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If you’re in the market for a premium low-profile mechanical keyboard, three boards stand out: the NuPhy Air75 V3, IQUNIX MQ80, and IQUNIX Magi75. While they share some high-end features like gasket mounts, hot-swappable switches, and aluminum cases, each has distinct differences that could influence your decision. Here’s a detailed, objective breakdown.
| Feature | NuPhy Air75 V3 | IQUNIX MQ80 | IQUNIX Magi75 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $139.95 | $179.99 | $159.99 |
| Layout | ANSI 75% (84 keys) | ANSI 80% (84 keys) | 75% (84 keys) |
| Case Material | Top: Aluminum, Bottom: ABS | Full CNC aluminum, 180-grit anodized | Full aluminum |
| Plate Material | PC | FR4 Gold-plated | FR4 Gold-plated |
| Keycaps | Double-shot PBT | High-purity PBT, dye-sub, anti-oil | High-purity PBT, dye-sub, anti-oil |
| Switch Type | Low-profile, hot-swappable | Kailh POM Gold Red Linear, hot-swappable | Kailh POM Gold Red Linear, hot-swappable |
| Stabilizers | Plate-mounted | Plate-mounted | Plate-mounted |
| Mount Type | Gasket | Le-Tray Gasket | Le-Tray Gasket |
| Hot-swappable | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| N-Key Rollover | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Backlight | North-facing RGB, 20 modes | Per-key RGB, 16M colors | Per-key RGB, 16M colors |
| Programmable | VIA | VIA | VIA |
| Connectivity | Wired USB-C, Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4GHz | Wired USB-C, Bluetooth 5.1, 2.4GHz | Wired USB-C, Bluetooth 5.1, 2.4GHz |
| Polling Rate | Wired/2.4GHz 1000Hz, BT 125Hz | Wired/2.4GHz 1000Hz, BT 125Hz | Wired/2.4GHz 1000Hz, BT 125Hz |
| Battery | 4000mAh, 60–100h lights on, up to 1200h lights off | 4000mAh (~350h, lights off) | 4000mAh (~350h, lights off) |
| Dimensions (LxWxH) | 318.9 × 128.9 × 13.2 mm | 321 × 124.5 × 27.5 mm | Similar to MQ80, slightly narrower |
| Weight | 724g | 1180g | Slightly lighter than MQ80 |
| Typing Angle | 4º/8º/10º | ~3.5º | ~3.5º |
| Colors | Black / Silver | Shadow Black / Moonlight Silver | Black/Bronze, Cream/Off-white |
| Accessories | High/low-profile knob modules, keycap/switch puller, 2.4G dongle, screwdriver, extra keycaps by layout | Dust cover, cleaning brush, straight USB-C with metal tips, extra keycaps, travel case | Extra keycaps (metal and plastic), coiled USB-C cable, Pro adds knob and media buttons |
| Typing Sound | Smooth, low-profile acoustics | Creamy, minimal ping | Similar feel; possible metallic ping on some units |
| Price | ~$140–$150 | ~$160 | $140 regular / $160 Pro |
Build & Design
IQUNIX MQ80
- Full CNC-machined aluminum case with 180-grit anodized finish.
- Sleek 80% layout, front height 10.2mm, wide side bezels with removable red accent and RGB indicator light.
- Le-Tray Gasket Mount for soft, creamy keystrokes and reduced ping.
- Available in Shadow Black and Moonlight Silver.
IQUNIX Magi75
- Full aluminum, slightly lower top plate placement than MQ80.
- Earthy bronze/copper accents on black; cream/off-white for the white version.
- Similar 75% layout, but Pro variant adds side controls and volume knob.
- ISO and ANS layouts supported.
NuPhy Air75 V3
- ANSI 75% layout with full aluminum case.
- Gasket-mounted low-profile switches, hot-swappable.
- North-facing RGB LEDs with 20 backlight modes.
- Connectivity: Wired USB-C, Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4GHz with 1000Hz wired/2.4GHz polling.
Verdict: All three boards offer premium aluminum construction with a gasket-mounted typing experience. MQ80 has the most distinctive design accents, while Magi75 offers more color variety and layout options. Air75 V3 is more minimalistic but includes extra features like dual-profile knob modules.
Switches & Typing Feel
MQ80 & Magi75
- Both use Kailh Gold Red low-profile linear switches (40±10g actuation, 1.2mm pretravel, 2.8mm total travel).
- High-purity PBT keycaps with anti-oil coating.
- Typing feel is nearly identical; Magi75 may have slight metallic pinging on some units.
Air75 V3
- Low-profile, gasket-mounted switches.
- Hot-swappable support with plate-mounted stabilizers.
- Typing feel is smooth and tactile, comparable to IQUNIX boards, though key sound may be slightly different due to North-facing RGB and internal mounting differences.
Verdict: MQ80 and Magi75 are extremely similar in feel, with MQ80 having an edge in sound quality. Air75 V3 offers a comparable experience but with slightly different acoustics.
Connectivity & Features
Verdict: Connectivity options are similar across all three boards, though Air75 V3 uses Bluetooth 5.0 instead of 5.1. MQ80 has slightly longer battery life and extra accessories for maintenance, while Magi75 Pro adds functional controls.
Accessories & Extras
- MQ80: Brush, dust cover, straight USB-C with metal tips, extra keycaps, travel case.
- Magi75: Coiled USB-C cable, extra keycaps (including metal), travel case. Pro adds knob and multimedia buttons.
- Air75 V3: High-profile and low-profile knob modules, keycap/switch puller, 2.4GHz dongle, screwdriver, and extra keycaps depending on layout.
Verdict: MQ80 and Air75 V3 offer strong accessory sets for maintenance and customization. Magi75 adds fun aesthetic keycaps and Pro features, but at a slightly higher weight/size.
Pricing
- MQ80: ~$160
- Magi75: ~$140 (regular), $160 (Pro)
- Air75 V3: Typically $140–$150 depending on configuration
Verdict: MQ80 is the priciest for a standard 75% layout, but the additional accessories and refined typing sound justify it for enthusiasts. Magi75 regular offers cost savings, Pro brings parity. Air75 V3 competes well on price with similar build quality.
Conclusion
- Choose MQ80 if typing sound quality and subtle design accents matter most.
- Choose Magi75 if you like off-white or bronze aesthetics and optionally want extra Pro controls.
- Choose Air75 V3 if you want a minimalistic yet highly functional 75% low-profile board with dual knob modules and solid wireless options.
All three boards are excellent, full-aluminum low-profile keyboards. The differences are nuanced—typing feel is nearly identical, but sound, design accents, and accessory sets will likely determine your personal preference.