The Air75 series has long been one of the most recognizable low-profile keyboards on the market — a go-to choice for those seeking something sleek, wireless, and reliable. NuPhy isn’t reinventing the wheel, but it is giving it a serious tune-up. This version brings proper Mac support right out of the box, refined switches and acoustics, a more premium build, and brand-new companion software. It’s not just for coders, gamers, or productivity nerds anymore — it’s the kind of keyboard you choose because it looks good on your desk, feels great under your fingers, and fits into your setup like it belongs there.
Disclaimer: This unit was provided to me for testing purposes, though Nuphy had no sway over the contents of this review.
Unboxing, First Impressions, Typing Experience, and Sound Test
In the Box
- Air75v3 Keyboard (with no pre-installed knob module)
- USB‑C to USB‑C cable
- 2.4 GHz USB dongle
- High‑profile knob module (only in my copy, both types of knobs should be included in the retail box)
- Keycap/switch puller
- Screwdriver (for knob swapping)
- ANSI‑US layout: includes 8 extra keycaps
- Quick start guide / FAQ
Specs and Features
⚙️ Design & Layout
- 75% ANSI layout (US), featuring 84 keys
- Profile height: approximately 13.2 mm at the front
- Materials: CNC-machined aluminum top case, ABS bottom shell, and PC switch plate
- Typing angle: 4/8/10 degrees
- Weight: around 724 g
✳️ Keycaps
- Low-profile NuPhy nSA double‑shot PBT keycaps — durable, sleek, and spill-resistant
🔁 Switch Options (Gateron Nano 3.0 Low‑Profile)
- Total key travel: 3.5 mm — unusually deep for low‑profile switches
- Switch variants: Red Nano (linear), Brown Nano (tactile), Blush Nano (silent linear with added dampening)
- Construction: full POM build for corrosion-resistance, smoothness, and reduced noise
🔌 Connectivity & Polling
- Connection modes: USB‑C wired (1,000 Hz polling), USB dongle (2.4 GHz, 1,000 Hz), and Bluetooth 5.1 (up to 4 devices, 125 Hz polling over BT)
🔋 Battery & Power
- Battery capacity: 4,000 mAh
- Battery life: Up to approximately 1,200 hours with RGB off
- Around 60–100 hours with RGB fully active
- Charging time: around 5 hours from full discharge
- Battery indicator: discrete LED shows granular battery level and can double as a typing-speed/visualization indicator through lighting effects
🌈 Lighting & Customization
- North-facing RGB backlighting
- Controlled via NuPhy IO 2.0, a browser-based firmware and macro tool — supports key remaps, knob functions, lighting modes, and firmware updates (no need for external flasher)
🎛️ Knob Module (in-box)
- Interchangeable knob: high‑profile/low‑profile versions
- Replaceable with a regular switch if preferred
- Knob functionality: rotatable and clickable; assignments can be customized via NuPhy IO 2.0
- Low‑profile knob compatible with the NuFolio V3 travel case
🎨 Available Color & Layout Options
- ANSI‑US: Nebula Dark & Nova White
- ISO/ISO-FR/ISO-UK/JIS: only available in Nova White layout
🌐 Compatibility & Other Features
- Compatible with macOS, Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS (via wired, Bluetooth, or dongle)
- Hot-swappable switches
- N‑key rollover support via wired / 2.4 GHz modes
- Operating temperature range: −10 °C to 50 °C
- 1‑year limited warranty from NuPhy
Design and Build Quality
The NuPhy Air75 V3 is a slim, compact keyboard that manages to feel both sturdy and premium. With 75% ANSI layout (84 keys), this low-profile keeb with front height ≈ 13.2 mm is slightly taller than competitors but retains 3.5 mm key travel. The top case is made of CNC-machined aluminum, which lends it a solid, high-end feel, while the ABS plastic bottom helps keep the overall weight down. The gasket-mounted structure adds a bit of flex and helps create a softer, more muted typing sound — something you don’t usually get in low-profile boards. The stabilizers are plate-mounted and pre-lubed. Keycaps are nicely shaped, and the rotary knob feels smooth and precise (although it needs to be installed first); however, it doesn’t wake the keyboard from Sleep Mode (my minor nitpick).
On the back, you’ve got two-stage flip-out feet that let you adjust the typing angle to your liking — flat, low, or high. There’s a USB-C port, a slot to store the wireless dongle, and a physical switch to toggle between Windows and macOS modes, which is handy if you use both systems. Two slim LED bars sit on the top edge: the left one lights up for Caps Lock and can react to sound or typing in rhythm mode, while the right one shows battery life when you press Fn + \. It’s a clean and practical setup.
One standout detail is the polished steel plate on the back with the NuPhy logo. It’s highly reflective, almost like a mirror, and gives the keyboard a nice visual punch without being over the top. It’s purely cosmetic, but it fits the overall design well. Altogether, the Air75 V3 looks and feels like a well-crafted piece of gear — functional, aesthetically pleasing, and built with care.
One thing to remember — due to some design choices, Air75v3 is not meant to be opened.
Bottom line? Fantastic build quality, thought-out design.
Software — Nuphy.io 2.0
NuPhy IO 2.0 is the brand’s new web-based software for customizing their latest keyboards, including the Air75 V3. It’s designed to be simple and user-friendly, letting you remap keys, create macros, set up lighting effects, and program the multifunction knob — no software install needed. For most users, it’s a big convenience. That said, advanced users used to VIA or QMK might find IO 2.0 a bit limited in terms of flexibility and depth. One standout feature, though, is the inclusion of SOCD — a rare thing in mechanical keyboards. It helps avoid conflicting key presses, especially useful for gaming or emulation setups. Right now, though, there’s a bug that causes a slight input delay on SOCD-cleaned keys, but NuPhy has acknowledged the issue and is working on a fix. So while IO 2.0 isn’t perfect yet, it shows promise and makes things more accessible for most users.
I would be unfair not to mention the Tap Dance and Toggle Key features, which are also a very nice addition here.
I have to say that going for web software was a smart move from Nuphy, something Melgeek hasn’t done for their O2 yet — they have bypassed the rigorous Apple software requirements by that.
Bottom line? Very good, not as advanced as VIA/QMK. SOCD needs polishing, but hey, it’s there for a mechanical keyboard!
Gaming Performance
For gaming, the Air75 V3 holds up fairly well. It supports a 1000 Hz polling rate both wired and wirelessly (Bluetooth is limited to 125 Hz), and includes a SOCD feature, which is especially useful in certain gaming scenarios like FPS games, fighting games, or rhythm games. That said, the SOCD implementation still needs work — there’s currently a noticeable delay on the keys involved, which NuPhy is aware of and working to fix. Outside of that, the keyboard is responsive enough for casual and even competitive gaming, provided you’re not chasing cutting-edge specs. It doesn’t have magnetic switches, Rapid Trigger, adjustable actuation points, or other high-end gaming features, so it’s not competing with top-tier gaming boards — and to be fair, it’s not trying to. NuPhy aimed for a well-rounded, low-profile board that blends everyday usability with decent gaming performance, and in that context, it delivers.
Bottom line? It’s not designed for gaming, but it holds its ground there.
Comparison to Melgeek’s O2
🔍 Hardware & Build
NuPhy Air75 V3
- CNC‑machined aluminum top case with ABS bottom, gasket‑mounted chassis for soft, quiet typing.
- Steel NuPhy-branded plate on the back, mirror-like finish.
- Two-stage kick‑out feet, USB‑C port, wireless dongle storage, and physical Win/Mac mode switch.
- Twin LED light bars: left for Caps Lock and rhythm mode lighting, right for battery life (via Fn + \).
MelGeek O2
- Clean white look: aluminum frame beneath a semi-transparent PC top, ABS base, crisp, minimalistic Instagram-ready design
- Uses magnetic silicone pads instead of kick‑out feet, giving typing angles of ~3.5° to 5° — tool‑free and tidy
- Rear includes USB‑C, mode toggle switch (wired/Bluetooth/dongle), but lacks LED light‑bar visual battery indicators, only small indicator LEDs for Caps, connectivity, and battery
Winner: Air75 V3 wins on build sophistication and functional LEDs; O2 nails minimalism with clever magnet feet.
⌨️ Typing Experience & Switches
NuPhy Air75 V3
- Gasket‑mounted with Gateron Low‑Profile 3.0 (POM) switches in Red/Brown/Blush, about 3.5 mm travel — offering rich tactile “thock” sound and smoothness.
- Typing is softer-sounding, slightly deeper feedback than typical low-profile.
MelGeek O2
- Equipped with Kailh Sunlight low-profile linear switches, whisper-quiet with gentle bottom-out and “thock” sound — not mushy but restrained
- Double-shot PBT low-profile keycaps offer good grip and minimal shine over time
- Gasket-mounted, and no frame rattle except under firm shell pressure; even the spacebar is surprisingly muted
Winner: If you prefer a more substantial feel and deeper acoustics, the Air75 V3 has the edge; O2 excels in ultra-quiet linear typing and clean PBT caps.
🌐 Connectivity & Multi‑Device Support
Both: Wired USB‑C, Bluetooth 5.1, and 2.4 GHz dongle support.
NuPhy Air75 V3
- Supports up to 4 device pairings, standard polling.
- Led battery indicator on the right LED bar.
MelGeek O2
- Can pair with up to 8 devices, switch via Fn + number — very useful if bouncing between Mac, iPad, phone, etc.
Winner: O2 wins multi-device versatility; Air75 V3 is still solid but with fewer pair options.
🧠 Software & Customization
NuPhy Air75 V3
- NuPhy IO 2.0 (browser-based) allows firmware updates, key remapping. More limited than QMK/VIA but safe and straightforward.
MelGeek O2
- Uses the Hive app — desktop software not Apple-notarized, triggers security alerts, and has limited browser tool support. Lighting and remapping are awkward and unintuitive
Winner: Air75 V3 offers more coherent and Mac-friendly software; O2’s software remains its weakest link.
🔋 Battery & Indicator Lighting
NuPhy Air75 V3
- Large 4,000 mAh battery, up to 1,200 hrs without lighting, ~60–100 hrs with full RGB.
- LED bar on the right shows battery life via Fn + \.
MelGeek O2
- Approximately 40–50 hrs with full RGB in “Gaming Mode”; better battery in power saving mode
- Basic indicator LEDs (caps, connection, battery), no bar display.
Winner: Air75 V3 leads in battery longevity and clear battery visibility.
🎮 Gaming
Nuphy Air75 v3
When Nuphy fixes SOCD (it’s bugged now — it adds some delay now), it will also be really good for gaming. It’s one of the first mechanical keyboards to feature advanced gaming options like SOCD.
Melgeek O2
No SOCD for now, but low-profile switches are responsive and feel pretty good in gaming.
Winner: Tie for now.
✅ Final Thoughts
Go with the NuPhy Air75 V3 if you want a refined build, deeper typing feel, strong battery life, and better software experience.
Choose the MelGeek O2 if you value ultra-quiet typing, more device pairing, minimal white-on-white styling, and Mac-native layout — just be ready to compromise on software polish and battery longevity.
Both are great, low-profile 75 % mechanical keyboards in mid-2025 — but their minor differences may matter depending on how you use them.
Summary
The NuPhy Air75 V3 is a well-thought-out and noticeably improved version of their previous Air75 V2, which was already a strong contender in the low-profile category. This new model brings better battery life, refined build quality with an aluminum top case, and a clean, modern design that fits seamlessly into both work and creative setups. It’s fully Mac-compatible right out of the box, with a dedicated switch and matching keycaps, and the new browser-based NuPhy IO 2.0 software works without any issues on macOS — though it’s not as advanced as VIA or QMK for power users. The typing experience is solid thanks to the gasket-mounted structure, high-quality double-shot PBT keycaps, and hot-swappable Gateron low-profile 3.0 switches, available in three variants, including a silent option. You also get three typing angles (4°, 8°, and 10°), a reliable 2.4 GHz connection with 1000 Hz polling, and smooth Bluetooth pairing. North-facing RGB lighting is well-diffused and visible, adding to the overall polish. One rare feature is SOCD (Simultaneous Opposite Cardinal Direction), which is almost unheard of in mechanical keyboards but so useful for gaming— although the current implementation could still use some refinement.
The wobbly high-profile knob can be replaced with the low-profile one, fortunately, because the high one is just out of place here.
Overall, aside from a few small nitpicks mentioned in the full review, the Air75 V3 stands out as the most complete and versatile low-profile mechanical keyboard available today, especially for users working across both Mac and Windows.
Bullet Points
- Great build quality — very slim and slick design with an aluminum case and a steel plate
- gasket mount design, which is not usual in low-profile keyboards
- premium POM switches with different sound/feel characteristics (even silent ones are available)
- Two LED bars are functional and useful
- The bottom feet hold on to the laptop very well
- great battery life
- This keyboard works great with Mac/Macbook and can pair up to 4 devices
- Great NSA keycaps, but as usual, some shine will appear sooner or later
- Great typing experience, even though the non-exploded, complex layout may be a bit uncomfortable for coders
- functional and convenient rotary knob that can be customized in the software. But the high-profile knob is a miss; use the low-profile one.
- Nuphy.io 2.0 is great, but some advanced users might miss QMK/VIA flexibility.
- ISO/JIS layouts are limited in color (but it’s great to have them, finally!)
- The tall rotary is a bit wobbly on this keyboard — I’d recommend the smaller one that should also be available with this purchase (check with Nuphy)
- The battery life indication should be saved in the keyboard’s memory so that you wouldn’t have to turn it on (FN+\) every time you turn on your keyboard
- No per-key RGB
- This keyboard offers SOCD (and some other advanced options) via Nuphy.io, but it’s bugged now (July 2025) — Nuphy is working on it
Get this kick-ass board from Nuphy with the discount code “airmanthe”
Disclaimer
This review is not a paid endorsement. I want to ensure transparency and let you know that I am not receiving any monetary or otherwise compensation for evaluating or discussing this tech product.
