True Score Methodology v1.0

Keychron Q4 Review

Name: Keychron Q4
Brand: Keychron

August 16, 2023

True Score

Mixed Reviews

Experts

Consumers

Expert Rankings

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Product editors loved the Keychron Q4, approving it for programmers, gamers, and office users. They were happy with its macro-programmable keys, PBT keycaps, and aluminum frame. Analysts also like its RGB backlighting with individually lit keys. However, they were disappointed with its so-so-wired latency and lack of incline settings.

Keychron Q4 Wired Custom Mechanical Keyboard, QMK/VIA Programmable Macro, Full Aluminum, Hot-Swappable Gateron G Pro Brown Switch, 60% Layout Double Gasket Compatible with Mac and Windows - Black

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$189.99

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Table of Contents

What Is Not on the Box
Overview
Product Comparison
All Stores
Score Card
Expert Score Breakdown
Learn More About Gaming Keyboard

What Is Not on the Box

What the brand doesn’t always tell you…

our Verdict

Top experts hailed the Keychron Q4, endorsing it for gaming, programming, and office use. Experts at TechRadar were impressed by its OSA profile PBT keycaps and aluminum frame. All keys were confirmed to be macro-programmable on this board, but it has no programmable knob. Users who need a device with a programmable knob should see our Keychron Q5 review.

Editors from Tom’s Guide loved its RGB backlighting with per-key illumination. Reviewers tested a model equipped with Gateron G Pro Brown switches, needing a 52 gf operating force and 2.7 mm pre-travel distance. They were delighted by its typing quality and quiet operation, and testing revealed that the keys are hot-swappable.

Reviewers were happy with the 60% form factor. However, if you need a slightly bigger 65% version with dedicated arrow keys, see our Keychron Q2 review. During testing, testers were disappointed to know that this keyboard has a fixed 6.5° incline and lacks a wrist rest. It also has a so-so 11.3 ms wired latency.

True Score

Reasons to Buy

Comes with customization software
All keys are macro-programmable
Hot-swappable switches
OSA profile PBT keycaps
Great aluminum frame

Reasons to Avoid

Doesn’t support incline adjustment
Lacks a wrist rest
Lacks a number pad, dedicated arrow keys and dedicated function keys

Specifications

Battery Life
na
Customizable Lighting
Full RGB
Foldable
No
Form Factor
Compact (60%)
Key Switch Behavior
Tactile
Keyboard Technology
Mechanical
Max Wireless Range
na
Palm Rest
na
Spill Resistant
na
Touchpad
na
Wireless
na
Wireless Connectivity
na

Overview

The Keychron Q4 is a high-end 2022-model compact (60%) wired quantum mechanical keyboard (QMK) marketed to keyboard enthusiasts, promising unlimited customization. It has a solid aluminum frame and boasts advanced features similar to the best keyboards today. It features OSA profile PBT keycaps and a hot-swap PCB.

The keyboard has a barebones variant too. This keyboard comes in Gateron G Pro Red, Blue, and Brown switches. Read to the end of this review to see how the Keychron Q4 compares with the best gaming keyboards on the market.

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Product Comparison

	Keychron Q4 Review	Keychron Q3 Review	Ducky One 3 Review	Glorious GMMK 2 Review
True Score	74	79	66	64
Market Context	–	Both the Keychron Q4 and the Keychron Q3 are highly customizable wired mechanical keyboards featuring hot-swappable switches. However, the Q3 is a bigger TenKeyLess (80% size) keyboard with more keys than the 60% compact Q4. See our Keychron Q3 review to learn more about the Q3. Read more ↓	Featuring a lower 4.5 ms wired latency, the Ducky One 3 is better for pro gaming than the Keychron Q4, which has a higher 11.3 ms wired latency. The Ducky keyboard comes in the full-size form factor, while the Keychron Q4 is a small 60% device. Thanks to an aluminum chassis, the Keychron Q4 boasts better build quality than the mostly plastic Ducky device. Read more ↓	Both the Keychron Q4 and the GLORIOUS GMMK 2 boast hot-swappable switches. Each of the keyboards is also available in a barebones variant. However, the GLORIOUS GMMK 2 has a lower 6.1 ms wired latency, which provides more responsive gaming performance than the 11.3 ms latency of the Keychron Q4. Read more ↓
Keyboard Technology	Mechanical	Mechanical	Mechanical	Mechanical
Key Switch Behavior	Tactile	Tactile	Linear	Linear
Touchpad	No	No	No	No
Customizable Lighting	Full RGB backlighting with individually-lit keys	No per-key RGB in software	Full RGB backlighting with individually-lit keys	Full RGB backlighting with individually-lit keys
Palm Rest	No	No	No	No
Dig Deeper	–	Read Review →	Read Review →	Read Review →