What is the main difference between the Keychron Q3 and Q4?

The main difference is layout size: the Q3 is an 80% TKL board and the Q4 is a 60% board. The Q3 also adds a programmable knob and wider ISO layout coverage, while the Q4 is lighter and uses double-shot OSA PBT keycaps.

Are the Keychron Q3 and Q4 wireless?

No, both keyboards are wired only and connect via USB-C. Neither listing mentions Bluetooth or 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity.

Do the Q3 and Q4 support hot-swappable switches?

Yes, both boards have hot-swappable PCB sockets that support 3 pin and 5 pin MX mechanical switches. You can change switches without soldering on either model.

Which keyboard is better for programming, Q3 or Q4?

The Q3 is generally better for programming because its TKL layout keeps arrow and navigation keys, reducing reliance on layers. It also includes a programmable knob that can be mapped to macros through VIA, which the standard Q4 does not include.

Is the Keychron Q3 good for gaming?

The Q3 lists a 1000 Hz polling rate, which Keychron says makes latency hardly noticeable in competitive games. However, its heavier 2000g aluminum body and larger TKL footprint make it less portable than the Q4.

Does the Keychron Q4 have a knob?

The standard Q4 listing does not include a knob, while the Q3 listing includes a programmable aluminum rotary knob. Both boards support QMK and VIA for remapping if a knob is not present.

What keycaps come with the Q3 and Q4?

The Q3 fully assembled version ships with OSA profile ABS backlight shine-through keycaps. The Q4 fully assembled version ships with double-shot OSA profile PBT keycaps that are not shine-through.

Which keyboard is more portable, Q3 or Q4?

The Q4 is more portable because it is smaller at 121 x 303 mm and lighter at 1500g, compared with 137 x 365 mm and 2000g for the Q3. Both are wired only, so you will need to carry a USB-C cable.

Do the Q3 and Q4 support QMK and VIA?

Yes, both boards list QMK firmware support and compatibility with the Keychron Launcher web app for key remapping and macros. Keychron notes that the Launcher works best in the latest Chrome, Opera, or Edge browser and requires a wired connection.

What ISO layouts are available for the Q3 and Q4?

The Q3 supports ANSI, ISO, JIS, and ISO variants for DE, ES, FR, SW, and UK. The Q4 supports ANSI, ISO, JIS, and ISO variants for DE, Nordic, UK, FR, and ES, but does not list a JIS option.

Are the Q3 and Q4 made of aluminum?

Yes, both use a full CNC machined 6063 aluminum case with a steel plate and a double-gasket design. Keychron states the aluminum undergoes CNC machining, polishing, anodizing, and sandblasting.

Can I buy the Q3 or Q4 as a barebone kit?

Yes, both the Q3 and Q4 are available as barebone kits without keycaps or switches. This lets you choose your own switches and keycaps, and both boards use screw-in PCB stabilizers.

Keychron Q3 vs Q4: TKL or 60% Aluminum Keyboard?

Compare Keychron Q3 vs Q4 Differences Side by Side

This comparison is for buyers choosing between two wired, aluminum, gasket-mount Keychron QMK boards that differ mainly in layout size. The Q3 is an 80% TKL with a programmable knob and wider ISO layout coverage, while the Q4 is a 60% board with OSA profile double-shot PBT keycaps and lower weight. The decision is hard because both share hot-swappable sockets, screw-in stabilizers, south-facing RGB, and similar customization features.

Model
Rating	4.7 stars (321 reviews)	4.8 stars (18 reviews)
Purchase Options
Main differences	Has Linear, Tactile, Clicky, Silent switch options Available in a 80% layout Built with the ANSI, ISO, JIS, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-SW, ISO-UK layout standard Weighs about 2000 g Sized at 20 x 137 x 365 mm	Has Linear, Tactile, Clicky switch options Available in a 60% layout Built with the ANSI, ISO, JIS, ISO-DE, ISO-Nordic, ISO-UK, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW layout standard Weighs about 1500 g Sized at 20 x 121 x 303 mm
Score	Scores Performance: 72 Build Quality: 90.9 Productivity: 97.5 Customizability: 98.1 Portability: 57.2	Scores Performance: 66.4 Build Quality: 89.6 Productivity: 94.9 Customizability: 98.4 Portability: 70.3
Name	Name Keychron Q3	Name Keychron Q4
Release year	Release year 2022	Release year 2022
Switch Options	Switch Options Linear, Tactile, Clicky, Silent	Switch Options Linear, Tactile, Clicky
Profile	Profile Normal Profile	Profile Normal Profile
Hot Swappable	Hot Swappable	Hot Swappable
Layout Size	Layout Size 80%	Layout Size 60%
Layout Standard	Layout Standard ANSI, ISO, JIS, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-SW, ISO-UK	Layout Standard ANSI, ISO, JIS, ISO-DE, ISO-Nordic, ISO-UK, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW
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 Wired, Wired only	Connection Wired, Wired only
Polling Rate	Polling Rate 1000 Hz	Polling Rate 1000 Hz
Battery capacity	Battery capacity -	Battery capacity -
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 Gasket Mount	Mount Style Gasket Mount
Screw in Stabilizers	Screw in Stabilizers	Screw in Stabilizers
Sound Dampening	Sound Dampening	Sound Dampening
Backlight	Backlight Rgb, South-face	Backlight Rgb, South-face
Case Colors	Case Colors	Case Colors
Case Material	Case Material Aluminum	Case Material Aluminum
Keycaps Material	Keycaps Material PBT, ABS	Keycaps Material PBT, ABS
Dimensions	Dimensions 20 x 137 x 365 mm	Dimensions 20 x 121 x 303 mm
Weight	Weight 2000g	Weight 1500g

Keychron Q3 QMK Custom Mechanical Keyboard

Keychron Q4 QMK Custom Mechanical Keyboard

Select a keyboard to compare

4.7 stars (321 reviews)

4.8 stars (18 reviews)

Has Linear, Tactile, Clicky, Silent switch options
Available in a 80% layout
Built with the ANSI, ISO, JIS, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-SW, ISO-UK layout standard
Weighs about 2000 g
Sized at 20 x 137 x 365 mm

Has Linear, Tactile, Clicky switch options
Available in a 60% layout
Built with the ANSI, ISO, JIS, ISO-DE, ISO-Nordic, ISO-UK, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW layout standard
Weighs about 1500 g
Sized at 20 x 121 x 303 mm

Scores

Performance: 72
Build Quality: 90.9
Productivity: 97.5
Customizability: 98.1
Portability: 57.2

Scores

Performance: 66.4
Build Quality: 89.6
Productivity: 94.9
Customizability: 98.4
Portability: 70.3

Name

Keychron Q3

Name

Keychron Q4

Release year

2022

Release year

2022

Switch Options

Linear, Tactile, Clicky, Silent

Switch Options

Linear, Tactile, Clicky

Profile

Normal Profile

Profile

Normal Profile

Hot Swappable

Layout Size

80%

Layout Size

60%

Layout Standard

ANSI, ISO, JIS, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-SW, ISO-UK

Layout Standard

ANSI, ISO, JIS, ISO-DE, ISO-Nordic, ISO-UK, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW

Layout Ergonomics

Normal

Layout Ergonomics

Normal

Knob Support

Display Support

Mac/Win Support

Multi-Media Keys

USB-C

USB passthrough

Connection

Wired, Wired only

Connection

Wired, Wired only

Polling Rate

1000 Hz

Polling Rate

1000 Hz

Battery capacity

Hall Effect Support

QMK Support

VIA Support

VIAL Support

N-Key Rollover

Rapid Trigger

Mount Style

Gasket Mount

Mount Style

Gasket Mount

Screw in Stabilizers

Sound Dampening

Backlight

Rgb, South-face

Backlight

Rgb, South-face

Case Colors

Case Material

Aluminum

Case Material

Aluminum

Keycaps Material

PBT, ABS

Keycaps Material

PBT, ABS

Dimensions

20 x 137 x 365 mm

Dimensions

20 x 121 x 303 mm

Weight

2000g

Weight

1500g

Pros and Trade-offs

Pick the Keychron Q3 if you need a TKL layout with a programmable knob and the widest ISO layout selection for office or programming work. Choose the Keychron Q4 if a lighter, smaller 60% board with OSA PBT keycaps fits your desk and travel needs better. Both share wired connectivity, QMK/VIA support, and hot-swappable aluminum construction, so the layout and knob are the main decision points.

Keychron Q3

+80% TKL layout with dedicated function and navigation keys for office and programming work.
+Programmable aluminum rotary knob that can be customized for macros, zoom, or volume through VIA.
+Wide ISO layout coverage including UK, German, Nordic, Swiss, French, and Spanish versions.
+Full CNC machined aluminum case with double-gasket design and silicone pads for sound dampening.
+Includes OSA profile ABS backlight shine-through keycaps and screw-in PCB stabilizers.

−Wired only, with no wireless connectivity option.
−Weighs 2000g, which makes it heavy to move or carry.
−Uses ABS keycaps in the fully assembled version, which may show shine over time compared with PBT.
−Larger footprint than a 60% board, taking more desk space.

Keychron Q4

+60% layout saves desk space and suits tight setups.
+Double-shot OSA profile PBT keycaps resist oil and legend fading.
+Lighter at 1500g than the Q3, making it easier to reposition or carry.
+Hot-swappable sockets and screw-in stabilizers support switch and stabilizer swaps.
+Full CNC machined aluminum case with double-gasket design and silicone pads.

−Wired only, with no wireless connectivity.
−60% layout omits dedicated arrow and navigation keys, requiring layer use.
−No knob on the standard Q4 listing, unlike the Q3.
−Fewer ISO layout options than the Q3, with no JIS listed.

Which Keyboard Is Better for Your Needs?

The Q3 wins for office and programming because its TKL layout keeps navigation keys and adds a programmable knob. The Q4 is the better pick for travel and gaming due to its smaller footprint and lower weight. Modding is a tie, since both share hot-swap sockets, QMK support, and aluminum gasket-mount construction. Content creation favors the Q3 for its knob and broader ISO options. Neither board offers wireless connectivity.

GamingKeychron Q4

•The Q4 is a 60% layout, which frees desk space for mouse movement during play.
•Both boards list a 1000 Hz polling rate, so latency is comparable on paper.
•The Q4 weighs 1500g versus 2000g on the Q3, making it less burdensome to reposition.
•The Q4 has a 7 degree typing angle versus 5 degrees on the Q3, which some players may prefer.

OfficeKeychron Q3

•The Q3 is an 80% TKL layout, which includes dedicated function and navigation keys for office tasks.
•The Q3 includes a programmable knob for volume, zoom, or macros via VIA.
•The Q3 comes with OSA profile ABS backlight shine-through keycaps for easier visibility in dim light.
•Both boards are wired only, so plan for cable management on a shared desk.

ProgrammingKeychron Q3

•The Q3 TKL layout keeps arrow keys and navigation keys without relying on layers as much as a 60% board.
•QMK and VIA support on the Q3 allow key remapping and macros for development shortcuts.
•The Q3 has a programmable knob that can be mapped to zoom, brush size, or other macros through VIA.
•The Q4 is also QMK/VIA capable, but its 60% layout may require more layer use for navigation.

TravelKeychron Q4

•The Q4 is smaller at 121 x 303 mm versus 137 x 365 mm on the Q3, which fits better in a bag.
•The Q4 weighs 1500g versus 2000g on the Q3, making it easier to carry.
•Neither board offers wireless connectivity, so both need a USB-C cable on the go.

ModdingTie

•Both boards are hot-swappable and support 3 pin and 5 pin MX switches without soldering.
•Both boards use screw-in PCB stabilizers and support third-party stabilizers, including Cherry or Durock on the Q4.
•Both offer QMK firmware and the Keychron Launcher web app for remapping and macros.
•Both are available as barebone kits, and both have a full CNC machined aluminum case with double-gasket design.

Content CreationKeychron Q3

•The Q3 includes a programmable knob that can be set to zoom, brush size, or timeline scrubbing through VIA.
•The Q3 TKL layout provides dedicated keys that can be assigned to editing shortcuts via QMK or VIA.
•The Q3 is available in more ISO layout variants, including UK, German, Nordic, Swiss, French, and Spanish.
•The Q4 has QMK/VIA support too, but lacks a knob on the base listing and uses a 60% layout with fewer physical keys.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)