Nuphy Halo96 V2 vs Keychron Q12Wireless vs Knob
Get the Halo96 V2 for Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz wireless with RGB lighting, or the Q12 for its left-side numpad, programmable knob, and ISO layout option.
KeebFinder may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.
No reviews
from$135at Nuphy
4.5 (12)4.5 · 12 reviews
from$129at MK
Which one should you get?
Get the
Nuphy Halo96 V2
Wireless
Build quality in the top 20% of 96% boards under $150.
- Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity, with a 4000mAh battery.
- A POM plate and PCB gasket mount.
- SignalRGB support and illuminated homing bars.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
Get the
Keychron Q12
Knob
Build quality in the top 5% of 96% boards under $150.
- Left-side numpad in a southpaw layout.
- Programmable aluminum knob for custom keys and macros.
- ANSI and ISO layout options, plus a barebones configuration.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
Choose the Halo96 V2 for Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz wireless, a 4000mAh battery, and a POM plate. Choose the Q12 for its left-side numpad, programmable knob, ISO layout option, and barebones configuration. Both provide QMK/VIA and hot-swap support, so those shared features do not settle the choice.
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 Halo96 V2
Keychron Q12
Connection
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Ergonomics
Standard
Southpaw
Case material
ABS, Aluminum
Aluminum
Switch options
Mechanical
Clicky, Linear, Tactile
Mount style
Gasket Mount
Gasket Mount, Plate Mount
- Nuphy Halo96 V2
- Keychron Q12
- Performance
- 8073
- Build quality
- 8190
- Productivity
- 8898
- Customizability
- 8998
- Portability
- 5546
- Layout size: 96%
- Hot-swappable
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- QMK
- VIA
- Sound dampening
What will you mostly use it for?
The Halo96 V2 is the more suitable choice for wireless gaming and travel, especially if reducing carried weight matters. The Q12 stands out for office workflows and content tasks that benefit from a left-side numpad or programmable knob. For programming, both offer QMK, VIA, and hot-swap support, so layout and connection preference are the deciding factors. The Q12 also gives modders a barebones option and screw-in stabilizers.
Pick the Nuphy Halo96 V2
- The Halo96 V2 supports 2.4 GHz wireless as well as wired use, while the Q12 is wired only.
- The Halo96 V2 has a 4000mAh battery for wireless use.
- Both list a 1000 Hz polling rate.
Nuphy Halo96 V2 vs Keychron Q12 specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
13 of 27 specs differ
Nuphy Halo96 V2
Keychron Q12
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
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
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.
ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
Nuphy Halo96 V2
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
Keychron Q12
- Go to Keychron
Keychron
ISO
Out of stockShips to you
- Go to Keychron (DE)
Keychron (DE)
ISO
Out of stockDoes not ship to you
Nuphy Halo96 V2 vs Keychron Q12: your questions
Yes. Its listed connections include Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and wired USB-C, and it has a 4000mAh battery.
No, the Q12 is listed as wired only, with Type-C wired connectivity. Choose the Halo96 V2 if you need Bluetooth or 2.4 GHz wireless.
The Keychron Q12 has a southpaw layout with the numpad on the left. The Halo96 V2 is a standard ANSI 96% layout.
Yes, the Q12 is offered in ANSI and ISO layouts. The Halo96 V2 is ANSI only.
Yes, both keyboards list QMK and VIA support. The Q12 also supports a programmable knob, while the Halo96 V2 offers wireless connections.
The Keychron Q12 has an aluminum rotary encoder that can be assigned keys or macros through VIA. The vendor gives examples including zoom, volume, and brush-size controls.
Yes, both list hot-swappable switches. The Q12 supports 3-pin and 5-pin MX mechanical switches, and the Halo96 V2 vendor specification also lists 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style support.
The Halo96 V2 weighs 1150g, while the Q12 is listed at 2491g for the fully assembled version. The Halo96 V2 is the lighter option based on those listed weights.
Both have south-facing RGB LEDs, and both carry a compatibility caution that shine-through legends can stay dark. Some sculpted keycaps may also clip the LEDs.
The Q12's programmable knob can be mapped to commands such as zooming, adjusting brush size, or selecting video clips. Its left-side numpad can also be used alongside a mouse.
Yes, the Q12 has a DIY kit or barebones configuration, and the vendor says its barebone version does not include keycaps and switches. The Halo96 V2 is listed as pre-built.
The Halo96 V2 adds Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz wireless, plus a 4000mAh battery. The wired-only Q12 instead has a left-side numpad, a programmable knob, and an ISO layout option.
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.