Head to head
Keychron Q3 Max vs NuPhy Air75 V2
Keychron Q3 Max vs NuPhy Air75 V2 compared: layout, switch feel, build, wireless, and QMK/VIA. Which keyboard should you buy?
#1 in our rankings · Best overall
Keychron Q3 Max
Best for: Enthusiasts and heavy typists who want a premium tenkeyless board with wireless freedom and full programmability.
#2 in our rankings · Best low-profile
NuPhy Air75 V2
Best for: Laptop-style typists, travelers, and minimal-desk setups that still want real mechanical switches.
Our recommendation
Choose the Keychron Q3 Max if this is your main keyboard and you want the best typing feel, the sturdiest build, and full-travel switches. Choose the NuPhy Air75 V2 if portability matters: it is dramatically slimmer, still runs QMK/VIA, and fits a travel bag. Both are excellent; the decision is desk anchor versus travel companion.
Layout and size
The Q3 Max is a tenkeyless board: full-travel keys, dedicated arrows and function row, and a wider stance that needs real desk space. The Air75 V2 is a 75% board: slightly more compact, with navigation keys compressed into a tighter cluster, and a slim profile built for bags and small desks.
Switch feel
The Q3 Max uses standard-height Gateron Jupiter switches with full key travel, which most typists find more satisfying for long sessions. The Air75 V2 uses low-profile mechanical switches with shorter travel: faster and slimmer, but a distinctly different feel. Both boards are hot-swappable, so neither locks you into one switch forever.
Build and firmware
The Q3 Max has a CNC-machined aluminum case that feels denser and more planted. The Air75 V2 uses a slimmer aluminum frame that prioritizes thinness over heft. On firmware they tie: both run QMK with VIA support, so remapping, layers, and macros work identically.
Choose Keychron Q3 Max if…
- You want the most satisfying typing feel with full-travel switches
- This is your primary desk keyboard and desk space is not tight
- You prefer maximum build rigidity and a heavier, planted board
Choose NuPhy Air75 V2 if…
- You travel or want a slim, minimal desk setup
- You like shorter key travel or are coming from a laptop keyboard
- You want QMK/VIA programmability in the thinnest package available
Spec-by-spec comparison
| Spec | Keychron Q3 Max | NuPhy Air75 V2 |
|---|---|---|
| Price tier | Premium | Mid-range |
| Layout | Tenkeyless (87 keys) | 75% (84 keys), low-profile |
| Switches | Gateron Jupiter (Red, Brown, or Banana), hot-swappable | Low-profile mechanical, hot-swappable |
| Keycaps | Double-shot PBT, OSA profile | Double-shot PBT, nSA profile |
| Case | CNC-machined aluminum | — |
| Connectivity | 2.4 GHz wireless, Bluetooth 5.1, USB-C wired | Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4 GHz wireless, USB-C wired |
| Firmware | QMK and VIA | QMK and VIA |
| Backlight | South-facing RGB | RGB |
| Polling rate | 1000 Hz (2.4 GHz and wired) | — |
| Battery | 4000 mAh | — |
| Frame | — | Aluminum, slim profile |
| Best for | Enthusiasts and heavy typists who want a premium tenkeyless board with wireless freedom and full programmability. | Laptop-style typists, travelers, and minimal-desk setups that still want real mechanical switches. |
| Skip if | You need a number pad, want the smallest possible footprint, or prefer a quiet board for shared offices. | You want full-travel key switches, maximum aftermarket keycap options, or a dedicated number pad. |
Strengths and limitations
Keychron Q3 Max
Strengths
- CNC-machined aluminum body with a rigid, premium feel
- QMK and VIA support for full key remapping, layers, and macros
- Three connection modes: 2.4 GHz wireless, Bluetooth, and wired USB-C
- Hot-swappable PCB, no soldering needed to change switches
- South-facing RGB that stays compatible with Cherry-profile keycaps
Limitations
- Premium price tier
- TKL layout needs more desk space than 75% or 60% boards
- Heavier than plastic keyboards, so it is less travel-friendly
NuPhy Air75 V2
Strengths
- Slim low-profile design that travels well
- QMK and VIA support, rare in low-profile boards
- Tri-mode connectivity: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and wired
- Hot-swappable low-profile switches
- Double-shot PBT keycaps
Limitations
- Low-profile switches feel different from standard mechanical switches
- Smaller low-profile keycaps limit aftermarket set options
- 75% layout drops the number pad
How they fit the wider field
- Keychron Q3 Max: ranked #1 (Best overall) in The Best Mechanical Keyboards of 2026. Read the full Keychron Q3 Max review.
- NuPhy Air75 V2: ranked #2 (Best low-profile) in The Best Mechanical Keyboards of 2026. Read the full NuPhy Air75 V2 review.
Neither one quite right? The full rankings cover 10 picks matched to different buyers.
Made your call?
Questions, answered
Which is better for gaming?
The Q3 Max has the edge: 1000 Hz polling and full-travel linear switches suit fast input. The Air75 V2 is still capable over 2.4 GHz, but its shorter-travel switches divide opinion among gamers.
Which is quieter?
Both depend on the switches installed. Low-profile switches on the Air75 V2 tend to sound thinner and higher-pitched, while the Q3 Max's case gives deeper acoustics. Neither is silent with clicky switches.
Can both be used wired?
Yes. Both support wired USB-C alongside 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth, so you can always fall back to a cable for zero-latency sessions or charging while you type.