Keychron K4 V3 vs K5 Max96% vs 100% Low Profile
Choose the K4 V3 for deep customization and a traditional typing feel, or the K5 Max for its ultra-slim profile and 2.4 GHz wireless.
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5.0 (4)5.0 · 4 reviews
from$94at Keychron
4.6 (13)4.6 · 13 reviews
from$94at Keychron
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K4 V3
96%
Build quality in the top 5% of 96% boards under $100.
- Larger 4000mAh battery provides extended wireless use.
- Uses standard MX-style switches and keycaps for wide aftermarket compatibility.
- Includes layers of sound dampening foam (IXPE, EPDM, PET) and screw-in steel stabilizers for a solid acoustic profile.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
- 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 design with an aluminum frame makes it a stylish and portable full-size board.
- Offers a 2.4 GHz wireless connection with a 1000 Hz polling rate for competitive gaming.
- Low-profile Gateron switches provide a unique typing feel that's closer to a laptop but with mechanical tactility.
- 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-CH. The other board is sold in those layouts.
The Keychron K4 V3 is the better choice if you prioritize heavy customization, a traditional keyboard feel, and longer battery life. Opt for the K5 Max if you need an ultra-slim keyboard for travel or want a stable 2.4 GHz wireless connection for work or gaming. Your choice ultimately hinges on whether you prefer a deep, moddable board or a sleek, low-profile desk companion.
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 V3
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
Aluminum, Plastic
ABS, Aluminum
- Keychron K4 V3
- Keychron K5 Max
- Performance
- 8281
- Build quality
- 8781
- 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 K5 Max takes the lead in gaming and travel thanks to its dedicated 2.4 GHz wireless dongle and ultra-slim design. For office work and modding, the K4 V3 is the stronger choice due to its larger battery, traditional MX-style switch support, and extensive sound-dampening foam. For programming and content creation, the two are evenly matched as both offer full programmability and platform support, leaving the final decision to personal preference on layout size and switch type.
Pick the Keychron K5 Max
- Features a dedicated 2.4 GHz wireless connection for a stable and responsive connection, which is not available on the K4 V3.
- Has a 1000 Hz polling rate on both 2.4 GHz and wired modes.
- Low-profile switches can offer faster actuation for some users.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron K4 V3
4 owner reviews
“I am overall extremely impressed with this keyboard! I upgraded from a Corsair K70 Luxe that I had for many years, and this feels like miles better of an experience. I am impressed how good the Banana switches are, they are a little more tactile than the…”
Keychron K5 Max
13 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…”
“I would give this product a higher rating if the key caps were shine through. I saw that ither versions of the K5 QMK (non max) all had shine through key caps and foolishly assumed this keyboard would too. The MAX branding makes one think that you are getting…”
Keychron K4 V3 vs K5 Max specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
12 of 27 specs differ
Keychron K4 V3
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 V3
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-CH
In stockShips 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.
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Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.
Keychron K4 V3 vs K5 Max: your questions
The Keychron K4 V3 has a more compact 96% layout, so it is shorter in width. The K5 Max has a full 100% layout but is much thinner and lighter at 720g, making it better suited for slipping into a bag.
The K4 V3 has a significantly larger 4000mAh battery compared to the K5 Max's 2000mAh battery. This means the K4 V3 can last longer between charges, especially with the backlight turned off.
The K5 Max is generally better for gaming because it features a dedicated 2.4 GHz wireless connection, which is more stable and has lower latency than Bluetooth. Both keyboards have a 1000 Hz polling rate in wired mode.
Yes, both keyboards fully support QMK and VIA, allowing you to remap any key, create macros, and change shortcuts through the Keychron Launcher web app on Windows, macOS, and Linux. The K4 V3 has a higher customizability score due to its standard MX-style switch compatibility.
The K5 Max comes with double-shot PBT keycaps, but some user reviews note that the keycaps are not shine-through. The K4 V3 offers both RGB and white backlight versions, and its RGB version uses north-facing LEDs that work well with shine-through keycaps.
The K4 V3 features a plastic case but includes sound-dampening foams and screw-in steel stabilizers. The K5 Max has an ABS and aluminum frame, giving it a more premium and ultra-slim feel. The choice depends on whether you prefer a solid high-profile board or a sleek metal one.
The K5 Max is only compatible with Gateron low-profile mechanical switches and Keychron low-profile mechanical switches. It does not support standard MX switches or any optical switches.
Yes, the K5 Max is good for programming because it supports full key remapping via QMK and VIA, and its low-profile Gateron switches offer a comfortable typing feel. However, its ultra-slim design and lower typing angle (3 degrees) may require an adjustment period for some users.
No, the K4 V3 does not have a 2.4 GHz connection. It connects wirelessly via Bluetooth 5.2 or with a USB-C cable. If you require a 2.4 GHz connection for lower latency, the K5 Max is the better option.
Both keyboards are excellent for macOS users. They include keycaps for both Mac and Windows and retain the same multimedia and function keys as Apple keyboards. The K4 V3 is noted for its Mac-compatible layout and tactile feedback.
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