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  1. Table of Contents
  2. Top
  3. Main Differences
  4. Design
    1. Dimensions
    2. Build Quality
    3. Ergonomics
    4. Hardware Customizability
    5. Backlight Features
    6. Backlight Clarity
    7. Cable & Connector
    8. Wireless Versatility
    9. Macro Keys And Programming
    10. Extra Features
    11. In The Box
  5. Typing Experience
    1. Typing Quality
    2. Typing Noise
    3. Switches
    4. Keystrokes
  6. Performance
    1. Single-Key Latency
    2. Multi-Key Latency
    3. Data Transmission
    4. Chord Split
  7. Software and Operating System
    1. Configuration Software
    2. Computer Compatibility
    3. Wireless Mobile Compatibility
  8. Comments

Keychron Q5 Max [Q1 Max, Q2 Max, etc.] vs NuPhy Halo96/Halo75 V2

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Keychron Q5 Max [Q1 Max, Q2 Max, etc.]
NuPhy Halo96/Halo75 V2

Tested using Methodology v1.3.1

Updated Apr 08, 2025 01:09 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.3.1

Updated Aug 01, 2024 09:00 PM

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Keychron Q5 Max [Q1 Max, Q2 Max, etc.] Picture
NuPhy Halo96/Halo75 V2 Picture
  1. Recommended in 2 articles:
  2. Typing
  3. RGB

Variants

  • Q15 Max (Black - Ortholinear)
  • Q6 Max (Carbon Black - 100%)
  • Q2 Max (Carbon Black - 65%)
  • Q8 Max (Carbon Black - 65%/Alice)
  • Q1 Max (Carbon Black - 75%)
  • Q10 Max (Carbon Black - 75%/Alice)
  • Q3 Max (Carbon Black - 80%/TKL)
  • Q5 Max (Carbon Black - 96%)
  • Q14 Max (Carbon Black - 96%/Alice)
  • Q13 Max (Carbon Black - 96%/Alice)
  • Q12 Max (Carbon Black - 96%/Southpaw)
  • Q65 Max (Carbon Black - Special 65%)
  • Q60 Max (Retro - Special 60%)
  • Q6 Max (Shell White - 100%)
  • Q2 Max (Shell White - 65%)
  • Q8 Max (Shell White - 65%/Alice)
  • Q1 Max (Shell White - 75%)
  • Q10 Max (Shell White - 75%/Alice)
  • Q3 Max (Shell White - 80%/TKL)
  • Q5 Max (Shell White - 96%)
  • Q14 Max (Shell White - 96%/Alice)
  • Q13 Max (Shell White - 96%/Alice)
  • Q12 Max (Shell White - 96%/Southpaw)
  • Q65 Max (Shell White - Special 65%)
  • Q15 Max (White - Ortholinear)
  • Halo96 V2 (Blue Lagoon)
  • Halo75 V2 (Blue Lagoon)
  • Halo96 V2 (Ionic White)
  • Halo75 V2 (Ionic White)
  • Halo96 V2 (Mojito)
  • Halo75 V2 (Mojito)
  • Halo96 V2 (Obsidian Black)
  • Halo75 V2 (Obsidian Black)
  • Halo96 V2 (Sakura Fizz)
  • Halo75 V2 (Sakura Fizz)

Our Verdict

Keychron Q5 Max [Q1 Max, Q2 Max, etc.]

NuPhy Halo96/Halo75 V2

The Keychron Q5 Max and the NuPhy Halo96 V2 are wireless mechanical keyboards with a compact 96% form factor. Each also belongs to a wider lineup with other size variants available, though the Keychron lineup is significantly larger with more sizes available. The NuPhy keyboards have more of a focus on RGB lighting and have a strip or 'halo' of RGB lighting that wraps around their outer edge. They have comparatively more lightweight aluminum top case designs with a semi-transparent plastic bottom case that allows more RGB light to shine out. Comparatively, the Keychron keyboards provide a bit more in the way of hardware customizability and include a kit for disassembly. They also have somewhat better latency performance and significantly heavier solid aluminum case designs.

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Black - Ortholinear
Q15 Max
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Blue Lagoon
Halo96 V2
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Carbon Black - 100%
Q6 Max
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Blue Lagoon
Halo75 V2
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Carbon Black - 65%
Q2 Max
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Ionic White
Halo96 V2
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Carbon Black - 65%/Alice
Q8 Max
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Ionic White
Halo75 V2
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Carbon Black - 75%
Q1 Max
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Mojito
Halo96 V2
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Carbon Black - 75%/Alice
Q10 Max
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Mojito
Halo75 V2
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Carbon Black - 80%/TKL
Q3 Max
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Obsidian Black
Halo96 V2
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Carbon Black - 96%
Q5 Max
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Obsidian Black
Halo75 V2
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Carbon Black - 96%/Alice
Q14 Max
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Sakura Fizz
Halo96 V2
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Carbon Black - 96%/Alice
Q13 Max
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Sakura Fizz
Halo75 V2
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Carbon Black - 96%/Southpaw
Q12 Max
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Carbon Black - Special 65%
Q65 Max
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Retro - Special 60%
Q60 Max
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Shell White - 100%
Q6 Max
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Shell White - 65%
Q2 Max
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Shell White - 65%/Alice
Q8 Max
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Shell White - 75%
Q1 Max
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Shell White - 75%/Alice
Q10 Max
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Shell White - 80%/TKL
Q3 Max
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Shell White - 96%
Q5 Max
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Shell White - 96%/Alice
Q14 Max
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Shell White - 96%/Alice
Q13 Max
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Shell White - 96%/Southpaw
Q12 Max
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Shell White - Special 65%
Q65 Max
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White - Ortholinear
Q15 Max
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Main Differences for
Gaming

Threshold 

0.10

Gaming 

8.4
8.3
No major differences between these keyboards for gaming. See full list of tests below.

Full Comparison

Design

Dimensions 
 

Top Picture  

Keychron Q5 Max [Q1 Max, Q2 Max, etc.] Top Picture
NuPhy Halo96/Halo75 V2 Top Picture

Size 
 

Compact (96%)
Compact (96%)

Height 
 

2.0" (5.0 cm)
1.7" (4.3 cm)

Width  

16.1" (40.8 cm)
14.8" (37.7 cm)

Depth 
 

5.7" (14.5 cm)
5.3" (13.5 cm)

Depth With Wrist Rest 
 

N/A
N/A

Weight 
 

4.86 lbs (2.206 kg)
2.62 lbs (1.190 kg)
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

8.5
8.5

Build Quality Close Up  

Keychron Q5 Max [Q1 Max, Q2 Max, etc.] Build Quality Close Up
NuPhy Halo96/Halo75 V2 Build Quality Close Up

Keycap Material  

PBT
PBT
Show Text 

Ergonomics 
 

6.0
6.0

Side Picture  

Keychron Q5 Max [Q1 Max, Q2 Max, etc.] Side Picture
NuPhy Halo96/Halo75 V2 Side Picture

Curved/Angled 
 

No
No

Split Keyboard 
 

No
No

Key Alignment 
 

Staggered
Staggered

Minimum Incline 
 

5.2°
4.7°

Medium Incline 
 

N/A
8.2°

Maximum Incline 
 

N/A
11.8°

Home Row Height 
 

37.6 mm (1.5")
32.0 mm (1.3")
Show Text 

Hardware Customizability 
 

9.8
9.6

Customizability Overview  

Keychron Q5 Max [Q1 Max, Q2 Max, etc.] Customizability Overview
NuPhy Halo96/Halo75 V2 Customizability Overview

Replaceable Cherry Stabilizers 
 

Yes
Yes

Stabilizer Fixation 
 

Screw-in
Plate-Mounted

Spacebar Stabilizer Size 
 

6.25u
6.25u

Size Of Right Mod Keys 
 

1u
1.25u

Hot-Swappable Switches 
 

Yes
Yes

Switch Stem Shape 
 

Cherry MX Style
Cherry MX Style

Switch PCB Socket 
 

5-pin Cherry
5-pin Cherry

North-Facing Cherry MX Interference 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Backlight Features 
 

10
10

Backlighting Picture  

Keychron Q5 Max [Q1 Max, Q2 Max, etc.] Backlighting Picture
NuPhy Halo96/Halo75 V2 Backlighting Picture

Brightness Max  

Keychron Q5 Max [Q1 Max, Q2 Max, etc.] Brightness Max
NuPhy Halo96/Halo75 V2 Brightness Max

Backlighting  

Yes
Yes

Brightness Min  

Keychron Q5 Max [Q1 Max, Q2 Max, etc.] Brightness Min
NuPhy Halo96/Halo75 V2 Brightness Min

RGB 
 

Yes
Yes

Per-Key Backlighting 
 

Yes
Yes

Effects 
 

Yes
Yes

Software Controllable 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Backlight Clarity 
 

4.0
4.0

White Shot  

Keychron Q5 Max [Q1 Max, Q2 Max, etc.] White Shot
NuPhy Halo96/Halo75 V2 White Shot
Show Text 

Cable & Connector  

Connectivity  

Wireless
Wireless

Detachable 
 

Yes (Wired Mode and Charge)
Yes (Wired Mode and Charge)

Length  

5.9 ft (1.8 m)
4.9 ft (1.5 m)

Connector (Keyboard side) 
 

USB type-C
USB type-C
Show Text 

Wireless Versatility 
 

10
10

Bluetooth 
 

Yes
Yes

Bluetooth Multi-Device Pairing 
 

3
3

Proprietary Receiver 
 

Yes
Yes

Battery Type 
 

Rechargeable
Rechargeable
Show Text 

Macro Keys And Programming 
 

6.0
4.0

Dedicated Macro Keys Count  

3
0

Onboard Macro Programming 
 

No
No

Macro Programming With Software 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Extra Features 
 

Extra Features  

Keychron Q5 Max [Q1 Max, Q2 Max, etc.] Extra Features
NuPhy Halo96/Halo75 V2 Extra Features

Media Keys 
 

Non-Dedicated
Non-Dedicated

Trackpad / Trackball  

No
No

Scroll Wheel 
 

No
No

Control Knob 
 

Yes
No

USB Passthrough 
 

No
No

Numpad  

Yes
Yes

Windows Key Lock 
 

Yes
No

Lock Indicator  

Caps & Num Lock
Caps Lock
Show Text 

In The Box  

Bundle Picture  

Keychron Q5 Max [Q1 Max, Q2 Max, etc.] Bundle Picture
NuPhy Halo96/Halo75 V2 Bundle Picture
Show Text 
Typing Experience

Typing Quality 
 

8.5
8.5

Key Spacing 
 

19.0 mm (0.748")
19.0 mm (0.748")
Show Text 

Typing Noise 
 

7.5
7.6

Typing Sample  

Average Loudness 
 

52.2 dBA
51.9 dBA

High Pitch Clicks 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Switches 
 

Wobble Video  

Switch Name 
 

Gateron Jupiter Banana
NuPhy Mint

Switch Type 
 

Mechanical
Mechanical

Feel 
 

Tactile
Linear

Analog 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Keystrokes 
 

Key Switch Actuation Graph  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Operating Force 
 

55 gf
33 gf

Actuation Force 
 

38 gf
33 gf

Pre-Travel 
 

2.5 mm
1.8 mm

Total Travel 
 

3.2 mm
3.6 mm
Show Text 
Performance

Single-Key Latency 
 

9.2
8.9

Single-Key Latency Graph  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Best Connection 
 

3.2 ms
3.8 ms

Best Connection Std Dev  

±0.3 ms
±0.9 ms

Wired 
 

3.2 ms
3.8 ms

Receiver 
 

4.4 ms
5.3 ms

Bluetooth 
 

9.5 ms
13.8 ms

PCB (Estimated) 
 

1.0 ms
2.2 ms
Show Text 

Multi-Key Latency 
 

8.7
8.5

Latency Video  

Multi-Key Latency Graph  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Connection Evaluated  

Receiver
Receiver

Key Press 
 

4.5 ms
5.3 ms

Key Release 
 

6.7 ms
10.9 ms
Show Text 

Data Transmission 
 

8.2
8.7

Multi-Key Raw USB  

Keychron Q5 Max [Q1 Max, Q2 Max, etc.] Multi-Key Raw USB
NuPhy Halo96/Halo75 V2 Multi-Key Raw USB

Connection Evaluated  

Receiver
Receiver

USB Polling Rate 
 

1,000 Hz
1,000 Hz

Effective Update Rate 
 

1,000 Hz
1,000 Hz

N-Key Rollover (NKRO) 
 

Yes
Yes

Multiple Keys Per USB Report 
 

No
Yes
Show Text 

Chord Split 
 

7.8
7.2

Chord Split Graph  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

4 Chord Split Delay 
 

5.6 ms
7.6 ms

8 Chord Split Delay 
 

13.9 ms
13.3 ms
Show Text 
Software and Operating System

Configuration Software 
 

Software Tour  

Software Name  

VIA
VIA

Software Windows Compatible 
 

Yes
Yes

Software macOS Compatible 
 

Yes
Yes

Onboard Memory 
 

Yes
Yes

Profiles 
 

6+
6+
Show Text 

Computer Compatibility 
 

10
10

Windows 
 

Fully Compatible
Fully Compatible

macOS 
 

Fully Compatible
Fully Compatible

Linux (Ubuntu 22) 
 

Fully Compatible
Fully Compatible

Media Key Compatibility 
 

Windows, MacOS & Linux
Windows, MacOS & Linux
Show Text 

Wireless Mobile Compatibility 
 

10
10

Android 
 

Fully Compatible
Fully Compatible

iOS 
 

Fully Compatible
Fully Compatible

iPadOS 
 

Fully Compatible
Fully Compatible

Media Key Compatibility 
 

Android, iPhone & iPad
Android, iPhone & iPad
Show Text 

Check Price

Black - Ortholinear
Q15 Max
Searching
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Blue Lagoon
Halo96 V2
Searching
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Carbon Black - 100%
Q6 Max
Searching
Finding store
Blue Lagoon
Halo75 V2
Searching
Finding store
Carbon Black - 65%
Q2 Max
Searching
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Ionic White
Halo96 V2
Searching
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Carbon Black - 65%/Alice
Q8 Max
Searching
Finding store
Ionic White
Halo75 V2
Searching
Finding store
Carbon Black - 75%
Q1 Max
Searching
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Mojito
Halo96 V2
Searching
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Carbon Black - 75%/Alice
Q10 Max
Searching
Finding store
Mojito
Halo75 V2
Searching
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Carbon Black - 80%/TKL
Q3 Max
Searching
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Obsidian Black
Halo96 V2
Searching
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Carbon Black - 96%
Q5 Max
Searching
Finding store
Obsidian Black
Halo75 V2
Searching
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Carbon Black - 96%/Alice
Q14 Max
Searching
Finding store
Sakura Fizz
Halo96 V2
Searching
Finding store
Carbon Black - 96%/Alice
Q13 Max
Searching
Finding store
Sakura Fizz
Halo75 V2
Searching
Finding store
Carbon Black - 96%/Southpaw
Q12 Max
Searching
Finding store
 
Carbon Black - Special 65%
Q65 Max
Searching
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Retro - Special 60%
Q60 Max
Searching
Finding store
 
Shell White - 100%
Q6 Max
Searching
Finding store
 
Shell White - 65%
Q2 Max
Searching
Finding store
 
Shell White - 65%/Alice
Q8 Max
Searching
Finding store
 
Shell White - 75%
Q1 Max
Searching
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Shell White - 75%/Alice
Q10 Max
Searching
Finding store
 
Shell White - 80%/TKL
Q3 Max
Searching
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Shell White - 96%
Q5 Max
Searching
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Shell White - 96%/Alice
Q14 Max
Searching
Finding store
 
Shell White - 96%/Alice
Q13 Max
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Shell White - 96%/Southpaw
Q12 Max
Searching
Finding store
 
Shell White - Special 65%
Q65 Max
Searching
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White - Ortholinear
Q15 Max
Searching
Finding store
 

Keychron Q5 Max [Q1 Max, Q2 Max, etc.]

NuPhy Halo96/Halo75 V2

Comments

  1. Comparison

Keychron Q5 Max [Q1 Max, Q2 Max, etc.] vs NuPhy Halo96/Halo75 V2: Main Discussion

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