What is the main difference between the Keychron K4 V2 and V5 Max?

The K4 V2 offers Bluetooth and wired connectivity, while the V5 Max adds 2.4 GHz wireless. The V5 Max also lists QMK/VIA support, a gasket mount, a polycarbonate plate, and a knob option.

Does the Keychron V5 Max have 2.4 GHz wireless?

Yes. The V5 Max supports 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth, and wired USB-C connectivity. Its vendor listing specifies 1000 Hz polling for 2.4 GHz and wired modes.

Which keyboard has longer battery life, the K4 V2 or V5 Max?

Keychron’s K4 V2 listing claims up to 240 hours with the backlight off. The V5 Max listing claims up to 190 hours with the backlight off, so the K4 V2 has the longer stated maximum.

Are the Keychron K4 V2 and V5 Max hot-swappable?

Both models list hot-swappable switch support. The V5 Max vendor description specifies compatibility with most 3-pin and 5-pin MX mechanical switches.

Does the Keychron V5 Max support QMK and VIA?

Yes. The V5 Max metadata lists QMK and VIA support, and Keychron describes using its Launcher web app for key remapping and macros. The K4 V2 listing does not identify QMK or VIA support.

Do the Keychron K4 V2 and V5 Max have a number pad?

Both use a 96% layout, and Keychron describes the K4 V2 as retaining a full number pad. The V5 Max is also listed as a 96% keyboard.

Which keyboard is better for gaming, the K4 V2 or V5 Max?

The V5 Max has the more clearly specified wireless gaming option, with 2.4 GHz connectivity and 1000 Hz polling listed for that mode. The K4 V2 listing includes wired 1000 Hz polling, but does not list 2.4 GHz.

What keycaps come with the K4 V2 and V5 Max?

The K4 V2 is listed with ABS keycaps. The assembled V5 Max includes double-shot PBT OSA keycaps, which Keychron describes as non-shine-through.

Does the Keychron V5 Max have a knob?

The V5 Max vendor listing offers a fully assembled knob version and a barebone knob version. The K4 V2 feature list does not include a knob.

Are the Keychron K4 V2 and V5 Max compatible with Mac and Windows?

Both product listings identify Mac and Windows support. The V5 Max vendor description also lists Linux compatibility and includes Mac and Windows keycaps in the assembled version.

Which keyboard is smaller, the K4 V2 or V5 Max?

The K4 V2 vendor lists its plastic-frame dimensions as 371 x 124 x 38 mm. The V5 Max listing gives dimensions of 391.5 x 148.7 mm, making the listed K4 V2 plastic-frame footprint smaller.

Compare Keychron K4 V2 vs V5 Max Differences Side by Side

Both Keychron models use a 96% layout with a number pad, hot-swappable switch options, wired USB-C, and a 4000 mAh battery. The K4 V2 vendor listing claims up to 240 hours with the backlight off, while the V5 Max listing claims up to 190 hours and adds 2.4 GHz wireless. The V5 Max also brings QMK/VIA support, a gasket mount, a polycarbonate plate, and a knob option. This comparison is for buyers weighing battery claims and straightforward connectivity against customization and extra wireless options.

Model
	69	97	Select a keyboard to compare
Rating	4.7 stars (2530 reviews)	4.8 stars (12 reviews)
Purchase Options
Main differences	Released in 2020 Built with the ISO-DE, ISO, ISO-UK, ANSI, JIS, ISO-Nordic, ISO-ES layout standard Uses a Tray Mount mounting style Supports Bluetooth, Wired, Wireless connectivity Made with a ABS, Aluminum, Plastic case Features ABS keycaps Offers Yes, Rgb, White, North-face, Rgb North-face, White North-face RGB lighting	Released in 2023 Built with the ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, ISO-UK, ISO, ANSI layout standard Comes with a knob Supports QMK firmware Supports VIA configuration Features N-key rollover Includes screw-in stabilizers Has built-in sound dampening Uses a Gasket Mount mounting style Supports Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless connectivity Weighs about 925 g Sized at 22 x 149 x 392 mm Made with a ABS, Plastic case Features PBT, ABS keycaps Offers Yes, Rgb, South-face, Rgb South-face RGB lighting
Score	Scores Performance: 64.1 Build Quality: 70 Productivity: 66.9 Customizability: 69.6 Portability: 54.7	Scores Performance: 83.2 Build Quality: 86.3 Productivity: 97.4 Customizability: 98 Portability: 52.9
Name	Name Keychron K4 V2	Name Keychron V5 Max
Release year	Release year 2020	Release year 2023
Switch Options	Switch Options Linear, Tactile, Clicky	Switch Options Linear, Tactile, Clicky
Profile	Profile Normal Profile	Profile Normal Profile
Hot Swappable	Hot Swappable	Hot Swappable
Layout Size	Layout Size 96%	Layout Size 96%
Layout Standard	Layout Standard ISO-DE, ISO, ISO-UK, ANSI, JIS, ISO-Nordic, ISO-ES	Layout Standard ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, ISO-UK, ISO, ANSI
Layout Ergonomics	Layout Ergonomics Normal	Layout Ergonomics Normal
Knob Support	Knob Support	Knob Support
Display Support	Display Support	Display Support
Mac/Win Support	Mac/Win Support	Mac/Win Support
Multi-Media Keys	Multi-Media Keys	Multi-Media Keys
USB-C	USB-C	USB-C
USB passthrough	USB passthrough	USB passthrough
Connection	Connection Bluetooth, Wired, Wireless	Connection Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless
Polling Rate	Polling Rate 1000 Hz	Polling Rate 1000 Hz
Battery capacity	Battery capacity 4000 mAh	Battery capacity 4000 mAh
Hall Effect Support	Hall Effect Support	Hall Effect Support
QMK Support	QMK Support	QMK Support
VIA Support	VIA Support	VIA Support
VIAL Support	VIAL Support	VIAL Support
N-Key Rollover	N-Key Rollover	N-Key Rollover
Rapid Trigger	Rapid Trigger	Rapid Trigger
Mount Style	Mount Style Tray Mount	Mount Style Gasket Mount
Screw in Stabilizers	Screw in Stabilizers	Screw in Stabilizers
Sound Dampening	Sound Dampening	Sound Dampening
Backlight	Backlight Rgb, White, North-face	Backlight Rgb, South-face
Case Colors	Case Colors	Case Colors
Case Material	Case Material ABS, Aluminum, Plastic	Case Material ABS, Plastic
Keycaps Material	Keycaps Material ABS	Keycaps Material PBT, ABS
Dimensions	Dimensions -	Dimensions 22 x 149 x 392 mm
Weight	Weight -	Weight 925g

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Pros and Trade-offs

Pick the V5 Max if 2.4 GHz connectivity, QMK/VIA customization, a gasket mount, or the knob option matters most. Choose the K4 V2 if the vendor’s longer backlight-off battery claim and its smaller plastic-frame dimensions better match your needs. Check the K4 V2 version carefully, since its frame and switch options affect the configuration.

Keychron K4 V2

+96% layout with a number pad and multimedia keys.
+Bluetooth, wired USB-C, and a vendor-listed ability to connect to up to three Bluetooth devices.
+Hot-swappable switch option, with vendor-listed Gateron G Pro Red, Blue, and Brown switches.
+Vendor claims up to 240 hours of typing with the backlight off.
+Vendor lists both plastic and aluminum-frame versions.

−No 2.4 GHz wireless option is listed.
−The listing identifies ABS keycaps, while the V5 Max comes with double-shot PBT keycaps in its assembled version.
−The vendor listing gives different dimensions and weights for its plastic and aluminum-frame versions, so the exact footprint depends on the selected version.

Keychron V5 Max

+Offers 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth, and wired USB-C connectivity, with 1000 Hz polling listed for 2.4 GHz and wired modes.
+QMK/VIA support and Keychron Launcher are described for key remapping and macros.
+Gasket mount and polycarbonate plate are specified, with the vendor describing sound-absorbing foam.
+Fully assembled version includes double-shot PBT keycaps and Gateron Jupiter switches; a barebone option is also listed.
+Includes a knob option, screw-in stabilizers, and N-key rollover for wired and wireless modes.

−The vendor claims up to 190 hours with backlighting off, less than the K4 V2 vendor claim of up to 240 hours.
−The assembled version weighs 925 g, and its listed dimensions are larger than the K4 V2 plastic-frame dimensions.
−The assembled keycaps are described as non-shine-through PBT, which may not suit buyers seeking illuminated legends.

Which Keyboard Is Better for Your Needs?

The V5 Max has the clearer edge for gaming over 2.4 GHz, programming, modding, and configurable content-creation controls. Office use is close because both keep a number pad in a 96% layout and offer wired and Bluetooth connectivity. The K4 V2 has the stronger stated battery-life claim and a smaller listed footprint for its plastic-frame version. Neither model is especially distinct for carrying based on the available weight details, since only the K4 V2’s frame-dependent weights are supplied and the V5 Max is listed at 925 g.

GamingKeychron V5 Max

•The V5 Max supports 2.4 GHz wireless as well as wired connectivity, both listed at 1000 Hz polling.
•It also has Bluetooth and N-key rollover in wired and wireless modes.

OfficeTie

•Both are 96% layouts with a number pad, multimedia keys, USB-C, and Mac/Windows support.
•The K4 V2 vendor listing claims up to 240 hours with backlighting off; the V5 Max lists up to 190 hours.

ProgrammingKeychron V5 Max

•The V5 Max supports QMK and VIA, with the vendor describing key remapping and macros through Keychron Launcher.
•Its listing names Windows, macOS, and Linux compatibility.

TravelKeychron K4 V2

•The K4 V2 vendor listing gives a smaller plastic-frame footprint of 371 x 124 x 38 mm; the V5 Max listing gives 391.5 x 148.7 mm dimensions.
•The K4 V2 listing claims up to 240 hours with backlighting off, compared with up to 190 hours for the V5 Max.

ModdingKeychron V5 Max

•The V5 Max supports QMK/VIA and hot-swappable switches, with vendor-described 3-pin and 5-pin MX switch support.
•Its vendor listing describes an assembled or barebone option, a gasket mount, and screw-in stabilizers.

Content CreationKeychron V5 Max