Keychron V4 Max vs V6 Ultra60% Compact vs Full-Size 8K
Choose the V4 Max for a portable, highly customizable 60% layout, or the V6 Ultra for a full-size layout with an 8000 Hz polling rate for competitive gaming.
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Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron V4 Max
60% Compact
Build quality in the top 10% of 60% boards under $100.
- Extremely portable 60% layout measuring 305 x 123 mm and weighing 645g.
- Supports QMK and VIA open-source firmware for deep customization.
- Available as a DIY kit/barebones for building from scratch.
- 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.
Get the
Keychron V6 Ultra
Full-Size 8K
Build quality in the top 15% of 100% boards under $150.
- High 8000 Hz polling rate in both wired and 2.4 GHz wireless modes.
- Full-size 100% layout includes a number pad and dedicated multi-media keys.
- Claimed battery life of up to 660 hours with backlight off.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
Your primary need dictates the choice. If you require a full number pad, media keys, and the absolute lowest latency for gaming, the Keychron V6 Ultra is the clear option. If you value a compact, portable size for a mobile setup or want maximum firmware customization with QMK/VIA and a barebones start, the Keychron V4 Max is the better keyboard. Consider how much you use the number pad and how important ultra-high polling rate is versus deep programmability.
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 V4 Max
Keychron V6 Ultra
Layout size
60%
100%
Connection
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Wired, Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Max polling rate
1,000 Hz
8,000 Hz
Higher polling helps competitive FPS and does nothing for typing
Case material
ABS, Plastic
ABS, Aluminum, Metal, Plastic
Weight
645 g
1,130 g
Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel
- Keychron V4 Max
- Keychron V6 Ultra
- Performance
- 7989
- Build quality
- 8677
- Productivity
- 9591
- Customizability
- 9679
- Portability
- 8856
- Hot-swappable
- Battery: 4,000 mAh
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- Mount style: Gasket Mount
- Knob
- Sound dampening
What will you mostly use it for?
The V6 Ultra wins for office work, gaming, and content creation due to its full layout, media keys, and high 8000 Hz polling rate. The V4 Max is the clear choice for travel and has an edge for modders due to its QMK/VIA support and barebones kit option. For programming, the choice is a tie and depends on whether you value the V4 Max's firmware flexibility or the V6 Ultra's out-of-the-box full layout.
Pick the Keychron V6 Ultra
- The V6 Ultra has an 8000 Hz polling rate in both wired and 2.4 GHz wireless modes, compared to 1000 Hz on the V4 Max.
- Its full-size layout includes dedicated media keys, which the V4 Max lacks due to its 60% form factor.
Keychron V4 Max vs V6 Ultra specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
12 of 27 specs differ
Keychron V4 Max
Keychron V6 Ultra
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 V4 Max
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
Keychron V6 Ultra
Input Gear
ISO-DE
Out of stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-FR, ISO-ES
In stockDoes not ship to you
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 V4 Max vs V6 Ultra: your questions
The core difference is the layout and polling rate. The V4 Max is a compact 60% keyboard with a 1000 Hz polling rate and QMK/VIA support. The V6 Ultra is a full-size 100% keyboard with an 8000 Hz polling rate, a number pad, media keys, and uses ZMK firmware.
The Keychron V6 Ultra is better suited for competitive gaming. It offers an 8000 Hz polling rate in both wired and 2.4 GHz wireless modes, which provides lower input latency compared to the V4 Max's 1000 Hz rate. This can be critical for fast-paced games.
Yes, both the Keychron V4 Max and V6 Ultra feature hot-swappable PCBs. This allows you to install or change mechanical switches without soldering, supporting both 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style switches.
According to manufacturer claims, the V6 Ultra has a significantly longer claimed battery life. It is rated for up to 660 hours with the backlight off, compared to the V4 Max's rating of up to 190 hours. Both use a 4000mAh battery.
The V4 Max can be excellent for programming if you prefer a compact desk setup. Its support for QMK and VIA firmware allows for extensive key remapping and macro creation to compensate for the missing keys. However, you will need to use layers for arrows and function keys.
Yes, the Keychron V6 Ultra is a 100% layout keyboard, which includes a full number pad on the right side. The V4 Max, as a 60% keyboard, does not have a number pad.
The Keychron V4 Max is far more portable. It measures 305 x 123 mm and weighs 645g. The V6 Ultra measures 149 x 448 mm and weighs 1130g, making it a large, desk-bound keyboard.
The V4 Max uses QMK firmware and is compatible with the VIA configurator. The V6 Ultra uses ZMK firmware and is configured through the Keychron Launcher web app. QMK/VIA is a longstanding standard in the custom keyboard community.
The product listing for the V6 Ultra specifies a 'Fully Assembled Knob' version. The V4 Max listing mentions 'Knob Support' in its extra features, but the default fully assembled version shown does not include a knob in its listed contents.
Yes. The Keychron V4 Max is offered in a barebone version, which does not include keycaps and switches. The V6 Ultra, according to its available options, is only listed as a pre-built 'Fully Assembled' unit.
Both keyboards come with OSA profile double-shot PBT keycaps. These are PBT plastic for durability, with a shape that is similar to OEM height but with an SA-like spherical top.
Both have sound-dampening features, but the V6 Ultra's description lists more comprehensive foam layers. It includes sound-absorbing foam, PET film, EPDM foam, and bottom case acoustic foam. The V4 Max lists sound-absorbing foam and a PET film.
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