NuPhy Air75 vs AZIO Cascade Slim - 75% Low Profile Keyboard Comparison

[@AzioCorp]

Hi Jeff! Thank you for your review! We appreciate your in-depth analysis and feedback and providing a comparison to the Air75. We also appreciate you pointing out the interchangeable top plate description, as that was a feature we initially wanted to provide but decided to offer a barebone case instead that comes in the two different colors with all the inner components included. Moving forward, we are removing that description to avoid any further confusion. Thank you again for this great review!

[@semiprotech]

Thank you! I appreciate the clarification about that and I'm glad you liked the review!

[@NinjaSushi2]

A very sexy keyboard at that.

[@vwmusicplaylist1935]

Top quality video comparison review! Really useful. I have the MX mini but don't like the way the switches feel - bit rattly and insubstantial feeling. I think I'm going to get the Nuphy as its on sale at the moment.

[@semiprotech]

Thank you! I'm 100% with you on the switches in the MX mini - no hotswap and I just don't like the feel (or sound) of them, which is a shame because the battery life is fantastic.

[@iMadeThisThat]

Waiting on your review for Azio Cascade 98 Slim Vs Nuphy Air 96!

[@undergrow1]

10:20, actually the Air75 is 109,95 and has been for a good amount of time. The Air96 is 119,95. Very nice review.

[@semiprotech]

You're right! I must have had the Air96 on my mind when I was recording and didn't even notice that I said the incorrect price. Good catch and thank you!

[@m4nc1n1]

I got the Halo 96 a few days ago and absolutely love it! Decided to get the Air 75 (with case) to toss in my laptop bag. Delivering tomorrow.

[@semiprotech]

I love my Halo96 as well! Hope you enjoy the Air75 too, I use it as a companion for my laptop when it's not docked and very happy with it.

[@chunkplunk]

oh wow you actually got it also 2:57 I think they meant this by being able to customize the keyboard before you buy it on their website

[@semiprotech]

AZIO actually just left a comment today too! Sounds like they are going to update the page to be more clear that the top is not interchangeable on the complete model.

[@chunkplunk]

​​@@semiprotech yeah at least their newer keyboard will be interchangeable (but apparently it's trash)

[@ericlitvak]

Since you have both, it would be great to have a comparison between the K3 Pro and the Air75, which are probably the closest competitors right now.

[@semiprotech]

Yes! I will be working on a comparison of them after I wrap up a comparison between the Air75 and the Logitech MX Mechanical Mini.

[@NinjaSushi2]

The k3 isn't that impressive imo.

[@TechAndHobby]

How do you change waiting time before going to sleep mode on the cascade slim? Default is an hour but its too long

[@xelafed]

Hi ! Loving your videos, I have the Nuphy 75 and the k3 (not pro). For now Nuphy is my fav but the Lofree flow is coming so maybe it'll change... Do you think that your keycaps set of your K3 pro (black and white) can be mounted on the k3 not pro ? And where did you buy them ? I couldn't find them on their website :(

[@semiprotech]

The keycaps are actually Keychron's older low profile PBT keycaps with the offset connection points for all the keys that have stabilizers, so they're a better fit for the original K3 than the K3 Pro. Looks like they still sell them: www.keychron.com/products/low-profile-double-shot-pbt-keycap-set?variant=40079836643417 I bought both the black and white sets and mixed them up...but the stabilizer keys are the caps that came with the K3 Pro. That set should fit your K3 though! Also I will have a review of the Lofree Flow coming soon! Very different sound and feel, at least with the linear switches. Much more muted and subdued.

[@JakeSteffan]

I’m after a new ‘quiet’ mechanical keyboard for work as I hate using the cheap low profile membrane one I was given. Ideally was looking at the mx mechanical full size but the price point it too high. Came across both the NuPhy and Azio as an alternative but couldn’t decide between them or a second hand MX. Thanks for comparison between pretty much all three, which would you recommend from all three ?

[@freudia]

If price is the major concern, perhaps you could consider the Redragon Azure (K652). It's a 75% layout low profile mechanical keyboard which looks like a cross between a NuPhy Air75 and Keychron K3, and it's cheaper than both. Redragon keyboards usually don't have great sound (i.e., they have scratchy keys), but in my personal experience their build quality is all right.

[@mrw3440]

Hey would you know if you could install aligned stabilsers to change the triangular layout? or is this something that is set by the holes in the PCB board?

[@jjustind]

Personally speaking, the fact that the Nuphy comes with PBT keycaps is the automatic win for me. I'm just not a fan of ABS caps.

[@semiprotech]

I’m with you on that for sure! Not a fan of ABS either.

[@NinjaSushi2]

The Cascade looks sexy in that 90s color scheme.

[@-boska]

Thanks for this! I’m looking at the 96 versions and was going to go Azio due to the number pad and colour but maybe the NuPhy is the way to go unless those versions are much different to these? As they are newer. Thanks

[@semiprotech]

The Air96 I have and did a review (kzbin.info/www/bejne/o4uWoY2uoteFf7c) - there are a couple differences from the Air75: adjustable feet, slightly different (but still PBT) keycaps, slightly deeper sound, larger battery (4000mAh) and the white color option. The Cascade 98 I don't have but other than the layout, I think the only significant differences are larger battery (also 4000mAh) and 17 RGB modes vs 4 on the Cascade Slim 75.

[@SecondBekfast]

What is your favourite low profile keyboard with standard stabilizers? The Cascade Slim seems great but I don't like the fact that I can't swap out the keycaps with third party options. This is the main reason I'm leaning towards the Nuphy but was wondering if you would recommend anything else?

[@semiprotech]

My favorite is the Air96 but that is a 96% layout. There are just a couple minor improvements over the Air75 including a slightly more satisfying sound and adjustable feet - I'm hoping that they come out the an Air75 V2 that incorporates those small improvements because that would likely be my favorite in a 75% size. I also like the Keychron K3 Pro (review in the works) for a 75% size, I just wish it had a little better battery life with the RGBs on.

[@SecondBekfast]

@@semiprotech thanks!

[@barb0za0]

if you remap some keys in the nuphy console, they would still apply once connected to a mac right?

[@semiprotech]

Yes, as long as you do the remapping on the mac layer it will be retained when connected to a mac.

[@applesforakbar]

Hey great review, how did you find these two compared to the k3 pro (as I noticed it at the end there)? Also, do you have any tips for mods for these low-profile keyboards?

[@semiprotech]

Hi! I'm working on a comparison to the K3 Pro, hopefully will be ready next month. The K3 Pro is my personal #2 favorite 75% low profile behind the Air75. The typing feel & sound is very nice but the shape & density of the Keychron PBT keycaps in my opinion are not quite on the same level as NuPhy - they feel a little thin and I'm not a huge fan of the slight forward-tilt shape they have. I've actually put NuPhy keycaps on the K3 Pro and found it quite nice. I also like the 2.4GHz connection option that NuPhy provides but the BT connection with the K3 Pro seems pretty reliable. I do appreciate QMK/VIA on the K3 Pro and find it much better than NuPhy Console if you need to remap or add macros. Other than changing the keycaps & switches, there's not much to mod on the K3 Pro because there's not much to it - the body is super thin. You could probably get away with a tape mod on both of them since that won't add thickness but I haven't tried it with either one because I haven't had an issue with any case ping on them. I've had some individual switches that needed lubing to eliminate ping but that's not specific to any manufacturer - just something I've noticed in general with Gateron LP switches.

[@applesforakbar]

@@semiprotech very detailed reply, I appreciate the response. I ended up getting the k3 pro, and overall pretty happy with it, but part of me wonders if I should have gone with the azio or nuphy. My biggest gripe right now is how tucked in the left CMD button is, since I use it a ton in my workflow and I have larger hands it's taking some getting used to. I'll look into tape mods, thanks again!

[@St_M_]

NuPhy is really killing it right now. The Air75 is neat, the Air96 better still. I'm personally looking forward to the as of right now unannounced Air75 V2 and seeing how they include all of the learnings for the second go.

[@semiprotech]

Me too! I hope they go with adjustable feet on the Air75 V2 like they did on the Air96.

[@felicytatomaszewska]

Though i like shape and style of Azio Cascade Slim but I think as of now it is still not ready to be included into my keyboards inventory because it is lacks quite a few features as compared to NuPhy Air75 even being $20 cheaper. I hope Azio will listen to your review and add the features in their future releases like key-mapping with open source software that works with all OS like QMAP that Keychron uses in some of its keyboards. Also add wifi option and a few more RGB modes (around 10 should be ok but the more the better). I personally like shine through keys because often i have to work while traveling on an airplane, rain or backseat of the car so changes in hand positions sometimes cause typos and hence shine through keys come handy while working in dark environment. I hope they also fix the spacebar aligned and quality but a reassuring thud of spacebar is sometimes the winning keystroke while i complete a project

[@bismaabbasi3130]

Thank you king

[@SunsetNova]

Great comparison ♥️

[@svlagonda7417]

Excellent video review

[@semiprotech]

Thank you!

[@JimboJones99]

I work in a home office at night sometimes and need shine through keycaps. In my opinion RGB backlight is wasted on pbt non shine through keycaps.

[@semiprotech]

The RGB lighting on the Air series definitely isn't super bright, so I agree if you want better visibility shine-through keycaps would help. Unfortunately shine-through keycaps in a low profile are not very easy to find! I've looked around for a nice set of low profile PBT caps that would match the color of the Air75 and haven't found any great options. NuPhy does sell a set separately but they are only available in black ABS right now.

[@JimboJones99]

@@semiprotech Nuphy shine through ABS caps are greasy

[@TheQuizMall]

You should have talked about that as one of the pros of Cascade over Nuphy which clearly is an ERTOR by OMISSION...!!!

[@millievanillie90]

Thank you!! I was on the fence between the two for the past couple weeks. There are very few in depth reviews comparing them, especially beyond general preference or typing feel which I can't tell before an online purchase. I ended up going with Nuphy Air 96 as the keys and ability to truly hot swap all the keys won me over as well as the colors. Also, the cascade is supposed to be programmable manually, so I'm not sure if a 3rd party software is needed for remapping.

[@semiprotech]

Glad it was helpful! I'm sure 3rd party software would work with the Cascade for remapping, I could not find any mention of QMK/VIA compatability on AZIO's website. For mac I know some people use Karabiner Elements and on Windows I've heard Microsoft Powertoys works well. Hope you enjoy the Air96!

[@rickv5004]

as a fellow Jew, thank you! great review!

[@typingcat]

No hardware-level remapping (not OS-level remapping), no buy.