Keychron K4 V2 vs V5 Max
Choose the V5 Max for 2.4 GHz wireless and deeper customization, or the K4 V2 if its longer stated battery life and multi-device Bluetooth better fit your priorities.
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4.8 (1,198)4.8 · 1,198 reviews
from$59at Keychron
90-day lowLowest price in 90 days
4.8 (5)4.8 · 5 reviews
from$99at MK
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K4 V2
Build quality in the top 40% of 96% boards under $100.
- 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.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
- Missing ISO-FR, ISO-SW. The other board is sold in those layouts.
Get the
Keychron V5 Max
Knob
Build quality in the top 10% of 96% boards under $100.
- 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.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
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.
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 V5 Max
Connection
Bluetooth, Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Case material
ABS, Aluminum, Plastic
ABS, Plastic
Mount style
Plate Mount, Tray Mount
Gasket Mount, Plate Mount
Knob
No
Yes
QMK
No
Yes
The deep option when you want to remap every key
- Keychron K4 V2
- Keychron V5 Max
- Performance
- 6383
- Build quality
- 6986
- Productivity
- 6797
- Customizability
- 7098
- Portability
- 5553
- Layout size: 96%
- Hot-swappable
- Battery: 4,000 mAh
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
What will you mostly use it for?
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.
Pick the Keychron 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.
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 V5 Max
5 owner reviews
“The keys feel smooth and easy as you type. It's probably the best keyboard I've used. I've had a number of mechanical keyboards, but, none of them can compare to the v5 max. The feel of the thing while typing, is hard to not constantly repeat.”
Keychron K4 V2 vs V5 Max specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
14 of 27 specs differ
Keychron K4 V2
Keychron V5 Max
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
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 V5 Max
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW
Out of stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW
Out of 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 V2 vs V5 Max: your questions
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.
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.
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.
Both models list hot-swappable switch support. The V5 Max vendor description specifies compatibility with most 3-pin and 5-pin MX mechanical switches.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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