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NuPhy Halo96 V2 specifications and in-depth review

NuPhy Halo96 V2

Manufacturer: NuPhy

The NuPhy Halo96 V2 is a compact mechanical keyboard occupying a 96-key form factor, offering a blend of wireless and wired connectivity through 2.4GHz, Bluetooth 5, and USB. Built around a gasket mount construction, it combines an aluminum plate with a plastic and aluminum case available in Black, White, Blue, and Pink colorways. The keyboard ships with a wrist rest, adjustable feet, RGB south-facing backlighting, and a detachable cable, rounding out a well-equipped physical package.

At its core, the Halo96 V2 uses NuPhy Mint linear mechanical switches with a 2 mm actuation point, 50 g actuation force, and 3.6 mm total travel, all of which are hot-swappable. The board operates at a 1000 Hz polling rate and supports NKRO, QMK, and VIA, giving users a solid foundation for remapping and customization. Keycaps are PBT shine-through in an OEM profile following a standard ANSI layout, and battery life reaches up to 307 hours in wireless use, backed by a one-year warranty.

Pros
  • Hot-swappable switches allow switch replacement without soldering, making it straightforward to change the typing feel over time
  • Tri-mode connectivity via 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth 5, and USB offers flexible usage across different setups
  • Battery life rated at 307 hours provides extended wireless use between charges
  • Gasket mount construction decouples the plate from the case, which typically reduces vibration and softens the typing feel
  • QMK and VIA support enable deep key remapping and layout customization through open-source tools
  • Ships with a wrist rest and adjustable feet, adding ergonomic options out of the box
Cons
  • At 1150 g, the keyboard is on the heavier side for a compact 75% form factor, which may be a concern for portability
  • No rapid trigger or adjustable actuation support limits precision input options that some users may want
  • Media functions are only accessible via the Fn key, with no dedicated media keys available
  • ZMK support is absent, limiting wireless firmware customization options
  • No USB passthrough means no additional port is available through the keyboard itself
  • Warranty coverage is limited to one year
Who is this for?

The Halo96 V2 is well-suited to users who want a compact 75% layout with the flexibility of wireless use across multiple devices, thanks to its tri-mode connectivity and 307-hour battery life. The gasket mount and hot-swappable NuPhy Mint linear switches make it a practical choice for those who enjoy tuning or modifying their keyboard over time. Users who rely on QMK and VIA support for deep customization will also find it a capable platform, while the included wrist rest and adjustable feet add ergonomic value for longer typing sessions at a desk.

Who is this NOT for?

Users looking for advanced input features such as rapid trigger, adjustable actuation, or analog input will find this keyboard lacking, as none of these are supported. It is also not well-matched to those who need a lightweight or highly portable board, given its 1150 g weight. Those seeking dedicated media keys or a rotary dial for quick audio control will need to rely entirely on Fn key combinations, which may not suit users who prioritize on-the-fly media management. Additionally, anyone requiring ZMK support for wireless firmware customization will need to look elsewhere.

General info:

Keyboard type Mechanical, Standard
Keyboard layout size Compact (75%)
Profile Standard
connectivity Wireless & wired
connection type 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth, USB
polling rate 1000 Hz
Mount type Gasket mount
Battery life 307 hours
designed for Mac ✓
has a detachable cable ✓
height 135 mm
width 377 mm
thickness 32.9 mm
weight 1150 g
Bluetooth version 5
warranty period 1 years

The NuPhy Halo96 V2 is a standard mechanical keyboard in a compact 75% layout, built around a gasket mount and offering tri-mode connectivity via 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth 5, and USB. It supports both wireless and wired use, with a polling rate of 1000 Hz and a detachable cable for added convenience. Designed with Mac compatibility in mind, the board delivers up to 307 hours of battery life and measures 377 mm wide, 135 mm deep, and 32.9 mm thick at a weight of 1150 g. A one-year warranty is included.

Design:

has RGB lighting ✓
Has a backlit keyboard ✓
Case material Plastic, Aluminum
Plate material Aluminum
Case colors Black, White, Blue, Pink
has adjustable feet ✓
includes a wrist rest ✓
Backlight facing direction South-facing

The Halo96 V2 features a case constructed from plastic and aluminum with an aluminum plate, available in four colorways: Black, White, Blue, and Pink. It includes a backlit keyboard with south-facing RGB lighting, delivering color through the keycaps in a standard orientation. The board ships with a wrist rest and adjustable feet, adding a degree of ergonomic flexibility to its physical setup.

Switches:

Switch type Mechanical
Switch feel Linear
Hot-swappable switches ✓
Switch name NuPhy Mint
Actuation distance (min) 2 mm
Actuation distance (max) 2 mm
Actuation force 50 g
Total travel distance 3.6 mm

The Halo96 V2 comes equipped with NuPhy Mint linear mechanical switches, which actuate at 2 mm with a required force of 50 g and offer a total travel distance of 3.6 mm. The switches are hot-swappable, allowing them to be replaced without soldering.

Features:

has analog input ✕
has rapid trigger ✕
has dual actuation ✕
has adjustable actuation ✕
has NKRO ✓
has USB passthrough ✕
Has a display ✕
has QMK support ✓
has ZMK support ✕
has VIA support ✓

The Halo96 V2 supports NKRO, ensuring all simultaneous keypresses are registered without conflict. On the software side, it is compatible with QMK and VIA, giving users access to open-source firmware and a graphical interface for key remapping and customization. The board does not include analog input, rapid trigger, dual actuation, adjustable actuation, USB passthrough, a display, or ZMK support.

Keys & layout:

Keyboard layout ANSI (United States)
Keycap type PBT, Shine-through
Keycap profile OEM
uses a standard key layout ✓
Media keys Via Fn key
has a rotary dial ✕

The Halo96 V2 uses a standard ANSI (United States) key layout with PBT shine-through keycaps in an OEM profile, allowing backlight to pass through the legends. The layout follows a standard arrangement throughout, and media functions are accessible via the Fn key rather than dedicated keys. There is no rotary dial on this board.

Final Verdict

The NuPhy Halo96 V2 is a well-rounded compact mechanical keyboard that covers the essentials for users who want a customizable, wireless-capable board in a 75% footprint. Its gasket mount with hot-swappable linear switches and full QMK/VIA support makes it a genuinely capable platform for those who like to tune and remap their setup over time, while the 307-hour battery life and tri-mode connectivity add meaningful day-to-day practicality. It does fall short for users who prioritize advanced input features or need a lightweight portable option, but within its intended scope — a desk-focused, customization-friendly wireless keyboard — the Halo96 V2 delivers a coherent and feature-complete package.

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