Keychron K4 Max vs V5 MaxGasket Mount vs Steel Plate 96% Keyboards
Choose the V5 Max for a softer, mod-friendly gasket mount experience, or the K4 Max for a more rigid, traditional feel with a heavier steel plate.
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K4 Max
Gasket Mount
- Features a rigid steel plate for a more traditional, responsive typing feedback.
- Heavier build (1290g) may enhance desk stability.
- Includes multiple layers of acoustic foam (IXPE, PET, EPDM) according to the vendor description.
- Substantially heavier at 1290g, making it less portable.
- Uses a traditional PCB mount style instead of a gasket mount.
- Lacks the magnetic receiver storage slot found on the V5 Max.
Get the
Keychron V5 Max
Steel Plate 96% Keyboards
- Gasket mount design with a polycarbonate plate for a softer, more flexible typing feel.
- Lighter weight (925g) improves portability.
- Includes a magnetic storage slot for its dual (Type-C and Type-A) 2.4 GHz receivers.
- ABS plastic case may feel less premium than metal alternatives to some users.
- The listed keycap material includes ABS, which may show shine over time compared to full PBT sets.
- The vendor description for the fully assembled version specifies Gateron Jupiter switches, offering less initial switch variety than the K4 Max's listed Keychron Super switches.
Select the Keychron V5 Max if you prioritize a modern, softer typing feel from its gasket mount design, want a lighter keyboard, or plan to build from a barebones kit. Opt for the Keychron K4 Max if you prefer the stable, definitive feedback of a steel plate, appreciate a heavier build, and value its specific acoustic foam layers. Both are excellent, highly customizable 96% keyboards where the mounting style is the decisive factor.
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 Max
Keychron V5 Max
Case material
ABS
ABS, Plastic
Mount style
PCB Mount
Gasket Mount, Plate Mount
Knob
No
Yes
Weight
1,290 g
925 g
Layout standard
ANSI, ISO
ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, ISO-UK
- Keychron K4 Max
- Keychron V5 Max
- Performance
- 8283
- Build quality
- 8186
- Productivity
- 9097
- Customizability
- 9298
- Portability
- 5153
- Layout size: 96%
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Battery: 4,000 mAh
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
What will you mostly use it for?
The V5 Max holds slight advantages for modders, travelers, and content creators due to its gasket mount design, lighter weight, barebones option, and knob support. For gaming, office work, and programming, the keyboards are evenly matched, sharing critical features like programmability, connectivity, and the efficient 96% layout. The core differentiator remains the typing feel dictated by their mounting systems.
It's a tie
- Both offer a 1000 Hz polling rate in 2.4 GHz and wired modes for low latency.
- Both feature N-key rollover and south-facing RGB.
- The K4 Max's heavier steel plate may offer more stability, while the V5 Max's gasket mount may provide a softer, quieter experience.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron K4 Max
1 owner reviews
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 Max vs V5 Max specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
11 of 27 specs differ
Keychron K4 Max
Keychron V5 Max
Switch options
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
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Keychron K4 Max vs V5 Max: your questions
The primary difference is the mounting style and plate material. The V5 Max uses a gasket mount design with a polycarbonate plate for a softer, more flexible feel. The K4 Max uses a traditional PCB mount with a rigid steel plate for a more direct and stable typing response.
The V5 Max is designed for a quieter experience. Its gasket mount and polycarbonate plate are intended to reduce acoustic resonance. The K4 Max vendor description also mentions multiple sound-dampening foam layers, but its steel plate may produce a sharper sound signature.
Yes, both the Keychron K4 Max and V5 Max feature hot-swappable sockets. They support both 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style mechanical switches, allowing you to change switches without soldering.
Yes, both keyboards are compatible with macOS and Windows. Each includes a system toggle switch and an additional set of keycaps tailored for each operating system.
Both keyboards are equipped with a 4000mAh rechargeable battery. The V5 Max vendor page specifies up to 190 hours with backlighting off and up to 100 hours with RGB at its lowest brightness, based on lab tests.
The Keychron V5 Max product listing includes 'Knob Support' and 'Fully Assembled Knob' as a configuration option. The K4 Max listing does not mention a knob or knob support.
Yes, both keyboards are fully programmable. They support open-source QMK firmware and can be configured using the Keychron Launcher web app for key remapping, macros, and shortcuts.
Yes, the Keychron V5 Max is available in a 'Barebone Knob' version. This kit includes the case, PCB, plate, and stabilizers, but does not include switches or keycaps, allowing for complete customization.
Both keyboards come with OSA profile keycaps, which the vendor describes as having OEM height with an SA-like spherical shape. The keycaps on the fully assembled versions are double-shot PBT.
The Keychron V5 Max has a dedicated magnetic storage slot on the top right corner of the keyboard for its dual 2.4 GHz receivers. The K4 Max product information does not mention a built-in storage solution for its dongle.
The fully assembled K4 Max comes with Keychron Super switches (Red, Brown, or Banana). The fully assembled V5 Max comes with Gateron Jupiter switches (Red, Brown, or Banana). Both are pre-lubed according to their respective vendor pages.
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