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The battle for the title of best 75% low profile keyboard rages on, and NuPhy has a new top-tier offering in the Air75 V2. The features and specs now make it stand alone atop other low profile mechanical keyboards, but the Lofree Flow still offers a couple things absent in all other offerings. I previously compared the original Air75 to the Lofree Flow, but will there be a bigger difference with V2? Let’s take a closer look to see which one might be the best choice.

Right out of the gate, let’s address the price. The Lofree Flow has increased in price since I originally reviewed it – it’s now $159 directly through Lofree and some other authorized online retailers like Divinikey in the United States, and $169 on amazon. Meanwhile the NuPhy Air75 V2 launched at just $10 more than the original Air75, while boasting several upgrades. The price of the Air75 V2 is $119.95 with Gateron switches or $129.95 with NuPhy switches (also made by Gateron but to NuPhy’s specifications). So the price advantage goes to the Air75 V2, though some of that price difference can be accounted for in the Lofree’s all-aluminum case compared to the Air75’s aluminum top frame and ABS plastic bottom. Lofree also had to research and develop a gasket-mount design for the PCB assembly in a case that’s only 10mm thick, something no other manufacturer has done to date, so naturally some expense went into that as well.

Specifications

The specifications between these two keyboards on paper make it seem like no contest. The NuPhy Air75 V2 beats the Lofree Flow in just about every category including battery capacity/life, typing angle adjustability, customization, and wireless connectivity.

More specifically, the wireless 2.4GHz connection on the Air75 V2 has been upgraded to 1,000Hz polling, fast enough for gaming use. The Lofree Flow does not offer a 2.4GHz connection, so the only wireless option is Bluetooth which typically has a polling rate around 90-125Hz.

When it comes to customization, such as remapping the keys or adding macros, the Air75 V2 wins hands-down with its QMK firmware and VIA compatibility. The Lofree Flow has no customization available – no open-source firmware or proprietary customization software. For many users who only ever use a keyboard the way it comes programmed out of the box, this doesn’t matter. But if you do customize your keyboards, the Air75 V2 is the obvious choice.

Battery life between these two is actually a bit less of a blow-out as it may seem on paper. The Air75 V2 has double the battery capacity, however it’s running more power-hungry hardware with a higher-performance MCU and wireless connections. The battery life of 220 hours with all lighting off is about a month of using it 8hrs per day, which is good for a wireless mechanical keyboard that’s not made by Logitech. The estimated use time provided by Lofree of 40hrs is a bit misleading. They don’t state on their website if that figure is with the lighting on or off, but I have to assume it’s with the lights on. I was able to use the Flow with all lighting off for a week, and though I wasn’t using it 24hrs per day, I never turned the power switch off. So while the Air75 V2 definitely beats the Flow in battery life, the Flow should not have to be charged every couple of days if you’re not using the lighting.

Pros & Cons

Now as we consider some things beyond just the specifications and how these keyboards fit into daily work, this is where the Lofree Flow still has some considerable upsides for some users. After all, the way a keyboard feels and sounds is a very subjective thing.

The NuPhy Air75 V2 has a sound that is a bit more refined than the original. They’ve added a switch pad and altered the dampening material to provide a more controlled sound profile that’s not quite as loud and clacky. It is still, however, a clacky-er sound overall compared to the Lofree Flow. Of course, the actual sound still depends on the switches that you select. The new Cowberry linear switches provide the thocky-est and most muted sound, while the new Moss switches provide a sharper tactile bump than brown switches. All seven switch options can be had in any of the three color profiles – black, white, and grey, so NuPhy gives you lots of choice there.

Switch options are much more limited with the Lofree Flow. The keyboard comes in a light or dark color option – the light option includes a lighter aluminum finish, white keycaps, and linear switches. The dark option includes a darker aluminum finish, black keycaps, and tactile switches. You cannot change the type of switches, so if you wanted tactile switches in the light option, you have to buy an extra set of switches and swap them yourself. But aside from that limitation, the switches are wonderful. Kailh manufactures the low profile switches, made entirely from POM material (another first for low profile), and they offer a smooth, quiet experience. Combined with the gasket-mount design and sound dampening of the Flow, the typing feel and sound is unlike any other low profile keyboard on the market. It’s softer and more muted, but still satisfying. It’s also less likely to be a bother to people around you because of its less intrusive sound profile.

When it comes to lighting, the Air75 V2 wins. Neither of these keyboards come with shine-through keycaps, but both have backlighting. The Lofree Flow has white backlighting and RGB side lights – to be frank, neither of them is particularly well executed. The side lights are barely visible on most surfaces unless the room is completely dark. The backlighting is visible through the keycaps, even on the lowest setting (not in a good way). I find this to be distracting and overall it takes away from the premium look of the Flow. The Air75 V2, on the other hand, has a multitude of RGB backlight modes and corner lights to indicate connection status, and nothing major to complain about.

At the end of the day, I still enjoy looking at and typing on the Lofree Flow. But the Air75 V2 just does more, and does some things better, for a lower price.

Conclusion

Ultimately this will come down to your needs and personal preference. If the features, such as customization and wireless connectivity, are your top priorities, the Air75 V2 is the clear winner. However if design aesthetics and typing feel are your top priorities, then the Flow could easily be your choice. For my own preferences, the Air75 V2 earns the top recommendation.