Keychron K4 HE vs V5 MaxHall Effect vs Gasket Mount 96%
Choose the K4 HE for advanced magnetic switch features and a metal build, or the V5 Max for a softer gasket-mounted typing feel and broader switch compatibility.
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4.2 · 10 reviews
from$118at MK
4.8 · 5 reviews
from$99at MK
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K4 HE
Hall Effect
Build quality in the top 10% of 96% boards under $150.
- Uses Gateron Double-Rail magnetic switches with TMR sensors for precise, contactless actuation.
- Allows per-key actuation point adjustment from 0.2mm to 3.8mm with 0.1mm sensitivity.
- Includes premium materials like an aluminum plate and, in Special Edition, an aluminum and wood frame.
- Magnetic switches only. Standard MX switches will not fit.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
Get the
Keychron V5 Max
Gasket Mount 96%
Build quality in the top 10% of 96% boards under $100.
- Features a gasket mount design with a polycarbonate plate for a potentially softer typing feel.
- Hot-swappable PCB supports a wide array of standard 3-pin and 5-pin MX mechanical switches.
- Includes a multimedia knob and has magnetic storage for both Type-C and Type-A wireless receivers.
- 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.
Your priority dictates the choice. If you want the ultimate in switch customization for gaming performance, with features like adjustable actuation and rapid trigger, the Keychron K4 HE is the specialized tool. If you prefer a more traditional, comfortable typing experience with extensive modding potential via gasket mount and standard switch compatibility, the Keychron V5 Max offers greater flexibility and value. Consider the V5 Max if its included knob and lighter weight are significant benefits for your workflow.
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 V5 Max
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
Switch options
Clicky, Linear, Magnetic, Tactile
Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- Keychron K4 HE
- Keychron V5 Max
- Performance
- 9283
- Build quality
- 8786
- Productivity
- 9497
- Customizability
- 8998
- Portability
- 5653
- Layout size: 96%
- Hot-swappable
- Battery: 4,000 mAh
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- QMK
- VIA
What will you mostly use it for?
The K4 HE is the clear choice for gamers seeking cutting-edge magnetic switch features like adjustable actuation and rapid trigger. For typists, programmers, and modders, the V5 Max's gasket mount, broader switch compatibility, and included knob offer more traditional customization and comfort. Both are equally capable for office use, while the V5 Max has slight advantages for travel and content creation due to its weight, receiver storage, and multimedia knob.
Pick the Keychron K4 HE
- Features adjustable actuation points from 0.2 to 3.8 mm for per-key sensitivity tuning.
- Includes gaming-specific features like Rapid Trigger and Last Key Priority (LKP).
- Offers Analog Mode for variable input, similar to a game controller.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron K4 HE
10 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 V5 Max
5 owner reviews
“The keys feel smooth and easy as you type. It's probably the best keyboard I've used. I've had a number of mechanical keyboards, but, none of them can compare to the v5 max. The feel of the thing while typing, is hard to not constantly repeat.”
Keychron K4 HE vs V5 Max specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
16 of 29 specs differ
Keychron K4 HE
Keychron V5 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 V5 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
Out of 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 V5 Max: your questions
No. According to Keychron, the K4 HE is compatible exclusively with Gateron Double-Rail magnetic switches. It does not support standard mechanical switches or other magnetic switch types.
Yes. The V5 Max lists 'Knob Support' as an extra feature and is sold in 'Fully Assembled Knob' and 'Barebone Knob' configurations, indicating it includes a programmable multimedia knob.
They cater to different preferences. The V5 Max uses a gasket mount design with a polycarbonate plate, which typically reduces acoustic resonance for a softer, quieter sound. The K4 HE uses a tray mount with an aluminum plate and includes EVA foam, EPDM foam, and a silicone pad for sound dampening, aiming for a thocky sound.
Yes. Both the Keychron K4 HE and V5 Max list Mac/Win support. They include a system toggle and extra keycaps for both operating systems, allowing you to save a separate layout for each.
Based on manufacturer claims, the V5 Max has a longer stated wireless working time of up to 190 hours with backlight off, compared to the K4 HE's claim of up to 110 hours. Both use a 4000mAh battery.
Yes. Both keyboards support QMK and VIA firmware, allowing for extensive key remapping, macro creation, and layer programming through the Keychron Launcher web app or compatible software.
The K4 HE uses north-facing LEDs, which can cause interference with Cherry profile keycaps. The V5 Max uses south-facing LEDs, which avoid this interference and are better for illuminating keyboards from the typist's angle with non-shine-through keycaps.
Yes. The V5 Max is offered in a 'Barebone Knob' version, which includes the case, PCB, plate, and stabilizers, but not switches or keycaps, allowing for complete personalization.
The vendor descriptions do not indicate that a wrist rest is included in the box. However, Keychron sells separate resin and silicone palm rests that are compatible with the K4/K4 HE size.
The V5 Max is lighter (925g vs 1090g) and has a lower front height. It also includes built-in magnetic storage for its wireless receivers, making it slightly more travel-friendly than the K4 HE.
Both keyboards offer a 1000 Hz polling rate in their 2.4 GHz wireless mode and wired mode. The K4 HE uses 125 Hz in Bluetooth mode, while the V5 Max uses 90 Hz in Bluetooth mode.
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