Keychron K4 Pro vs K5 Max96% vs 100% Low Profile
Pick the K4 Pro for a compact layout and extensive modding options, or the K5 Max for a thinner low-profile feel and 2.4 GHz wireless.
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4.7 (7)4.7 · 7 reviews
from$69at Keychron
4.1 (16)4.1 · 16 reviews
from$94at Keychron
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K4 Pro
96%
Build quality in the top 10% of 96% boards under $100.
- Large 4000mAh battery offers extended wireless use.
- Steel plate and sound-dampening foam improve typing feel and acoustics.
- Screw-in PCB stabilizers reduce wobble on big keys.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- Compact full-size layout. The numpad is present, the gaps of a full-size board are not.
Get the
Keychron K5 Max
100% Low Profile
Build quality in the top 15% of 100% boards under $100.
- Ultra-slim low-profile design with aluminum frame at 720g.
- 2.4 GHz wireless with 1000 Hz polling rate for low latency.
- Interior IXPE acoustic foam reduces typing noise.
- Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps will not fit.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
- Missing ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW. The other board is sold in those layouts.
Choose the Keychron K4 Pro if you prioritize a compact layout, long battery life, and the ability to swap in any MX mechanical switch for modding. Go with the Keychron K5 Max if you need an ultra-slim design, lighter weight for travel, and 2.4 GHz gaming-grade wireless. The K4 Pro is the better all-rounder for customization and office use, while the K5 Max excels in portability and gaming.
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 K5 Max
Layout size
96%
100%
Connection
Bluetooth, Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Battery
4,000 mAh
2,000 mAh
A larger battery means fewer cables during the day
Low profile
No
Yes
Case material
ABS, Plastic
ABS, Aluminum
- Keychron K4 Pro
- Keychron K5 Max
- Performance
- 8181
- Build quality
- 8481
- Productivity
- 9588
- Customizability
- 9688
- Portability
- 5453
- Hot-swappable
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- QMK
- VIA
- Sound dampening
What will you mostly use it for?
The K4 Pro wins in productivity-focused roles like office work, programming, and content creation, thanks to its compact layout, large battery, and deep customizability. The K5 Max takes the lead in gaming and travel, where its low weight, slim profile, and 2.4 GHz wireless provide clear advantages. For modding, the K4 Pro's steel plate and universal MX switch support make it the better platform. Overall, the K4 Pro is the enthusiast's choice for customization, while the K5 Max targets users who prioritize portability and gaming latency.
Pick the Keychron K5 Max
- Features 2.4 GHz wireless with 1000 Hz polling rate out of the box, suitable for competitive gaming.
- Low-profile design and lighter 720g weight reduce wrist fatigue during long sessions.
- Includes interior acoustic IXPE foam for quieter keystrokes.
- North-facing RGB lights provide brighter backlight for gaming in dim environments.
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 K5 Max
16 owner reviews
“This is by far the best keyboard I've ever had. I did my research with AI defined the one I should get. I'm glad I did this first! I type about a hundred words a minute and do a lot of document creation as well as coding. This keyboard keeps up with me in the…”
“The printing quality of the Hungarian keycaps is very poor. The stroke thickness of the letters varies even within a single keycap—one letter is thick while another is thin. They look ugly. Also, on the internet the "esc" key appears orange, but in reality it…”
Keychron K4 Pro vs K5 Max specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
13 of 27 specs differ
Keychron K4 Pro
Keychron K5 Max
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Low profile
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 K5 Max
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic
In stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK
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 Pro vs K5 Max: your questions
The K4 Pro has a 4000mAh battery, which is double the capacity of the K5 Max's 2000mAh battery. This means the K4 Pro can last longer between charges, making it better for users who work wirelessly all day without frequent recharging.
Yes, the K5 Max features 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity alongside Bluetooth and wired USB-C. The 2.4 GHz mode offers a 1000 Hz polling rate for low latency, which is a key advantage over the K4 Pro which only has Bluetooth and wired options.
No, the K5 Max is limited to Gateron and Keychron low-profile mechanical switches. According to the manufacturer, it does not support standard MX switches or low-profile optical switches. The K4 Pro, on the other hand, is compatible with almost all 3pin and 5pin MX style switches.
The Keychron K4 Pro features a compact 96% layout that saves desk space while retaining the function row and numpad. The Keychron K5 Max has a full 100% layout with 108 keys, offering a standard full-sized keyboard experience in an ultra-slim design.
Yes, both keyboards offer hot-swappable options. The K4 Pro supports nearly all 3pin and 5pin MX switches. The K5 Max's hot-swappable version is limited to Gateron and Keychron low-profile mechanical switches, and it requires the RGB hot-swappable variant.
The K5 Max is better for travel. It weighs 720g compared to the K4 Pro's 1280g, and its ultra-slim low-profile design is easier to pack. Its 2.4 GHz dongle also provides reliable connectivity without relying on Bluetooth in public spaces.
Both keyboards offer three levels of adjustable typing angle, but the K5 Max has a low-profile design that sits closer to the desk. The K4 Pro provides angles of 3, 7, and 10 degrees with standard-height keycaps, which some users may find more familiar for long typing sessions.
Yes, the K4 Pro includes keycaps for both Windows and macOS and supports full remapping via QMK and VIA for both operating systems. The vendor description states it allows easy switching between Mac and PC devices over Bluetooth.
The K4 Pro includes sound-absorbing foam and a thick silicone dampening bottom pad for a quiet typing experience. The K5 Max uses interior IXPE acoustic foam and latex foam for sound absorption. The K4 Pro's multiple foam layers likely provide superior noise reduction.
No, the K5 Max comes with low-profile double-shot PBT keycaps that are not shine-through. One customer review specifically noted the lack of shine-through keycaps as a drawback. The K4 Pro features south-facing RGB with non-shine-through OSA profile PBT keycaps.
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