Keychron K4 HE vs V4Magnetic Gaming vs Compact Modding
Choose the K4 HE for advanced wireless gaming features and a full layout, or the V4 for a compact, wired, and highly moddable entry point.
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4.0 (11)4.0 · 11 reviews
from$118at MK
5.0 (14)5.0 · 14 reviews
from$39at 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 and Rapid Trigger.
- Triple-mode connectivity: 2.4 GHz wireless, Bluetooth, and wired USB-C.
- 96% layout includes a numpad and navigation cluster in a compact form.
- 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 V4
Compact Modding
Build quality in the top 5% of 60% boards under $50.
- Highly affordable entry point for a customizable mechanical keyboard.
- Available as a barebones kit and supports a wide range of 3-pin and 5-pin MX switches.
- Compact 60% layout saves significant desk space.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- Missing ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-FR. The other board is sold in those layouts.
- Compact layout only. No function row, dedicated arrow keys, or numpad.
Your primary need dictates the choice. If you want the latest in switch technology for gaming, need wireless convenience, and prefer a layout with a numpad, the Keychron K4 HE is the justified investment. If your priority is a compact, cost-effective foundation for customization and modding, or you need a highly portable keyboard, the Keychron V4 delivers exceptional value and 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 V4
Layout size
96%
60%
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
ABS, Plastic
- Keychron K4 HE
- Keychron V4
- Performance
- 9268
- Build quality
- 8786
- Productivity
- 9495
- Customizability
- 8998
- Portability
- 5675
- 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 gaming and office productivity, thanks to its magnetic switch features, wireless flexibility, and inclusive 96% layout. The V4 wins for travel due to its compact size and for modding due to its barebones availability and broad switch compatibility. For programming, it's a tie, as both offer deep firmware customization, with the choice boiling down to layout preference versus portability.
Pick the Keychron K4 HE
- The K4 HE features magnetic switches with adjustable actuation points from 0.2 to 3.8 mm and Rapid Trigger support.
- It offers a 1000 Hz polling rate over both wired and 2.4 GHz wireless connections.
- Features like Last Key Priority (LKP) and Analog Mode are listed for enhanced game control.
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 V4
14 owner reviews
“Definitely the best 80 dollar keyboard out right now. Very well lubed and stabbed are tooned well. Unfortunately can't get via to work (VIA isn't accepting the json file)”
Keychron K4 HE vs V4 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 V4
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 V4
Keychron
ISO-DE
In stockShips to you
Input Gear
ISO-DE
Out of stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE
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 V4: your questions
No. According to Keychron, the K4 HE is compatible exclusively with Gateron Double-Rail Magnetic Switches. It does not support other magnetic switches like the Gateron Magnetic Jade or KS-20.
No, the Keychron V4 is a wired-only keyboard. It connects via a USB Type-C cable and does not have Bluetooth or 2.4 GHz wireless capabilities.
The Keychron V4 may have an advantage here. It features south-facing RGB LEDs which, according to its listing, are designed to better illuminate the keyboard from the typist's angle. The K4 HE's Special Edition uses non-shine-through keycaps.
Yes. Both the Keychron K4 HE and V4 support open-source QMK firmware and the VIA configurator, allowing for deep key remapping, macro creation, and layer customization.
Both keyboards have a 1000 Hz polling rate in their wired modes. The K4 HE also maintains 1000 Hz in its 2.4 GHz wireless mode, with a 125 Hz rate over Bluetooth.
The product listing states the V4 has 'Knob Support' as a feature, but the specifications and descriptions do not show a knob included on the standard 60% layout. This suggests the PCB may support a knob in a custom build, but it is not a default feature.
The K4 HE Special Edition includes OSA profile double-shot PBT keycaps, while its Standard Version uses Cherry profile shine-through PBT. The V4 comes with OSA profile double-shot PBT keycaps that are not shine-through.
The Keychron V4 is more beginner-friendly for modding. It is available as a barebones kit, supports a universal range of MX switches, and uses standard screw-in stabilizers. The K4 HE's magnetic switches are a proprietary system with fewer compatible options.
Yes. Both the Keychron K4 HE and V4 list Mac/Win support. They include keycaps for both operating systems and have a system toggle switch to switch between macOS and Windows key mappings.
The main advantages are customizable actuation points (0.2mm to 3.8mm), features like Rapid Trigger and Analog Mode for gaming, and the potential for longer lifespan due to the contactless, hall-effect sensing technology.
The K4 HE uses premium materials like an aluminum and wood case and an aluminum plate. The V4 uses an ABS plastic case and a steel plate, which contributes to its lower cost and lighter weight.
Not sold on either?
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