Nuphy Air96 V2 vs MCHOSE K99 V2Low-Profile vs Gasket Mount
Choose the Nuphy Air96 V2 for a portable, low-profile design with deep firmware customization, or the MCHOSE K99 V2 for a premium typing feel and extended battery life in a heavier chassis.
KeebFinder may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.
from$89at Mechkeys
90-day lowLowest price in 90 days
Which one should you get?
Get the
Nuphy Air96 V2
Low-Profile
Build quality in the top 25% of 96% boards under $150.
- Ultra-portable, low-profile design at 14mm thick and 663g weight.
- Native QMK and VIA firmware support for deep key remapping and macro programming.
- Extensive official ecosystem of keycaps, switches, wrist rests, and a travel folio.
- Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps will not fit.
Get the
MCHOSE K99 V2
Gasket Mount
Build quality in the bottom 5% of 96% boards under $100.
- Massive 8000mAh battery for exceptional wireless runtime.
- Gasket mount structure with six layers of sound-dampening foam (poron, IXPE, PET, silicone).
- High 8000 Hz polling rate for reduced input latency.
- Switches are soldered. Swapping them means soldering.
- Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps will not fit.
Select the Nuphy Air96 V2 if your workflow involves moving between devices, you value extensive firmware customization, or you prefer a sleek, laptop-like typing experience. Opt for the MCHOSE K99 V2 if your keyboard stays in one place, you prioritize a cushioned, acoustically tuned typing feel, and you need the longest possible battery life between charges. The core trade-off is portability and software freedom against stationary feature density and battery capacity.
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
MCHOSE K99 V2
Connection
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Wireless
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Hot-swappable
Yes
No
Switch changes without soldering
Battery
4,000 mAh
8,000 mAh
A larger battery means fewer cables during the day
Case material
ABS, Aluminum, Plastic
ABS, Plastic
Switch options
Clicky, Linear, Low-profile Mechanical, Tactile
Linear
- Nuphy Air96 V2
- MCHOSE K99 V2
- Performance
- 8043
- Build quality
- 7942
- Productivity
- 8843
- Customizability
- 9446
- Portability
- 5656
- Layout size: 96%
- Low profile
- Keycaps: PBT
What will you mostly use it for?
The Nuphy Air96 V2 is the clear choice for mobile professionals, programmers, and modders due to its lightweight design, software freedom, and accessory ecosystem. The MCHOSE K99 V2 excels in stationary scenarios like gaming and content creation, where its high polling rate, massive battery, and tuned acoustics are most beneficial. For office use, the Air96 V2's portability gives it an edge, though both support multi-device connectivity.
Pick the MCHOSE K99 V2
- The MCHOSE K99 V2 lists an 8000 Hz polling rate for potentially lower latency.
- Its 8000mAh battery provides longer untethered gaming sessions.
- The gasket mount and foam layers may offer a more consistent, cushioned feel during rapid key presses.
Nuphy Air96 V2 vs MCHOSE K99 V2 specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
13 of 26 specs differ
Nuphy Air96 V2
MCHOSE K99 V2
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Low profile
Sound dampening
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
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
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 MCHOSE K99 V2: your questions
The MCHOSE K99 V2 has a significantly larger 8000mAh battery, which the manufacturer claims can last up to 727 hours with RGB off. The Nuphy Air96 V2 has a 4000mAh battery, offering up to 220 hours in its lab tests with lighting off.
Yes, but the methods differ. The Nuphy Air96 V2 uses the open-source QMK and VIA firmware for system-level key remapping. The MCHOSE K99 V2 uses proprietary software called MCHOSE Hub and a Web Driver for customization.
The MCHOSE K99 V2's gasket mount design, combined with its six-layer foam stack including poron, IXPE, and PET, is engineered to provide a softer, more cushioned typing feel with reduced case noise. This often results in a more consistent and pleasant acoustic signature.
The Nuphy Air96 V2 is far more portable. It weighs 663g and is 14mm tall, compared to the MCHOSE K99 V2 at 1690g and 47mm tall. Nuphy also sells a dedicated travel case, the NuFolio V3, designed specifically for the Air96 V2.
Both keyboards are listed as compatible with macOS. The Nuphy Air96 V2 vendor description specifically mentions dedicated 'Spotlight', 'Dictation', and 'Do Not Disturb' shortcut keys implemented for macOS.
Based on the vendor description, the MCHOSE K99 V2 shown comes with Icy Creamsicle switches. These are described as linear switches with a BOX structure, a light diffuser, and a pre-press mechanism for a smooth, gentle typing feel.
According to Nuphy, the Air96 V2 includes the keyboard, a USB-C cable, a 2.4G receiver, nine extra keycaps, four extra switches, a keycap/switch puller, a sticker set, and a quick guide.
The MCHOSE K99 V2 lists an 8000 Hz polling rate. The Nuphy Air96 V2 offers a 1000 Hz polling rate in its 2.4GHz and wired modes. A higher polling rate can theoretically offer lower input latency.
Yes, both keyboards use standard keycap mounts. The Nuphy Air96 V2 uses low-profile keycaps, while the MCHOSE K99 V2 offers a choice between MDA and Cherry profile keycaps. Nuphy has an extensive official store selling many themed keycap sets.
Both have aluminum frames. The Nuphy Air96 V2 uses an ABS plastic bottom case, while the MCHOSE K99 V2 features a full aluminum case construction and offers a choice between an anodized or PVD mirror finish backplate.
Yes. The MCHOSE K99 V2 features south-facing per-key RGB LEDs, which are often preferred as they reduce interference with Cherry-profile keycaps. It also has an additional surround RGB light strip around the case.
Not sold on either?
Still torn?
Answer a few quick questions and the keyboard finder ranks 2,000+ boards by how you will actually use yours.