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Keychron keyboard discussion

Has anyone got any recommendations for replacement keycaps for the K4? UK ISO.

The K4 was my first mechanical keyboard and I’ve been using with my Mac Mini. I recently bought the V3 Max to use for work (I have to use a Windows laptop for work, so using a different keyboard with Windows functions is helpful).

Using the V3 Max I realise how much I now don’t like the keycaps on the K4!

I suspect getting UK ISO with Mac function keys is unlikely, especially for a layout like the K4. So I’d happily switch that to my Windows board and use the V3 with my Mac if I could get Windows UK ISO caps.
 
The K4 just uses normal MX-style keycaps, so virtually anything (that comes in a UK ISO layout) should work. Amazon, AliExpress and other vendors will have tons of inexpensive sets in all sorts of different profiles (Cherry, OEM, XDA, SA, etc). Given that the K4 is a budget model, I probably would bother spending a lot of money on more expensive keycap sets from makers like GMK or PBTFans. I mean, you could, but probably not worth putting on keycaps that cost 2x more than the keyboard itself.
 
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xraydoc said:
The K4 just uses normal MX-style keycaps, so virtually anything (that comes in a UK ISO layout) should work. Amazon, AliExpress and other vendors will have tons of inexpensive sets in all sorts of different profiles (Cherry, OEM, XDA, SA, etc). Given that the K4 is a budget model, I probably would bother spending a lot of money on more expensive keycap sets from makers like GMK or PBTFans. I mean, you could, but probably not worth putting on keycaps that cost 2x more than the keyboard itself.
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K4 is a non-standard layout, from what I can tell. Especially with the bottom row of keys alongside the space bar. So I’d assumed many caps available wouldn’t fit?
 
Cassandle said:
K4 is a non-standard layout, from what I can tell. Especially with the bottom row of keys alongside the space bar. So I’d assumed many caps available wouldn’t fit?
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That's correct, but a lot of the mass produced keycap sets include extra keys just for this purpose. Still, you'll need to shop carefully to make sure that the set you're getting includes modifier keys in sizes not common for modifier keys (1U, 1.25U, 1.5U).

This odd sizing isn't unique to that keyboard. Compact tenkeyless keyboards that have less than 75% layouts typically have shrunken modifier keys like this.
 
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Cassandle said:
K4 is a non-standard layout, from what I can tell. Especially with the bottom row of keys alongside the space bar. So I’d assumed many caps available wouldn’t fit?
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No, it's not odd for a 96%/1800-layout. The 1u GUI/modifier keys to the right of the spacebar are common on 75% keyboards, so many if not most keycap sets will include necessary 1u keycaps, including the 1u numpad zero key. Check the kitting pictures to be sure the one you select has them, but it won't be hard at all to find.
 
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The bigger problem with K4 is how it is not mappable (I think?)

So not only do you need to find the right kitting, you also need to match exact key with the K4, namely the top right navs that are 1U R1 del / home / end / pgup / pgdn, and then the right mods R4 cmd / fn / ctrl. Compound that with needing ISO + Mac f-row just further narrows the options down.

That said I think Keychron themselves sell ISO keycap sets that are supposed to match some of their own boards. Their OSA shine-through sets come with all sorts of ISO layouts.
 
Chancha said:
The bigger problem with K4 is how it is not mappable (I think?)

So not only do you need to find the right kitting, you also need to match exact key with the K4, namely the top right navs that are 1U R1 del / home / end / pgup / pgdn, and then the right mods R4 cmd / fn / ctrl. Compound that with needing ISO + Mac f-row just further narrows the options down.

That said I think Keychron themselves sell ISO keycap sets that are supposed to match some of their own boards. Their OSA shine-through sets come with all sorts of ISO layouts.
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Well, can't tell you what the ISO K4 layout is, but finding R1 Home/End/PgUp/PgDn and 1u R4 Cmd/Fn/Ctrl isn't difficult. I've got several sets with those, including GMK and PBTFans. PBTFans is really good about including macOS Command and Option keys. Not so much for GMK.

And of course, if one goes with a uniform profile like XDA, DSA or KAM (amongst others), then there's little issue.

Finding macOS F-row media icons, however, will be the most challenging if that's something OP cares about.
 
xraydoc said:
Well, can't tell you what the ISO K4 layout is, but finding R1 Home/End/PgUp/PgDn and 1u R4 Cmd/Fn/Ctrl isn't difficult. I've got several sets with those, including GMK and PBTFans. PBTFans is really good about including macOS Command and Option keys. Not so much for GMK.

And of course, if one goes with a uniform profile like XDA, DSA or KAM (amongst others), then there's little issue.

Finding macOS F-row media icons, however, will be the most challenging if that's something OP cares about.
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IMG_3371.jpegIMG_3370.jpeg
I have PBTfans sets as well, such as this Resonance R2 set that has all sorts of 1U novelties, on top of the aforementioned 1U keys. This particular set have Mac mods, ISO enter, but the UK and Europe specific alpha keys are extras that I didn't buy. The set is just lovely, great quality PBT material, fun semi-translucent novelties, really full kitting.

But honestly sets at this price range probably shouldn't be put into a Keychron let alone a K4 lol. But yeah key sets with great kitting option exists, they just generally are very costly.

Good quality double-shot Mac media F-row keys are almost nonexistent outside of Keychron and Nuphy, and they are often low profile key caps. Luckily I never need them, my f-row are mapped to actual function keys since I do use them.

As for Mac mods, sometimes I make do with "super" or "code" in place of cmd especially for retro-style keycap sets. But even cmd is getting less obscure now, such as GMK's new MTNU mold, they didn't start with Mac mods but the recent Modern Dolch set added them.
 
🤨 My Keychron Q3 HE QMK Wireless Custom Keyboard died. It was working OK last night, this morning it's dead, no RGB, nothing. There is a green status light, indicating that at least the batteries are charged. I am happy to see that Keychron has set up operations in the States, so there are no visible tariffs in the price. I see that Keychron has greatly expanded the HE line of Keyboards. I'm working on this Q3 to see if there is any hope, but Keychron has just the HE keyboard I want now. Keychron Q5 HE 8K Magnetic Switch Keyboard.

Screenshot 2026-03-29 at 10.07.06.png
 
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transmaster said:
🤨 My Keychron Q3 HE QMK Wireless Custom Keyboard died. It was working OK last night, this morning it's dead, no RGB, nothing. There is a green status light, indicating that at least the batteries are charged. I am happy to see that Keychron has set up operations in the States, so there are no visible tariffs in the price. I see that Keychron has greatly expanded the HE line of Keyboards. I'm working on this Q3 to see if there is any hope, but Keychron has just the HE keyboard I want now. Keychron Q5 HE 8K Magnetic Switch Keyboard.

View attachment 2617946
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How old is the keyboard?
 
I purchased it in September 2024. I was careful with this one, and I used a keyboard cover to protect it when not in use. It has been a really good keyboard. I am on an older Keychron Mechanical.
 
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transmaster said:
I purchased it in September 2024. I was careful with this one, and I used a keyboard cover to protect it when not in use. It has been a really good keyboard. I am on an older Keychron Mechanical.
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Thanks, I have wanted to try the Keychron for some time, but I get information overload from all the options. 🙂 I am on their site now, taking another look.

I had a Macally wireless keyboard that died after a few months. I ripped it apart and found that, component-wise, it is, well... not much to be proud of. I am presently using an old-style Periboard.
 
FatLouie said:
Thanks, I have wanted to try the Keychron for some time, but I get information overload from all the options. 🙂 I am on their site now, taking another look.

I had a Macally wireless keyboard that died after a few months. I ripped it apart and found that, component-wise, it is, well... not much to be proud of. I am presently using an old-style Periboard.
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I have a V6 Max I bought last January with the Gateron Brown switches. I love the feel of it. Great keyboard!
 
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It will not power on; according to the diagnosis, it probably has a bad battery. I don't have a schematic for this keyboard, but I suspect this one powers through the battery. If that is the case, even having it plugged into power will not power it on.
 
transmaster said:
It will not power on; according to the diagnosis, it probably has a bad battery. I don't have a schematic for this keyboard, but I suspect this one powers through the battery. If that is the case, even having it plugged into power will not power it on.
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While I don't have the same model as you, I've disconnected the battery on a couple of Keychrons and they continue to operate normally when wired.

However, I no longer recommend Keychron to anyone. Their QC these days is terrible and their customer service is even worse. So many problems reported by so many people.
 
xraydoc said:
While I don't have the same model as you, I've disconnected the battery on a couple of Keychrons and they continue to operate normally when wired.

However, I no longer recommend Keychron to anyone. Their QC these days is terrible and their customer service is even worse. So many problems reported by so many people.
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What would you suggest as an alternative? I have always been hard on keyboards, but I was being very careful with this one. One thing I didn't pay much attention to was the direct USB connection stopped working,
 
transmaster said:
Looking at the what is the best keyboard list, Keychron consistently is at the top of the list
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Stumbled across your post. When I was searching for a mechanical keyboard for our daughter, I searched online and looked at a number of 'best' lists (and YouTube influencer reviews) from varied sources, and was surprised at how wide ranging the selections were. Keychron was mentioned pretty often, obvious strong brand recognition, but far from the only. The Nuphy Air75 V3 was really making waves with reviewers in late 2025.

I can't point at any one model where there'll be unanimous asset it's #1, but I can not everybody considers Keychron the top (though some love it).

RTings.com for the 6 best keyboards of 2026 listed Keychron models for 3 of the slots.

The 6 Best Keyboards of 2026

TomsGuide - 2025 listing, 3 of 9 (if I counted right) were Keychron, but a mix of other brands. I’ve reviewed more mechanical keyboards than I can count and these are the only ones I'd buy

I don't know whether you can access the New York Times' 'Wirecutter' reviews, but March 13, 2026 they put out this:

The Best Bluetooth and Wireless Keyboards

Spoiler: 5 Logitech models and the Nuphy Air75 V3.

One of the YouTube reviews who's historically reviewed a LOT of keyboards put this out in 2025 (note: 9 months ago, the Nuphy Air75 V3 may not've been out yet):

The Best Keyboard at Every Price (Don’t Waste your Money)

2 of the 15 were Keychron, and late last year (IIRC) I believe she was highly impressed with the Nuphy Air75 V3.

I don't know whether you're even after a mechanical keyboard and it may well be Keychron is the brand for you. I'm just saying they're not at the top of everyone's list (to be fair, I don't think any brand and model is).
 
I am very hard on keyboards. And I also change them out frequently. I don't know what happened to the Q3 HE QMK, but this is the first one I have had that has outright stopped working. I have 3 other Keychron's encased in storage. I am using the non-HE version of the one that failed. The choice of the magnetic "HE" switched keyboards has expanded, as has the choice of switches. The Keychron is the first keyboard that broke my longing for the old Type M IBM keyboard. I am going to order the Q5 HE 8K I mentioned above. I told a Sci-Fi author I know, Terry Mixon, that these Q series Keychrons have the heft of a cast-iron fry pan. What is nice is Keychron has established a stateside presence, so there is no surprise tariffs.

The Nuphy Air75 V3 is a mechanical version of the crappiest keyboard in the universe, the Apple Magic Keyboard.
 
ekwipt said:
I have :

Keychron V6 QMK Custom Mechanical Keyboard (this is the latest 100%, love it)

K14 Hot-Swap - K14 RGB Aluminum-Gateron (sitting in my drawer, I might work out a way to put it on my PC) but need a long cable as I can't get Bluetooth to ok well on my PC)

K12 Hot-Swap - K12 RGB Aluminum - Gateron (Got it for my iPad, but my kid now owns that, so i've relegated it to my loungeroom for AppleTV duties, love it for that)
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That's the one I have been using (V6M-D3 (V6 Max) this year, and I really like it, although I should have purchased one without the numbers pad. I keep the lights off, however. I find it quite comfortable.
 
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The mistake I made with one of my Keychron was getting a left-handed model. It is a Keychron Q12 QMK Custom Mechanical Keyboard. It has a keypad on the left side. I never could get used to this.
 
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