Verdict
The Keychron K4 HE is an immense mechanical keyboard with some supremely powerful switch , stylish expression , versatile wireless connectivity and clever software . It ’s also quite sanely price for what ’s on offering here , and is quite a yard measure for key rivals to go across .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
The Keychron K4 HE draw a bead on to straddle the difficult blood line between offer ounces of panache and performance in a passably priced frame .
Its $ 145 price tag for a radio set , virtually full - size mechanically skillful keyboard with powers of speedy trigger and Hall effect switches is compelling against rivals such as theLogitech G Pro TKL X Rapidand and Keychron ’s ownQ1 HE .
I ’ve been testing the K4 HE for the last few calendar week to see how well it fares against the competition , and as to whether this is one of thebest gambling keyboardswe’ve tested .
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Design
The K4 HE is essentially designed as a larger variation of Keychron ’s previous K2 HE , by contribute the same sleek aspect and self-coloured build to a keyboard with a fuller layout .
It ’s available in two finish , with a received version with an aluminium frame and slimmer Cherry visibility keycaps in either black or white , or in the Special Edition version I have here that add in tall OSA profile keycaps and rosewood accents for a bit more style .
It ’s for sure a spectator , with the rosewood accent on the side offsetting the black frame well . This is a keyboard that ’ll fit every bit as well in a modern office as it will in a gaming lair . Its Al frame also keeps things sturdy in typical Keychron fashion .
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The layout here is expatiate against the K2 HE ’s 75 % option with a richer 96 % layout that gives you a number inking pad , navigation keys across the top and a to the full - fledged function row . It ’s as close to a full - size of it layout you could get , but some of the tonality are just bundle up , so there is no blank space between dissimilar region .
The keycaps here on this define edition translation thin into a more retro aesthetic with a marvellous profile , with the Esc and Enter keys being fitly brownish as emphasis to match the rosewood finishing .
These are made of doubleshot - shape PBT for an extra dose of quality , signalling the K4 HE as more of an enthusiast ’s gameboard . You also get a pick of either Mac or Windows key in the box , so this keyboard can be used with either operating system .
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The interface is recessed into the unexpended side of the K4 HE , feature two picker switches to select between connectivity method acting ( 2.4GHz , Bluetooth , wired ) and operating scheme ( Windows , macOS ) . There is also a USB - speed of light port for wired cognitive operation and charging .
Performance
As with the K2 HE , this magnanimous framework come with Gateron ’s double railing Nebula Hall outcome swop for a responsive and stable keypress . Being double - railing means they are less prone to the horrible effect of key wobble that beset some switches , and Hall - effect switch can offer some huge speed .
vestibule - effect switches work with magnets as opposed to traditional mechanics in the name of offering higher reactivity and customisation .
In heart , a magnet is sent down the switch ’s stem to a sensing element , cause an input to be record . As there is n’t a define actuation distributor point as you get with a more traditional mechanical electric switch , you’re able to customise this to your liking to have speedier inputs in games where you only need the push the substitution down a smaller amount before an input is register .
For these permutation , you’re able to set inputs as high as 0.2 mm , so you fundamentally just need to breathe on the switch for it to show an input .
This proved especially useful for movement keys such as WASD , weapon trace keys and reload keys in Counter Strike 2 as it get hold of very short effort to move around and get the right weapon system out in straightaway - draw scenarios . As the switch are also quite light with a 40 thou actuation force-out , input signal are also nice and easy .
They also come with the powers of speedy induction for virtually instant reset , making those inputs even faster . It means the K4 HE can work from a quiet and reasonably quiet mechanically skillful office keyboard into an especially reactive gaming keyboard with only a few on/off switch in its software .
If you desire to , you could also enable last - keystone - prioritisation with the K4 HE , which offers a like discharge of features to Razer ’s Snap Tap , or Wooting ’s Snappy Tappy , appropriate you to try out some unnaturally fast movements , such as with the A and five hundred keys .
There is also support for dynamical keystroke , so you may map up to four inputs to one winder . This is peculiarly utile if you want to set walk , squat , and running to one keystone , for example , reckon on how far you push the electric switch down depends on what actuates .
In add-on , the electric switch can also support analog inputs for progressive , restrainer - similar skills , exchangeable to theWooting 60HE+ .
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Acoustics here are marvellous with no character rattle or ping , which is also help along by the fact that the switches are lubricated . Being lube also helps them to stick around especially smooth , make them excellent to typecast on for workplace and play .
The K4 HE ’s versatility also extends to its connectivity , working on up to three devices wirelessly over Bluetooth , and a quaternary over the bundled 2.4GHz telephone receiver . Pairing is easy , holding the Fn key and a number from 1 through 4 , depending on the channel you wish to connect to . I also had no takings getting the K4 HE working on either my main Windows play PC or my MacBook Pro work laptop computer .
Keychron rates the K4 HE to last for up to 110 hour on a bearing , with the backlighting off , from its 4000mAh capacity battery .
This is reasonable , although not as strong as other full - size mechanically skillful options such as the Razer Pro Type Ultra which can last for twice as long with its backlighting off .
Software and Lighting
Versatility seemed to be the name of the secret plan with the K4 HE , as you also have a couple of option for software package customisation .
It works with Keychron ’s own web - based Launcher software , which works when the keyboard is punch in with a cable . It allows you to control everything from its RGB light to all of the feature of the switches , including propulsion point , rapid trigger and more besides .
Keychron Launcher is particularly prosperous to use , and wonderfully refreshful to see in a world where peripheral software in some case might as well equal to bloatware at time .
you may also use the Graeco-Roman QMK microcode flashing and VIA interface to control the K4 HE , although it arguably is n’t as versatile as Keychron ’s own Launcher .
With the limited version version of this keyboard lacking shine - through legends on the keycaps , it means the RGB light here is more subdued and act as more of an underglow . I do n’t necessarily mind this , although if you want more marked lighting , then you may go for the normal K4 HE that has shine - through fable .
Should you buy it?
The K4 HE impresses with its seriously powerful residence - effect switch with speedy trigger , analog powers and more in a keyboard that also look marvellous .
If you do n’t necessarily want or require a large layout , as the K4 HE provides , then you may grab the smaller K2 HE that generate you all of the same functionality as this model , but in smaller parcel . There are also plenty of other choice around with small-scale layouts ..
Final Thoughts
The Keychron K4 HE is an immense mechanical keyboard with some supremely powerful electrical switch , stylish looks , various wireless connectivity and ingenious computer software . It ’s also quite reasonably price for what ’s on go here , and is quite a yardstick for key rivals to overtake .
It ’s arguably only Keychron ’s own mathematical product that get close , such as the slightly more expensiveQ1 HEand come with much of the same characteristic set , adding only an aluminium physical body to the party . In increase , the Razer Pro Type Ultra may have stronger battery life story , but its switch are nowhere almost as powerful and it is n’t as well - crafted . In short , the K4 HE is easy one of thebest gambling keyboardswe’ve tested .
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How we test
We apply every keyboard we try out for at least a week . During that time , we ’ll check it for rest of habit and put it through its paces by playing a diversity of different genres , include FPS , strategy and MOBAs .
We also check each keyboard ’s software package to see how easy it is to customize and set up .
FAQs
The Keychron K4 HE weighs 1.066 kilogram , gift it some sensible heft for its size .
Test Data
Full Specs
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