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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 7, 2026

Nuphy Halo96 V2 vs WH80 Gaming KeyboardFeature-Rich All-Rounder vs Gaming Specialist

Choose the Halo96 V2 for its versatility and extensive customizability, or the WH80 if your primary focus is ultra-high-speed gaming with magnetic switches.

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Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Nuphy Halo96 V2

Feature-Rich All-Rounder

Build quality in the top 20% of 96% boards under $150.

If you want

  • Extensive connectivity with tri-mode (Bluetooth, 2.4G, wired USB-C).
  • High customizability via hot-swap PCB, QMK, and VIA firmware support.
  • Comprehensive sound-dampening mods pre-installed, including plate foam and silicone.

Rules this board out

  • South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
  • Compact full-size layout. The numpad is present, the gaps of a full-size board are not.

Get the

Nuphy WH80 Gaming Keyboard

Gaming Specialist

Build quality in the top 40% of 80% boards under $300.

If you want

  • Very high 8000 Hz polling rate for potential gaming performance.
  • Magnetic (Hall Effect) switches with adjustable actuation, according to the vendor.
  • More compact 80% layout frees up desk space for mouse movement.

Rules this board out

  • Magnetic switches only. Standard MX switches will not fit.
  • South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
  • No numpad.

Bottom line

For most users seeking a versatile, high-quality mechanical keyboard, the Nuphy Halo96 V2 is the recommended choice. It delivers a balanced experience for typing, gaming, and customization at a more accessible price. Only consider the Nuphy WH80 if your primary and almost exclusive use case is competitive gaming where you intend to leverage the magnetic switches and ultra-high polling rate, and you are willing to sacrifice features like RGB and confirmed wireless connectivity.

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 Halo96 V2

Nuphy WH80 Gaming Keyboard

  • Layout size

    96%

    80%

  • Hall effect (magnetic)

    No

    Yes

    Adjustable actuation helps in games and not in normal typing

  • Rapid trigger

    No

    Yes

    Faster resets help in games and not in normal typing

  • Battery

    4,000 mAh

    8,000 mAh

    A larger battery means fewer cables during the day

  • Max polling rate

    1,000 Hz

    8,000 Hz

    Higher polling helps competitive FPS and does nothing for typing

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Nuphy Halo96 V2
  • Nuphy WH80 Gaming Keyboard
Performance
80
98
Build quality
81
65
Productivity
88
90
Customizability
89
77
Portability
55
88

What they share

  • Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
  • Hot-swappable
  • Mount style: Gasket Mount
  • Sound dampening
  • Keycaps: PBT
See every spec side by side

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

The Halo96 V2 is the clear choice for productivity-focused tasks, modding, and content creation due to its feature set and layout. It wins in office, programming, and modding scenarios. The WH80 takes the lead specifically for gaming, thanks to its high polling rate and magnetic switches, and has an advantage in portability due to its smaller size. For travel, the WH80's more compact form factor is preferable, though neither is explicitly designed as an ultra-portable.

For gaming

Pick the Nuphy WH80 Gaming Keyboard

  • The WH80 features an 8000 Hz polling rate for potentially lower latency.
  • It uses magnetic (Hall Effect) switches, which the manufacturer states offer 0.005mm actuation precision.
  • Its 80% layout provides more mouse space compared to the 96% Halo96 V2.

Full specs

Nuphy Halo96 V2 vs WH80 Gaming Keyboard specs

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

16 of 29 specs differ

Nuphy Halo96 V2

Nuphy WH80 Gaming Keyboard

Typing & switches

Switch options

Mechanical
Magnetic

Hall effect (magnetic)

No
Yes

Rapid trigger

No
Yes

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Gasket Mount
Gasket Mount

Sound dampening

Yes
Yes

Screw-in stabilizers

No
Yes

Layout

Layout size

96%
80%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Knob

No
Yes

Display

None
None

Media keys

Yes
Yes

Connectivity & battery

Connection

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

Max polling rate

1,000 Hz
8,000 HzBetter

Battery

4,000 mAh
8,000 mAhBetter

USB-C

Yes
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

ABS, Aluminum
ABS, Plastic

Plate material

POM
Plastic, Polycarbonate

Keycaps

PBT
PBT

Weight

1,150 g
1,516 g

Dimensions

33 x 377 x 135 mm
35 x 357 x 145 mm

Typing angle

12°
7°

Backlight

RGB, south-facing
RGB, south-facing

Firmware & software

QMK

Yes
No

VIA

Yes
No

N-key rollover

Yes
Yes

Mac & Windows

Yes
Yes

Extras

Released

2023
2025

Where to buy

Compare prices

Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.

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Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.

FAQ

Nuphy Halo96 V2 vs WH80 Gaming Keyboard: your questions

The Halo96 V2 is better for typing and office work. It offers silent switch options, a full number pad for data entry, and tri-mode wireless connectivity for easy switching between devices. Its gasket mount and sound-dampening foams also contribute to a more comfortable typing experience.

The provided specifications and vendor description for the WH80 do not list any wireless connectivity options such as Bluetooth or 2.4GHz. It is advisable to check the official product page for the most current specifications.

Yes, the Nuphy Halo96 V2 features a hot-swappable PCB. This allows you to easily change the mechanical switches without soldering, supporting both 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style switches.

According to the vendor, the WH80's magnetic switches offer high precision with 0.005mm actuation resolution and low latency. Magnetic switches allow for features like adjustable actuation point, though the specific software for this is not detailed in the provided information.

The Halo96 V2 offers significantly more software customization. It supports the open-source QMK and VIA firmware, which allows for deep key remapping, macro creation, and lighting control. The WH80 uses a proprietary web-based driver called NuPhyIO.

Yes, the Halo96 V2 is listed as compatible with macOS, Windows, and Linux. The vendor description also highlights a dedicated OS switch for accessing Mac-specific function keys.

Polling rate refers to how often the keyboard reports its input to the computer. The WH80 has an 8000 Hz rate, which is higher than the Halo96 V2's 1000 Hz. A higher rate can theoretically lower input latency, which may be beneficial in fast-paced competitive gaming.

The Halo96 V2 is designed with sound dampening in mind, featuring a stack of mods like plate foam, a switch pad, and silicone to reduce noise. The WH80 also mentions sound mods but lacks specific details. Both offer the potential for a quieter build depending on switch choice, with the Halo96 V2 providing explicit silent switch options.

Yes, through the VIA or QMK firmware, you can remap every key on the Halo96 V2, create multiple layers, and assign complex macros. This level of customization is a core feature of the keyboard.

The WH80's 80% layout lacks a number pad and dedicated navigation cluster, which some programmers may miss. Its focus is on gaming performance via magnetic switches and high polling rate, not on the extensive key remapping and layer features that programmers often value, which are found on the Halo96 V2.

According to the vendor, the Halo96 V2 comes with a pre-built keyboard, a USB-C cable, a 2.4G receiver, a keycap/switch puller, seven extra keycaps, three extra switches, a sticker set, and a quick guide.

Only the Halo96 V2 has a specified battery capacity of 4000mAh. The vendor lists lab test results showing up to 307 hours of use with lights off. Battery life for the WH80 is not stated in the provided information.

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