Keychron K4 HE vs Keychron K8 HE
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| KeychronK4 HE | KeychronK8 HE | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | March 2025 | May 2025 |
| Typing | ||
| Layout | Full size | Tenkeyless |
| Switches | Magnetic (Hall effect) | Magnetic (Hall effect) |
| Backlight | RGB | RGB |
| Keys labelled for | Mac, Windows and more | Mac, Windows and more |
| Touch ID | No | No |
| Switches | Gateron Double-Rail Magnetic Nebula (actuation 0.2–3.8 mm) or Keychron Ultra-fast Lime magnetic (actuation 0.2–3.3 mm) switches, both adjustable with 0.1 mm sensitivity; hot-swappable; TMR sensing | Pre-lubed Gateron Double-Rail Magnetic Nebula switches with a TMR sensor under each key; hot-swappable with Gateron double-rail magnetic switches only; actuation adjustable from 0.2 to 3.8 mm with 0.1 mm sensitivity |
| Keycaps | Cherry-profile double-shot PBT, shine-through (Standard Version); OSA-profile double-shot PBT, not shine-through (Special Edition) | Cherry-profile double-shot PBT, shine-through (Standard Version); OSA-profile double-shot PBT, not shine-through (Special Edition) |
| Layouts | 96%; ANSI (keychron.com); UK ISO Special Edition in black (keychron.uk) | 80% TKL; ANSI (keychron.com); a Japanese JIS version is also sold |
| Backlight | North-facing RGB | North-facing RGB LEDs |
| Special keys | Rapid Trigger; four-in-one Dynamic Keystrokes; Last Keystroke Prioritization and Snap Click; N-key rollover wireless and wired | Rapid Trigger; four-in-one Dynamic Keystrokes; Last Keystroke Prioritization and Snap Click; N-key rollover wireless and wired |
| Connections and battery | ||
| Connects by | Bluetooth, USB receiver and Cable | Bluetooth, USB receiver and Cable |
| Devices it switches between | 3 | 3 |
| Power | Rechargeable | Rechargeable |
| Battery life (maker's claim) | Up to 110 hours | Up to 110 hours |
| Receiver | 2.4 GHz USB receiver at 1,000 Hz polling; Bluetooth 5.2 at 125 Hz to up to three devices; USB-C wired at 1,000 Hz | 2.4 GHz USB receiver at 1,000 Hz polling; Bluetooth 5.2 at 125 Hz to up to three devices; USB-C wired at 1,000 Hz |
| Battery life detail | 4,000 mAh lithium-polymer battery; up to 110 hours (Keychron's lab tests; Keychron doesn't say with what backlight setting) | 4,000 mAh lithium-polymer battery; up to 110 hours (Keychron's lab tests; Keychron doesn't say with what backlight setting) |
| Works with | Windows, macOS and Linux | Windows, macOS and Linux |
| Software | QMK firmware; Keychron Launcher web app for actuation, Rapid Trigger, key remapping and lighting | QMK firmware; Keychron Launcher web app for actuation, Rapid Trigger, key remapping and lighting |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 1090 g (better) | 1185 g |
| Width × depth × height | 373 × 126 × 40.3 mm | 359.2 × 129.2 × 41 mm |
| Size | 373 × 126 mm, about 1,090 g (Standard Version); 377 × 126 mm, about 1,066 g (Special Edition); 31.0 mm high at the front and 40.3 mm at the back with keycaps (31.7 and 40.9 mm on the Special Edition); typing angles of 5°, 8° and 11° | 359.2 × 129.2 mm, about 1,185 g (Standard Version); 363.2 × 129.2 mm, about 1,162 g (Special Edition); 34.3 mm high at the front and 41.0 mm at the back with keycaps; typing angles of 5°, 9.34° and 12.43° |
| Materials | Aluminium body (aluminium and wood on the Special Edition); ABS bottom case; aluminium plate; plate-mounted stabilisers | Aluminium body (aluminium and wood on the Special Edition); ABS bottom case; aluminium plate; screw-in PCB stabilisers |
| Colours | Black (Standard Version); Black or White with wood sides (Special Edition) | Black (Standard Version); Black or White with wood sides (Special Edition) |
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