NuPhy Air60HE Review! The definitive portable low-profile keyboard recommended for more than just gaming use

In recent years, mechanical keyboards have been reevaluated worldwide, and so-called “mechanical keyboards” employing mechanical key switches, rather than the generally popular “crackling” thin keyboards, are attracting attention.

Japan is no exception, with keyboard events becoming larger and larger every year, and the genre is attracting more and more fans.

However, keyboards with “Cherry MX compatible” key switches, which are widely used in general, are not suitable for carrying around because of their high overall height and thickness.

This is where “low-profile mechanical keyboards with thin keyswitches” are attracting attention.

Within that valuable low-profile mechanical keyboard genre, the NuPhy Air60HE boasts outstanding key feel.

In this article, we will dare to focus on the “non-gaming scene” and explore the appeal of the Air60HE.

We dare not mention the gaming elements in this article. If you want to know the appeal of this keyboard as a gaming keyboard, please see this content.

Products were provided by NuPhy Japan for promotional purposes.

Conclusion: Air60HE can be recommended for non-gamers.

The Air60HE is definitely a “recommended” low-profile mechanical keyboard as a whole, and we can confidently say that we recommend it.

There are three main reasons.

Reason for recommending this product: Good keystroke feel

The reason why we recommend Air60HE is simply because it has a good typing sound.

Previous low-profile mechanical keyboards, especially the Air series released by NuPhy, did not have a satisfactory “good sound” compared to regular mechanical keyboards.

That’s where Lofree Flow comes in.

Flow developed a new keyswitch standard called “Kailh choc v2,” which is different from the “Gateron LP” series that NuPhy has used in the past, and also thoroughly considered the structure of the body, which created an outstanding key feel and quickly became popular.

NuPhy, which has been lagging behind Lofree, has adopted the Gatero Low-Profile Magetic Jade keyswitch for the Air HE series, and together with the sound-absorbing mechanism of the main body, it produces an excellent, crisp keystroke sound.

The Air60HE’s typing sound is even better when compared to the Air60v2.

Reason for recommendation 2｜Compact, lightweight, and easy to carry

The second reason we recommend Air60HE is its compact size.

The competitor, Lofree Flow/Flow Lite, has a 75% layout, which is quite a bit larger and not as portable.

Similarly, competing products with 60-65% layouts are not suitable for “portable” use, as their bodies are made of aluminum and are heavy, or they have LCD screens on the side.

In short, a low-profile keyboard of this size is “unique.

Reason for Recommendation 3｜Clean Arrow Keyless Layout

Although this may be a disadvantage depending on how you look at it, the key point that can be recommended for Air60HE is that there is no arrow key.

Air60v1/v2 had the Arrow key forcibly inserted in the lower right corner, so the Shift and Arrow keys are next to each other, and this caused a lot of trouble because of the number of wrong presses.

Also, when I try to press the arrow key, it contacts the DEL key.

On the other hand, the Air60HE dares to place the Arrow keys on the “back layer” to ensure touch typing comfort.

The placement of the arrow keys is free, as the keymap can be changed. By default, the arrow keys can be operated at the position shown on the image above while holding down the FN key at the right end of the top layer in that mode.

Reason for recommendation 4. More convenient keymap change software

Air60HE uses the original web app to make keymap changes and rapid trigger changes, rather than the traditional VIA.

A major feature of this system is that it allows very detailed control, such as the ability to set rapid trigger thresholds for each individual key.

Also, on December 11, 2024, the restriction on the use of MODTAP was lifted, allowing non-basic character keys to be inserted into HOLD and TAP.

For example, in addition to the standard usage of short press for “space” and long press for “function,” it is also possible to set IME ON with a short press.

Air60HE in pictures

Let’s take a look at the actual Air60HE.

It comes in a familiar box.

NuPhy has been very pop-oriented so far, but this is pretty cool.

Contents include the main unit, instruction manual, replacement keycap, USB cable (Type-A to Type-C), and keycap puller and key switch puller.

Let’s look at the big picture.

The beauty of NuPhy’s signature LED lights is still present, with diffusers on both sides that shine LED lights.

The gray-based coloring with purple accents is futuristic, and the black modifier key serves to tighten the overall impression.

The background for this photo shoot is based on white, but the coloring matches well enough with a black desk.

It is modest in terms of sublegend except for the shift layer, which has an arrow key symbol on the “WASD” as is typical of gaming keyboards.

(By default, these keys are set to PgUP/DOWN, not Arrow keys)

A new attempt was made to make some of the keycaps “skeletonized” by changing the material of the keycaps to polycarbonate.

It is very fashionable with no meaningful legend waved because decoration is a priority.

Of course, with replacement keycaps, the specifications can be changed to include regular legends.

The back side is the bottom body made of translucent material.

As before, the mirror plate with the product name is a nice touch.

The reflection is good and beautiful.

The top case is made of aluminum.

The quality is good and very satisfactory.

Let’s look at it from the side.

The tilt angle can be adjusted in three steps of 3.1º/ 7.0º / 10.0º, and the angle is set by putting out retractable feet.

Default 3.1 degrees.

7 degrees with the smaller foot out.

10.1 degrees, which is the larger leg.

This is a very steep slope.

Personally, I felt most comfortable with the small feet out.

A physical switch on the left side of the rear panel allows the user to change preset styles from M1 to M3.

Each of these switches has three layers, plus an excellent ability to instantly switch between actuation points and other settings.

Unlike the Air60v2, the Air60HE does not have a wireless connection, only a wired connection.

The USB port is located on the left side of the unit, not on the back, so depending on your desk environment, you may want to prepare an L-shaped conversion plug or similar.

Then let’s look at the key caps.

Two main types of keycaps are used: polycarbonate skeleton keycaps and PBT keycaps.

At first glance, the PBT keycap looks like a double shot, but it is sublimation printing.

Indeed, if you look at the reverse side, you can see that the key tops are stained.

The switch plates are made of aluminum and are molded with extremely high precision.

The switch fitting is also excellent.

We chose the Gateron Low-Profile Magnetic Jade Pro for this project.

The key switch has a fresh mint green base coloring.

While Lofree’s low profile is north-facing (north-facing LEDs), NuPhy is thoroughly south-facing (south-facing) LEDs, so you can fully enjoy the LED light even when typing.

Of course, because it is a magnetic switch, there are no mechanical contacts.

The stem of the keyswitch is placed on a double rail to minimize wobble, and other very fine details.

Comparing NuPhy Air60HE and Air60v2

What is still of interest is the comparison with the previous model, the Air60v2.

First, look at this image.

The length of the left shift is different, and you can see that the Air60HE is longer.

Accordingly, you will notice that the position of Z is shifted to the right in Air60HE compared to A.

Another point is the different layout around the lower right arrow key.

While the Air60v2 has an arrow key, the Air60HE has no arrow key and a very long shift key.

Typically, 60% layout keyboards do not have arrow keys.

It is the Air60v2 that forced the Arrow key into it, and the risk of mistakenly pressing the Shift, Up Arrow, and DEL keys in a blind touch is greatly increased.

While most people probably find the lack of an arrow key inconvenient, I personally find it very comfortable, as it reduces the number of typing mistakes in the lower right corner.

The USB plugs are similar, but the Air60HE is also very different in that it has no wireless⇄wired toggle switch, as it is split into wired connections only.

As for the top case material, both Air60HE and Air60v2 are made of aluminum, but the weight and feel are different, with Air60HE having a more “metallic” feel.

Disadvantages of NuPhy Air60HE

Although the Air60HE is very good in terms of key feel, texture, and key layout, there are still some disadvantages.

The following three disadvantages should be understood before purchase.

USB plugs are on the side instead of the back

This is largely a matter of preference, but the USB plug out on the side makes it slightly more difficult to handle the cable when connecting at a desk.

Using an L-shaped connector like the one in the photo solves this problem, but it is true that it is a bit troublesome.

However, there is also an aspect of great convenience when used on a laptop computer as the shortest possible connection to the Type-C connector on the side of your computer using a short cable, as the Takeru style.

In addition, the rubber feet are exquisitely positioned and did not interfere with the existing keyboard when used with a Macbook.

Please note that not all laptop computers are free from interference.

Arrow key position is unfamiliar.

Perhaps the biggest hurdle to purchasing the Air60HE is the lack of an arrow key.

By default, as shown in the photo, the right pinky is used to hold down the FN key while the other three fingers operate the arrow keys on the back layer, which are arranged in an inverted T shape.

At first glance, this may seem like a hassle, but if you simply view it as “the need to put your right pinky finger on the arrow key operation,” it will not be a hurdle at all.

Personally, I consider this one of the advantages that I appreciate as a very well thought-out arrangement.

Currently, replacement keyswitch options are limited.

The Air60HE offers few options for replacing the keyswitch.

The key switches are not sold individually, and the situation only supports the two key switches that can be selected by default.

This is largely due to the fact that it is the world’s first “low-profile magnetic key switch.

In short, since the Air60HE is the only keyboard that can use this keyswitch, it is inferred that it is difficult to increase the number of types due to the issue of needs, since only Air60HE users can use it when variations are increased.

If other companies follow suit and adopt this key switch, it is quite possible that other key switches will be sold separately in the future.

Air60HE Specifications and Features

About Pricing

• Low-Profile Magnetic Jade Keyswitch Model
• Low-Profile Magnetic Jade Pro keyswitch model

Magnetic key switch action

• Ex-actuate｜Actuation point can be changed between 0.1mm and 3.3mm as desired.
• Rapid Trigger｜Adjustable keyswitch on/off (from press to release) in 0.01mm
• Hyper Tap｜The principle of rapid triggering allows a keyswitch to serve as another key input between the time it is turned on and the time it is turned off.
• Dynamic Keystroke｜Up to 4 different actions can be set from the beginning of a key press to the end of the key press and back.

Shifter switch

The shifter switches (M1-M3) on the rear panel allow the user to physically switch between setting items such as layers, lighting, travel distance, and sensitivity.

key switch

The world’s first low-profile magnetic switches provide 3.3 mm keystrokes while reducing height.

The central foot is thickened, and the stem and spring are placed inside it.

Layout	ANSI 60%.
Number of Keys	61
Switch Type	Low-Profile Magnetic Switches
Stabilizer Type	Plate Mounted
Mount Type	Top
Hot-swappable Support	Yes
N-key Rollover Support	Yes
Backlight	South-facing RGB-LED
Backlight Modes	20
Compatible System	macOS/Windows/Linux/Android/iOS
Operating Environment	-10 to 50°C
MCU	Nu2-8K-D-2407
Wired Polling Rate	8000Hz
PCB Scan Rate	8000Hz
Top Case	Aluminum
Bottom Case	ABS
Long	297.2 mm (11.7 inches)
Wide	107.2 mm (4.22 inches)
Back Height	18.8 mm (0.74 inches)
Front Height	13.2 mm (0.52 inch)
Weight	534 grams (1.18 pound)
Type Angle	3.1º / 7.0º / 10.0º

Information reference: https: //nuphy.com/products/nuphy-air60-he-magnetic-switch-gaming-keyboard

summary

This is our review of the NuPhy Air60HE.

In the gaming keyboard scene, specs tend to be important, but I personally believe that is not what makes the Air60HE so appealing.

The most attractive feature of the Air60HE is that it is a “portable compact keyboard.

Not only is it compact and easy to carry, but it also makes a better typing sound than conventional keyboards, and the “click-clack” typing sound is not so bothersome, making it suitable for business use as well.

It is also useful in the “sonji style” where it is placed on top of a laptop computer.

The Air60HE would be a very good choice for portability.

Why don’t you pick one up too?