Keychron K4 HE 96% Wireless RGB Hall Effect Keyboard, Gateron Magnetic Switch, Analog Mode & Rapid Trigger, QMK/VIA, 2.4GHz/BT5.2/USB-C, Multitasker for Mac/Windows/Linux, Aluminum Frame – Black

Phenomenal performance and value
TLDR: If you can adapt to the extremely compact layout of the K4 HE, I believe it provides the best value and would highly recommend.I returned this and chose the Q5 HE. While the keyboard was one of the best I’ve tried (comparisons below), the numpad/arrow key layout felt too cluttered, hurting accuracy and typing speed, and unfortunately I just couldn’t adapt to it. If there was adequate spacing (ASUS ROG Scope II 96 managed this with the same dimensions), I would have kept this over the Q5 HE despite the inferior build quality since it’s a great value.Note: I tested both editions—Standard and Special—and very much preferred the Standard edition for the textured/matte Cherry profile RGB keys over the lower contrast/opaque OSA profile keys of the Special Edition. Both versions are solid and keycap profile/RGB just comes down to preference.~~Pros:~~1. Premium build with sound-dampening foam (deep, thocky acoustics right out of the box – no ping or echo)2. Intuitive web utility (Keychron Launcher) for full customization.3. Multiple connections: Bluetooth, wired, wireless.4. Low latency with 1000hz polling (8,000hz is imperceptible).5. Hall Effect: adjustable actuation, Rapid Trigger, quad-actuation, analog keys, and high durability.6. High-quality keycaps and RGB (Standard keycaps are textured; Special is smooth).7. Full-size functionality in a compact layout.8. Great value for a premium Hall Effect keyboard.9. Long battery life.10. Multi-OS support (Mac-ready with Windows keycaps included).11. Easy switching between profiles for gaming/productivity.12. Actuation force (40g) increases on press for better Hall Effect feedback.13. Right-angle USB cable (monitor-compatible without speed loss).~~Cons:~~1. Multiple keys felt scratchy despite relubrication (known factory lube issue specific to Gateron switches, not Keychron).2. Analog keys are hard to use in games and not widely supported.3. Awkward numpad/arrow layout—ROG Scope II 96 Wireless offers a better design for the same dimensions.4. Limited switch customization compared to mechanical boards (but stock switches feel superior).5. Keyboard is tall with no wrist rest, and finding one with matching width is tough unless it’s Keychron branded.6. Boxed-in case design/switch wells makes cleaning harder.~~~Comparison of Contenders:~~~Corsair K70 (Cherry Red) – ⭐:The most hollow, low quality keyboard I’ve tried for a premium price. Loud spring ping and sound profile are among the worst I’ve heard. I came from one of Corsair’s membrane boards and the K70 was my first mechanical – it left me deeply disappointed even without any expectations going into it.Keychron Q5 Pro – ⭐⭐:The Q series is Keychron’s quality series and have the best build quality/weight of any keyboard I’ve tried. Unfortunately, the Pro version lacks versatility and is made strictly for productivity. It had KSA profile keycaps which were definitely not for me (extremely deep dish keycaps with tall height).ROG Scope II 96 Wireless (Snow/Storm/Silent Brown Switch Comparison) – ⭐⭐⭐⭐:This is the only board I’ve tried that came close to matching the K4 HE. The sound profile was creamy, no spring ping (would need a spacebar mod), good build quality (inferior to K4), though it lacked all of the hall effect features at a higher price point and was more prone to typing errors with the lighter keys. Easy to clean and water resistant. There is also a known reported issue of keys seizing to work on different connection modes, indicating possible firmware issues. Armoury Crate is an atrocious disaster to work with and attempts to install non-essential bloatware.~Note: I tried Silent Brown, Snow, and Storm switches. Silent brown felt scratchy, Storm was too loud, and Snow was nearly perfect.Keychron Q5 HE – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐:In terms of productivity, gaming performance, sound profile, build quality, and ease-of-use web-based software, the Keychron Q5 HE checks all the boxes (minus adapting to south-facing RGBs) and comes out on top over all others that I’ve tried. Unfortunately, it’s still plagued by variable QC of individual Gateron switches, which can feel slightly scratchy due to uneven factory lubrication.

Great keyboard
This is a solid keyboard, not only in build but performance. It has a great tactile feel and the sound is fantastic. It did take some getting used to with the amount of downforce required compared to my last board (HyperX with HX Aqua switches).I don’t take full advantage of the HE features (different key press depths to do different things (mostly for gaming)), but plan to setup some macros soon.The quality of the build is quite remarkable for the price; it’s sturdy. The RGB is good, but limited (28 schemes) by what’s available in the web-based QMK configuration tool, Launcher. Launcher has a lot of customization options. A lot.The 96% layout is a bit crammed together, as expected when you stuff a 10-key into a space not much larger than a board without.I use it wired, even though the USB cable that comes with it is pretty short, so I can’t comment on Bluetooth performance or battery life.All-in-all, I’m very happy with this purchase and can recommend it to anyone looking for a solid build, fast-typing (improved my speed by about 8%), great-looking, great-sounding keyboard.Highly Recommended!

Great, rich, creamy keyboard.. It just has some small fixable caveats.
I really like it. I like the way it sounds, the way it feels. It’s the most expensive keyboard I’ve ever owned and you can feel it. It’s nice to own a product that actually feels it was worth the money I spent on it. I had to knock a star off my otherwise 5 star review though for a couple of, what should be, quite easy fixes from the Keychron team. Firstly, the customization app should be a local executable app. I shouldn’t need an internet connection to customize my keyboard. I get the appeal of having a web app, and I don’t think they should go away with that, I just think both options should be available. I should be able to customize my keyboard without feeling like I’m having to communiacate with my keyboards manufacturer about what I’m doing. Secondly, the instructions should be a bit clearer. Currently, what you receive in the box is very limited and doesn’t fully explain everything very well. How do I turn my keyboard back on when I get back to my computer? (turns out it’s only spacebar that awakes it). How do I adjust the sleep time? (Turns out it’s a combination of key presses, and you can only find that from searching online).

This is a serious bit of hardware, completely rigid aluminum base gives this keyboard the feel of quality. It has heft despite its compact size. Everything about it from the wood end caps, the base and feet to the incredible feel of the mag switches makes this keyboard something a cut above most others.The adjustable rgb lighting can be toned down to a nice subtle light for night work.Connecting usb-c wired, 2.4ghz WiFi and 3 device Bluetooth connections make switching devices almost instant.The features are extensive for gamers- much more than I could get into-but analog mode, adjustable trigger point, extensive key remapping are just a few.I personally like the 96% size as a numpad is non-optional for me and the compressed size more closely matches my style of working off laptop keyboards, so it is a good fit and takes up less desk room that a full sized board,Leaving room for my trackball and other items comfortably.The other major bonus to its compact size is it fits my travel bag for my gear-it is heavy for a keyboard, but I travel with a 17” laptop, trackball, spare mouse, 300 watt power brick, and all sorts of other bits and this keyboard tucks into a pocket perfectly leaving it protected, tidy and convenient to bring.The mag keys are tactile and slightly louder than I like, but not clattering and with the adjustable trip point via the config software you can adjust for a heavy or light typing style and even set individual keys differently so you can tune out inadvertent hits or make some keys need a feather touch.There are so many tuning and custom options that it’s well beyond a review scope to touch them all and some that really are for the hardcore gamers mostly, but you can make this your own with the tuning, swappable key caps and clever remapping.Sometimes you buy a product after lots of debate and researching the options, and can still be pleasantly surprised by how nice it is-and how it exceeds your expectations every time you use it. That is this keyboard for me.Spectacular product.

Excellent product. Arrived on time with no damage. It’s been using it for weeks now and it feels so premium, especially the typing and its creamy sound.Although, be ready to receive it in person because the delivery person will ask for a code that they have previously send you right after purchase, for security reasons.

Amazing quality. Feels very well made. Upgraded from my razer keyboard and never going back.