The NuPhy Halo65 HE is a wired gaming keyboard that builds on NuPhy's lineup with more of a focus on raw gaming performance. It features Hall effect switches, which allow you to customize actuation and reset distances per switch. While it lacks wireless connectivity—unlike the more general-purpose NuPhy Halo96 V2 and NuPhy Halo75 V2 models—it does support a maximum polling rate of 8000Hz, which helps ensure stable and consistent latency performance for competitive gaming. Additionally, it uses robust web-based configuration software that supports advanced features like Rapid Trigger and SOCD. It also has full RGB backlighting and features a thin wraparound RGB lighting strip around the case, similar to a "halo" from which this lineup gets its name.
Our Verdict
The NuPhy Halo65 HE is an excellent gaming keyboard, delivering outstanding latency performance with support for a maximum 8000Hz polling rate, resulting in a consistently responsive in-game experience. It also boasts excellent build quality, with pre-lubed switches and stabilizers that feel smooth and well-tuned out of the box. Its web-based configuration software allows for customizable actuation and reset points, along with more advanced analog features like multi-action key bindings or Rapid Trigger. This can help you perform much faster and more consistent follow-up inputs and is especially useful for scenarios like counter-strafing in FPS games.
Excellent build quality.
Oustanding latency performance.
Maximum 8000Hz polling rate.
Web-based software offers in-depth adjustable actuation settings.
South-facing LEDs and no shine-through keycaps means legends aren't easy to read in darker rooms.
The NuPhy Halo65 HE is alright for office work but isn't designed specifically with this use in mind. That said, it has excellent build quality, and its pre-lubed switches and stabilizers provide a satisfying typing experience. However, the typing noise is on the louder side, which may be distracting in noise-sensitive environments. It also lacks wireless connectivity, and its compact 65% layout may not suit all workflows, as it omits a full function row, dedicated navigation cluster, and numpad. These functions are still accessible via customizable layers, but you'll need to rely more heavily on shortcuts to use them.
Excellent build quality.
Excellent typing experience.
Wired-only.
Compact 65% layout lacks several keys important for some workflows and the typing noise is on the louder side.
The NuPhy Halo65 HE is a wired-only keyboard that isn't suitable for use with mobile devices or tablets.
The NuPhy Halo65 HE is good for programming. It offers excellent build and typing quality, with very smooth and consistent pre-lubed switches and stabilizers. Unfortunately, it lacks wireless connectivity, and its compact 65% layout may not be efficient for all programming workflows, as you're missing many keys found on full-size layouts. However, you can still access these commands on programmable layers. Finally, while the keyboard includes full RGB backlighting, the keycaps lack shine-through legends, which can make them harder to read in low-light environments.
Excellent build quality.
Excellent typing experience.
South-facing LEDs and no shine-through keycaps means legends aren't easy to read in darker rooms.
Wired-only.
Compact 65% layout lacks several keys important for some workflows and the typing noise is on the louder side.
The NuPhy Halo65 HE isn't suited for an entertainment or home theater setup primarily because it's a wired-only model. It also lacks dedicated media keys, and while it has RGB lighting, it lacks shine-through legends, so you can't read keys in the dark.
Excellent build quality.
South-facing LEDs and no shine-through keycaps means legends aren't easy to read in darker rooms.
Wired-only.
The NuPhy Halo65 HE delivers outstanding raw performance, making it an excellent choice for competitive gaming. It has very low and consistent single-key and multi-key latency, with support for a maximum 8000Hz polling rate. It also supports N-key rollover by default and can register multiple key inputs per USB report, making it well-suited for games that demand rapid or simultaneous keystrokes.
Oustanding latency performance.
Maximum 8000Hz polling rate.
Web-based software offers in-depth adjustable actuation settings.
Changelog
- Updated Jan 06, 2026: Our Test Bench 1.4.3 update adds clearer terminology and new measurements to our Keystrokes test group. For more details, see the full changelog.
- Updated Oct 02, 2025: Our 1.4.2 Test Bench Update makes changes to the Hardware Customizability test group. We've created a new Magnetic Switch Compatibility test and renamed our previous PCB Socket test to Mechanical Switch Compatibility. See our full changelog.
- Updated Aug 26, 2025: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.4.1. This update removes the Key Release test and a video element from the Multi-Key Latency section, resulting in minor score changes. See our full 1.4.1 changelog for details.
-
Updated Jul 04, 2025:
Added a reference to the NuPhyX BH65 in the build quality box as a very similar alternative with an all-aluminum build.
Check Price
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The NuPhy Halo65 HE is available with either Gateron Magnetic Coral or Gateron Magnetic Jade Pro switches, and it comes in a single Gray/White/Orange colorway
See our unit's label.
Popular Keyboard Comparisons
The NuPhy Halo65 HE retains the same overall profile and design language as NuPhy’s Halo96 and Halo75 V2 keyboards, but with some important differences: it’s a wired-only model that uses Hall effect switches, with a much stronger focus on gaming performance. While it keeps the signature wraparound RGB lighting strip, the effect is less dramatic due to the absence of a translucent bottom case found on the V2 models. Instead, the lighting is more reminiscent of the first-generation NuPhy Halo96 [Halo65, Halo75] models.
The NuPhy Halo65 HE competes in the very quickly growing market of Hall effect gaming keyboards, alongside other compact options like the IQUNIX EZ60/EZ63 or the Wooting 60HE, as well as slightly larger options like the Wooting 80HE or the NuPhy Field75 HE, which has a very different aesthetic and added macro buttons. Despite being more affordable than some of these competitors, the Halo65 HE holds up well, especially in terms of raw performance. Its feature-rich software also supports advanced functions like Rapid Trigger and SOCD and comes surprisingly close to matching the best-in-class software experience offered by higher-priced Wooting models. All told, this is a standout Hall effect keyboard if you're after a compact 65% layout with excellent competitive performance and robust software.
For more recommendations, see our picks for the best keyboards, the best 60% keyboards, and the best gaming keyboards.
The Wooting 60HE and the NuPhy Halo65 HE are compact gaming keyboards with Hall effect switches. The Wooting is slightly smaller, and its layout lacks dedicated arrow keys. That said, it has shine-through keycaps, making it much easier to see keycap legends in the dark. On the other hand, the NuPhy has slightly better performance with a maximum polling rate of 8000Hz. It also has dedicated arrow keys and a wraparound lighting strip that the Wooting lacks. However, both have very robust web-based customization software.
The Wooting 80HE and the NuPhy Halo65 HE are similar gaming keyboards with Hall effect switches and robust configuration software, but they differ in size and some features. The larger Wooting 80HE has a slight performance edge and has a somewhat unconventional TKL layout that includes a dedicated arrow key cluster and almost a full set of navigation keys. It also comes with shine-through keycaps, which improve visibility in low-light environments—something the NuPhy lacks. In contrast, the more compact Halo65 HE omits a dedicated function row and includes fewer navigation keys, though it still provides dedicated arrow keys. It also features a wraparound RGB lighting strip, a design element not found on the Wooting.
The Keychron K2 HE and the NuPhy Halo65 HE are both keyboards with Hall effect switches. The Keychron K2 HE has a 75% layout with a dedicated function row, arrow keys, and a cluster of navigation keys, making it more versatile for productivity tasks without sacrificing too much desk space. It also offers wireless connectivity, which the NuPhy lacks. On the other hand, the NuPhy has better raw performance with a maximum polling rate of 8000Hz. It also has a more robust set of adjustable actuation features and a wraparound RGB lighting strip, which the Keychron lacks.
Both the NuPhy Field75 HE and the NuPhy Halo65 HE are quite similar gaming keyboards with Hall effect switches and robust web-based configuration software. The Field75 HE has marginally better performance and several physical extra features the Halo65 HE lacks, including dedicated macro buttons and a decorative metal handle. It also has a larger layout with a function row.
Test Results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for videos & test results
