Keychron vs NuPhy: Which Slim 75% Keyboard to Travel With?
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Keychron vs NuPhy: the NuPhy Air75 V3 is 13.2 mm thin and runs up to 1,200 hours on one charge with the lights off, while the Keychron K3 Version 2 is 483 g and lists 34 hours with the backlight on. We read both maker pages and both Amazon listings on 5 October 2026, and the numbers below come from the makers' own pages. If you are choosing for travel and work, our guides to the best mechanical keyboards for nomads and best travel keyboards cover more options.
Quick answer
Checked on 5 October 2026. Choose the NuPhy Air75 V3 if you want the thinnest board (13.2 mm per NuPhy), a long battery and a 2.4 GHz dongle. Choose the Keychron K3 Version 2 if you want the lighter board (483 g against 724 g) with Bluetooth for up to three devices. Both are 75% layouts with hot-swappable switches.
Both, with a buy button each
NuPhy Air75 V3
Lists 13.2 mm, 724 g and up to 1,200 hours with the lights off. Read more
Keychron K3 Version 2
Lists 483 g, Bluetooth for 3 devices and low-profile hot-swappable switches. Read more
How we compared them
The NomadsToolsLab team read both makers' product pages and spec tables on 5 October 2026 and checked both Amazon pages with a US delivery address. What surprised us: Keychron's own page for the K3 now announces a Version 3 and shows the Version 2 red-switch model as backordered, while Amazon listed the Version 2 in stock, sold by Keychron Store, with more than 400 bought in the past month. Testers at Tom's Guide gave the NuPhy Air75 V3 an Editor's Choice for its looks, sound, typing feel and battery life, and said its only real costs are a little more weight and price than the Air75 V2 and a limited choice of switches. Every number in the table comes from the makers' own pages.
Our conclusion: the Air75 V3 is the better-reviewed and thinner board with the longer battery, the K3 Version 2 is the lighter one with the better stock at the moment. If you want the newest Keychron, look at the Version 3 on Keychron's site first.
Keychron vs NuPhy at a glance
| Pick | Weight | Thickness | Battery | Connection | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight: 724 g (1.6 lb) | Thickness: 13.2 mm | Battery: 4,000 mAh, up to 1,200 h lights off | Connection: 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth 5.0, USB-C | Get yours on Amazon |
| Weight: 483 g (1.06 lb) | Thickness: 17 mm front, 22 mm back with keycaps | Battery: 1,550 mAh, up to 34 h | Connection: Bluetooth for 3 devices, wired | Get yours on Amazon |
Both are 75% layouts with hot-swappable switches. NuPhy lists 84 keys, a gasket mount, PBT keycaps and macOS, Windows, Android and iOS support. Keychron lists an ABS and aluminum frame and macOS and Windows support. The two makers measure height differently, so treat 13.2 mm and 17 to 22 mm as a guide, not an exact match.
1. NuPhy Air75 V3: thin and long battery
NuPhy Air75 V3
NuPhy lists the Air75 V3 as an ANSI 75% board with 84 keys, 318.9 x 128.9 x 13.2 mm and 724 g. It has low-profile switches, a gasket mount, an aluminum top case, double-shot PBT keycaps and hot-swappable support, plus a knob.
Connections are 2.4 GHz, wired USB-C or Bluetooth 5.0. NuPhy lists a 4,000 mAh battery with up to 1,200 hours with the lights off and 60 to 100 hours with them on, both from lab tests, and an operating range of -10 to 50 C. Details are on the NuPhy product page.
On Amazon on 5 October 2026 it showed In Stock with an Add to cart button, sold by NuPhy-Store, ranked #767 in Video Games and #89 in PC Gaming Keyboards.
2. Keychron K3 Version 2: light and simple
Keychron K3 Version 2
Keychron lists the K3 Version 2 as a 75% ANSI board of 306 x 116 mm, 483 g, with an ABS and aluminum frame. Switches are low-profile Gateron mechanical or Keychron optical, hot-swappable, with a front height of 17 mm and a back height of 22 mm with keycaps.
It connects over Bluetooth to up to three devices or by cable, with a 1,550 mAh battery listed at up to 34 hours. See the Keychron product page, where the newer Version 3 is announced.
On Amazon on 5 October 2026 the listing showed In Stock with an Add to cart button, sold by Keychron Store, ranked #1,273 in Video Games and #6 in Mac Gaming Keyboards, with more than 400 bought in the past month in the search results.
Which one to pick
Working from cafes and trains: the NuPhy Air75 V3, thin and with a 2.4 GHz dongle. Carrying it every day: the Keychron K3 Version 2, at 483 g. One keyboard for laptop, tablet and phone: the Keychron, for Bluetooth with up to three devices. For the full setup, see how to work remotely while traveling and the packing list. Comparing the K3 with Logitech's MX Keys Mini? See Logitech MX Keys Mini vs Keychron K3. Pairing it with a mouse? See Logitech MX Master 4 vs MX Master 3S.
- NuPhy Air75 V3: 13.2 mm, 724 g, 4,000 mAh with up to 1,200 hours (lights off, lab test), 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth 5.0 and USB-C.
- Keychron K3 Version 2: 483 g, 1,550 mAh with up to 34 hours, Bluetooth for 3 devices or wired, hot-swappable low-profile switches.
- Tom's Guide gave the Air75 V3 an Editor's Choice.
- Keychron's page announces a K3 Version 3 and showed the Version 2 red-switch model as backordered on 5 October 2026.
- On 5 October 2026 both main picks were in stock on Amazon with an Add to cart button.
Watch the Air75 V3
Video by NuPhy on YouTube. Made by the maker of the product.
Pair a slim keyboard with a mouse that fits the bag: see our guide to the best ergonomic mouse for the road. Choosing a vertical mouse? See Logitech Lift vs MX Vertical.
FAQ
Is Keychron or NuPhy better for travel?
NuPhy lists a thinner board (13.2 mm) with a longer battery. Keychron lists a lighter one (483 g against 724 g). Tom's Guide gave the NuPhy Air75 V3 an Editor's Choice.
How thin is the NuPhy Air75 V3 compared with the Keychron K3?
NuPhy lists 13.2 mm. Keychron lists 17 mm at the front and 22 mm at the back with keycaps. The makers may measure differently.
How long does the battery last?
NuPhy lists up to 1,200 hours with the lights off and 60 to 100 hours with them on, from lab tests. Keychron lists up to 34 hours for the K3 Version 2.
Can I connect them to more than one device?
Keychron lists Bluetooth for up to three devices. NuPhy lists 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth 5.0 and USB-C wired.
Is there a newer Keychron K3?
Keychron's K3 page announces a Version 3 with QMK firmware and Bluetooth 5.2. This article compares the Version 2, which was in stock on Amazon on 5 October 2026.
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