The NuPhy Air75 V3 is a compact (75%) wireless mechanical keyboard. It retains the low-profile design and wireless connectivity via Bluetooth or the included 2.4GHz USB receiver from its predecessor the NuPhy Air75 V2, but adds a new gasket-mount design that provides a softer typing experience. This new version also adds an optional knob located at the top-right of the keyboard, which controls volume by default. The launch of this keyboard also coincides with the launch of NuPhy's updated NuPhyIO 2.0 software experience. While it's mostly a UI update, this version adds an offline client for people who would want to change their settings without an internet connection. When it comes to performance, it maintains the 1000Hz polling rate and very good latency performance. The NuPhy Air75 V3 also has a hot-swappable design compatible with Gateron's low-profile 3.0 switches.
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Our Verdict
Even if it isn't designed explicitly for this use, the NuPhy Air75 V3 is great for gaming. It delivers impressive latency performance and a 1000Hz polling rate. The build quality is also excellent. The keyboard feels solid, and the gasket-mount delivers a slightly bouncy and very comfortable gaming experience over long periods. The backlighting is very clear despite the lack of stock shine-through keycaps.
Excellent build quality.
Impressive latency performance.
1000Hz polling rate.
Bright RGB backlighting.
Stock keycaps don't have shine-through legends.
The NuPhy Air75 V3 is great for office use. Its low-profile design makes typing comfortable even without a wrist rest, since your wrists don't need to bend much to reach the keys. It's also very quiet to type on, thanks to layers of internal sound-dampening material, especially with the silent Blush Nano switches. The keyboard has excellent build quality and offers flexible connectivity, whether through its USB receiver or via Bluetooth with up to three devices at once. It's fully compatible with both Windows and macOS. However, the compact layout and flat nSA profile keycaps can feel a bit cramped at first, so it may take some time to adjust. People who prefer more tactile feedback may also feel that it feels a tad mushy, especially when paired with the Gateron Blush Nano switches we had on our unit.
Excellent build quality.
Very quiet and comfortable to type on over long periods.
Connects wirelessly via USB or via Bluetooth with up to three devices simultaneously.
Flat nSA keycap profile and compact form-factor may take a bit of getting used to initially.
As a compact and low-profile keyboard. the NuPhy Air75 V3 is easy to slip into a bag or carry around for use with tablets and mobile devices. However, it's slightly heavier and taller than its predecessor. It connects wirelessly via Bluetooth and can pair with up to three devices at the same time. The build quality is excellent, giving it a sturdy and reliable feel despite its portability. If you want to carry your keyboard around, NuPhy also gives you the option to buy a separate portfolio carrying case that doubles as a stand for your phone or tablet.
Excellent build quality.
Connects wirelessly via USB or via Bluetooth with up to three devices simultaneously.
On the heavier side compared to other keyboards designed for mobile devices.
The NuPhy Air75 V3 is well-suited for programming. Its low-profile design makes it both portable and comfortable to type on, even without a wrist rest. The build quality is excellent, and the internal sound-dampening layers help keep typing noise to a minimum. While it doesn't include dedicated macro keys, you can assign macros to any key through the companion software. It also features full RGB backlighting, though the stock keycaps aren't shine-through, which can make the legends harder to see in darker environments. You can, however, spec it with shine-through keycaps.
Excellent build quality.
Bright RGB backlighting.
Very quiet and comfortable to type on over long periods.
Stock keycaps don't have shine-through legends.
Flat nSA keycap profile and compact form-factor may take a bit of getting used to initially.
The NuPhy Air75 V3 is acceptable for home theater or entertainment use. Its compact size makes it convenient to use from the couch, and it can connect wirelessly to up to three devices at once over Bluetooth. However, it lacks useful features like a trackpad and dedicated media keys. Also, while it does include full RGB backlighting, the stock keycaps don't have shine-through legends, which makes the keys difficult to read in a dark room.
Bright RGB backlighting.
Connects wirelessly via USB or via Bluetooth with up to three devices simultaneously.
Stock keycaps don't have shine-through legends.
The NuPhy Air75 V3 delivers impressive raw performance that's well-suited for gaming in all genres at a casual or competitive level. It supports full N-key rollover and the ability to send multiple keystrokes per USB report. When wired or connected wirelessly through its included USB receiver, it offers excellent single-key and multi-key latency along with a 1000Hz polling rate.
Impressive latency performance.
1000Hz polling rate.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The NuPhy Air75 V3 is currently available only in a compact 75% layout. It comes in two color options: Nova White and Nebula Dark. It can be configured with one of three Gateron 3.0 Low Profile (Nano) switches: Red (linear), Brown (tactile), or Blush (silent linear). The default keycaps are double-shot PBT, which are not shine-through, though NuPhy offers a shine-through set for an additional cost. NuPhy has historically released additional 60% and 96% sizes in this lineup with each versioned iteration, and we expect to see those other sizes released at some point. If you come across such versions, let us know in the comments, and we'll update our review.
We bought and tested a Nebulza Dark colorway unit with Gateron Nano Blush switches. See our unit's label.
Here's a table summarizing the options available:
| Color | Size | Switches | Keycaps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nova White | Compact (75%) | Gateron Nano Red (Linear) Gateron Nano Brown (Clicky) Gateron Nano Blush (Silent Linear) | Shine-through (extra cost), Non-shine-through PBT |
| Nebula Dark | Compact (75%) | Gateron Nano Red (Linear) Gateron Nano Brown (Clicky) Gateron Nano Blush (Silent Linear) | Shine-through (extra cost), Non-shine-through PBT |
Popular Keyboard Comparisons
The NuPhy Air75 V3 is a low-profile mechanical keyboard that succeeds the well-regarded NuPhy Air V2 series. Building on that foundation, the new Air75 V3 adds a multi-function rotary knob, a new gasket-mount design that enhances typing comfort with a more springy feel, and brighter backlighting.
Altogether, this wireless keyboard is a versatile choice for everyday browsing, productivity, and even casual or competitive gaming, and its compact form factor makes it easy to use on the go. It's a standout alternative to productivity boards that use laptop-style scissor switches, like the Logitech MX Keys S, and competes directly with low-profile mechanical options like the Keychron K3 Max and the Lofree Flow84. Although it shares many features with these competitors, the NuPhy stands out for its distinct aesthetic, its multi-function rotary knob, and its Gateron 3.0 Nano switches. These switches have a noticeably longer total travel distance, providing a typing feel closer to a standard mechanical keyboard while keeping the ergonomic and comfort benefits of a low-profile design, a major plus if you've found the typing experience on other low-profile boards too short and abrupt.
For more options, see our picks for the best keyboards, the best wireless keyboards, the best low-profile keyboards, and the best office keyboards.
The NuPhy Air75 V3 replaces the NuPhy Air75 V2. It keeps a similar low-profile format, while being slightly taller and heavier. It also includes quite a few improvements. It features better latency performance, improved dampening, and clearer backlighting. It also includes an optional multifunctional knob that fits on the top right of the keyboard and a gasket-mount design that offers a more springy typing experience. The V3 is also built on the newer Gateron low-profile 3.0 standard, which supports switches with up to 3.5 mm of travel.
The NuPhy Air75 V3 and the NuPhy Air75 HE are low-profile keyboards with a similar look and form factor, but they are designed for different purposes. The Air75 V3 uses mechanical switches, making it a versatile option suitable for both gaming and productivity. The Air75 HE, on the other hand, is better suited for gaming and features Hall effect switches with adjustable actuation, Rapid Trigger and SOCD support, and a maximum polling rate of 8000 Hz.
The Keychron K5 Max and the NuPhy Air75 V3 are wireless mechanical keyboards with low-profile designs. Overall, these two keyboards are very comparable in terms of features and are very well-built. The NuPhy, however, includes an optional knob and clearer backlighting and should last longer on a single charge. Its newer Gateron Low-Profile 3.0 switches also provide a full 3.5 mm of travel, which is longer than the Keychron's maximum of 3.0 mm.
The Logitech MX Keys S and the NuPhy Air75 V3 are low-profile keyboards mainly targeted at office workers. While Logitech benefits from the inclusion of shine-through keycaps and a very quiet and comfortable typing experience, the NuPhy's mechanical switches are more satisfying to type on. The latter also delivers much better latency performance and a more robust software experience.
Test Results
The NuPhy Air75 V3 is a 75% compact keyboard without a numpad. To save space, the arrow keys and navigation cluster are positioned close to the main alphanumeric section on the right side. Compared to its predecessor, the NuPhy Air75 V2, this model is slightly taller and heavier.
The NuPhy Air75 V3 has a sturdy build with a mix of aluminum and plastic materials: the top casing is aluminum, while most of the bottom is made of ABS plastic, aside from a small metal NuPhy badge. This gives the keyboard a mostly solid feel with only a slight amount of flex when twisted. The plate is made of polycarbonate.
The double-shot PBT keycaps are textured, highly resistant to fingerprints, and should show little to no shine over time. Assembly quality is excellent, with tight tolerances and evenly distributed weight that makes the keyboard feel sturdy. Despite its relatively lightweight design, the keyboard is stable; it only gets a bit shaky on the medium incline if you push the keyboard forward. Keys have minimal wobble, stabilizers on larger keys are smooth and consistent, and there are no rattles or loose parts if you shake the board. You should note that the textured metal on the top surface can be scratched easily, even by fingernails, though these marks are simple to clean off.
The NuPhy Air75 V3's low-profile design makes it very comfortable to type on without the need for a wrist rest. It's slightly taller and slightly more inclined compared to the NuPhy Air75 V2. NuPhy does offer a few wrist rests for additional purchase if you prefer using one, which can prove convenient on the highest incline setting.
The NuPhy Air75 V3 provides very good hardware customizability. The PCB has Gateron Low Profile 3.0 pinouts (sometimes labeled Gateron Nano). Although this pin layout resembles MX, the Air75 V3 isn't drop-in compatible with typical MX-style low-profile switches due to the larger center post/hole requirement. It also isn't compatible with the NuPhy Air75 V2's Gateron 2.0 Low Profile switches.
If you're looking to customize your keycaps, note that this keyboard has 1u-sized right mod keys, which are slightly less common than the typical 1.25u size.
This keyboard features full RGB backlighting with individually lit keys. You can adjust the lighting effects, colors, and brightness using either the companion software or built-in hotkeys. However, you can't customize effects for each key individually; you can only apply various effects across the entire keyboard.
This keyboard has poor backlight clarity, as the stock keycaps don't have shine-through legends. That said, NuPhy sells shine-through keycap sets for these keyboards for an additional cost on its website. We inserted the Keychron K3's shine-through keycaps to see the difference between the two types of keycaps.
The backlighting is much more visible than on the NuPhy Air75 V2. The polycarbonate plate disperses the light more evenly around the keys and produces a cleaner and more consistent white color.
This keyboard includes a rubber USB-C to USB-C charging cable and a USB-C to A adapter. The cable retains some kinks from its packaging.
NuPhy claims the Air75 V3 lasts between 60 and 100 hours with backlighting enabled and up to 1,200 hours with the lighting turned off. This latter value is much higher than that of the previous version, the NuPhy Air75 V2, which has an advertised battery life of 220 hours with backlighting off.
Actual battery life depends on usage and connection type. Bluetooth offers the best power efficiency, while the 2.4GHz USB receiver provides better performance at the cost of higher power consumption.
Through NuPhy's software, you can customize the keyboard's power management settings. You can also choose how long it takes for the keyboard to enter sleep mode.
At the top of this keyboard, you'll find two switches: one lets you toggle between Windows and macOS, and the other switches between wired and wireless connections or powers the keyboard off. The function row also includes hotkeys, such as media controls, and two customizable keys.
The NuPhy Air75 V3 comes with an optional knob module that attaches to the top-right corner. Both a low-profile and a regular version are included, and they can be installed easily with the provided screwdriver. See a short animation of the installation process. While the knobs feel a bit cheap and lack satisfying rotational feedback, they work as intended for volume control. They can also be customized to integrate with different programs that support knob input.
The Air75 V3 includes a slot in the rear end of the keyboard to store the USB dongle. The keyboard also has NuPhy's Airfeet, which is designed to allow you to place the keyboard directly on top of a MacBook keyboard to use it as a replacement. It fits flawlessly on a 16" MacBook Pro, but it's slightly wider than the 13" MacBook Air. It's still stable enough to be used comfortably.
Two LED strips on the sides of the keyboards change color to indicate different statuses, such as Caps Lock, connectivity mode, and battery level.
A complete list of hotkey combinations and instructions for customizing sidelight behavior can be found in the user manual, which is also available in digital format.
- USB-C to USB-C cable
- USB-C female to USB-A male adapter
- 2-in-1 keycap/keyswitch puller
- 2.4GHz Receiver
- Knob conversion module
- Two attachable knobs for the module
- Torx screwdriver for conversion
- 8 extra keycaps for Windows users
- Clear plastic bag for keyboard
- Quick start guide
The NuPhy Air75 V3 offers a very good typing experience. The PBT keycaps feel high quality with a light texture that's resistant to smudges, and the keys show very little wobble. The Gateron Nano Blush switches in our unit are heavily lubed and very smooth, with a soft bottom-out that makes them feel quiet and cushiony. However, they can feel mushy to some, and since they're linear with no tactile feedback, it may be harder to touch type compared to more responsive switches. The flat nSA profile keycaps may also feel awkward for some, as it doesn't provide much height variation between rows.
The plastic backplate and gasket-mounted design add noticeable flex, which provides a lot of springiness and reduces finger fatigue during long typing sessions. However, it also contributes to a soft feel that some may find too squishy.
This is a compact 75% layout, so spacing is tighter than on a full-size board, especially between the function row and arrow keys. The top corner keys are color-coded without legends, which may be confusing if you aren't familiar with the default bindings. That said, replacement keycaps are included.
Overall, when paired with the Gateron Nano Blush switches, this keyboard is very quiet and smooth to type on, making it an excellent choice if you prioritize silence and comfort. However, its layout may take some time to get used to, and it lacks the firm feedback some typists may prefer. The other switches should provide more feedback.
We bought the NuPhy AIr75 V3 with the Gateron 2.0 Blush Nano linear switches, which are extremely quiet, silent-type switches and are very unlikely to bother those around you. This keyboard has very good dampening, and the gasket mount is flexible, which adds up to a very cushioned typing experience. While they should all be relatively quiet, the linear Reds are likely a little louder, while the tactile Browns are the loudest.
The Gateron Blush Nano switches have a relatively short pre-travel distance and offer a linear feel. They're also lightweight. They don't require much pressure to press, which could make them feel too sensitive to heavier typists.
Among the available switch options, the Blush Nano switches feature a slightly shorter total travel distance. In comparison, the Red Nano (linear) and Brown Nano (tactile) switches provide a full 3.5 mm of travel, which is deep for low-profile switches.
This keyboard uses non-adjustable mechanical switches.
The NuPhy Air75 V3 offers excellent single-key latency and is highly suitable for gaming across all genres. However, its performance is less consistent than most dedicated gaming keyboards. That said, this is only a concern if your main focus is high-level competitive play, and these small inconsistencies won't be noticeable in-game.
This keyboard has impressive multi-key latency. While it doesn't match the very best dedicated gaming keyboards, it's very responsive and more than good enough to game without any issue.
The NuPhy Air75 V3 provides satisfactory chord split performance. Even if it doesn't match dedicated gaming keyboards, it won't be a problem even for games that require many simultaneous inputs. That said, it doesn't report simultaneous inputs as quickly and accurately as some gaming keyboards, which may be a concern if you play games that rely on such input (like rhythm games) at an extremely high competitive level.
This keyboard supports the NuPhyIO 2.0 configuration software. NuPhy now also offers a downloadable version, although we were unable to get it working when we tested this keyboard. We tried downloading the tool on multiple systems, but we were met with an error message every time.
While this 2.0 iteration is mostly a UI update, the new interface is very responsive and well laid out. That said, the sheer number of options may feel a bit overwhelming to new users, and the manual NuPhy provides isn't the clearest either. You should be able to figure things out with some digging.
The software allows you to change a range of expected settings, like RGB backlighting, macros, and key assignments. You can also adjust the polling rate and disable the Windows key. The software also allows you to set up how long it takes for the keyboard to enter sleep mode to reduce battery use.
This keyboard is fully compatible with all operating systems. You can create and switch between OS-specific layers directly from the keyboard using shortcuts.