Monsgeek M1W vs Nuphy Halo IO SeriesAluminum Kit vs Prebuilt Style
Choose the Monsgeek M1W for deep customization and a premium build, or the Nuphy Halo V2 IO for a stylish, ready-to-use experience out of the box.
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Which one should you get?
Get the
Monsgeek M1W
Aluminum Kit
Build quality in the top 10% of 75% boards under $150.
- Full aluminum case construction for a premium, solid feel.
- Extensive modding kit includes extra foam, tape, and Teflon pads.
- Triple connectivity with Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz wireless, and wired USB-C.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- No numpad.
Get the
Nuphy Halo IO Series
Prebuilt Style
Build quality in the top 20% of 65% boards under $150.
- Lighter weight and more compact dimensions enhance portability.
- Includes design-focused accessories like a two-stage foot stand and a dust cover.
- NuPhyIO 2.0 software offers a user-friendly interface for macros and RGB customization.
- 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.
- 65% layout. No function row and no numpad.
Your choice depends on your willingness to engage with the keyboard as a project. For enthusiasts who enjoy modding, value open-source firmware, and want maximum connectivity from an aluminum build, the Monsgeek M1W is the superior platform. If you prefer a lighter, stylish keyboard that works well immediately with polished software for lighting and macros, the Nuphy Halo V2 IO is the more convenient option.
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.
Monsgeek M1W
Nuphy Halo IO Series
Layout size
75%
65%
Battery
6,000 mAh
4,000 mAh
A larger battery means fewer cables during the day
Case material
Aluminum
Aluminum, Plastic
Switch options
Clicky, Linear, Tactile
Mechanical
Mount style
Gasket Mount, Plate Mount
Gasket Mount
- Monsgeek M1W
- Nuphy Halo IO Series
- Performance
- 7078
- Build quality
- 8578
- Productivity
- 9791
- Customizability
- 9679
- Portability
- 9298
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Knob
- Sound dampening
- Keycaps: PBT
What will you mostly use it for?
The Monsgeek M1W is the clear choice for technical users focused on customization, programming, and gaming due to its open firmware and modding kit. The Nuphy Halo V2 IO wins for travel and content creation where visual design, lighter weight, and streamlined software are priorities. For general office use, both are competent, offering wireless operation and cross-platform compatibility.
Pick the Monsgeek M1W
- The M1W offers triple connectivity including a 2.4 GHz wireless mode for low latency.
- It features N-key rollover for simultaneous key presses.
- South-facing RGB LEDs prevent interference with Cherry-profile keycaps.
Monsgeek M1W vs Nuphy Halo IO Series specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
13 of 27 specs differ
Monsgeek M1W
Nuphy Halo IO Series
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
ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
Monsgeek M1W
WhatGeek
ISO
Out of stockShips to you
Nuphy Halo IO Series
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
Compare prices
Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.
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Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.
Monsgeek M1W vs Nuphy Halo IO Series: your questions
The Monsgeek M1W has a larger 6000mAh battery, while the Nuphy Halo V2 IO has a 4000mAh battery. Based on the listed capacities, the M1W should theoretically offer longer usage between charges, though actual battery life depends on usage patterns like RGB brightness and wireless mode.
Yes, the Nuphy Halo V2 IO lists Mac support as an extra feature. The vendor description also mentions a Win/Mac mode switch and dedicated F-key caps for each operating system to make transitioning easier.
Yes, the Monsgeek M1W features hot-swap sockets that support both 3-pin and 5-pin mechanical switches. This allows you to change switches without any soldering required.
The Nuphy Halo V2 IO is more portable. It weighs 1000g compared to the M1W's 2200g, and its listed dimensions are significantly smaller. The Halo V2 IO also includes a dust cover for protection during transport.
Yes, the Monsgeek M1W supports key customization through the MonsGeek Driver software. More importantly, it has full support for QMK and VIA firmware, which are open-source tools offering nearly unlimited key remapping and macro programming capabilities.
Both keyboards use a gasket mount design. According to their listings, this mounting style uses silicone or foam gaskets to isolate the plate from the case, which typically aims to provide a softer typing feel and reduce sound.
Based on the vendor description, the Nuphy Halo V2 IO includes a two-stage foot stand for height adjustment and a proprietary dust cover. It also has themed keycaps and wrist rest options available, though these may be separate purchases.
The Monsgeek M1W features a full aluminum case. Its plate is made of polycarbonate, and it includes multiple sound-dampening layers such as Poron case foam, plate foams, an IXPE switch pad, and a VHB insulation layer.
Yes, both keyboards have RGB lighting and software for customization. The M1W uses the MonsGeek Driver, while the Halo V2 IO uses NuPhyIO 2.0 software, which specifically allows management of per-key lighting and the dedicated light band effects.
The Nuphy Halo V2 IO may have an advantage if quiet operation is critical. Its vendor description highlights a 'Blush Max' switch variant that uses a silicone silencer for nearly silent keystrokes. The M1W includes sound-dampening foams but does not specifically advertise silent switch options.
The Monsgeek M1W listing includes 'Knob Support' as an extra feature, suggesting it may be available in some configurations or as a mod. The vendor description for the Nuphy Halo V2 IO mentions configuring the 'knob' in its software, indicating it likely includes one.
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