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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 7, 2026

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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Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Monsgeek M1W

Aluminum Kit

Build quality in the top 10% of 75% boards under $150.

If you want

  • 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.

Rules this board out

  • 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.

If you want

  • 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.

Rules this board out

  • 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.

Bottom line

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.

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.

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

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Monsgeek M1W
  • Nuphy Halo IO Series
Performance
70
78
Build quality
85
78
Productivity
97
91
Customizability
96
79
Portability
92
98

What they share

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

Best for

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.

For gaming

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.

Full specs

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

Typing & switches

Switch options

Clicky, Linear, Tactile
Mechanical

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Gasket Mount, Plate Mount
Gasket Mount

Sound dampening

Yes
Yes

Screw-in stabilizers

Yes
Yes

Layout

Layout size

75%
65%

Layout standard

ANSI, ISO
ANSI

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Knob

Yes
Yes

Display

None
None

Media keys

No
Yes

Connectivity & battery

Connection

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

Max polling rate

—
1,000 Hz

Battery

6,000 mAhBetter
4,000 mAh

USB-C

Yes
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

Aluminum
Aluminum, Plastic

Plate material

Plastic, Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate, POM

Keycaps

PBT
PBT

Weight

2,200 g
1,028 g

Dimensions

33 x 146 x 333 mm
20 x 320 x 135 mm

Typing angle

—
12°

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

For EU buyers

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.

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.

Monsgeek M1W4 stores

FAQ

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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