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Pick two boards from the directory and see how they differ.
Shaded rows are where they differ.
| Spec |  NuPhy NuPhy Gem80 $150–$170 “NuPhy's assembled custom-style TKL kit with an aluminum top and omni-mount” |  Mode Designs Mode Sonnet $289–$349 “When you're ready to stop looking” Premium Pick |
|---|---|---|
| Price , different | $150–$170 | $289–$349 |
| Size , different | TKL | 75% |
| Type , different | Barebones | Kit |
| Connectivity , different | Wireless + Wired | Wired |
| Released , different | 2024 | 2022 |
| Mounting | Gasket | Gasket |
| Case , different | Aluminum top, polycarbonate bottom | Aluminum, Stainless Steel, or Wood |
| Colors , different | Black, White, and limited colors | Anodized Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Maple, Walnut, White Oak |
| Weight , different | 1120g | 1.8-3.4kg (4-7.5lb, varies by config) |
| Dimensions , different | 358.1 x 141.3mm | 315 x 143 x 24mm |
| Typing angle , different | 6° | 5.5° |
| Front height , different | 21.5mm | 19mm |
| Switches | Mechanical | Mechanical |
| Profile | Standard | Standard |
| Keycaps , different | Not included | Not included (kit) |
| PCB , different | Hot-swap, south-facing RGB | Hot-swap or solder, flex cuts |
| Plates , different | FR4 | POM, Polycarbonate, FR4, Carbon Fiber, Aluminum, Copper, Brass |
| Battery , different | 4000mAh on the tri-mode | N/A (Wired model) |
| Compatible switches , different | MX-style 3-pin and 5-pin | MX-style |
| Software | QMK, VIA | QMK, VIA |
| NKRO | Yes | Yes |
| RGB , different | Yes | No |
| Features , different | Aluminum TKL, Gasket or top mount, Hot-swap, QMK/VIA, Tri-mode, 4000mAh, 1000Hz on 2.4GHz | Block Mount, Aluminum, Steel or Wood Case, Hot-swap or Solder PCB, QMK/VIA, Interchangeable Mounting Blocks, Flex-cut PCB, Daughterboard USB-C, Internal Weight |
| Good for , different | First-time custom keyboard buyers who want little assembly Typists who want a heavy, deep-sounding TKL People who like to experiment with plates and mounts | Builders who want to tune feel with swappable mounting blocks People who want a polished custom 75% without a group buy Wired desk setups where typing feel matters most Buyers happy to pick their own switches, keycaps and stabilizers |
| Skip if , different | Buyers who want a ready-to-type board with included keycaps Anyone bothered by firmware quirks Travelers | Anyone on a tight budget People who want wireless or RGB Anyone who wants a keyboard that arrives already built Buyers who specifically want a gasket mount |
| Pros , different | Arrives assembled, so a build is mostly pressing in switches and keycaps (Tom's Hardware) CNC aluminum top with a thick polycarbonate bottom for wireless (NuPhy, Forbes) Omni-mount lets you try gasket or top mounting, plus FR4, PC, POM or aluminum plates (NuPhy) How-To Geek loved the deep sound and rigid frame Tri-mode with 1,000 Hz polling and a 4,000 mAh battery (NuPhy) QMK/VIA remapping across Windows, macOS and Linux (NuPhy) | Swappable mounting blocks let you choose a soft Lattice feel, a firmer Black Lattice feel or a top-mount build Tom's Hardware found the case sounded good with every switch and configuration it tried Hot-swap or solder PCB with QMK/VIA; Tom's Hardware reports up to four keymap layers in VIA Sold through a configurator rather than a group buy, though stock and ship dates vary by edition Written and video build guides, plus Discord support, per Mode |
| Cons , different | Tom's Guide had firmware issues that needed a flash Tom's Guide found significant spacebar wobble with plate-mounted stabilizers South-facing RGB looks like isolated spots of light (Tom's Guide) Lighting effects are all presets, with limited adjustment (How-To Geek) Switches and keycaps are sold separately (NuPhy, Tom's Hardware), which Tom's Hardware said adds to the price but still judged reasonable Heavy at 1,120 g, so it is a desk board (NuPhy) | Cost climbs quickly with options; Tom's Hardware saw $661 for a near-maximum build before switches, keycaps and stabilizers Kit only: switches, keycaps and stabilizers are extra Wired USB-C only, with no backlight Tom's Hardware noted there is no gasket-mount option Individual editions sell out; one colorway showed as sold out on Mode's page when checked |
| Research take , different | A well-built, flexible kit that Tom's Hardware and How-To Geek loved and Tom's Guide found flawed on firmware and stabilizers. Read the firmware notes and plan for stabilizer tuning. | A refined wired 75% kit whose strengths are its adjustable mounting blocks, material choices and a case that Tom's Hardware found sounds good however it is built. The catch is cost: the $289 starting price rises quickly with options and you still supply switches, keycaps and stabilizers. It suits builders who already know they want a premium wired 75%, and less so first-timers on a budget or anyone who wants wireless. |