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I recently reviewed the NuPhy Halo75 V2, and now it’s time to check out its bigger sibling, the Halo96 V2. All the same upgrades apply, but will my experience be the same?

In this review, we’ll cover the Halo96 V2’s features, specifications, pros, cons, and how it compares to its predecessor. NuPhy provided the Halo96 V2 for the purpose of this review, however they had no say in my opinion. My full video review is also embedded below.

Features and Specifications

The Halo96 V2 brings upgraded specs to the same footprint – that being a 96% ANSI layout with 99 keys. NuPhy has opted to keep with traditional compact layouts for the Halo series (65/75/96 percent) rather than using modified layouts like the 1800 layout. This means that there is no spacing around the arrow keys or between the number pad and the alpha key area.

Build

The top aluminum frame and ABS bottom remain, but there’s a difference with the case bottom that becomes apparent with the RGB lighting is turned on – rather than a thin strip for the halo lighting to shine through, the whole perimeter of the case bottom is translucent and it allows more of the lighting to show. There are still 2-position adjustable feet for a total of three typing angles. In addition to the white and black color options, there are now three new ones including blue, green, and pink, all with color-matched keycaps.

Connectivity

Wireless connectivity still includes bluetooth for three devices and 2.4GHz, but the polling rates are now improved. Both the 2.4GHz and USB-C wired connections feature 1,000Hz polling which is better for gaming than the polling rates of the original Halo96. There’s also a new, higher performing MCU to ensure there is no bottleneck for the polling rate. Bluetooth remains at 125Hz so that is best reserved for non-gaming use. The battery capacity remains at 4,000mAh but the battery life is a bit better than the original, with an estimated 307hrs max life when all the lighting is turned off. Unfortunately there’s another side to that story once the lighting is turned on, reducing to only 6 hours with all the lighting on the brightest setting.

Backlighting

The lighting still includes per-key RGB lighting but it’s now south-facing. The included keycaps, though not shine-through, do have small shine-through accents on the home keys and up arrow key. The perimeter halo light remains, as does the LED light bar in the top left corner which provides important indicators like connection and battery status. There is also a new “Halo” badge in the top right corner with an LED ring around it. There is a set of shine-through keycaps available for separate purchase if you want to unleash the full force of the backlighting, but even without them, the Halo96 V2’s lighting stands out from the competition. The case color does make a small difference in how much light shines through, with the black option allowing the least amount of light through.

Internals & Switch Options

Internals have some changes from the original, including a new POM plate and silicone gasket mounts on the PCB vs the firm top mount of the original. Significant sound damping is by now a trademark of NuPhy and we have plenty here, with foam between the PCB and plate, a switch pad, and silicone padding in the case bottom. Stabilizers are still plate-mounted and there’s no support for screw-in stabilizers, but the included ones are nothing to complain about.

The switch options are the same as the selection for the Gem80 that came out earlier in 2024. The mint and raspberry linear and lemon tactile are all NuPhy x Gateron collaborations, while the red silent switches are made by Cherry. My tester came with the silent switches but I’ve tested all of the switch options in various keyboards at this point. Keycaps are mSA profile (close to cherry height but a more rounded & sculpted shape), and are double-shot PBT.

Customization

There is still a Mac/Win OS switch on the back, but the firmware is now QMK which allows customization with VIA, a user-friendly (mostly) web app that allows for re-mapping across multiple layers and creation of custom macros. VIA is available for use on Windows, Mac, and Linux which is a big improvement over the proprietary NuPhy Console software that the original Halo96 used, which was only available on Windows.

Pros and Cons

There are many pros for the Halo96 V2. NuPhy did a nice job responding to user feedback with the updates & upgrades.

Pros

• The RGB now stands out from the competition even more than the original, with the translucent bottom case. If you are looking for unique RGB, the Halo V2 line is worth a look.
• The upgraded wireless polling rate for 2.4GHz now make the Halo96 V2 a capable option for gamers, and I did not experience bugs with this connection on my sample like I did with the Halo75 V2.
• The new internals & mounting create a more cushioned, refined typing feel vs the original without being overly “bouncy”.
• More color options than the original.
• The switches are great quality and very consistent. I’ve tried a full set of all the switch options and never came across any lubing issues or pingy springs. The silent switches really are very quiet but still pleasant to type on, so they are a good option for offices or shared spaces.
• The sound profile is free from any unpleasant resonance or rattles right out of the box – there’s nothing to “fix” here.
• Battery life with all lighting off is good (307hrs).
• QMK firmware with VIA customization is a big upgrade over the original.

There are still a couple of downsides here, however they are not as significant as with the original in my opinion.

Cons

• My main gripe is with the battery life when the lighting is on. With the lights on the brightest setting, you’ll get just 6 hours and that is an accurate estimate – I didn’t get a full day of work with the lights on full blast. While it improves with the lighting turned down to the lowest setting (up to 90hrs), the lighting is one of the main appeals of this keyboard so many owners will be tempted to have them on the highest setting.
• This may seem a bit nit-picky but I find it odd: the 2.4GHz receiver does not fit in the slot intended for it. The original Halo75 had a magnetic slot where the 2.4GHz receiver fits perfectly so it won’t fall out when not in use. The V2 still has the slot, but it ships with a rubber plug there rather than the receiver, and that’s because the updated receiver is now deeper and sticks out of the slot. I’m confused why the slot wasn’t adjusted to acommodate the new receiver.
• This one is a hopefully a temporary con – there is no ISO layout available. NuPhy has never released any of their keyboards in an ISO layout. But I did see an answer posted on their FAQ page which states that they are planning an ISO option for the Halo75 V2 in Q4 2024. They did not specifically state that the Halo96 would also become available in an ISO layout, but if they are doing it for the Halo75, I would hope that it also comes for the Halo96.

Is it Worth It?

Is it worth upgrading if you have the original Halo96? Well, that depends. The original Halo96 is a nice keyboard, and it really depends on whether the new features of the V2 will solve a problem for you. If you are wanting to do customizations and were limited by NuPhy Console with the original, the QMK firmware with VIA compatibility of the V2 will be a welcome upgrade and would be worth the investment in my opinion. But if you’re generally happy with the original and none of the new features would make your life easier, it may be less worth it unless you simply would prefer the more cushioned typing feel and enhanced RGB of the V2.

Overall, the NuPhy Halo96 V2 is a terrific pre-built 96% keyboard, and one of the best pre-built keyboards I’ve tested in terms of features and quality for the price. Is it the best prebuilt keyboard of 2024? Well, since I did not experience any firmware bugs with my unit (like I did with the Halo75 V2), I have to say for now the Halo96 V2 is the best prebuilt keyboard I’ve tested this year in terms of features and quality for the price. The price of $139 keeps it firmly in-between some competitor options, including the $99 Keychron V5 Max which offers all the features and functions but not the premium-feeling build or terrific lighting, and the $219 Keychron Q5 Max which gets you an all-metal case but again, no unique RGB. The Halo96 V2 for now stands alone at its price point in terms of the combination of quality and features that it offers.

Check out the Halo96 V2

Use code SEMIPRO for 10% off at NuPhy!

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