Compare McHose GX87 Keyboard vs Keychron K4 HE

P1 McHose GX87 Keyboard
P2 Keychron K4 HE

Comparison Takeaways

McHose GX87 Keyboard

Where It Has the Edge

  • ease of switch replacement is 5.0 vs 3.3. Switch replacement is described as very easy because switches can be removed and replaced without soldering.
  • hot-swappable switches is 5.0 vs 3.9. Hot-swap support is clearly confirmed across reviews, making switch swaps part of the board’s appeal.
  • battery life is 4.9 vs 4.4. Battery life is a clear strength, with multiple reviews calling out the large 8,000mAh capacity and very long...
  • materials quality is 4.7 vs 4.3. The materials are consistently praised, especially the aluminum chassis and PBT keycaps, with one reviewer also highlighting the...

Keychron K4 HE

Where It Has the Edge

  • portability is 4.5 vs 2.5. One review highlights the relatively light weight and says it is easy to carry in a backpack.
  • reliability is 4.8 vs 3.2. Reliability evidence is positive, with one reviewer expecting years of use and another reporting no issues after a...
  • key responsiveness is 4.8 vs 4.0. Magnetic switches are consistently described as quick to register and helpful in fast gameplay.
  • connectivity is 4.8 vs 4.0. Multiple reviews confirm wired, 2.4GHz, and Bluetooth support, with easy switching and multi-device use.
Average score
Product 1: McHose GX87 Keyboard
4.3
Product 2: Keychron K4 HE
4.3
acoustics
Product 1: McHose GX87 Keyboard
4.8

Reviewers praise the GX87’s stock sound as a standout, describing it as refined, lively, and unusually satisfying for a prebuilt board.

Product 2: Keychron K4 HE
4.6

Multiple reviewers praise the K4 HE’s sound, describing it as marvellous, thocky, or simply nice, with little rattle mentioned.

actuation consistency
Product 1: McHose GX87 Keyboard
4.5

One review specifically says the switches deliver a consistent key press.

Product 2: Keychron K4 HE
4.7

One review explicitly describes the magnetic switches as consistent and responsive in action.

analog input support
Product 1: McHose GX87 Keyboard
No score yet
Product 2: Keychron K4 HE
4.8

Reviews consistently note analog-style input support, including gamepad or joystick emulation and variable control based on key depth.

backlight brightness
Product 1: McHose GX87 Keyboard
No score yet
Product 2: Keychron K4 HE
2.5

One review says the backlight is too dim to see well in daylight.

battery life
Product 1: McHose GX87 Keyboard
4.9

Battery life is a clear strength, with multiple reviews calling out the large 8,000mAh capacity and very long runtime.

Product 2: Keychron K4 HE
4.4

Battery life is generally viewed as good, with evidence citing roughly 100 to 110 hours, though one reviewer notes stronger battery life exists elsewhere.

build quality
Product 1: McHose GX87 Keyboard
4.6

Multiple reviewers describe the GX87 as very well built, with strong assembly, solid casework, and no obvious quality-control issues.

Product 2: Keychron K4 HE
4.7

Reviewers repeatedly describe the board as sturdy, solid, or premium-feeling, with little or no flex reported.

cable quality
Product 1: McHose GX87 Keyboard
2.8

One video calls the included cable cheap and unimpressive.

Product 2: Keychron K4 HE
3.2

Cable feedback is mixed: reviewers like the included cable quality or angled design, but several also call it short.

compatibility
Product 1: McHose GX87 Keyboard
4.5

Key mappings are described as persisting across multiple devices, which supports multi-device use.

Product 2: Keychron K4 HE
4.8

Reviews say the K4 HE works across Windows and macOS, and one review also mentions Linux support.

connectivity
Product 1: McHose GX87 Keyboard
4.0

The board offers Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless modes, but one review also reports minor connectivity issues.

Product 2: Keychron K4 HE
4.8

Multiple reviews confirm wired, 2.4GHz, and Bluetooth support, with easy switching and multi-device use.

customization options
Product 1: McHose GX87 Keyboard
4.8

Reviewers consistently say the GX87 is easy to customize, thanks to straightforward disassembly and mod-friendly design, with one video also mentioning swappable top colors.

Product 2: Keychron K4 HE
4.8

The K4 HE offers unusually deep customization in the evidence, especially around per-key actuation, remapping, and gaming settings.

desk space efficiency
Product 1: McHose GX87 Keyboard
4.2

The TKL layout is described as saving desk space versus full-size boards while keeping a familiar key set.

Product 2: Keychron K4 HE
4.8

The 96% layout is repeatedly framed as saving desk space while keeping most of a full-size board’s utility.

durability
Product 1: McHose GX87 Keyboard
5.0

One review explicitly says the GX87 feels built to last.

Product 2: Keychron K4 HE
4.9

One reviewer reports the board survived a coffee spill and kept working afterward.

ease of switch replacement
Product 1: McHose GX87 Keyboard
5.0

Switch replacement is described as very easy because switches can be removed and replaced without soldering.

Product 2: Keychron K4 HE
3.3

Switch swapping is possible, but replacement is constrained to specific magnetic Gateron HE options.

ergonomics
Product 1: McHose GX87 Keyboard
4.0

The fixed typing angle is presented as standard enough that it should not bother most users.

Product 2: Keychron K4 HE
4.2

Ergonomics come across as decent thanks to angled rows and a posture-friendly typing stance, though nothing suggests a low-profile feel.

extra gaming features
Product 1: McHose GX87 Keyboard
4.2

A dedicated ultra low latency mode is explicitly mentioned in the software.

Product 2: Keychron K4 HE
4.8

The review set repeatedly mentions quad-actuation, Snap Tap or LKP, dynamic keystrokes, and similar Hall Effect gaming extras.

frame rigidity
Product 1: McHose GX87 Keyboard
4.3

The chassis is praised for having no flex or rattles, though one video notes the quick-release design may feel less rigid than a screwed-in case.

Product 2: Keychron K4 HE
4.8

Reviewers report no body flex and very stable behavior on the desk.

gaming performance
Product 1: McHose GX87 Keyboard
4.4

Reviewers say the GX87 handles gaming well, especially for hybrid work-and-play use, even if it is not framed as a specialist Hall Effect board.

Product 2: Keychron K4 HE
4.8

Across shooter and general gaming use, reviewers consistently describe the K4 HE as fast, capable, and competitive.

hot-swappable switches
Product 1: McHose GX87 Keyboard
5.0

Hot-swap support is clearly confirmed across reviews, making switch swaps part of the board’s appeal.

Product 2: Keychron K4 HE
3.9

The switches are hot-swappable, but that advantage is limited by the restricted switch ecosystem.

keycap quality
Product 1: McHose GX87 Keyboard
4.5

One review specifically praises the included PBT keycaps as high quality.

Product 2: Keychron K4 HE
4.6

Reviews praise the included PBT or OSA keycaps for feel, shape, and durability cues.

key responsiveness
Product 1: McHose GX87 Keyboard
4.0

One review says the switches feel fairly responsive in play.

Product 2: Keychron K4 HE
4.8

Magnetic switches are consistently described as quick to register and helpful in fast gameplay.

key spacing
Product 1: McHose GX87 Keyboard
No score yet
Product 2: Keychron K4 HE
2.9

The condensed 96% layout is the most common complaint, with several reviewers calling the keys cramped or easy to mis-hit.

key stability
Product 1: McHose GX87 Keyboard
No score yet
Product 2: Keychron K4 HE
4.6

Double-rail magnetic switches are credited with reducing wobble and improving key stability.

latency
Product 1: McHose GX87 Keyboard
4.4

Latency is framed positively for normal gaming use, with reviewers noting reduced latency concerns and immediate-feeling keypresses.

Product 2: Keychron K4 HE
4.1

Latency is generally strong for the category, though some evidence says it is not class-leading.

legend visibility
Product 1: McHose GX87 Keyboard
No score yet
Product 2: Keychron K4 HE
3.3

Legend visibility is mixed: one review praises clear legends, while others note non-shine-through caps and harder-to-see lighting on the Special Edition.

macro customization
Product 1: McHose GX87 Keyboard
4.5

Macro support is explicitly mentioned as part of the board’s deeper customization toolkit.

Product 2: Keychron K4 HE
4.8

Reviews confirm robust macro support, including complex macros and flexible mapping.

materials quality
Product 1: McHose GX87 Keyboard
4.7

The materials are consistently praised, especially the aluminum chassis and PBT keycaps, with one reviewer also highlighting the smooth finish.

Product 2: Keychron K4 HE
4.3

Materials get mixed-positive remarks: aluminum framing and real wood accents add quality, while some plastic remains in the shell.

media controls
Product 1: McHose GX87 Keyboard
No score yet
Product 2: Keychron K4 HE
3.6

Media controls are available through FN combinations rather than dedicated keys.

noise level
Product 1: McHose GX87 Keyboard
4.5

The sound profile is described as muted rather than sharply loud, keeping the board’s thock controlled.

Product 2: Keychron K4 HE
4.5

One review specifically says the switches are not very loud.

onboard memory
Product 1: McHose GX87 Keyboard
4.8

Customizations are explicitly described as being stored on the keyboard itself.

Product 2: Keychron K4 HE
4.8

Reviews confirm onboard memory for saving settings or profiles on the keyboard itself.

per-key lighting control
Product 1: McHose GX87 Keyboard
No score yet
Product 2: Keychron K4 HE
2.0

One review explicitly says there is no per-key lighting customization for custom colors.

polling rate
Product 1: McHose GX87 Keyboard
4.2

The keyboard is repeatedly described as running at 1,000Hz, with one video also discussing a low-latency mode.

Product 2: Keychron K4 HE
4.5

Polling rate is consistently cited at 1,000Hz, which reviewers view as solid for the price but not top-tier.

portability
Product 1: McHose GX87 Keyboard
2.5

Its heavy all-metal build makes it less convenient to carry around or reposition frequently.

Product 2: Keychron K4 HE
4.5

One review highlights the relatively light weight and says it is easy to carry in a backpack.

profile management
Product 1: McHose GX87 Keyboard
No score yet
Product 2: Keychron K4 HE
4.6

Reviews mention multiple saveable profiles, typically three, for work and gaming setups.

rapid trigger support
Product 1: McHose GX87 Keyboard
No score yet
Product 2: Keychron K4 HE
4.8

Rapid Trigger support is a core selling point across the review set and is repeatedly described as useful for fast inputs.

reliability
Product 1: McHose GX87 Keyboard
3.2

One review reports rare duplicate key registrations and a fringe long-hold input issue, so reliability is good but not flawless.

Product 2: Keychron K4 HE
4.8

Reliability evidence is positive, with one reviewer expecting years of use and another reporting no issues after a spill.

RGB customization
Product 1: McHose GX87 Keyboard
3.9

Lighting customization exists and can be adjusted, but the experience is not unanimously polished, with one review calling it clunky.

Product 2: Keychron K4 HE
4.5

Lighting customization includes selectable effects and colors, though the evidence does not show full per-key color control.

RGB lighting quality
Product 1: McHose GX87 Keyboard
No score yet
Product 2: Keychron K4 HE
4.2

RGB quality is mixed: some reviewers call it vibrant or solid, while others say the Special Edition lighting looks subdued.

size and form factor
Product 1: McHose GX87 Keyboard
4.0

The GX87 is explicitly described as an 80% TKL, giving it a compact-but-not-tiny footprint.

Product 2: Keychron K4 HE
4.7

The 96% form factor is repeatedly framed as near-full-size functionality in a smaller footprint.

software quality
Product 1: McHose GX87 Keyboard
4.2

Software support is generally seen as good for the category, with QMK/VIA support and dedicated software, though one reviewer still found VIA basic.

Product 2: Keychron K4 HE
4.5

Keychron Launcher is widely praised for being easy and flexible, though several reviews note that changing settings usually requires a wired connection and one calls the UI cluttered.

sound dampening
Product 1: McHose GX87 Keyboard
4.7

Internal foam and damping layers are specifically credited with reducing ping and cleaning up the typing sound.

Product 2: Keychron K4 HE
4.7

Several reviews mention foam, acoustic pads, or low rattle, suggesting effective sound dampening.

stabilizer quality
Product 1: McHose GX87 Keyboard
3.8

Stabilizers are mixed but acceptable overall: one review says they are nearly silent, while another wanted a bit more lube.

Product 2: Keychron K4 HE
No score yet
switch feel
Product 1: McHose GX87 Keyboard
4.5

The stock linear switches are described as satisfying, bouncy, crisp, and snappy in everyday use.

Product 2: Keychron K4 HE
4.3

Switch feel trends positive overall, with reviewers calling the magnetic switches airy or satisfying, though one found them too soft for typing.

switch options
Product 1: McHose GX87 Keyboard
2.8

Switch choice at purchase is limited, with one review explicitly noting only two similar linear options and no tactile choice.

Product 2: Keychron K4 HE
2.7

Switch choice is limited, with several reviews noting support only for specific double-rail magnetic switches.

typing comfort
Product 1: McHose GX87 Keyboard
4.5

Typing comfort is positively described, with reviewers calling out a soft, bouncy, comfort-focused feel.

Product 2: Keychron K4 HE
4.7

Typing comfort is generally good in the evidence, with comfortable profiles and approachable feel once acclimated.

typing feel
Product 1: McHose GX87 Keyboard
4.7

Typing feel is strongly positive, with reviewers describing the GX87 as joyful, smooth, and satisfying to type on.

Product 2: Keychron K4 HE
4.4

Typing feel is mostly praised for sound and smoothness, but one reviewer found it sloppy for typing out of the box.

value for money
Product 1: McHose GX87 Keyboard
4.9

Reviews repeatedly frame the GX87 as unusually strong value, pairing premium-feeling features with a budget-friendly price.

Product 2: Keychron K4 HE
4.7

Value is one of the clearest strengths, with multiple reviews explicitly calling the K4 HE well-priced or high value for its feature set.

volume control
Product 1: McHose GX87 Keyboard
No score yet
Product 2: Keychron K4 HE
3.0

Volume control exists through function-key shortcuts rather than a dedicated knob or wheel.

wireless performance
Product 1: McHose GX87 Keyboard
4.8

Wireless behavior is praised for reconnecting quickly after idle and feeling responsive in use.

Product 2: Keychron K4 HE
4.7

Wireless use looks strong in the reviews, with easy multi-device use and quick wake behavior.