Keychron Q4 vs V4: Aluminum vs Plastic 60% Keyboard Comparison

Compare Keychron Q4 vs V4 Differences Side by Side

This comparison is for buyers deciding between Keychron's two 60% custom mechanical keyboards. The choice is difficult because both share core features like QMK/VIA support, hot-swappable PCBs, and screw-in stabilizers. The primary trade-off is the Q4's full aluminum CNC case and double-gasket mount against the V4's more affordable plastic case and tray mount design, making it a decision of material quality versus value.

Model
Rating	4.8 stars (18 reviews)	5.0 stars (18 reviews)
Purchase Options
Main differences	Built with the ANSI, ISO, JIS, ISO-DE, ISO-Nordic, ISO-UK, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW layout standard Uses a Gasket Mount mounting style Weighs about 1500 g Sized at 20 x 121 x 303 mm Made with a Aluminum case Features PBT, ABS keycaps	Built with the ISO, JIS, ANSI, ISO-DE layout standard Uses a Tray Mount mounting style Weighs about 730 g Sized at 20 x 117 x 304 mm Made with a Plastic, ABS case Features ABS, PBT, keycaps
Score	Scores Performance: 67.4 Build Quality: 89.7 Productivity: 95.3 Customizability: 100 Portability: 71.5	Scores Performance: 66.5 Build Quality: 86 Productivity: 94.7 Customizability: 99.8 Portability: 74.8
Name	Name Keychron Q4	Name Keychron V4
Release year	Release year 2022	Release year 2022
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 60%	Layout Size 60%
Layout Standard	Layout Standard ANSI, ISO, JIS, ISO-DE, ISO-Nordic, ISO-UK, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW	Layout Standard ISO, JIS, ANSI, ISO-DE
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 Tray 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 Plastic, ABS
Keycaps Material	Keycaps Material PBT, ABS	Keycaps Material ABS, PBT,
Dimensions	Dimensions 20 x 121 x 303 mm	Dimensions 20 x 117 x 304 mm
Weight	Weight 1500g	Weight 730g

Keychron Q4 QMK Custom Mechanical Keyboard

Keychron V4 QMK Custom Mechanical Keyboard ISO Layout Collection

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4.8 stars (18 reviews)

5.0 stars (18 reviews)

Built with the ANSI, ISO, JIS, ISO-DE, ISO-Nordic, ISO-UK, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW layout standard
Uses a Gasket Mount mounting style
Weighs about 1500 g
Sized at 20 x 121 x 303 mm
Made with a Aluminum case
Features PBT, ABS keycaps

Built with the ISO, JIS, ANSI, ISO-DE layout standard
Uses a Tray Mount mounting style
Weighs about 730 g
Sized at 20 x 117 x 304 mm
Made with a Plastic, ABS case
Features ABS, PBT, keycaps

Scores

Performance: 67.4
Build Quality: 89.7
Productivity: 95.3
Customizability: 100
Portability: 71.5

Scores

Performance: 66.5
Build Quality: 86
Productivity: 94.7
Customizability: 99.8
Portability: 74.8

Name

Keychron Q4

Name

Keychron V4

Release year

2022

Release year

2022

Switch Options

Linear, Tactile, Clicky

Switch Options

Linear, Tactile, Clicky

Profile

Normal Profile

Profile

Normal Profile

Hot Swappable

Layout Size

60%

Layout Size

60%

Layout Standard

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

Layout Standard

ISO, JIS, ANSI, ISO-DE

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

Tray Mount

Screw in Stabilizers

Sound Dampening

Backlight

Rgb, South-face

Backlight

Rgb, South-face

Case Colors

Case Material

Aluminum

Case Material

Plastic, ABS

Keycaps Material

PBT, ABS

Keycaps Material

ABS, PBT,

Dimensions

20 x 121 x 303 mm

Dimensions

20 x 117 x 304 mm

Weight

1500g

Weight

730g

Pros and Trade-offs

Your budget and desire for premium materials are the deciding factors. The Keychron Q4 is the investment for enthusiasts who value an aluminum chassis, gasket-mounted typing feel, and a wider array of layout choices. The Keychron V4 delivers nearly identical programmability and core features in a lighter, more affordable plastic package, making it an outstanding entry point into custom keyboards.

Keychron Q4

+Full CNC machined aluminum case for a premium, solid feel.
+Double-gasket mount design with silicone pads for improved acoustics and flex.
+Wider selection of international ISO layout options.
+Heavier 1500g weight provides exceptional desk stability.

−Substantially heavier at 1500g, reducing portability.
−Higher price point compared to the plastic V4 model.
−The aluminum case may show scratches more easily than plastic.

Keychron V4

+More affordable price point for a fully-featured custom keyboard.
+Lighter 730g weight makes it easier to carry.
+Available in a translucent frosted black case option.
+Includes sound-dampening foam and screw-in stabilizers like the Q4.

−ABS plastic case lacks the premium heft and feel of aluminum.
−Uses a tray mount design instead of a gasket mount.
−Fewer international ISO layout options than the Q4.

Which Keyboard Is Better for Your Needs?

The keyboards tie in most categories due to their shared DNA in programmability and core specs. The Keychron V4 takes a clear lead for travel due to its lighter weight. For modding, the Q4's aluminum construction and gasket mount give it an edge as a premium starting platform. For gaming, office work, programming, and content creation, the choice hinges on budget versus material preference, not feature deficiencies.

GamingTie

•Both have a 1000 Hz polling rate for low latency.
•Both support the same switch types and are hot-swappable.
•Both have south-facing RGB LEDs to avoid keycap interference.

OfficeTie

•Both include system toggles and keycaps for macOS and Windows.
•Both feature sound-dampening foam to reduce noise.
•Both have a compact 60% layout to save desk space.

ProgrammingTie

•Both offer full programmability via QMK and VIA firmware.
•Both are available in barebone kits for custom switch choices.
•Both have a 60% layout that relies on layers for arrow and function keys.

TravelKeychron V4

•The V4 weighs 730g, significantly lighter than the 1500g Q4.
•Both have the same compact 60% form factor.
•The V4's plastic case may be less prone to cosmetic damage in a bag.

ModdingKeychron Q4

•The Q4 features a gasket mount design, which is often preferred for a softer typing feel.
•The Q4 has a full CNC aluminum case, a premium foundation for builds.
•The Q4's vendor description mentions a double-gasket design with silicone pads for acoustics.

Content CreationTie

•Both support multimedia keys via programmable layers.
•Both have south-facing RGB for consistent backlighting with custom keycaps.
•The programmability of both allows for macros to streamline workflows.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Compare Keychron Q4 vs V4 Differences Side by Side

Pros and Trade-offs

Keychron Q4

Keychron V4

Which Keyboard Is Better for Your Needs?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the main difference between the Keychron Q4 and V4?

Are both the Keychron Q4 and V4 hot-swappable?

Can I use the Keychron Q4 and V4 with Mac and Windows?

Do the Keychron Q4 and V4 support custom key mapping?

Which keyboard is better for a softer typing sound?

Is the RGB backlighting the same on both keyboards?

Which Keychron keyboard is more portable?

What keycaps are included with the fully assembled versions?

Can I buy the Keychron Q4 or V4 as a barebone kit?

What switches come with the fully assembled Keychron Q4 and V4?

Do these keyboards have a knob for volume control?

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