Nuphy already struck a successful formulation with the Air60 because of the ultra-portable design, nevertheless it developed the V2 completely with 1,000Hz polling, quicker connection speeds, and VIA assist.
Mechanical keyboards are extra mainstream than ever and are available each form and measurement. Nevertheless, smaller, extra transportable mechanical keyboards are a lot tougher to search out with an honest construct and options.
Nuphy is an exception because it stands out with the feature-packed Air lineup, and the favourite Air60 is again with a second model. It amps up lots of the options like improved connections and customization with out sacrificing measurement or battery life.
I used to be an enormous fan of the Nuphy Air60 after I reviewed it in 2022. The small measurement, journey case, and lengthy battery life made it an awesome keyboard (that’s till my cat killed it with wine).
There are many configurations to select from when ordering too. Nuphy provides a number of new and upgraded change choices, a brand new basalt black coloration, and shine-through keycaps.
Nuphy Air60 V2 assessment — design
Nuphy managed to refresh the design somewhat with out departing from the skinny and light-weight case. New two-layer fold-out “AirFeet” present extra angles, and the case is ever so barely thinner on the thinnest finish.
Nuphy Air60 V2 assessment: small, vivid, colourful
The white unit we examined has a pleasant matte end that matches properly with the keycap set. Inexperienced accents on the escape key, rear switches, and USB-C port add a splash of coloration together with the yellow spacebar and orange enter key.
It’s precisely one pound, measuring 11.7 inches by 4.2 inches by 0.59 inches. It may be carried in a small magnetic folio we’ll get into extra later.
The underside of the keyboard has magnets for attaching it to the folio, however that is additionally wonderful for those who occur to have a magnetic desk mat like one offered by IKEA. Just like the earlier mannequin, customers can slot the keyboard completely into many laptop computer keyboard trays, together with the 14-inch MacBook Professional.
Nuphy Air60 V2 assessment: low profile keys on a slim plastic case
The RGB backlight seems to be brighter and capable of gentle the keys extra evenly. The consequences will be managed with the Operate key and arrow keys.
The bottom plate continues to be plastic, however that is not a problem. I by no means had an issue with the bottom plate cracking from use or journey, and the clear impact is an fascinating selection.
Customization
A part of the enjoyable of mechanical keyboards is the power to swap components and customise performance. Nuphy has ample choices for each because of hot-swappable switches and VIA assist.
Nuphy Air60 V2 assessment: sizzling swappable keys and customized keycaps
The one factor you’ll be able to’t swap after buy is the case, clearly, which is available in grey, black, and white choices. The mint inexperienced highlights, orange enter key, and yellow area bar persist throughout colorways.
Nuphy provides Crimson 2.0, Blue 2.0, Brown 2.0, Aloe, Cowberry, Wisteria, and Moss switches. Every provides its personal signature actuation distance and sound.
We bought the Wisteria switches, which have near-identical specs to the earlier Brown change we examined within the Nuphy Air60 V1, however a long-pole stem and an extended 16.5mm double-stage spring. The result’s a snug key press with a way more satisfying clacky noise. The Brown noise is way more shallow.
Nuphy Air60 V2 assessment: VIA can reprogram any key on the keyboard
Along with the hot-swappable switches, the important thing caps will be changed. Nuphy has an wonderful choice of low-profile keys in its storefront. Plus, you’ll be able to at all times connect any keycap that matches the usual Cherry “+” change.
Customization goes past easy seems and key actuation because of VIA integration. Customers can join their Nuphy Air60 to the favored open-source program on Mac to reprogram any key on the keyboard or connect macros.
NuFolio Case, now in brown
The NuFolio V3 is just like the V2 besides there is a new coloration along with the brilliant orange “nostalgic tan” — a brown tundra khaki. The brown coloration is an ideal impartial that blends in with canvas baggage I take pleasure in from Waterfield.
Nuphy Air60 V2 assessment: NuFolio in khaki brown is way simpler on the eyes
It’s suitable with each variations of the Nuphy Air60. Just like the earlier model, it’s a folio that may open up right into a easy iPad stand.
The keyboard is held in place by magnets on the base, and a snap closes the case shut. When opened, the clasp will be looped again and closed within the open place to behave as a stand.
Because the Air60 and NuFolio are wider than the 13-inch iPad Professional, it could actually maintain the massive pill with room on both sides. Nevertheless, it’s simply balanced towards the again with no grip, no magnets, and no slot.
Nuphy Air60 V2 assessment: 13-inch iPad Professional suits, however no grooves or connect factors
The brand new brown coloration is sweet, however I hope a future model provides some sort of technique to safe the iPad with out including bulk to the case. Even a small slot or groove can be higher than nothing.
That mentioned, the setup is lots sturdy on a tabletop.
Nuphy Air60 V2 assessment — options
There’s extra to the Nuphy Air60 V2 past customization and its small measurement. It’s filled with the newest options discovered in lots of widespread mechanical keyboards.
Nuphy Air60 V2 assessment: three accessible angles with the AirFeet
First, what’s distinctive to the Nuphy Air60 is its design particularly tailor-made to be used with MacBooks and choose laptops. The rubber AirFeet can slot between the keys so the Nuphy Air60 sits atop the present MacBook keyboard.
It means you’ll be able to reap the benefits of the wonderful MacBook show, Magic Trackpad, and Contact ID button with no need to make use of the low-travel chiclet keys. Plus, there should still be a number of of you on the market with a damaged butterfly keyboard that will love an alternate.
Past that, Nuphy Air60 V2 provides specs clients count on in top-of-the-line keyboards like a 1,000Hz polling charge. It runs the Nordic NRF52810 SoC to realize unimaginable low latency.
Nuphy Air60 V2 assessment: change between modes
Join as much as 4 gadgets wirelessly and one over a wire. There are three Bluetooth radios, a 2.4GHz radio through a USB-A dongle, and a USB-C port.
It’s 5.1x quicker than the Nuphy Air60 V1 and as much as 3.1x quicker over Bluetooth than opponents. Wired mode has a powerful 6.2x pace versus opponents as properly.
The QMK-based platform allows assist for devoted Highlight and Dictation keys that work with macOS. Alternative F-Keys are additionally included.
Nuphy Air60 V2 assessment: sidelights present completely different statuses
The vary of RGB choices return, sidelights included. The left sidelight reveals caps lock and connection mode, whereas the best sidelight signifies battery degree.
There’s additionally been an improve to the padding layers. The Nuphy Air60 V2 makes use of plate poron hollow-sound absorption and IXPE PCB sound purification within the small type issue. The spacebar has additionally been tuned to be in higher concord with the remainder of the keys.
Utilizing the Nuphy Air60 V2
I assessment quite a lot of keyboards, and switching between layouts can take time to get used to. Fortunately, for those who’re used to typing on the MacBook Professional or iPad Magic Keyboard, it is best to really feel proper at dwelling in a short time.
Nuphy Air60 V2 assessment: sufficiently small to pack into most laptop computer baggage
The important thing structure and common measurement are virtually an identical to these Apple keyboards, however the journey and sound are significantly better. I did not have any issues utilizing the Nuphy Air60 V2 interchangeably between these different keyboards or on Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional.
My mind does want to regulate between Nuphy and Apple keyboards versus a Keychron or different full-sized mechanical keyboard. However that is at all times been the case as a result of key form, measurement, and journey.
I really like the Nuphy Air 60 V2 as a lot as the unique. It’s the excellent journey companion, particularly now since I want one thing to hook up with my Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional.
I’ve a backpack by Waterfield I reviewed particularly crafted for Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional, and it has a slot for a keyboard, seemingly modeled for Apple’s ultra-thin Magic Keyboard for Mac. The Nuphy Air60 V2 slips into this slot with out concern, making it my go-to pairing.
I am going to make this criticism in each keyboard assessment till it is not true, and it is not Nuphy or any third-party producer’s fault, however I want Apple’s particular keyboard options labored with them. The Magic Keyboard will get a particular set of options, like attaching the textual content suggestion bar to the keyboard or revealing it via spatial environments.
Nuphy Air60 V2 assessment: wonderful transportable mechanical keyboard
Perhaps somebody will discover a workaround to trick Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional into doing this for third-party keyboards. Nevertheless, probably the one actual resolution is Apple baking it into visionOS. Oh properly.
Regardless of not having these options, I am fairly proud of the Nuphy Air60 and use it for every time I am not at my desk. Its measurement and weight are excellent.
I’ve but to see one other mechanical keyboard producer come near Nuphy’s low-profile keyboards by way of characteristic set and measurement class.
Nuphy Air60 V2 assessment — professionals
- Placing the right steadiness of measurement and journey distance
- Helpful options like becoming on a MacBook keyboard and magnetic backside
- Adjustable angle with three toes choices
- NuFolio makes it a superb iPad companion
- Good sound, comfortable typing
- Wonderful battery life as much as 30 hours with lights at full brightness
Nuphy Air60 V2 assessment — cons
- It is Apple’s fault, however would not get the identical therapy as Magic Keyboards with Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional
- Plastic physique nice for weight, not for sturdiness
- At over $100, it’s a robust examine for patrons regardless of the superb characteristic set
Ranking: 4.5 out of 5
This near-perfect keyboard is tough to fault. It is a wonderful construct with a variety of options, however at over $100, Apple clients may select a Magic Keyboard as an alternative.
Should you’re searching for a Magic Keyboard various that’s customizable, mechanical, and transportable, the Air60 V2 is 5 stars straightforward. Nevertheless, we won’t ignore the market phase this machine is focusing on and the ability of Apple’s model at this worth.
The place to purchase Nuphy Air60 V2
The Nuphy Air60 V2 is obtainable on the Nuphy web site and Amazon at a premium. The Nuphy Air60 V2 begins at $109.95 with crimson, blue, or brown switches, or is $119.95 with aloe, cowberry, wisteria, or moss switches on the Nuphy web site.
Amazon provides the identical configurations, however for $20 extra every. The Nuphy Air60 V2 with lower-priced switches is $129.99 on Amazon, whereas the higher-priced switches are $139.99.