NuPhy Air 60HE Review: A Missed Opportunity in the Low-Profile Market
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The NuPhy Air 60HE is a low-profile Hall Effect keyboard that promises innovation in the compact keyboard space. With its sleek design, Hall Effect switches, and customizable software, it’s clear that NuPhy aimed to push boundaries. However, this keyboard struggles to deliver on its promises, leaving it as a product that feels rushed and, ultimately, a missed opportunity.
The Good: Where NuPhy Shines
1. Sleek Design and Build Quality
The NuPhy Air 60HE is undeniably a good-looking keyboard. Its modern aesthetic and low-profile form factor make it a standout on any desk setup. NuPhy has a reputation for making visually appealing keyboards, and the Air 60HE is no exception. The lightweight design makes it ideal for those who want portability, especially for a travel keyboard.
2. Hall Effect Switches
Hall Effect switches are a great addition, offering adjustable actuation points and rapid trigger functionality. These features are fantastic for gaming, particularly in scenarios like MMOs and PvP where quick reactions are critical. NuPhy’s implementation of these switches shows promise, and the customization options through software are extensive.
3. Robust Software
The accompanying software is intuitive and powerful. It allows you to program macros, customize RGB lighting, adjust actuation points, and even test key response in real-time. For enthusiasts who enjoy tinkering, this software is a strong point.
The Bad: Where NuPhy Missed the Mark
1. Keycap Issues
The keycaps are the most glaring flaw. The shine-through design, while visually appealing, highlights symbols in a way that makes them hard to read. Modifier and symbol keys are confusing to use, especially for productivity tasks. Worse, the keycaps scratch easily, even with light use. This is unacceptable for a product at this price point, especially one marketed for portability.
2. Questionable Low-Profile Execution
The Air 60HE has a key travel distance of 3.3mm—the same as a full-size keyboard. For a low-profile keyboard, this defeats the purpose. Low-profile keyboards are supposed to offer shorter actuation and travel distances, providing faster typing experiences. This oversight makes the Air 60HE feel like a compact full-size keyboard rather than a true low-profile product.
3. Durability Concerns
Both the keycaps and backplate show scratches with minimal use. For a keyboard marketed as portable, this is a significant problem. The coating used on the keycaps and backplate seems inadequate, leading to an unappealing, worn look after short-term use.
4. Inconsistent Pricing
The Air 60HE is priced at $182, which is significantly higher than NuPhy’s own Halo 65HE, a full-size Hall Effect keyboard with better features, a more intuitive layout, and improved durability. It’s puzzling why the Air 60HE is positioned as a premium product when it feels like a step down from the Halo 65HE.
5. Poorly Designed Feet
The adjustable feet on the Air 60HE don’t lock into place, making it frustrating to reposition the keyboard. While this may seem minor, small design flaws like this add up, especially for a product marketed at a premium price.
Final Verdict
The NuPhy Air 60HE is a keyboard that looks promising on paper but falters in execution. While the sleek design, Hall Effect switches, and robust software showcase NuPhy’s potential, the product is plagued by poor keycap quality, confusing design choices, durability concerns, and questionable pricing. The Air 60HE feels like a rushed release that needed more refinement before hitting the market.
Pros
- Sleek, modern design
- Hall Effect switches with adjustable actuation
- Excellent software customization
Cons
- Shine-through keycaps that scratch easily and obscure symbols
- Full-size key travel on a low-profile keyboard
- Poor durability for a portable device
- Feet that don’t lock into place
- Overpriced compared to NuPhy’s own Halo 65HE
For those considering the Air 60HE, I would recommend looking at alternatives like the NuPhy Halo 65HE, which offers better value and functionality, or even exploring other brands in the low-profile keyboard space. Unless NuPhy addresses these issues in future iterations, the Air 60HE is difficult to recommend.
Who Should Buy It?
If you’re someone who prioritizes aesthetics over functionality and want a low-profile keyboard for light use, the Air 60HE might work for you. However, for gamers, productivity enthusiasts, or anyone looking for durability and value, there are better options available.
This review aims to provide constructive feedback, and I hope NuPhy takes these points into consideration for future designs. With a few tweaks, the Air 60HE could evolve into a standout product, but as it stands, it falls short of its potential.
