Keychron K4 HE Keyboard Review

With the Keychron K4 HE, the company is upgrading its existing 96% layout offering with Hall effect switches. After being impressed by other Keychron Hall effect options, I’ve been eager to try the full-sized option, as I know a lot of gamers who value having all keys available to them, but who could also benefit from the latest key switch tech. After testing the K4 HE for both office work, where fast and accurate typing is required, and gaming, where consistency and responsiveness is key, it’s time for my review.

Hall effect in a full-sized keyboard

As with other “HE” variants, the main highlight of the Keychron K4 HE’s feature set is the Gateron Double-Rail Magnetic Switches. These Hall effect switches are the latest must-have in the PC gaming world, as they can be tuned to detect precise points of actuation.

What does Hall effect mean for gaming? Well, players can customize a key’s actuation point to trigger different functions at different points. For example, a half-pressed key could cause a character to walk slowly, while a full press could make the character run. In first-person shooters, these Hall effect switches are particularly useful for strafing side to side, giving players a competitive edge.

Using the software, each key can be tuned to actuate anywhere between 0.2 mm and 3.8 mm. It can take some time to get the keyboard exactly the way you want it, with different profiles set for different games and general typing, but the final result is impressive.

All the keys you need

An obvious win with the K4 HE is its 96% layout. With many keyboard companies neglecting the full-size layout, especially for gamers, it’s nice to see Keychron bringing modern tech to fans of the big board. For those who want a number pad, F-row, and all of the other keys that many happily forgo, the K4 HE provides them all.

The limits of Hall effect sounds and feel

While the K4 HE does a hell of a lot right, it does share a common issue that affects Hall effect-equipped keyboards. Put simply, Hall effect switches just don’t feel as satisfying to press when compared to traditional mechanical switches, and this issue is shared with the K4 HE.

Hopefully Hall effect switches evolve to offer great functionality as well as the super-satisfying sound and feel.

If you’re coming from a “thocky” linear keyboard that you’ve grown used to hearing, then the K4 HE may be jarring.

Disclosure: Review sample provided by Keychron.