Keychron Q4 HE vs V4 MaxHall Effect or MX
Choose the Q4 HE for Hall Effect gaming controls and an aluminum body; choose the V4 Max for MX switch compatibility, a barebone option, and lower weight.
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Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron Q4 HE
Hall effect
Build quality in the top 10% of 60% boards under $300.
- Hall Effect switches with adjustable actuation points, Rapid Trigger, and press-depth-based actions.
- Aluminum body and plate with a double-gasket design, acoustic foam, PET film, and Latex.
- Analog Mode provides variable input based on keypress depth.
- 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.
Get the
Keychron V4 Max
Build quality in the top 10% of 60% boards under $100.
- Hot-swap sockets support most 3-pin and 5-pin MX mechanical switches.
- Barebone version is available without switches or keycaps.
- Weighs 645 g in the fully assembled version.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
Get the Q4 HE for Hall Effect gaming features, including adjustable actuation, Rapid Trigger, and Analog Mode, plus its aluminum construction. Get the V4 Max for broad MX switch compatibility, a barebone build option, and a lighter 645 g assembled weight. Both support wireless use and programmable layouts, so prioritize the Q4 HE's magnetic controls or the V4 Max's conventional switch flexibility.
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 Q4 HE
Keychron V4 Max
Hall effect (magnetic)
Yes
No
Adjustable actuation helps in games and not in normal typing
Rapid trigger
Yes
No
Faster resets help in games and not in normal typing
Case material
Aluminum
ABS, Plastic
Switch options
Clicky, Linear, Magnetic, Tactile
Clicky, Linear, Tactile
Mount style
Gasket Mount, Plate Mount
Gasket Mount
- Keychron Q4 HE
- Keychron V4 Max
- Performance
- 9178
- Build quality
- 8586
- Productivity
- 9495
- Customizability
- 9196
- Portability
- 9088
- Layout size: 60%
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Battery: 4,000 mAh
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Knob
What will you mostly use it for?
The Q4 HE is the clearer gaming pick for buyers who want adjustable Hall Effect actuation, Rapid Trigger, or analog input. The V4 Max makes more sense for travel and switch experimentation, thanks to its lower weight and broad MX switch support. Office and programming are closer calls because both offer wireless connectivity and programmable layouts, while their distinct mounting and switch designs may guide personal preference. For content creation, the Q4 HE's press-depth features provide a specific option beyond conventional mechanical input.
Pick the Keychron Q4 HE
- Hall Effect switches support adjustable actuation points and Rapid Trigger.
- The Q4 HE offers dynamic keystrokes with up to four actions assigned to a key based on press depth.
- Both list a 1000 Hz polling rate in 2.4 GHz and wired modes.
Keychron Q4 HE vs V4 Max specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
11 of 28 specs differ
Keychron Q4 HE
Keychron V4 Max
Switch options
Hall effect (magnetic)
Rapid trigger
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
Display
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
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Keychron Q4 HE vs V4 Max: your questions
The Q4 HE is the more feature-specific gaming choice, with Hall Effect switches, adjustable actuation, Rapid Trigger, and Analog Mode. Both list a 1000 Hz polling rate in wired and 2.4 GHz modes.
The Q4 HE uses Hall Effect Gateron double-rail magnetic switches. The V4 Max uses conventional mechanical switches and supports most 3-pin and 5-pin MX switches.
No, the Q4 HE is for compatible Gateron double-rail magnetic switches and does not support standard MX switches. Keychron also says it does not support some other magnetic switch models, including Gateron Magnetic Jade and KS-20.
Keychron says the V4 Max supports most 3-pin and 5-pin MX mechanical switches, and names Cherry MX as an example. Its barebone version is offered without switches or keycaps.
The fully assembled V4 Max weighs 645 g, while the Q4 HE weighs 1415 g. Both use a 60% layout, but the V4 Max is the lighter choice for carrying.
Both keyboards list Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity, as well as wired USB-C. Their product descriptions also specify a 1000 Hz polling rate over 2.4 GHz and wired modes.
Both list QMK and VIA support. Keychron also describes using its Launcher web app for remapping keys and setting macros.
The V4 Max supports most 3-pin and 5-pin MX mechanical switches, with Gateron, Cherry MX, and Kailh among the examples Keychron gives. The Q4 HE is restricted to compatible Gateron double-rail magnetic switches.
Both product descriptions specify non-shine-through PBT keycaps, and both use south-facing RGB LEDs. The compatibility notes warn that shine-through legends stay dark and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
The Q4 HE has an aluminum body and plate, plus a double-gasket design and acoustic foam, PET film, and Latex. The V4 Max has an ABS plastic body, a polycarbonate plate, and a gasket mount.
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