Not sure which keyboard to choose? Try the Keyboard Finder now!

Head to head · Prices checked Nov 14, 2026

Nuphy Gem80 vs Qwertykeys QK80 Mk2Mounts or Screen?

Get the NuPhy Gem80 for QMK, 1000Hz polling, and its adjustable mount options; choose the QK80 Mk2 for its customizable screen, 8000mAh battery, and included carrying case.

KeebFinder may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.

Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Nuphy Gem80

QMK

Build quality in the top 10% of 80% boards under $200.

If you want

  • QMK support alongside VIA for key remapping and customization.
  • Omni-Mojo mounting options described by NuPhy as top, gasket, or bottom mount.
  • 1000Hz polling rate listed for wired and 2.4 GHz connections.

Rules this board out

  • South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.

Get the

Qwertykeys QK80 Mk2

Battery

Build quality in the top 5% of 80% boards under $150.

If you want

  • TFT screen supports custom GIF animations and images.
  • 8000mAh battery capacity.
  • Vendor listing includes a carrying case, 2.4GHz extension adapter, and extra switches.

Bottom line

Choose the NuPhy Gem80 if you want QMK, a stated 1000Hz polling rate, and the option to experiment with different mounting styles. Choose the Qwertykeys QK80 Mk2 if its customizable TFT screen, larger listed battery, and included carrying case matter more to you.

What actually differs

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 Gem80

Qwertykeys QK80 Mk2

  • Battery

    4,000 mAh

    8,000 mAh

    A larger battery means fewer cables during the day

  • Case material

    Aluminum, Polycarbonate

    Aluminum, Copper, Steel

  • Mount style

    Gasket Mount

    Gasket Mount, Plate Mount

  • Display

    None

    TFT

    A case display rather than a typing feature

  • QMK

    Yes

    No

    The deep option when you want to remap every key

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Nuphy Gem80
  • Qwertykeys QK80 Mk2
Performance
80
67
Build quality
84
89
Productivity
89
84
Customizability
92
84
Portability
77
87

What they share

  • Layout size: 80%
  • Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
  • Hot-swappable
  • VIA
  • Sound dampening
  • Layout standard: ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE
See every spec side by side

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

The Gem80 has the clearest edge for gaming and hands-on customization, based on its stated polling rate, QMK support, and mount options. It also suits programming better if QMK is part of the plan, while the QK80 Mk2 adds a screen that may be useful for visual personalization. For office use, both offer the same broad connection choices and have distinct extras. The QK80 Mk2 is the more travel-oriented pick on the listed battery capacity and included carrying case.

For gaming

Pick the Nuphy Gem80

  • The Gem80 lists a 1000Hz polling rate for wired and 2.4 GHz connections.
  • NuPhy describes the tri-mode Gem80 as using a 1000Hz polling rate wireless chip.

Full specs

Nuphy Gem80 vs Qwertykeys QK80 Mk2 specs

Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.

12 of 24 specs differ

Nuphy Gem80

Qwertykeys QK80 Mk2

Typing & switches

Switch options

Linear, Silent, Tactile
—

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Gasket Mount
Gasket Mount, Plate Mount

Sound dampening

Yes
Yes

Layout

Layout size

80%
80%

Layout standard

ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE
ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Display

None
TFT

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired

Max polling rate

1,000 Hz
—

Battery

4,000 mAh
8,000 mAhBetter

USB-C

Yes
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

Aluminum, Polycarbonate
Aluminum, Copper, Steel

Plate material

Aluminum, FR4, Polycarbonate, POM
Aluminum, FR4, Plastic, POM

Keycaps

ABS, PBT
PBT

Weight

1,120 g
—

Dimensions

37 x 358 x 141 mm
19 x 362 x 137 mm

Typing angle

6°
7°

Backlight

RGB, south-facing
RGB

Firmware & software

QMK

Yes
No

VIA

Yes
Yes

N-key rollover

Yes
No

Mac & Windows

Yes
Yes

Extras

Released

2024
2025

Where to buy

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 Gem804 stores

For EU buyers

ISO layouts by store

Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.

Nuphy Gem80

Qwertykeys QK80 Mk2

FAQ

Nuphy Gem80 vs Qwertykeys QK80 Mk2: your questions

The Gem80 lists a 1000Hz polling rate for wired and 2.4 GHz use. That makes it the more directly specified choice for buyers prioritizing polling rate; the QK80 Mk2 listing does not give a polling-rate figure.

Yes, QMK and VIA support are listed for the Gem80. NuPhy also describes VIA key remapping and macros for the keyboard.

Yes, the QK80 Mk2 has a TFT screen. Its vendor description says the screen supports custom GIF animations and images, with themes including a code-style information display.

The QK80 Mk2 lists an 8000mAh battery, while the Gem80 lists 4000mAh. Battery capacity alone does not establish how long either keyboard will run in a particular setup.

NuPhy describes the Gem80's Omni-Mojo design as allowing top, gasket, or bottom mounting. The product metadata also lists a gasket mount and multiple plate material options.

The QK80 Mk2 vendor listing includes a carrying case and specifies an 8000mAh battery. The Gem80 listing gives a 1120g weight and 4000mAh battery, but there is no comparable QK80 Mk2 weight listed here.

Yes, hot-swap support is listed for both keyboards. The Gem80 vendor description specifies support for 3- and 5-pin MX-style switches.

The QK80 Mk2 vendor listing names Keygeek Neo Oat switches and dye-sub PBT keycaps. The same listing also says it includes three extra switches.

NuPhy's product page says the Gem80 keyboard kit does not include switches or keycaps by default. The listing presents switch and keycap sets as separate selections.

Both products list Mac support. The QK80 Mk2 vendor description also says it includes Mac modifier keycaps.

Yes. The Gem80 compatibility note says shine-through legends may stay dark with south-facing LEDs, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.

The Gem80 supports QMK and VIA, while the QK80 Mk2 lists VIA support. If QMK support is important to your workflow, the Gem80 is the clearer fit; both have an 80% layout.

Still torn?

Answer a few quick questions and the keyboard finder ranks 2,000+ boards by how you will actually use yours.