As someone who has spent countless hours working with various peripherals, I’ve learned that finding the right mouse isn’t just about specifications—it’s about how seamlessly it integrates into your daily workflow. For the past month, I’ve been using the Keychron M4 4K wireless mouse as my primary pointing device, putting it through its paces across work tasks, creative projects, and even some casual gaming. This compact performer from keyboard specialist Keychron has some interesting features that deserve a closer look.
First Impressions and Design
The Keychron M4 4K follows the company’s minimalist design language that’s become familiar through their popular mechanical keyboards. Immediately noticeable is its compact form factor—significantly smaller than many mainstream wireless mice but larger than ultra-portable “travel” options.
The mouse weighs just 79 grams without requiring the honeycomb cutouts that many lightweight gaming mice employ. This places it in an interesting middle ground: light enough for extended use without fatigue, but with enough substance to provide stability during precise movements.
Available in both black and white colorways, the M4 features a matte finish that effectively resists fingerprints while providing adequate grip. The subtle Keychron logo on the heel of the mouse is the only branding visible—a welcome restraint in an era of over-branded peripherals.
Ergonomics and Comfort
Despite its compact dimensions (114mm length × 62mm width × 38mm height), the M4 accommodates a variety of grip styles surprisingly well. Its symmetrical shape with slight inward curves on both sides helps maintain control regardless of whether you prefer:
- Palm grip (though those with larger hands may find their fingers extending beyond the buttons)
- Claw grip (which works exceptionally well with this mouse)
- Fingertip grip (the lightweight design makes this particularly comfortable)
During extended work sessions of 8+ hours, I experienced no hand fatigue or discomfort—impressive for a mouse this size. The textured scroll wheel strikes a good balance between tactility and smooth operation, with clearly defined steps that prevent accidental overshooting when navigating documents or websites.
One ergonomic consideration: if you have particularly large hands, the compact dimensions might feel constraining during long sessions. For reference, my hand measures 19cm from wrist to middle fingertip, and I found the size comfortable but at the upper limit of what would work for my hand size.
Technical Specifications and Performance
The Keychron M4 4K earns its name from its headline sensor specification:
- Sensor: PixArt PAW3395 optical sensor
- Resolution: Up to 4000 DPI (adjustable in 100 DPI increments)
- Polling rate: 1000Hz (1ms response time)
- Buttons: 6 programmable buttons
- Battery life: Up to 300 hours with RGB off, 70 hours with RGB on
- Connectivity: 2.4GHz wireless (USB-C dongle), Bluetooth 5.1, USB-C wired
- Switches: Kailh GM 8.0 rated for 80 million clicks
The PAW3395 sensor provides exceptional tracking accuracy across various surfaces. Unlike some wireless mice that struggle on glass or highly reflective surfaces, the M4 maintained consistent performance even on troublesome materials like glossy magazine covers or glass desk mats.
Sensor Performance
The “4K” in the name refers to the 4000 DPI maximum resolution, which might seem modest compared to the 8K+ DPI ratings of some gaming mice. However, the practical difference is negligible for most users—even professional graphic designers rarely use settings above 3000 DPI.
What matters more is the sensor’s tracking accuracy and consistency, areas where the M4 excels. Testing in Photoshop revealed pixel-perfect precision when making fine adjustments to selections and masks. There was no detectable acceleration or prediction to “help” with movements, resulting in true 1:1 tracking that properly translates physical movement to cursor position.
The polling rate of 1000Hz ensures minimal input lag, which became evident during light gaming sessions. While not marketed specifically as a gaming mouse, the M4 handled casual FPS and strategy games without issues. Professional competitive gamers might want more specialized features, but for occasional gaming, it’s more than capable.
Connectivity Options
The M4 offers three connectivity methods:
- 2.4GHz wireless via the included USB-C dongle
- Bluetooth 5.1 with support for up to 3 paired devices
- USB-C wired connection (which also charges the mouse)
Switching between connection modes is accomplished through a slider switch on the bottom of the mouse. The 2.4GHz wireless connection proved absolutely flawless during testing, with no detectable difference in performance compared to wired mode. The dongle is refreshingly USB-C rather than the aging USB-A format that many manufacturers still employ.
The Bluetooth connection, while convenient for connecting to multiple devices, exhibited the slight input lag typical of Bluetooth peripherals. For general productivity it’s perfectly adequate, but for precision work or gaming, the 2.4GHz connection is preferable.
An area deserving particular praise is the seamless device switching when using Bluetooth. By pressing a dedicated button on the underside, you can cycle through your three paired devices instantly—a feature that proved invaluable when working across my laptop, desktop, and tablet throughout the day.
Battery Life
Keychron claims up to 300 hours of use with RGB lighting disabled, which seems reasonable based on my experience. After a full month of 8-10 hour workdays, I’ve only needed to recharge twice. With RGB enabled (which creates a subtle underglow effect rather than garish lighting), battery life decreases significantly to around 70 hours, still impressive compared to many wireless competitors.
The mouse charges via USB-C, reaching full charge in approximately 1.5 hours. A small LED indicator near the scroll wheel changes from red to green when charging is complete, and flashes red when battery level falls below 15%.
Software and Customization
Keychron offers its VIA-compatible software for customizing the M4’s performance. The application is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux—a refreshing level of cross-platform support compared to many peripherals that neglect Linux users.
The software allows:
- Button remapping for all six buttons
- DPI adjustment in 100 DPI increments
- Polling rate selection
- RGB lighting customization
- Macro recording and assignment
- Creating and switching between multiple profiles
While functional, the software interface feels somewhat utilitarian compared to the polished applications from companies like Logitech or Razer. That said, once you’ve configured your preferences, the mouse stores settings in onboard memory, meaning you rarely need to open the software again.
A standout feature is the ability to set different DPI levels for horizontal and vertical movement—valuable for working on ultrawide monitors where you might want faster horizontal tracking but precise vertical control.
Daily Use Experience
Where the Keychron M4 truly shines is in its versatility across different usage scenarios. Throughout my testing period, I used it for:
Office Productivity
For document editing, spreadsheet work, and general browsing, the M4 provides a comfortable experience even during marathon sessions. The defined steps in the scroll wheel make navigating long documents precise, though I did occasionally miss the free-spinning wheels found on some Logitech models when scrolling through particularly lengthy documents.
The two side buttons are positioned perfectly for quick access without accidental presses. By default, they handle backward/forward navigation in browsers and file explorers, but I reprogrammed one to serve as a dedicated copy button, which streamlined my workflow considerably.
Creative Work
In creative applications like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, the sensor precision became particularly apparent. Fine adjustments to brush strokes and selection points registered exactly as intended, with no jitter or unwanted smoothing.
The ability to temporarily drop to a lower DPI setting by holding a button (which I configured through the software) proved invaluable for detailed work, essentially providing an “on-demand precision mode” without needing to permanently change sensitivity settings.
Casual Gaming
While not marketed specifically to gamers, the M4 is surprisingly capable in gaming scenarios. The lightweight design, accurate sensor, and low click latency made it perfectly suitable for strategy games like Civilization VI and less-demanding FPS titles like Team Fortress 2.
The main limitation for serious gaming is the relatively low button count compared to dedicated gaming mice. If your gaming style relies heavily on multiple thumb buttons for macros or abilities, you’ll find the M4’s two side buttons limiting.
Portability
The compact size makes the M4 an excellent companion for mobile workstations. It fits easily in laptop bags without adding noticeable weight or bulk. The sturdy construction withstood being tossed in my backpack daily without showing wear or damage.
A thoughtful inclusion is a small compartment in the bottom of the mouse that stores the USB-C wireless dongle when not in use—a small detail that prevents the easily-lost adapter from disappearing during travel.
Comparing the Competition
At its $69 price point, the Keychron M4 4K faces competition from several established and newcomer brands:
Logitech MX Anywhere 3
The MX Anywhere 3 ($79.99) offers similar portability but adds Logitech’s excellent MagSpeed electromagnetic scroll wheel with both ratcheting and free-spin modes. However, it’s heavier at 99 grams and lacks the gaming-grade sensor of the M4.
Razer Orochi V2
Razer’s ultraportable option ($69.99) is aimed more explicitly at gamers with an 18K DPI sensor. It offers similar weight and dimensions but requires AA batteries rather than featuring a rechargeable solution. The hybrid wireless design is comparable, though the M4’s USB-C dongle is more future-proof than the Orochi’s USB-A connector.
Glorious Model O Minus
For those prioritizing ultra-lightweight design, the Model O Minus ($49.99) is lighter at just 58 grams thanks to its honeycomb shell design. However, it lacks wireless functionality and isn’t as portable or versatile across different use cases.
Where the M4 Falls Short
No product is perfect, and the Keychron M4 does have a few limitations worth noting:
- The low-profile design may not provide enough palm support for users with larger hands during extended sessions
- The scroll wheel, while precise, lacks horizontal scrolling or tilt functionality found in more expensive productivity mice
- RGB lighting effects, if enabled, substantially impact battery life
- The software, while functional, lacks the polish and advanced features of more established peripheral manufacturers
Durability and Build Quality
After a month of daily use, the M4 shows no signs of wear. The main buttons utilize Kailh GM 8.0 switches rated for 80 million clicks—substantially more than the 20-50 million ratings typical at this price point. The clicks are crisp and tactical without being excessively loud, suitable for shared office environments.
The matte finish has maintained its appearance without developing shiny spots or showing oils from hand contact. One minor concern is that the side buttons have a slightly less premium feel than the main buttons, with a bit more pre-travel before actuation.
Value Proposition
At $69, the Keychron M4 4K positions itself in the mid-range of wireless mice. Given its performance characteristics, build quality, and versatility, it represents excellent value for users who:
- Need a portable yet comfortable mouse for productivity and light gaming
- Value long battery life and multiple connectivity options
- Appreciate minimalist design that works across professional and casual settings
- Want cross-platform compatibility between Windows, macOS, and Linux systems
For pure gaming or specialized professional applications like video editing where many programmable buttons are beneficial, there may be better-targeted options available.
Conclusion: The Perfect Middle Ground?
After extensive testing across various use cases, the Keychron M4 4K emerges as a surprisingly versatile performer. It doesn’t try to be the most feature-packed gaming mouse or the most ergonomically advanced productivity tool—instead, it finds an appealing middle ground that serves multiple purposes admirably.
What impresses most is how it balances competing priorities: it’s lightweight without feeling cheap, compact without being uncomfortable, versatile without being complex. For users with mixed workflows who don’t want separate peripherals for different tasks, the M4 proves to be an excellent one-device solution.
The combination of premium components where they matter most (sensor and main switches), thoughtful design touches like the dongle storage compartment, and exceptional battery life make it easy to recommend to anyone seeking a reliable, portable wireless mouse for everyday use.
While it may not have the brand recognition of Logitech or Razer in the peripheral space, Keychron has leveraged their expertise from the mechanical keyboard world to create a mouse that deserves attention. For those willing to look beyond the established names, the M4 4K offers performance that punches above its price point in a refined, versatile package.
FAQ: Keychron M4 4K Wireless Mouse
1. Does the Keychron M4 4K work well with macOS?
Yes, the M4 provides excellent compatibility with macOS. The software is fully Mac-compatible, and all buttons function as expected without additional configuration. The ability to switch between multiple devices makes it particularly useful in Apple ecosystems where you might use it with a MacBook and iPad.
2. How does the battery life compare to other wireless mice?
The battery life exceeds many competitors in its price range. With RGB lighting disabled, the 300-hour rating outperforms popular models like the Logitech MX Anywhere 3 (200 hours) and Razer Orochi V2 (260 hours with lithium battery). Even with RGB enabled, the 70-hour rating remains competitive.
3. Is the Keychron M4 suitable for left-handed users?
While the M4 has a symmetrical shape that accommodates left-handed grip positions, the side buttons are positioned for right-handed use. Left-handed users can use the mouse comfortably but would need to either adapt to using their ring finger for the side buttons or remap those buttons to less essential functions.
4. How does the click sound compare to other mice?
The Kailh GM 8.0 switches provide a medium-volume click that’s less pronounced than many gaming mice but more tactile than silent productivity mice. They produce a clean, satisfying sound that shouldn’t disturb others in quiet environments but still provides clear feedback to the user.
5. Can I use the mouse while it’s charging?
Yes, the M4 functions perfectly in wired mode while charging. The included USB-C cable is braided and reasonably flexible, avoiding the stiffness that can interfere with mouse movement when using some wired mice. This makes it practical to continue working even when the battery is depleted.