Keychron vs Nuphy Review: The 2026 Wireless Mechanical Keyboard Showdown

If you are in a rush, here is the high-level breakdown of my three-month testing period:

• Buy the Keychron Q1 Max Gen 2 if: You want a heavy, stationary anchor for your desk. You prefer a deep, "thocky" sound profile and need the absolute best QMK/VIA software support for complex macro programming. It is the gold standard for build quality.
• Buy the Nuphy Air75 V3 if: You work hybrid or travel often. The low-profile design is easier on the wrists without a rest, and the 2026 aesthetics are unmatched. It is significantly lighter and integrates better with iPads and MacBooks on the go.
• The Shared Win: Both have finally solved the Bluetooth latency issues that plagued earlier 2024 models. Wireless stability is now flawless on both units.

Holding these two boards reveals completely different design philosophies.

Keychron feels like an industrial tool. The Q1 Max Gen 2 is a slab of CNC-machined aluminum. When you set it down, it doesn't move. There is zero flex. The anodization in 2026 has improved significantly, resisting fingerprints better than the older Q1 models. However, its height (front lip approx. 20mm) means you absolutely need a wrist rest. Without one, the extension angle of your wrist is too steep for prolonged sessions.

Nuphy, on the other hand, designs for lifestyle. The Air75 V3 retains that distinct "pop" aesthetic with its tri-color keycaps and semi-transparent bottom case. It is sleek, playful, and incredibly thin. You can throw this in a backpack without a second thought. The build is solid, but because the bottom housing is often ABS plastic to save weight and allow for signal transmission, it lacks the premium density of the Keychron.

If you appreciate a minimalist, Apple-adjacent aesthetic, Nuphy wins. If you want a keyboard that could double as a home defense weapon, Keychron takes it.

This is where the divergence is most critical.

The Keychron Experience: Typing on the Keychron Q1 Max is an acoustic event. With the new acoustic foam layering introduced this year, the sound is deep, resonant, and satisfyingly "thocky." The gasket mount implementation provides a soft, bouncy typing feel. It absorbs the impact of your fingers, reducing fatigue during 2,000-word sprints. The stabilizers are screw-in and come perfectly lubed from the factory-no rattle, just smooth motion.

The Nuphy Experience: The Air75 V3 uses low-profile switches (I tested the Gateron Moss tactile). The travel distance is shorter (2.5mm vs 4.0mm). This results in a "snappy" experience. You can type faster because the keys return quicker, but the bottom-out feel is harsher. It sounds higher-pitched-more of a "clack" than a "thock." It is satisfying, but it feels more like a high-end laptop keyboard on steroids rather than a traditional mechanical board.

Both brands built their reputation on Mac compatibility, and in 2026, they remain the leaders. Both keyboards feature physical toggles to switch between macOS and Windows modes, swapping the multimedia keys accordingly.

Bluetooth & 2.4GHz: I tested both in a signal-dense apartment complex.

• Nuphy: The Air75 V3 connects instantly. I frequently switch between my MacBook Pro and iPad Pro. The transition takes less than 2 seconds. The 2.4GHz dongle is tiny, but the range is slightly shorter than the Keychron's.
• Keychron: The wireless antenna placement in the Q1 Max Gen 2 has been reworked to avoid the interference issues of the metal case. It is rock solid. The 8000Hz polling rate on the 2.4GHz dongle is overkill for typing, but for gaming, it makes the Keychron indistinguishable from a wired board.

Software: Keychron still holds the edge here. VIA support works directly in the browser (Chrome/Edge). You can remap keys, create layers, and adjust lighting without installing bloatware. Nuphy has adopted VIA recently, but the implementation on the V3 still feels slightly buggy, occasionally requiring a firmware re-flash to get the settings to stick.

No product is perfect. Here are the frustrations I encountered after three months of use.

Nuphy's Battery Anxiety: Because the chassis is so thin, the battery is physically smaller. With RGB lighting on full brightness, the Air75 V3 struggles to last a full work week (40 hours). I found myself reaching for the USB-C cable every 3-4 days. If you hate charging cables cluttering your desk, this is annoying.

Keychron's Ergonomic Demand: The height of the Keychron Q1 Max is a legitimate issue for wrist health if you ignore ergonomics. You cannot comfortably use this keyboard flat on the desk without a palm rest. This adds to the cost and the desk footprint. Additionally, the sheer weight means this is not a hybrid device-it stays where you put it.