Keychron K4 Pro vs K4 UltraQMK or 8K Polling
Choose the K4 Pro for QMK/VIA and ISO layout options, or the K4 Ultra for 8000 Hz polling and 2.4 GHz connectivity.
KeebFinder may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.
4.7 (7)4.7 · 7 reviews
from$69at Keychron
5.0 (2)5.0 · 2 reviews
from$114at Keychron
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K4 Pro
Build quality in the top 10% of 96% boards under $100.
- QMK and VIA support, with Keychron Launcher for key remapping and macros.
- ANSI and multiple ISO layout variants are listed.
- Hot-swap sockets support almost all 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style switches, according to Keychron.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
Get the
Keychron K4 Ultra
polling rate
Build quality in the bottom 40% of 96% boards under $150.
- 8000 Hz polling rate is listed for wired and 2.4 GHz modes.
- Tri-mode connectivity includes Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and wired.
- Keychron lists up to 600 hours of wireless use with the backlight off.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
Pick the K4 Pro if you want QMK/VIA, a barebone option, or an ISO layout; its 1000 Hz polling rate is lower than the Ultra’s. Choose the K4 Ultra if 8000 Hz polling and 2.4 GHz connectivity matter more, and you are comfortable with an ANSI-only layout. Both retain the 96% format, hot-swap switches, and PBT keycaps.
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 Pro
Keychron K4 Ultra
Connection
Bluetooth, Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Max polling rate
1,000 Hz
8,000 Hz
Higher polling helps competitive FPS and does nothing for typing
Case material
ABS, Plastic
ABS
Mount style
Tray Mount
Plate Mount
Weight
1,280 g
1,241 g
Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel
- Keychron K4 Pro
- Keychron K4 Ultra
- Performance
- 8188
- Build quality
- 8463
- Productivity
- 9587
- Customizability
- 9675
- Portability
- 5457
- Layout size: 96%
- Hot-swappable
- Battery: 4,000 mAh
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- Sound dampening
- Plate material: Steel
What will you mostly use it for?
The K4 Ultra has the clearer advantage for gaming and travel, thanks to its higher polling rate, 2.4 GHz option, and slightly lower listed weight. The K4 Pro is the stronger fit for office use, programming, and hardware customization, particularly for buyers who need an ISO layout or want QMK/VIA. Content creation is a close match because both provide a compact layout with a number pad, media keys, remapping, and macros. The deciding factor is whether you value expanded layout and firmware options or the Ultra’s wireless speed features.
Pick the Keychron K4 Ultra
- The K4 Ultra lists an 8000 Hz polling rate, compared with 1000 Hz for the K4 Pro.
- The K4 Ultra supports 2.4 GHz wireless as well as Bluetooth and wired connections.
- Both models have hot-swappable switches and N-key rollover.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron K4 Pro
7 owner reviews
“I previously had a normal K4 and i love the new one, the only thing is that the stabilizers lube work is kinda bad and the space bar was very rattly but after some lube work the K4 pro retakes the perfect productivity keyboard.”
Keychron K4 Ultra
2 owner reviews
“Quality keyboard. I just wish the indicator lights for caps lock and num lock was brighter. Even tried increasing it on the software but it isn't enough.”
Keychron K4 Pro vs K4 Ultra specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
11 of 26 specs differ
Keychron K4 Pro
Keychron K4 Ultra
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
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 Pro
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW
In stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW
Out of stockDoes not ship to you
Keychron K4 Ultra
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
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 Pro vs K4 Ultra: your questions
The K4 Pro supports QMK and VIA and is offered in multiple ISO layouts as well as ANSI. The K4 Ultra adds 2.4 GHz connectivity and an 8000 Hz polling rate, but its listed layout is ANSI.
The K4 Ultra is listed at 8000 Hz for wired and 2.4 GHz modes. The K4 Pro is listed at 1000 Hz.
Yes, the K4 Pro is listed in ANSI and several ISO variants, including UK, German, Nordic, French, and Spanish. The K4 Ultra is listed as ANSI only.
Yes, the K4 Ultra supports 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth, and wired connectivity. The K4 Pro is listed with Bluetooth and wired connectivity, but not 2.4 GHz.
Yes, both models are listed as hot-swappable. Keychron says the K4 Pro supports almost all 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style switches, while the K4 Ultra vendor description confirms switch replacement without soldering.
The K4 Pro lists QMK and VIA support, and Keychron describes using Launcher for remapping keys and creating macros. The K4 Ultra uses ZMK firmware with Keychron Launcher.
Both models are listed with a 4000 mAh battery. Keychron specifies up to 600 hours for the K4 Ultra with the backlight off, while the K4 Pro listing does not give an equivalent runtime figure.
The K4 Ultra is listed at 1241 g, while the K4 Pro is listed at 1280 g. Both are 96% keyboards with a numeric keypad.
Both have south-facing LEDs, and their compatibility notes warn that shine-through legends stay dark. The notes also warn that some sculpted keycaps can clip the LEDs.
Both product listings identify Mac and Windows support. The vendor descriptions also say the keyboards work with macOS and Windows, and both include dedicated keycaps for those systems.
Both listings include sound dampening and a steel plate. The K4 Pro vendor description names sound-absorbing foam and a thick silicone bottom pad, while the K4 Ultra description names EVA, IXPE, and EPDM foam, PET film, and a silicone bottom pad.
Both are 96% layouts, and Keychron describes the K4 Ultra as retaining a numeric keypad. The K4 Pro is also listed as a 96% keyboard with multi-media keys.
Not sold on either?
Still torn?
Answer a few quick questions and the keyboard finder ranks 2,000+ boards by how you will actually use yours.