Keychron K4 HE vs V3 MaxMagnetic vs MX switches
Choose the K4 HE for magnetic-switch gaming and a numpad, or the V3 Max for broader MX-switch customization in a TKL layout.
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4.0 (11)4.0 · 11 reviews
from$118at MK
3.3 (8)3.3 · 8 reviews
from$150at Keychron (DE)
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K4 HE
Magnetic
Build quality in the top 10% of 96% boards under $150.
- Magnetic switches support adjustable actuation and Rapid Trigger.
- Vendor-listed gaming features include Dynamic Keystrokes, Analog Mode, Snap Click and Last Key Priority.
- The 96% layout includes a numpad while keeping a compact full-size arrangement.
- 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 V3 Max
MX switches
Build quality in the top 10% of 80% boards under $200.
- Hot-swappable sockets support most 3-pin and 5-pin MX mechanical switches.
- Gasket mount and a polycarbonate plate are designed to provide a softer, quieter typing feel.
- The 80% layout includes a knob option and multi-media keys.
- 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 K4 HE if adjustable magnetic actuation, Rapid Trigger and a numpad are the priorities. Choose the V3 Max if you want a TKL layout with broader MX switch compatibility, a barebone option and a knob. Both offer QMK support and wireless connectivity, so the main decision is specialized magnetic input versus conventional switch flexibility.
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 V3 Max
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, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Case material
ABS, Aluminum, Plastic, Wood
ABS, Plastic
- Keychron K4 HE
- Keychron V3 Max
- Performance
- 9282
- Build quality
- 8786
- Productivity
- 9498
- 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 has the clearer edge for gaming, thanks to its magnetic input features, and may appeal to numeric-entry workflows because it includes a numpad. The V3 Max is the more flexible choice for conventional switch swapping and weighs less for travel. Office use is a close call: the K4 HE has the numpad, while the V3 Max offers a knob and a smaller TKL layout. For content creation, choose based on whether a numpad and magnetic key actions or a knob and media controls better match your workflow.
Pick the Keychron K4 HE
- The K4 HE has magnetic switches with adjustable actuation and Rapid Trigger.
- Its vendor description also lists Dynamic Keystrokes, Analog Mode and Last Key Priority.
- Both keyboards list 1000 Hz polling over 2.4 GHz and wired connections.
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 V3 Max
8 owner reviews
“This keyboard has been great. My first keyboard I've ever had. I had faulty switch, but you guys just gave me a whole new keyboard. Thanks a lot! -Mack”
“Stopped working in wired mode after a couple months. 2.4 connectivity spotty. I regret buying this keyboard”
Keychron K4 HE vs V3 Max 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 V3 Max
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 V3 Max
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW
Out of stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, 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.
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Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.
Keychron K4 HE vs V3 Max: your questions
The K4 HE is the more gaming-focused choice in this comparison because its magnetic switches support adjustable actuation and Rapid Trigger. Keychron also lists Dynamic Keystrokes, Analog Mode and Last Key Priority for the K4 HE.
Yes. The vendor lists adjustable actuation for its magnetic switches, with switch-specific ranges. The K4 HE also supports Rapid Trigger.
No. The K4 HE's magnetic switch sockets do not fit standard MX switches. Keychron also says the supported magnetic switch type depends on the K4 HE version.
The V3 Max supports most 3-pin and 5-pin MX mechanical switches, according to Keychron. Fully assembled versions are offered with Gateron Jupiter switches, and a barebone option is also listed.
The Keychron K4 HE has a numpad in its 96% layout. The V3 Max is an 80% TKL keyboard and does not have a numpad.
The V3 Max weighs 895 g, while the K4 HE is listed at 1090 g. Both support wireless connectivity and have a 4000 mAh battery.
Both list Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz and wired connectivity. Both also list a 4000 mAh battery and 1000 Hz polling over 2.4 GHz and wired connections.
The V3 Max is the more flexible option for switch changes because it supports most 3-pin and 5-pin MX mechanical switches. The K4 HE accepts magnetic switches, with compatibility limited by the version's switch type.
The V3 Max is listed with a knob option, and its feature list also includes multi-media keys. Check the selected version when buying, since the vendor distinguishes fully assembled and barebone configurations.
Both list QMK and VIA support, and Keychron describes its Launcher web app for remapping keys and creating macros. Keychron says the Launcher requires a wired connection when configuring the keyboard.
The K4 HE has north-facing LEDs, and its compatibility rules warn that Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing. The V3 Max has south-facing LEDs, which Keychron says are designed to avoid interference with OEM or Cherry-profile alternatives, though its compatibility rules caution that some sculpted keycaps may clip the LED.
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