Keychron Q3 Max vs Q4 HETKL Layout or Hall Effect
Choose the Q4 HE for magnetic-switch gaming controls, or the Q3 Max for its larger 80% layout and wider mechanical-switch flexibility.
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4.8 (12)4.8 · 12 reviews
from$209at Keychron
5.0 (2)5.0 · 2 reviews
from$219at MK
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron Q3 Max
Build quality in the top 5% of 80% boards under $300.
- 80% layout with ANSI and multiple ISO layout options.
- Hot-swappable support for 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style mechanical switches.
- Vendor describes a double-gasket design, polycarbonate plate, and IXPE, PET, and Latex acoustic materials.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- No numpad.
Get the
Keychron Q4 HE
Hall effect
Build quality in the top 10% of 60% boards under $300.
- Hall Effect switches support adjustable actuation from 0.2 to 3.8 mm and Rapid Trigger.
- Dynamic Keystrokes allow up to four actions to be assigned to a key.
- At 1415 g and 303 mm long, it is lighter and shorter than the Q3 Max.
- Magnetic switches only. Standard MX switches will not fit.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
- Compact layout only. No function row, dedicated arrow keys, or numpad.
Choose the Q4 HE if adjustable magnetic-switch actuation and Rapid Trigger are priorities, or if you want the smaller, lighter board. Pick the Q3 Max if you need an 80% layout, ISO options, or broader MX-style mechanical switch compatibility. Both offer QMK, a knob, and wireless connectivity, so the switch type and layout should decide it.
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 Q3 Max
Keychron Q4 HE
Layout size
80%
60%
Hall effect (magnetic)
No
Yes
Adjustable actuation helps in games and not in normal typing
Rapid trigger
No
Yes
Faster resets help in games and not in normal typing
Switch options
Clicky, Linear, Tactile
Clicky, Linear, Magnetic, Tactile
Weight
2,045 g
1,415 g
Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel
- Keychron Q3 Max
- Keychron Q4 HE
- Performance
- 8091
- Build quality
- 8885
- Productivity
- 9694
- Customizability
- 9890
- Portability
- 7790
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Battery: 4,000 mAh
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Case material: Aluminum
- Mount style: Gasket Mount, Plate Mount
What will you mostly use it for?
The Q4 HE is the clearer gaming pick for buyers who want magnetic-switch actuation controls, while both models share the same listed polling rate in 2.4 GHz and wired modes. The Q3 Max suits buyers who prefer a larger layout, ISO options, or broader mechanical-switch changes. The Q4 HE is smaller and lighter, which makes it the more manageable option to carry, though neither is especially light. For office and creative workflows, choose based on whether you value more keys or a smaller footprint.
Pick the Keychron Q4 HE
- The Q4 HE has Hall Effect magnetic switches with adjustable actuation from 0.2 to 3.8 mm.
- Its Rapid Trigger and Dynamic Keystrokes support up to four actions assigned to a key.
- Both keyboards list 1000 Hz polling in 2.4 GHz and wired modes.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron Q3 Max
12 owner reviews
“I’ve never used a keychron keyboard before and am disappointed i hadnt learned about it sooner! The keys are solid and the keyboard works better than expected.”
Keychron Q4 HE
2 owner reviews
Keychron Q3 Max vs Q4 HE specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
11 of 29 specs differ
Keychron Q3 Max
Keychron Q4 HE
Switch options
Hall effect (magnetic)
Rapid trigger
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 Q3 Max
Input Gear
ISO-DE
Out of stockShips to you
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic
Out of stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK
In stockDoes not ship to you
Keychron Q4 HE
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
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 Q3 Max vs Q4 HE: your questions
The Q3 Max is an 80% keyboard with standard mechanical switch options and several listed ISO layouts. The Q4 HE is a 60% keyboard with Hall Effect magnetic switches, adjustable actuation, and Rapid Trigger.
The Q4 HE has gaming-specific magnetic-switch features, including Rapid Trigger and adjustable actuation from 0.2 to 3.8 mm. Both keyboards list 1000 Hz polling in 2.4 GHz and wired modes, so the Q4 HE's main distinction is its switch control.
Rapid Trigger is listed for the Q4 HE, not the Q3 Max. The Q3 Max uses hot-swappable mechanical switches, including Gateron Jupiter options in the vendor listing.
Both models are listed as hot-swappable, but they support different switch types. The Q3 Max supports 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style mechanical switches, while the Q4 HE supports compatible Gateron double-rail magnetic switches.
Keychron says the Q4 HE is compatible with Gateron Double-Rail Magnetic switches only. Its product listing specifically excludes Gateron Magnetic Jade and Gateron KS-20 Magnetic switches.
The Q3 Max has an 80% layout, while the Q4 HE has a 60% layout. The Q3 Max also lists ANSI and several ISO options, whereas the Q4 HE is listed as ANSI.
The Q4 HE measures 33 x 121 x 303 mm and weighs 1415 g in the metadata. The Q3 Max measures 33 x 137 x 365 mm and weighs 2045 g, making the Q4 HE the smaller and lighter of the two.
Both product descriptions list Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and wired connectivity. The Q3 Max vendor description specifies Bluetooth connection to up to three devices, and the Q4 HE vendor description also lists up to three.
Keychron lists the Q3 Max for up to 180 hours with the backlight off and up to 100 hours with RGB at the lowest brightness. The Q4 HE is listed for up to 100 hours with the backlight off.
Both list QMK firmware and the Keychron Launcher web app for remapping keys and creating macros. The Q4 HE also lists adjustment of magnetic-switch actuation points in Launcher.
The Q3 Max has a polycarbonate plate, while the Q4 HE has an aluminum plate. Both have aluminum cases and gasket-mount construction.
The Q3 Max supports hot-swappable 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style mechanical switches, so it offers broader standard mechanical switch options. The Q4 HE's hot-swap compatibility is restricted to Gateron double-rail magnetic switches.
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