitable for competitive gaming. It also offers Bluetooth 5.2 for connecting to up to three devices.
Yes, the Q5 is hot-swappable. Its PCB supports both 3-pin and 5-pin MX mechanical switches, allowing you to change switches without soldering.
The K4 HE includes magnetic switches with adjustable actuation points between 0.2 and 3.8 mm, along with features like Rapid Trigger, Snap Click, Last Key Priority (LKP), and analog mode for gamepad-like control.
Yes, the Q5 uses a double gasket mount design. This system places gaskets on the plate and silicone pads between the top and bottom cases to reduce resonance and improve typing sound and flexibility.
Many programmers prefer the Q5 for its solid full aluminum construction and double gasket mount, which provides a stable and comfortable typing platform. Its programmable knob can also be customized for coding shortcuts.
Yes, the K4 HE comes with double-shot PBT keycaps (either OSA or Cherry profile). However, it is only compatible with Gateron double-rail magnetic switches, which may limit some keycap compatibility depending on the switch stem.
The Q5 is available in versions with a knob. The 'Fully Assembled Knob' and 'Barebone ISO Knob' versions include a premium rotary encoder that can be programmed via VIA software.
The Keychron Q5 is significantly heavier at 2310 grams compared to the K4 HE's 1090 grams, making it a more stationary and anchored desk keyboard that won't slide around.
Yes, both the Keychron K4 HE and the Keychron Q5 support QMK firmware and can be customized using the Keychron Launcher web app, which is based on VIA. This allows for full key remapping and macro creation.
The fully assembled version of the Q5 comes with factory pre-lubricated Gateron G Pro switches. Options typically include Gateron G Pro Red (linear) and Gateron G Pro Brown (tactile).
Yes, the K4 HE is built with Mac users in mind but includes a system toggle for Windows compatibility. It also comes with keycaps and the ability to save two different layouts, one for each system.
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