Distant work is right here to remain, and with it comes a necessity for totable tech instruments. Whether or not you’re working from dwelling, an area espresso store, or a seashore within the Caribbean (we received’t inform your boss), a compact keyboard is a should to kind up reviews whereas sipping a mai tai. The Nuphy Air60 V2 ($109.95) is a low-profile wi-fi keyboard that could be a good journey companion for getting work carried out in your cellphone or pill, particularly when paired with its non-obligatory carrying case. Higher low-profile, compact alternate options exist, nevertheless. Our favourite is the Editors’ Alternative-winning Satechi SM1 Slim, which is simply as moveable and gives the same set of options for a lower cost.
Design: Engaging, However Missing an Air of High quality
The Nuphy Air60 V2 is a conveyable keyboard that prioritizes aesthetics, a design-first strategy that additionally extends to its non-obligatory carrying case ($29). Whereas we examined the Lunar Grey colour for this evaluate, the Air60 V2 can be accessible in white or black colour choices. Every choice gives many key-switch variants from which to decide on, which we’ll talk about under.
The keyboard measures 0.8 by 11.7 by 4.2 inches (HWD), making it smaller than the SM1 Slim. The SM1 Slim is bigger as a result of it has a perform row and 7 extra keys, together with Web page Up and Web page Down. To compensate for the lack of a perform row, the Air60 depends on shortcut mixtures, which can take some getting used to. You’ll be able to assign macros and shortcut mixtures utilizing VIA software program, which we’ll additionally talk about under.
(Credit score: Joseph Maldonado)
We obtained Nuphy’s Aloe switches with our evaluate pattern, a linear change with 37 grams of actuation pressure that is a $10 improve. Different change variants embody Reds, Browns, and Blues, every of which drops the keyboard to its $109.99 base worth. The Aloes, Cowberries (a linear change with 45 grams of actuation pressure), Wisterias (a tactile change with 50 grams of actuation pressure), and Mosses (one other set of tactile switches with the heaviest actuation pressure at 60 grams) are additionally accessible for an additional $10 or in bulk, as add-ons that may be put in on the Air60 V2 or some other keyboard it’s possible you’ll personal that accepts low-profile switches.
Together with switches, you should buy additional keycaps, desk mats, and the carrying case for the keyboard, which doubles as a pill/cellphone stand. Nuphy gives no choice to purchase a barebones mannequin, nevertheless.
If not one of the inventory change choices cuts it for you, you may make the most of the truth that the Air60 V2 is hot-swappable to comparatively simply set up your personal change set. The Air60 V2 helps different low-profile key switches from third-party producers.
(Credit score: Joseph Maldonado)
The carrying case attaches to the keyboard through a set of magnets embedded within the case’s material; some cutouts within the case line up with the keyboard’s ft to assist orient the keyboard appropriately. Utilizing the case with the keyboard works effectively when it is advisable to work in public. The case folds right into a triangle that may prop up a cellphone or pill, which is an actual assist in the event you don’t have a kickstand to carry up no matter gadget you’re utilizing.
(Credit score: Francisco Lahoz)
If you’re carried out with work, merely fold the case across the keyboard; a button fastener retains the keyboard from sliding off the magnets in a neat bundle. The keyboard works completely positive with out the case, although. Once we reviewed the Asus ROG Falchion RX Low Profile, we did not like that its plastic cowl could not function a case, though it’s included within the worth of the keyboard.
(Credit score: Joseph Maldonado)
All three colour variants of the keyboard’s backside body are made from see-through ABS plastic that permits you to glimpse the within of the keyboard, whereas the highest half is made from aluminum. This aluminum provides the keyboard a pleasant rigidity that retains it from flexing underneath stress. Whereas a 2.4GHz wi-fi dongle is included within the field, the keyboard itself has no storage for it, in contrast to the SM1 Slim, which has a cutout for the dongle subsequent to one in every of its angled ft.
(Credit score: Joseph Maldonado)
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The underside of the keyboard has a steel plate embedded into the plastic body. Every nook has rubber ft to maintain it steady in your typing floor. The 2 ft have deployable stands with two angled ranges, though they endure from some construct high quality points. They use a pair of plastic tabs on both sides to lock in place, however the tolerance is so tight that the tab wants a shocking quantity of pressure to deploy. After deploying the ft a handful of occasions, we seen shavings from the place the plastic was worn down. The Air60 V2 comes with a one-year guarantee.
(Credit score: Joseph Maldonado)
You will discover two mode-selector switches alongside the keyboard’s prime edge. One means that you can wirelessly hook up with a tool through Bluetooth or 2.4GHz, activate a wired connection utilizing the included USB cable, or flip the keyboard off. The opposite enables you to change between a Mac or Home windows keyboard structure. Each layouts work completely positive for telephones and tablets.
The keyboard options per-key adjustable RGB lighting, which you’ll be able to simply configure with particular colours or results utilizing a software program utility (which we’ll talk about under). The lighting isn’t restricted to the keys, as two slits on both aspect of the keyboard enable mild to bleed by means of. These similar slits additionally act as the symptoms for Bluetooth connection standing and battery ranges. They glow inexperienced when the two,500mAh battery is absolutely charged. Nuphy states that the battery ought to final between 30 and 90 hours with the LEDs on and as much as 150 hours with them off.
Software program: VIA-Appropriate Customization
The Air60 V2 is suitable with VIA, an open-source keyboard configurator for QMK-based keyboards. You entry VIA by means of a website. A number of smaller keyboard producers like Keychron and Melgeek additionally use VIA in lieu of creating proprietary software program utilities, as VIA is free.
(Credit score: VIA)
We had points getting the Nuphy Air60 V2 arrange with VIA; it would not acknowledge our keyboard straight away, the same drawback we skilled after we reviewed the Keychron C3 Pro. After we downloaded a JSON file from the Nuphy web site and uploaded it to the VIA configurator when prompted, the VIA internet app lastly acknowledged the keyboard.
With VIA, you may reassign keys, arrange key macros for shortcuts, and alter the RGB backlighting of the keyboard. You’ll be able to assign every of those customizations to a profile, which you’ll be able to then save and cargo as wanted.
Verdict: Strictly a Match for Cellular Use
Whereas the Nuphy Air60 V2 appears the right companion for distant work, it has too many caveats to suggest unequivocally. Whereas the keyboard’s dimension makes it handy to throw in a bag, the plastic tolerances of its angled ft fear us long-term about sturdiness. It pairs effectively with a pill or cellphone, however you will not get the total performance until you’re prepared to pay for the additional case.
We do just like the keyboard’s aesthetics, however in the end, it does little to distinguish itself from the Satechi SM1 Slim until you propose to make use of it primarily with a cellular gadget and spring for the additional stand. In that case, the Air60 V2 could possibly be an intriguing choice. However for conventional use with a pc, some great benefits of a lower cost and higher total construct high quality make the SM1 simpler to suggest.
The Backside Line
Engaging and extremely moveable, the dear Nuphy Air60 V2 wi-fi keyboard is greatest to be used with a cellphone or pill, however requires an extra-cost case accent to attain its full potential.
About Francisco Lahoz
Junior Analyst, {Hardware}
