Keychron K4 HE 96% Wireless Hall Effect Keyboard with Number Pad, Rapid Trigger Magnetic Switches, QMK Launcher, 2.4GHz/Bluetooth/Wired, Mac & Windows, Wood Accent Frame, Black (Non-Shine-Through)

My old mechanical was too loud to game while my wife and baby were sleeping. Sound was a huge factor and I took a leap on this one. Videos I watched it sounded pretty loud but it is almost dead silent!! The features are perfect, rapid trigger is a game changer and the A D key instant strafe is a game changer for FPS games. You can quick peak corners flawlessly. This is the best gaming purchase I have made, maybe ever. I used to have a Corsair K70 and typing on that sounded like someone was throwing handfuls of marbles down concrete stairs. The keys are hot swappable, the key caps on the special edition have a nice soft rounded feel which I love over my old sharp corner ones that dig into your fingers. Key actuation can be anywhere from just looking at the key and it triggers, down to a full bottom out key press. You can make it so the key instantly stops triggering the moment the key moves vertically which is great for movement keys but I had to adjust it for the shift and space bar keys since I found out my pinky lifts ever so slightly when sprinting in game and I kept canceling my sprint on accident. If you are thinking about buying this keyboard, do it! Heck even buy it if you aren't considering it. I type an average of 90WPM and it took a second to get used to this over my trash prior board but now I can type faster and with less errors since I don't have to press the key all the way down and just literally just lightly tap the keys to type. There is near infinite combos of sensitivity and features. The RGB shine through on the letters on the keys is pretty dim, it's more of a backlit keyboard than light up keycaps but I'm sure you could get different caps to change that if you wanted to. Personally I don't look at the keys often and just leave back light off but to each their own. Build quality is phenomenal, the weight is substantial and feels quality but not heavy, and the online web browser software had me worried but it actually works perfectly. Heck it works 100% better than my Corsair keyboards installed ICUE software could ever dream of. The software changes things instantly and doesn't need to be saved after every change, just open it, adjust, and close chrome. I couldn't imagine a better keyboard and now I don't need to. 100/100 no notes

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.

A great feeling great sounding keyboard for typing. I generally prefer laptop style keyboards with their short stroke for typing but I love typing on this keyboard. I don’t use it for gaming, I use it as an office keyboard with a Mac. The sound is a nice soft thock. The keys are well lubed and slide nicely. The adjustable features allow you to customize it. So if you do a lot of typing but also want some gaming benefits this one is great. I also like the compact layout. I do a lot of numbers work so I always want a num pad and you get it here in a smaller layout. Plus if your office is visible it looks great.

Love this keyboard. Love the feel of the keys and there is a low level of noise when typing. It connects to my MAC via bluetooth and works well. Must hit the spacebar to "wake" the keyboard up. Very easy to setup. I don't use the backlit keys. Not a fan.

Overall, I like this keyboard a lot. I type QWERTY quickly, and this keyboard replaces a Microsoft non-ergonomic low-profile one with lettering long obliterated and key caps at this point largely worn down with indentations from daily use. Keypresses are satisfyingly tactile and noisy, and the heft of the keyboard overall reminds me of the old school IBM AT style from back in the day. One thing those older keyboards have in their favor which this one lacks are distinct regions for sets of keys like arrows, Del / Home / End (Ins, where art thou?). While highly programmable, I'd rather not leave vast swaths uncapped solely to carve out and customize my own intuitive dead zones to mimic gulfs between those once touch-distinctive regions. Now I find myself having to hunt and peck for the down arrow or other keys that were readily findable otherwise. That's the main and really only thing I miss here, but those few keys I needed to were trivial to swap. Otherwise, in terms of key layout I really like how the keys are both a good size per key for my relatively small hands, and are slightly narrow toward the top to minimize fat fingering adjacent keys. That way the proximity is close but not the hair's breadth that with my previous keyboard could at rapid fire make for mistakes. The Hall effect sensitivity at my age and stage in life given my withering patience these days means I doubt I'm inclinced to explore half measured keypresses that gamers might find useful. For my work and whatever other writing I'm fine with 0s and 1s and not fractions of presses for whatever intermezzo in between. The apparently real wood paneling on either side of the keyboard is a nice but unnecessary touch, I don't care about decor. That extends to the keycap LEDs which while nice if I'm in a festive mood aren't vital. The keyboard offers either bluetooth or 2.4 GHz connectivity, but I'm fine with and glad the manufacturer provided a wire for the USB C port. I might explore wireless but really don't need it, and given accessing the battery even if I just wanted to be a bore and remove it entirely "involves removing keycaps and screws to separate the top case from the bottom" I probably won't. I've read a few isolated cases where fire resulted, but apparently Keychron's warranty and customer support excel, so here's hoping I never have to use them.

The quality of this keyboard is unlike any other I've ever used. When I first got it I couldn't stop typing because of how good the keys sounded and felt. Even now I like to click the keys while watching movies and stuff. Its very hefty and sturdy so it feels like it ain't going anywhere. Absolutely love it

Just got this thing a few days ago, have been interested in trying a HE keyboard for a while and between the looks (my desk and computer case have the same black + wood aesthetic) and it keeping the numpad decided to give this one a shot. I did not expect how much better this would feel and sound than my 9 year old corsair K70 keyboard that I've been using. This keyboard sounds incredible, all those fancy words people use like thocky or marbley or what have you. Its quieter in general and just pleasant sound and feels wise right out of the box. I haven't messed with the settings a ton. I immediately dropped the actuating point to 1mm and rapid trigger to .2 just to see if I'd notice and have just been trying to get used to the keyboard like you would with any new keyboard. It feels very natural but noticeably more responsive. It kind of reminds me of typing on the browns of my old keyboard where the "tactile bump" would let me know the key actuated, except in this case the actuation point is so much higher that just contacting the key enough for a deliberate press is basically the same thing. I'm not trying to type differently, just trying to get used to the slightly different layout like you would with any new keyboard and I can already tell I'm bottoming out less. Its crazy to think that this keyboard is only slightly more expensive than my old keyboard for how much higher quality it is and how much better it sounds along with the new tech. For my own gripes, its kinda crazy to me that print screen isn't a default button. I really disliked that numlock by default is backlit a different color when you're able to use the numpad. I saw people saying you can swap the behavior in the software for some of the keyboards but I couldn't find it for this one. Last thing is the smaller 0 on the numpad is tough to get used to, I definitely press more to the left on the normal wider 0 most of the time which I didn't appreciate until it was smaller. I did solve all of those issues by just rebinding keys in a way that works for me. I made the top right RBG toggle print screen, I rebound the numpad to the number row keys so I could keep the numlock light off, and I made what is by default right arrow into another 0 key so both of those keys work as 0 and sometimes I end up pressing either... and then I shifted the arrow keys over since I never use right control or right shift normally. YMMV on what works for you there but that pretty much solved my issues. Would recommend, really happy I decided to pull the trigger on this.

This is my second K4HE. My absolute favorite keyboard of all time. It has a nice sound, works well and allows me to connect to 3 different devices at once. I enjoy the feel of the hall effect keys as well.

Fantastic typing experience. Reliable connection. Functional backlight. Excellent customisation options. Nice compact layout, but takes time to get used to.

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.

Game changer