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Head to head · Prices checked Oct 21, 2026

8BitDo Retro vs Varmilo VPG87 Sea Melody

Get the 8BitDo Retro for knob. Get the Varmilo VPG87 Sea Melody for sound dampening.

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.

8BitDo Retro

Varmilo VPG87 Sea Melody

  • Connection

    Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired

    Wired

  • Case material

    Aluminum, Plastic

    ABS

  • Switch options

    Clicky

    Linear, Silent

  • Knob

    Yes

    No

  • Sound dampening

    No

    Yes

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • 8BitDo Retro
  • Varmilo VPG87 Sea Melody
Performance
49
76
Build quality
53
52
Productivity
63
64
Customizability
56
64
Portability
72
59

What they share

  • Layout size: 80%
  • Hot-swappable
  • Keycaps: PBT
See every spec side by side

Full specs

8BitDo Retro vs Varmilo VPG87 Sea Melody specs

Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.

10 of 22 specs differ

8BitDo Retro

Varmilo VPG87 Sea Melody

Typing & switches

Switch options

Clicky
Linear, Silent

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Top Mount
—

Sound dampening

No
Yes

Layout

Layout size

80%
80%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Knob

Yes
No

Display

None
None

Media keys

No
Yes

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Wired

Battery

2,000 mAh
Wired only

USB-C

No
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

Aluminum, Plastic
ABS

Plate material

Aluminum
—

Keycaps

PBT
PBT

Weight

1,050 g
—

Dimensions

47 x 170 x 377 mm
—

Backlight

None
RGB, north-facing

Firmware & software

N-key rollover

Yes
Yes

Mac & Windows

Yes
No

Extras

Released

2023
2024

Where to buy

Compare prices

Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.

Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.

8BitDo Retro3 stores
  • MechkeysCN

    In stock
    $119Visit
  • AmazonGlobal

    Check price
    ~$119Visit
  • WhatGeekCN

    Out of stock
    $125Visit
  • AmazonGlobal

    Check price
    ~$140Visit
  • MKUS

    Out of stock
    $140Visit

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