Air60 Wireless Mechanical Keyboard
The Air60 Wireless Mechanical Keyboard provides a fantastic user experience for Apple users. It's designed to work with both Mac and Windows operating systems and extra keycaps are provided to ensure either type of user has the best experience possible. I've not had any issues with connection and think it's competitively priced. I do, however, wish there was an option for a lift on the back so that it was just a little easier to reach the keys on the back row. I also wish the software was compatible with macOS.
- DESIGN
- EASE OF USE
- PRICE
The Air60 wireless mechanical keyboard provides a great user experience for Apple enthusiasts.
As a certified Mac enthusiast, I find myself spending a lot of my free time searching for accessories that will enhance my Apple experience. One of those elusive devices has been a wireless mechanical keyboard. While there are several different styles of wireless mechanical keyboards in the market, there are only a few – a handful really – that are made especially for Mac. Most of the time, the integration with a Mac ends up being an afterthought.
Don’t get me wrong. I understand why. Mechanical keyboards are traditionally used for desktop gaming and the majority of desktop computers (more than 73% of the market share as of December 2021 – according to Statista.com) run Windows as its operating system. Manufacturers have to design products for the majority first. I get it. But, I also hate having to convert the Windows keyboard layout over to a Mac layout in my head while I’m working.
I have tried the Keychron K1 Version 3 Bluetooth Mechanical Keyboard and while I enjoyed using it, the retro feel that the chunkier keyboards have was missing for me. After Robyn reviewed the Nuphy Air75 Wireless Mechanical Keyboard for Mac, I decided I really wanted to try out one of the keyboards from Nuphy Studio. Fortunately for me, they are about to release the Air60 Wireless Mechanical Keyboard for Mac and I got to try it out.
Why use the Air60 wireless mechanical keyboard?
The Air60, like the Air75, is an ultra-slim wireless mechanical keyboard that was designed with both Mac and Windows users in mind. Nuphy has a built-in OS switch on the keyboard and includes extra keycaps that can be swapped out with the factory standard keys (Mac config) to make the keyboard compatible with Windows users.
The keyboard features a low-latency 2.4g wireless connection and the keys are hot-swappable. The keyboard gets its name from the fact that it is 60% of an ANSI layout – which has never been done before. The Air60 is also designed to be compatible with laptops and other mobile devices. It is a great companion for MacBooks as well as 99% of other laptops. The Air60’s NuFolio V2 wraps the keyboard up for travel and makes a handy working stand when you connect the keyboard to iPads.
The Air60 Wireless Mechanical Keyboard also has built-in RGB lighting. The design is actually inspired by the early MacBook battery indicator that was hidden inside the case when inactive. The Air60 has more than 20 different color effects that are modified through a series of key combinations. Nuphy does have a customizable software console available for Windows users.
“…we added two RGB light bars on each side of the Air60 aluminum frame. The left sidelight shows the caps lock and connection mode, while the right sidelight bar indicates the battery level and system mode. When you activate the gradient light effect, the sidelights will illuminate your keyboard with an arresting glow.” – Nuphy.com
Additional Features
- Built with an aluminum frame and PBT keycaps
- Uses Gateron low-profile mechanical switches
- At its thinnest point, the keyboard is only 17mm thick
- Has a built-in 2500mAh built-in rechargeable battery
- Provides up to 48 hours of battery life (lab data)
- AirFeet make it possible to place the keyboard directly on top of a laptop to use in conjunction with it; the horizontal slats at its base can lodge in the space between the keycaps of the laptop
- 3 modes of connection – 2.4G wireless, Bluetooth 5.0, or USB-C cable
- World’s thinnest PBT keycaps – ergonomic spherical keycap design of 4.6 mm thickness
- Compatible with Mac and Windows users – Mac multimedia-keys layout for Mac users and F1-F12 keys to Windows users
- Switches are hot-swappable – three bonus mechanical switches are provided with the keyboard for testing
Specs
- switch type: low-profile gateron mechanical
- layout: ansi 60%
- number of keys: 64 keyshot-swappable support: yesn-key rollover support: yes
- backlight & sidelight: rgb-led
- backlight modes: 20
- sidelight modes: 4
- mode: 2.4G wireless, bluetooth 5.0 or wired
- battery capacity: 2500mAh
- working time: up to 48 hours (lab test result)
- connection type: usb type-c
- compatible system: macos/windows/android/ios
- angle: 3.5º/ 6.5º with magnetic foot
- operating environment: -10 to 50℃
Package Contents
- x air60 wireless mechanical keyboard
- 1 x usb-c to usb-a cable (1.5 m)1 x usb-c to usb-c cable (0.2 m)
- 1 x 2.4g receiver
- 1 x keycap/switch puller
- 3 x extra keycaps3 x extra switches2 x magnetic foot
- 1 x quick guide/poster
- 1 x stickers
What my experience with the Air60 wireless mechanical keyboard was like
I have long been a fan of mechanical keyboards and was very excited to test out the Air60. I really like the packaging of the keyboard. It is reminiscent of something you might find in a comic book store. There is a colorful anime-style character on the back of the box and to me, that just adds a sense of playfulness and fun.
Nuphy includes a lot of add-ons with the keyboard. One of the things I really like that they include is the extra switches. It gives people the chance to try out the different types of switches without having to buy a whole keyboard full only to find that you don’t like them. Here is a description of each type of key offered for the Air60.
- Gateron Low-Profile Red is a linear-style switch. Its travel path doesn’t have the bump used to provide tactile feedback. The smoother movement makes red switches quieter than tactile and click switches. We recommend it to gamers and office workers.
- Gateron Low-Profile Blue is a click-style switch. It has a distinct “click” sound when depressed beyond the tactile point, making it the loudest switch. We know that many typists like it.
- Gateron Low-Profile Brown is a tactile-style switch. A good blend of typing and gaming. Brown is widely considered to be the best “middle-ground” switch. Its tactile bump, silent travel, and medium actuation force make it a versatile switch.
When Robyn tried out the Air75, she had the Gateron Low-Profile Red switches on her keyboard. Those suited her just fine, but the Air60 came equipped with the brown switches, which is considered the ‘all-around’ option for most people. Since most of my keyboard activities actually just involve typing (emails, productivity tasks, design projects, photography editing, etc.), this type of switch is perfect for me.
Getting the Air60 wireless mechanical keyboard connected to my MacBook Pro was very easy. Once you enter into pairing mode, which should be the default when you first turn it on, the Mac’s Bluetooth picked up the signal right away. One of the things I noticed about this wireless keyboard connection right away was that the Mac recognized it as a wireless keyboard connection.
I didn’t have to go through the ‘recognize this keyboard’ dialogue that I usually get when I connect anything wirelessly to my computer. The keyboard connected and I got the transparent pop-up that says, “keyboard connected,” just like it does when I connect the Apple keyboard. It was very refreshing to have that kind of experience.
Prior to using the Air60, my main keyboard was the Apple Magic Keyboard with TouchID. So, I am used to typing on a flat keyboard. I have to say that the Air60 wireless mechanical keyboard is probably the best feeling flat mechanical keyboard I’ve ever typed on. That said, I did find myself having to stretch my fingers a bit to reach the number row of keys. Even though it’s a flat keyboard, the mechanical nature of it makes it sit up a bit higher than my flat Apple keyboard. Anyone who is used to a flat keyboard or typing on a laptop might have this same issue. It would be nice if there was an option to lift the keyboard from the back – about a 1/2-inch.
While I really enjoy typing with the Air60, I find myself missing the Touch ID from the Magic Keyboard. I use it daily so it becomes a little bit of a bear switching back and forth between the two keyboards.
Since Robyn had experience with the Air75, I had her try the Air60, too. She said that the feeling was very similar, but she did notice a difference between the switches. She also said that since she is used to a larger keyboard and the layout of the Air75 (it has a wider SHIFT key on the right side), she had a lot of missed keystrokes. Every time she went to tap on the right SHIFT key, she would hit the question mark button instead. That’s not really an issue when she’s using the Air75.
One of the tests we typically run at Mac Sources to test out keyboards is a typing test. We just look for a simple timed online typing test. We will take the test with our daily-driver keyboard and then take it again with the testing keyboard. We feel this helps to represent how productive you might be versus your standard keyboard that your hands are used to.
Since I’m used to the more compact keyboards, the Air60 felt pretty standard to my hands. I was able to get a 75WPM score with only a couple of points deducted for accuracy. My average typing score is usually around 72WPM.
Final Thoughts
The Air60 Wireless Mechanical Keyboard from Nuphy is a great option for Mac users. It feels great to type on and it’s completely customizable to your liking. I do wish that the Console Software was compatible with Mac users, but hopefully, a new version will be released that will be. I love that an additional keycap set is available so you can switch to the ‘dark mode’ keys if you want to.
I’ve been very impressed with the responsiveness of the keyboard as well as how easy it is to connect. The keyboard will even connect to the computer while in its sleep state so that you can use it to wake the computer up. I’ve found this to be a rare feature of wireless keyboards for Macs – unless they are made by Apple.
The Air60 will be released to the public soon and Nuphy has provided details about their pre-sale, which I’ve included below.
For more information, visit nuphy.com, Facebook, and Twitter.
Air60 Wireless Mechanical Keyboard PRESALE Details |
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Start Date: March 29, 2022 |
End Date: April 29, 2022 |
Base Price: $109.95, Limited Units |
Product Page: https://nuphy.com/products/air60 Work Page: https://nuphy.com/blogs/works/air60 |
Early Bird Special: Everyone who orders during this period can get a NuFolio V2 for free (retail price $19). You can also get an additional COAST PBT keycap set at 47% off (retail price $19). |