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  1. Table of Contents
  2. Top
  3. Main Differences
  4. Design
    1. Dimensions
    2. Build Quality
    3. Ergonomics
    4. Backlighting
    5. Cable & Connector
    6. Wireless Versatility
    7. Extra Features
    8. In The Box
  5. Typing Experience
    1. Keystrokes
    2. Typing Quality
    3. Typing Noise
    4. Latency
  6. Software and Operating System
    1. Software & Programming
    2. Keyboard Compatibility
  7. Comments

Keychron K2 (Version 2) vs Keychron K4

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Keychron K2 (Version 2)
Keychron K4

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Jun 27, 2023 08:47 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated May 15, 2023 09:40 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Keychron K2 (Version 2) Picture
Keychron K4 Picture

Variants

  • K2 (Version 2) (Dark Gray)
  • K4 (Black)

Our Verdict

Keychron K2 (Version 2)

Keychron K4

The Keychron K2 (Version 2) is a 75% version of the Keychron K4. The K2 that we tested has full RGB backlighting, while the K4 has white backlighting, although you can get it with RGB backlighting as well. The K2 is smaller and lighter, so it's a better choice for use with mobile devices. However, the K4 has more switch options because it's available with LK Optical or Gateron switches, whereas the K2 is only available with Gateron switches. The K2 has slightly higher latency, but it shouldn't be noticeable to most people.

0 

Check Price

Dark Gray
K2 (Version 2)
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Dark Gray
K2 (Version 2)
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Dark Gray
K2 (Version 2)
Amazon.com
Black
K4
B&H
Dark Gray
K2 (Version 2)
Amazon.com

Main Differences for
Gaming

Threshold 

0.10

Gaming 

7.7
7.7

Pre-Travel 
 

2.3 mm
1.9 mm

Operating Force 
 

44 gf
58 gf

Full Comparison

Design

Dimensions 
 

Top Picture  

Keychron K2 (Version 2) Top Picture
Keychron K4 Top Picture

Size 
 

Compact (75%)
Compact (96%)

Height 
 

1.7" (4.2 cm)
1.5" (3.7 cm)

Width  

12.4" (31.6 cm)
14.6" (37.1 cm)

Depth 
 

5.0" (12.7 cm)
4.9" (12.5 cm)

Depth With Wrist Rest 
 

N/A
N/A

Weight 
 

1.74 lbs (0.787 kg)
1.69 lbs (0.765 kg)
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

8.5
8.0

Build Quality Close Up  

Keychron K2 (Version 2) Build Quality Close Up
Keychron K4 Build Quality Close Up

Keycap Material  

ABS
ABS
Show Text 

Ergonomics 
 

6.5
6.5

Side Picture  

Keychron K2 (Version 2) Side Picture
Keychron K4 Side Picture

Board Design 
 

Straight
Straight

Minimum Incline 
 

6.5°

Medium Incline 
 

8.5°
N/A

Maximum Incline 
 

11°

Wrist Rest  

No
No
Show Text 

Backlighting 
 

9.1
8.9

Backlighting Picture  

Keychron K2 (Version 2) Backlighting Picture
Keychron K4 Backlighting Picture

White Shot 
 

Keychron K2 (Version 2) White Shot
Keychron K4 White Shot

Brightness Max 
 

Keychron K2 (Version 2) Brightness Max
Keychron K4 Brightness Max

Brightness Min 
 

Keychron K2 (Version 2) Brightness Min
Keychron K4 Brightness Min

Backlighting  

Yes
Yes

Color 
 

RGB
White

Individually Backlit Keys 
 

Yes
Yes

Color Mixing 
 

Poor
White Only

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  

3.9 ft (1.2 m)
3.8 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  

Keychron K2 (Version 2) Extra Features
Keychron K4 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  

No
Yes

Windows Key Lock 
 

No
No

Lock Indicator  

Caps Lock
No Indicator
Show Text 

In The Box  

Bundle Picture  

Keychron K2 (Version 2) Bundle Picture
Keychron K4 Bundle Picture
Show Text 
Typing Experience

Keystrokes 
 

Key Switch Actuation Graph  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Key Switches 
 

Gateron Brown
LK Optical Brown

Mechanical 
 

Yes
Yes

Feel 
 

Tactile
Tactile

Operating Force 
 

44 gf
58 gf

Actuation Force 
 

36 gf
57 gf

Pre-Travel 
 

2.3 mm
1.9 mm

Total Travel 
 

4.0 mm
4.0 mm
Show Text 

Typing Quality 
 

8.0
8.0
Show Text 

Typing Noise 
 

Typing Sample  

Noise 
 

Quiet
Quiet
Show Text 

Latency 
 

7.0
7.4

Latency Video  

Latency Wired 
 

15.7 ms
11.1 ms

Latency Receiver 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency Bluetooth 
 

25.3 ms
23.3 ms
Show Text 
Software and Operating System

Software & Programming 
 

0.0
0.0

Software Picture  

Keychron K2 (Version 2) Software Picture
Keychron K4 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 
 

9.2
9.1

Windows  

Full
Full

macOS  

Full
Full

Linux  

Partial
Partial

Android  

Full
Partial

iOS  

Partial
Partial

iPadOS  

Partial
Partial
Show Text 

Check Price

Dark Gray
K2 (Version 2)
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Dark Gray
K2 (Version 2)
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Dark Gray
K2 (Version 2)
Amazon.com
Black
K4
B&H
Dark Gray
K2 (Version 2)
Amazon.com

Keychron K2 (Version 2)

Keychron K4

Comments

  1. Comparison

Keychron K2 (Version 2) vs Keychron K4: Main Discussion

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