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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 7, 2026

Chilkey Slice HE vs Varmilo Muse65 HE75% vs 65% Hall Effect

Choose the Varmilo Muse65 HE for its advanced gaming features and software, or the Chilkey Slice HE for its larger layout and gasket-mounted typing feel.

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Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Chilkey Slice HE

75%

Build quality in the top 45% of 75% boards under $200.

If you want

  • 75% layout includes function row and navigation cluster for direct key access.
  • Gasket mount design with silicone beads and a cork sound dampening layer for a potentially softer typing feel.
  • Features a decorative back weight design.

Rules this board out

  • Magnetic switches only. Standard MX switches will not fit.
  • Missing ISO-SW. The other board is sold in those layouts.
  • No numpad.

Get the

Varmilo Muse65 HE

65% Hall Effect

Build quality in the top 45% of 65% boards under $150.

If you want

  • Includes advanced gaming features like rapid trigger, dynamic keystroke (DKS), and SOCD cleaning via its driver.
  • Offers per-key RGB north-face lighting.
  • Comes with extensive driver software for actuation adjustment (0.02mm), calibration, and macro programming.

Rules this board out

  • Magnetic switches only. Standard MX switches will not fit.
  • North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
  • 65% layout. No function row and no numpad.

Bottom line

Your primary need dictates the choice. For competitive gaming where rapid trigger and deep software customization are paramount, the Varmilo Muse65 HE is the clear option. If you prioritize a larger, more traditional layout for productivity and prefer the acoustic profile of a gasket-mounted board, the Chilkey Slice HE is the better fit, provided you can forgo RGB and advanced software.

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.

Chilkey Slice HE

Varmilo Muse65 HE

  • Layout size

    75%

    65%

  • Rapid trigger

    No

    Yes

    Faster resets help in games and not in normal typing

  • Case material

    Aluminum

    Aluminum, Metal

  • Switch options

    Linear, Magnetic

    Clicky, Magnetic

  • Mount style

    Gasket Mount

    Plate Mount, Tray Mount

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Chilkey Slice HE
  • Varmilo Muse65 HE
Performance
81
96
Build quality
69
68
Productivity
64
69
Customizability
47
60
Portability
64
73

What they share

  • Hall effect (magnetic)
  • Connection: Wired
  • Hot-swappable
  • Max polling rate: 8,000 Hz
  • Sound dampening
  • Plate material: Aluminum
See every spec side by side

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

The Varmilo Muse65 HE dominates for gaming and software-driven modding due to its rapid trigger support and comprehensive driver. The Chilkey Slice HE is better suited for office work and programming, where its 75% layout provides immediate access to more keys. For travel, the smaller 65% form factor of the Varmilo is an advantage, while content creation sees a split decision based on the user's priority for layout versus lighting and software features.

For gaming

Pick the Varmilo Muse65 HE

  • The Varmilo Muse65 HE explicitly lists rapid trigger and dynamic keystroke (DKS) support in its driver.
  • Its vendor description claims a total latency as low as 0.2ms.
  • It includes per-key RGB lighting, which the Chilkey Slice HE lacks.

Full specs

Chilkey Slice HE vs Varmilo Muse65 HE specs

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

10 of 23 specs differ

Chilkey Slice HE

Varmilo Muse65 HE

Typing & switches

Switch options

Linear, Magnetic
Clicky, Magnetic

Hall effect (magnetic)

Yes
Yes

Rapid trigger

No
Yes

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Gasket Mount
Plate Mount, Tray Mount

Sound dampening

Yes
Yes

Layout

Layout size

75%
65%

Layout standard

ANSI, ISO
ANSI, ISO, ISO-SW

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Display

None
None

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Wired
Wired

Max polling rate

8,000 Hz
8,000 Hz

USB-C

Yes
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

Aluminum
Aluminum, Metal

Plate material

Aluminum
Aluminum

Keycaps

PBT
PBT

Weight

—
1,200 g

Dimensions

—
19 x 312 x 112 mm

Typing angle

—
7°

Backlight

None
RGB, north-facing

Firmware & software

N-key rollover

No
Yes

Mac & Windows

No
Yes

Extras

Released

2025
2024

For EU buyers

ISO layouts by store

Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.

Chilkey Slice HE

Listed on the product, not split by store: ISO.

Varmilo Muse65 HE

Listed on the product, not split by store: ISO-SW.

Where to buy

Compare prices

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

Prices in USD are converted to your currency and can change at any time. KeebFinder may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.

Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.

FAQ

Chilkey Slice HE vs Varmilo Muse65 HE: your questions

The Varmilo Muse65 HE is specifically marketed for FPS players. Its driver software includes rapid trigger mode and dynamic keystroke features, and the vendor claims a total latency as low as 0.2ms, making it more tailored for competitive gaming.

The vendor description for the Chilkey Slice HE does not mention any companion software or driver for customization. Adjustable actuation, if present, would likely be handled through onboard controls, but this is not specified.

Yes, both keyboards are hot-swappable, according to their listed extra features. This means you can physically replace the magnetic Hall Effect switches without soldering.

The Varmilo Muse65 HE is more compact. It is a 65% keyboard measuring 312mm in width, while the Chilkey Slice HE is a 75% layout, which is inherently wider to accommodate extra keys.

The Varmilo Muse65 HE explicitly lists Mac/Win support in its extra features. The Chilkey Slice HE's metadata does not specify Mac compatibility, though its USB-C wired connection may function on a basic level.

The Varmilo Muse65 HE has a listed typing angle of 7 degrees. The Chilkey Slice HE's typing angle is not specified in the provided information.

The Chilkey Slice HE uses a cork sound dampening layer with a moisture-protecting gauze coating. The Varmilo Muse65 HE uses poron pads, a silicone anechoic sheet, and silicone padding around mounting points.

According to its vendor page, the Varmilo Muse65 HE offers switch options including Gateron Dual-rail Magnetic White, Gateron Magnetic Jade Pro, and TTC King of Magnetic RGB switches.

The Chilkey Slice HE uses a silicone bead gasket mount design. The Varmilo Muse65 HE uses a tray mount system with 15 screws, which its vendor claims is engineered to produce a gasket-mount-like sound.

Yes, both the Chilkey Slice HE and the Varmilo Muse65 HE have a maximum polling rate of 8000 Hz, as stated in their specifications.

The Varmilo Muse65 HE uses PBT keycaps in a Cherry profile. The Chilkey Slice HE uses 1.5mm thick double-shot PBT keycaps, but the specific profile name is not provided.

Some user reviews for the Varmilo Muse65 HE mention that the driver software can be lacking in features compared to competitors, citing limitations with Mod Tap functionality and layer management. The vendor also provides a calibration guide to address RGB issues.

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