Nuphy Air96 V2 vs Keychron K17 Max
Choose the Nuphy Air96 V2 for its larger battery and extensive sound-dampening layers, or the Keychron K17 Max for its knob support and lower starting price.
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No reviews
from$112at Nuphy
4.8 (4)4.8 · 4 reviews
from$94at Keychron
Which one should you get?
Get the
Nuphy Air96 V2
Battery
Build quality in the top 25% of 96% boards under $150.
- Larger 4000mAh battery capacity for longer wireless use.
- More extensive internal sound-dampening with plate poron, PCB IXPE, PET pad, and spacebar silicone.
- Slimmer and lighter design at 14mm thick and 663g.
- Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps will not fit.
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
Get the
Keychron K17 Max
Knob
Build quality in the top 20% of 96% boards under $100.
- Lower starting price point for the base model.
- Supports a physical knob for media control or macros.
- Offers both ANSI and ISO layout options, including German and UK variants.
- Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps will not fit.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
Your priority should guide your choice. Opt for the Nuphy Air96 V2 if you value maximum battery life, a slimmer portable design, and a deeply tuned acoustic profile right out of the box. Choose the Keychron K17 Max if you want knob functionality, need an ISO layout, or are seeking a more budget-friendly entry point into the high-end low-profile category. Both deliver excellent core performance with 1000Hz wireless and full programmability.
The differences that matter
Skip the 40-row spec sheet. These are the specs that change how each board feels, sounds, and fits your desk.
Nuphy Air96 V2
Keychron K17 Max
Battery
4,000 mAh
2,000 mAh
A larger battery means fewer cables during the day
Case material
ABS, Aluminum, Plastic
ABS, Aluminum
Switch options
Clicky, Linear, Low-profile Mechanical, Tactile
Clicky, Linear, Tactile
Knob
No
Yes
Weight
663 g
750 g
Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel
- Nuphy Air96 V2
- Keychron K17 Max
- Performance
- 8083
- Build quality
- 7981
- Productivity
- 8893
- Customizability
- 9491
- Portability
- 5653
- Layout size: 96%
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Low profile
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- QMK
What will you mostly use it for?
The keyboards tie in core productivity and gaming scenarios due to shared high-end specs like polling rate and programmability. The Nuphy Air96 V2 takes a clear lead for travel and modding thanks to its slimmer profile, lighter weight, and well-documented acoustic engineering. The Keychron K17 Max gains an edge for content creation through its included knob and dedicated multimedia controls.
It's a tie
- Both offer a 1000Hz polling rate in 2.4GHz and wired modes for low latency.
- Both are hot-swappable, allowing for switch customization to preference.
- Both feature N-key rollover for simultaneous key presses.
Nuphy Air96 V2 vs Keychron K17 Max specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
10 of 27 specs differ
Nuphy Air96 V2
Keychron K17 Max
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Low profile
Sound dampening
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
Display
Media keys
Connection
Max polling rate
Battery
USB-C
Case material
Plate material
Keycaps
Weight
Dimensions
Typing angle
Backlight
QMK
VIA
N-key rollover
Mac & Windows
Released
ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
Nuphy Air96 V2
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
Keychron K17 Max
Keychron
ISO
Out of stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO
In stockDoes not ship to you
Compare prices
Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.
Prices in USD are converted to your currency and can change at any time. KeebFinder may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.
Nuphy Air96 V2 vs Keychron K17 Max: your questions
The Nuphy Air96 V2 has a larger 4000mAh battery, while the Keychron K17 Max has a 2000mAh battery. Based on the listed capacities, the Air96 V2 should offer longer usage between charges, which is beneficial for wireless operation.
Yes. The Keychron K17 Max specification lists knob support as a feature. This allows you to add a rotary encoder for volume control, scrolling, or other customizable functions.
Yes. Both the Nuphy Air96 V2 and Keychron K17 Max list Mac and Windows support. They include keycap sets for both operating systems and allow you to switch between them, often via a physical switch or software.
The Nuphy Air96 V2 is thinner at 14mm thick and lighter at 663g. The Keychron K17 Max is 27mm thick and weighs 750g. For portability in a bag or backpack, the Air96 V2 has a clear size and weight advantage.
Yes, both keyboards are hot-swappable. This allows you to change the mechanical switches without soldering. Note that the Keychron K17 Max vendor page states compatibility is for Gateron or Keychron low-profile mechanical switches only.
The Nuphy Air96 V2 uses a multi-layer setup including plate poron foam, PCB IXPE foam, a PET sound pad, and spacebar silicone. The Keychron K17 Max uses IXPE acoustic foam and latex foam inside the case to dampen sound.
Yes. Both keyboards support QMK and VIA firmware, which are open-source tools for extensive key remapping, creating macros, and adjusting lighting layers directly from a browser-based configurator.
Both are designed with sound dampening. The Nuphy Air96 V2 has more documented foam layers, which may contribute to a more muted sound signature. Your choice of switch (linear or tactile over clicky) will have the greatest impact on noise levels in either board.
The product listing confirms knob support as a feature, but it does not explicitly state that a knob is included in the box. You may need to purchase a compatible rotary encoder separately to install it on the supported position.
Both keyboards offer a 1000Hz polling rate in their 2.4GHz wireless mode and in wired USB-C mode. This provides low latency suitable for gaming and fast-paced typing.
The Keychron K17 Max offers ISO layout options, including German and UK variants. The Nuphy Air96 V2, according to its specifications, is listed with an ANSI layout only.
Nuphy sells a wide range of official accessories, including the NuFolio V3 leather case, various hardwood and acrylic wrist rests, and numerous low-profile keycap sets. The keyboard also comes with extra keycaps and switches in the box.
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