Keychron V4 Max QMK VIA Wireless Review | 64 Data compared

The Keychron V Max series (V1, V2, V5 Max) offers an exceptional, budget-friendly, gasket-mounted, and hot-swappable mechanical keyboard experience, featuring versatile tri-mode connectivity with low-latency 2.4 GHz wireless. These keyboards are praised for their soft typing feel, sound-dampening foam, and robust customization through QMK/VIA software, making them suitable for gaming and productivity. However, the stock PBT keycaps lack shine-through legends, making them hard to read in the dark, and the high-profile case may require a separate wrist rest to avoid discomfort. Minor, occasional rattle from the plate-mounted stabilizers is also noted, alongside the lack of dedicated media keys on some layouts.

According to RTINGS, Keychron keyboards are excellent, budget-friendly entry points into the mechanical keyboard market, offering extensive layout options, solid build quality, and native compatibility across macOS, Windows, and Linux. Higher-end models like the Q Max and V Max series are specifically praised for their hot-swappable PCBs, 2.4GHz wireless connectivity, and 1,000Hz to 8,000Hz polling rates. However, the brand often faces criticism for tall frame designs that can cause fatigue, the frequent lack of included wrist rests, and occasional stabilizer rattle on larger keys. Additionally, entry-level models often feature a cheaper, plastic construction, lacking the premium feel and software customization of the upper-tier enthusiast models.