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The NuPhy Air75 V2 introduced several upgrades to NuPhy’s low profile keyboard line. But the Air96, which came out in early 2023, already had a few upgrades over the original Air75, so the V2 updates aren’t quite as substantial. However, that doesn’t take away from the fact that the Air96 V2 is one of the best options on the market for a low profile mechanical keyboard with a number pad.

What’s Better

The original Air96 already had adjustable feet and some sound dampening in the case, which the Air75 and Air60 did include, so those features are not new in the Air96 V2. We do, however, gain QMK firmware with VIA support, as well as upgraded wireless connections, new switch options, and the new black color option.

The QMK firmware alleviates the issue that the original Air96 had with NuPhy Console, which was the only option for customization and only available on Windows. Users can now remap and add macros on Windows, Mac, and Linux thanks to the new firmware, and it’s a consistent experience for anyone already versed in customization using VIA. This was a very welcome change in the V2 lineup of NuPhy low profile keyboards.

The wireless connections and MCU have been upgraded just as they were in the Air75 V2. The 2.4GHz connection now features a 1,000Hz polling rate, and the updated MCU is also higher performance, so both the 2.4GHz connection and the wired connection now are acceptable for gaming use. The bluetooth connection sees a modest polling rate bump from 90Hz to 125Hz.

The typing feel and sound is marginally improved, thanks to adjusted sound dampening and the new switch options. The Cowberry linear switches have the deepest, thockiest sound of all the switch options. The new Moss tactile switches don’t have the deepest sound, but they do have the sharpest tactile bump of the three tactile options (Wisteria offers a softer bump but deeper sound). The overall feel is just a tad softer than the original Air96 and the sound profile is slightly more controlled, however the differences are not as pronounced as they are between the original and V2 Air75.

Room for Improvement

So what is left for improvement? The Air96 V2 addresses the biggest issues with the original. Of course, the design is very subjective – if it doesn’t appeal to you at all, then the wealth of features and quality won’t matter.

The one downside that may impact some users is the range of the 2.4GHz connection. At my normal testing distance of 3 feet with a few desk items in between the keyboard and receiver, I experienced some missed key-presses and overall reliability issues with the connection. These issues were resolved when I repositioned the receiver about 15 inches away with a clear line of sight. I have had other keyboards that did not have an issue with my normal positioning, so the Air96 V2 range is limited by comparison. However I should reiterate the connection does work fine when positioned closer to the keyboard.

One thing NuPhy has not done yet is introduce ISO layout options for their keyboards. This means that unfortunately there are users in some countries that cannot consider the Air96 V2 currently. It would be nice to see NuPhy offer ISO layouts as they continue to grow in order to appeal to a broader user base.

The only other thing I feel worth mentioning is not specific to the Air96, but rather all keyboards that utilize a traditional 96% layout. This is a layout which emphasizes compact-ness over comfort, meaning there is no spacing between any keys or the number pad (traditional 65/75/96 layouts are like this). If you’re coming from the full-sized 100% layout which offers spacing between the alpha keys, navigation and arrow keys, and number pad, this layout can cause some errors at first.

Ultimately, the Air96 V2 represents a top choice in the market of low profile keyboards that feature a number pad. NuPhy addressed the biggest shortcomings with the original Air96 and if the design and layout appeals to you, you’ll be hard-pressed to find another option with the same combination of features and quality.

If you don’t require a number pad and would prefer something more compact, I recommend checking out the Air75 V2 as it offers the same premium typing experience, color and switch options in a 75% layout.

Check out the Air96 V2

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