Keychron K4 V2 vs K5 Max96% vs 100% Low-Profile
Choose the K5 Max for its ultra-slim low-profile design, QMK/VIA customization, and dual wireless connectivity, or the K4 V2 for its larger battery and standard switch compatibility.
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4.8 (1,198)4.8 · 1,198 reviews
from$59at Keychron
90-day lowLowest price in 90 days
4.1 (16)4.1 · 16 reviews
from$94at Keychron
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K4 V2
96%
Build quality in the top 40% of 96% boards under $100.
- Large 4000mAh battery offers up to 240 hours of typing with backlight off
- 96% layout includes a numpad in a more compact footprint
- Compatible with almost all MX style 3-pin and 5-pin mechanical switches
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
- 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 Gateron low-profile switches
- Full QMK and VIA support for extensive key mapping and macros
- Dual wireless connectivity with 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth 5.1
- 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-ES. The other board is sold in those layouts.
The K5 Max is the better choice for users who want a modern low-profile design with full customization through QMK/VIA, improved gaming latency via 2.4 GHz, and a quieter typing experience. The K4 V2 remains a solid, more affordable option if you prefer standard-profile switches, need a longer battery life, and are okay with less firmware flexibility. Your decision should be based on your tolerance for a thinner chassis versus the freedom of standard switch selection.
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 V2
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, Aluminum, Plastic
ABS, Aluminum
- Keychron K4 V2
- Keychron K5 Max
- Performance
- 6381
- Build quality
- 7081
- Productivity
- 6788
- Customizability
- 7088
- Portability
- 5553
- Hot-swappable
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
What will you mostly use it for?
The K5 Max wins in four out of six use cases, largely due to its QMK/VIA support, 2.4 GHz connectivity, and low-profile design. The gaming and programming categories favor its lower latency and customization options. The only tie is in the office category, where the K4 V2's larger battery and standard switch feel compete with the K5 Max's quieter acoustics. The K4 V2 does not win any single category but remains a strong contender for users who prioritize battery life.
Pick the Keychron K5 Max
- Supports 2.4 GHz wireless connection with 1000 Hz polling rate for low-latency gaming
- Includes N-Key Rollover for both wireless and wired modes
- Features an ARM MCU for improved performance
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron K4 V2
1,198 owner reviews
“I'm a do it yourself pc builders and the ketron is perfect. I can do wired for my work Mac and back to windows for my gaming PC. Easy buy, easy typing. Love it.”
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 V2 vs K5 Max specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
14 of 26 specs differ
Keychron K4 V2
Keychron K5 Max
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Low profile
Sound dampening
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 V2
Keychron
ISO-UK
Out of stockShips to you
Keychron
ISO-DE
Out of stockShips to you
Keychron
ISO-Nordic
Out of stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE
Out of stockDoes not ship to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-UK
Out of stockDoes not ship to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-ES
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 V2 vs K5 Max: your questions
The Keychron K4 V2 has a significantly larger 4000mAh battery, offering up to 240 hours of typing with the backlight off. In contrast, the K5 Max has a 2000mAh battery, which will likely require more frequent charging, especially when using RGB lighting.
No, the K5 Max is designed only for Gateron and Keychron low-profile mechanical switches. It is not compatible with standard MX switches due to its low-profile chassis and PCB design, which is a key difference from the K4 V2.
The K4 V2 does not natively support QMK or VIA firmware. This means you cannot remap keys or create macros through these tools, making it less customizable than the K5 Max, which offers full QMK/VIA support.
The K5 Max is better suited for quiet typing as it features interior IXPE acoustic foam and latex foam to dampen keystroke noise. The K4 V2 does not mention similar sound-dampening features in its description.
The K4 V2 uses a compact 96% layout with 100 keys, condensing the numpad into a smaller space. The K5 Max uses a full 100% layout with 108 keys, providing a standard spacing that some users may find more familiar.
The K5 Max is the low-profile option, using Gateron low-profile switches that are 31% slimmer than standard switches. The K4 V2 has a normal height, which may not suit users looking for a flatter typing angle.
Yes, the K5 Max supports USB-C connectivity for wired mode, but it is not explicitly stated if the cable is detachable. Both keyboards include a USB-A to USB Type-C cable in the box.
The K4 V2 uses ABS keycaps, which can be shine-through depending on the model, but the vendor description does not specify. The K5 Max uses double-shot PBT keycaps that are non-backlight shine-through, meaning the legends do not let light pass through.
The K5 Max is better for gaming as it offers a 2.4 GHz wireless connection with a 1000 Hz polling rate and N-Key Rollover. The K4 V2 only has 1000 Hz in wired mode and drops to 90 Hz over Bluetooth.
Yes, the K5 Max includes keycaps for both macOS and Windows, and it has a Mac layout while remaining compatible with Windows. The K4 V2 also includes keycaps for both operating systems.
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