Keychron K4 Max vs V5 Ultra
Choose the K4 Max for the steel plate and QMK firmware, or the V5 Ultra for the 8K polling rate and gasket mount design.
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5.0 (1)5.0 · 1 reviews
from$99at Keychron
3.0 (1)3.0 · 1 reviews
from$119at MK
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K4 Max
Build quality in the top 20% of 96% boards under $100.
- Steel plate provides a firm typing feel and adds weight for stability, as mentioned in the vendor description.
- QMK firmware support offers extensive customization for key mapping and macros.
- Includes three layers of acoustic foam (IXPE, PET, EPDM) for a superior sound and typing experience.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- Missing ISO-ES. The other board is sold in those layouts.
Get the
Keychron V5 Ultra
polling rate
Build quality in the top 15% of 96% boards under $150.
- Gasket mount design with a PC plate reduces acoustic resonance for a softer, quieter typing experience.
- 8000 Hz polling rate in both wired and 2.4 GHz modes for ultra-responsive performance.
- Up to 660 hours of battery life with backlight off, based on the vendor's claim.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
If you value a firm typing feel and want QMK firmware for deep customization, go with the Keychron K4 Max. If you prioritize a faster polling rate for gaming and a quieter, gasket-mounted typing experience, the Keychron V5 Ultra is the better choice. Both are strong options, but your decision should hinge on firmware preference and the feel of the typing plate.
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 Ultra
Max polling rate
1,000 Hz
8,000 Hz
Higher polling helps competitive FPS and does nothing for typing
Case material
ABS
ABS, Metal, Plastic
Mount style
PCB Mount
Gasket Mount
Knob
No
Yes
Weight
1,290 g
983 g
Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel
- Keychron K4 Max
- Keychron V5 Ultra
- Performance
- 8291
- Build quality
- 8083
- Productivity
- 8998
- Customizability
- 9294
- Portability
- 5156
- Layout size: 96%
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Battery: 4,000 mAh
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- QMK
What will you mostly use it for?
For gaming, the V5 Ultra's 8000 Hz polling rate gives it a clear edge in responsiveness. In office and content creation use cases, both keyboards perform similarly due to their shared layout and software features. Programmers may prefer the K4 Max for its QMK firmware, while travelers and modders will favor the V5 Ultra for its lighter weight and gasket mount design.
Pick the Keychron V5 Ultra
- The V5 Ultra supports an 8000 Hz polling rate in both wired and 2.4 GHz wireless modes for lower latency.
- The gasket mount and PC plate provide a softer, quieter typing experience that can reduce fatigue during long sessions.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron K4 Max
1 owner reviews
Keychron V5 Ultra
1 owner reviews
“Hi Keychron team, I wanted to share some feedback regarding your new Ultra line of keyboards. While the backlighting is present, the legends on most of your keyboards are not properly illuminated. I don’t quite understand the point of this design—these…”
Keychron K4 Max vs V5 Ultra 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 Ultra
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
ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
Keychron K4 Max
Keychron
ISO
In stockShips to you
Keychron V5 Ultra
Keychron (DE)
ISO-ES
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 Max vs V5 Ultra: your questions
The Keychron V5 Ultra supports an 8000 Hz polling rate in both wired and 2.4 GHz wireless modes, while the Keychron K4 Max has a 1000 Hz polling rate. This makes the V5 Ultra more responsive for competitive gaming.
Yes, both the Keychron K4 Max and Keychron V5 Ultra are hot-swappable. They support almost all 3-pin and 5-pin MX style mechanical switches, allowing you to change switches without soldering.
The Keychron K4 Max uses QMK open-source firmware, while the Keychron V5 Ultra uses ZMK firmware. Both keyboards are configurable through the Keychron Launcher web app.
The Keychron K4 Max does not feature a knob in its standard specifications, but it does include multi-media keys. The Keychron V5 Ultra comes with knob support, as listed in its extra features.
The Keychron V5 Ultra is lighter at 983 grams compared to the Keychron K4 Max at 1290 grams. The V5 Ultra also offers up to 660 hours of battery life with the backlight off, making it more convenient for travel.
The Keychron K4 Max uses a steel plate, while the Keychron V5 Ultra uses a polycarbonate (PC) plate. The steel plate provides a firmer feel, while the PC plate contributes to a softer, more flexible typing experience.
Yes, the Keychron V5 Ultra features per-key RGB and Mix RGB options, allowing you to customize individual key colors or split the keyboard into two lighting zones. It also includes over 22 RGB backlight settings.
The Keychron V5 Ultra claims up to 660 hours of battery life with the backlight off, based on vendor information. The Keychron K4 Max has a 4000mAh battery, but its battery life is not explicitly stated in hours.
Both keyboards come with OSA profile double-shot PBT keycaps that include keycaps for both Windows and macOS. This provides excellent oil resistance and durable legends.
The Keychron V5 Ultra is often preferred for modding due to its gasket mount design and multiple layers of acoustic foam including EPDM and PET film. This offers more options for tuning the sound and feel of the keyboard.
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