Keychron K4 vs K8

Which Keyboard Is Better?

Products

Keychron K4
Keychron K8

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated May 15, 2023 09:40 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Apr 15, 2024 12:27 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Our Verdict

Keychron K4

Keychron K8

The Keychron K4 is essentially a full-size version of the Keychron K8. There are some small differences, though, The K8 feels better built, and it offers two incline settings, whereas the K4 only has one. The K8 uses Gateron switches, but you can also get it with Keychron Optical switches, and it has a hot-swappable version that lets you change the switches without soldering. The K4 is available with various LK Optical or Gateron switches.

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Variants

  • K4 (Black)
  • K8 (Dark Gray)

Check Price

Black
K4
B&H
Dark Gray
K8
B&H
Dark Gray
K8
BestBuy.com

Main Differences for
Gaming

Threshold 

0.10

Gaming 

7.7
7.7

Pre-Travel 
 

1.9 mm
2.2 mm

Operating Force 
 

58 gf
45 gf

Windows  

Full
Partial

Full Comparison

Design

Dimensions 
 

Top Picture  

Size 
 

Compact (96%)
TenKeyLess (80%)

Height 
 

1.5" (3.7 cm)
1.7" (4.3 cm)

Width  

14.6" (37.1 cm)
14.1" (35.8 cm)

Depth 
 

4.9" (12.5 cm)
5.1" (13.0 cm)

Depth With Wrist Rest 
 

N/A
N/A

Weight 
 

1.69 lbs (0.765 kg)
1.98 lbs (0.900 kg)
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

8.0
8.5

Build Quality Close Up  

Keycap Material  

ABS
ABS
Show Text 

Ergonomics 
 

6.5
6.5

Side Picture  

Board Design 
 

Straight
Straight

Minimum Incline 
 

Medium Incline 
 

N/A

Maximum Incline 
 

12°

Wrist Rest  

No
No
Show Text 

Backlighting 
 

8.9
9.3

Backlighting Picture  

White Shot 
 

Brightness Max 
 

Brightness Min 
 

Backlighting  

Yes
Yes

Color 
 

White
RGB

Individually Backlit Keys 
 

Yes
Yes

Color Mixing 
 

White Only
Ok

Effects 
 

Yes
Yes

Programmable 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Cable & Connector  

Connectivity  

Wireless
Wireless

Detachable 
 

Yes (Wired Mode and Charge)
Yes (Wired Mode and Charge)

Length  

3.8 ft (1.2 m)
3.9 ft (1.2 m)

Connector (Keyboard side) 
 

USB type-C
USB type-C
Show Text 

Wireless Versatility 
 

10
10

Bluetooth 
 

Yes
Yes

Bluetooth Multi-Device Pairing 
 

3
3

Proprietary Receiver 
 

No
No

Battery Type 
 

Rechargeable
Rechargeable
Show Text 

Extra Features 
 

Extra Features  

Media Keys 
 

Hot Keys
Hot Keys

Macro Programmable Keys 
 

No
No

Trackpad / Trackball  

No
No

Wheel  

No
No

USB Passthrough 
 

No
No

Numpad  

Yes
No

Windows Key Lock 
 

No
No

Lock Indicator  

No Indicator
Caps Lock
Show Text 

In The Box  

Bundle Picture  

Show Text 
Typing Experience

Keystrokes 
 

Key Switch Actuation Graph  

See details
See details

Key Switches 
 

LK Optical Brown
Gateron Brown

Mechanical 
 

Yes
Yes

Feel 
 

Tactile
Tactile

Operating Force 
 

58 gf
45 gf

Actuation Force 
 

57 gf
34 gf

Pre-Travel 
 

1.9 mm
2.2 mm

Total Travel 
 

4.0 mm
4.1 mm
Show Text 

Typing Quality 
 

8.0
8.0
Show Text 

Typing Noise 
 

Typing Sample  

Noise 
 

Quiet
Quiet
Show Text 

Latency 
 

7.4
7.4

Latency Video  

Latency Wired 
 

11.1 ms
11.0 ms

Latency Receiver 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency Bluetooth 
 

23.3 ms
22.9 ms
Show Text 
Software and Operating System

Software & Programming 
 

0.0
0.0

Software Picture  

Software Name  

No Software
No Software

Account Required 
 

No Software
No Software

Profiles 
 

No Profile
No Profile

Onboard Memory 
 

No
No

Cloud Sync 
 

No
No

Macro Programming 
 

No
No

Ease Of Use 
 

No Software
No Software

Software Windows Compatible 
 

No
No

Software macOS Compatible 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Keyboard Compatibility 
 

9.1
7.9

Windows  

Full
Partial

macOS  

Full
Partial

Linux  

Partial
Partial

Android  

Partial
Partial

iOS  

Partial
Partial

iPadOS  

Partial
Partial
Show Text 

Check Price

Black
K4
B&H
Dark Gray
K8
B&H
Dark Gray
K8
BestBuy.com

Keychron K4

Keychron K8

Comments

  1. Comparison

Keychron K4 vs Keychron K8: Main Discussion

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