Cidoo ABM098 vs Varmilo Minilo98 Pro
Choose the Cidoo ABM098 for its lower price and included media knob, or the Varmilo Minilo98 Pro for its broader ISO layout support, lighter weight, and Hall Effect switches.
KeebFinder may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Which one should you get?
Get the
Cidoo ABM098
Knob
Build quality in the bottom 40% of 98% boards under $150.
- Includes a dedicated rotary knob for media control.
- Uses a steel plate, which may provide a firmer typing feel.
- Offers a lower price point for a fully-featured 98% keyboard.
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
Get the
Varmilo Minilo98 Pro
Hall effect
Build quality in the top 20% of 98% boards under $200.
- Explicitly lists a 1000 Hz polling rate and 1ms ultra-low latency for gaming.
- Offers extensive ISO layout support for numerous European languages.
- Features Hall Effect switches and a polycarbonate plate.
- Magnetic switches only. Standard MX switches will not fit.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
Select the Cidoo ABM098 if your priority is value, you want a media knob, and you use a standard ANSI layout. Opt for the Varmilo Minilo98 Pro if you need specific ISO keycaps, value the confirmed low latency and Hall Effect switches for gaming, or prefer a significantly lighter keyboard. Both are competent wireless boards, but they target different segments of the 98% market.
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.
Cidoo ABM098
Varmilo Minilo98 Pro
Hall effect (magnetic)
No
Yes
Adjustable actuation helps in games and not in normal typing
Battery
3,000 mAh
4,000 mAh
A larger battery means fewer cables during the day
Switch options
Clicky, Linear
Silent
Knob
Yes
No
QMK
No
Yes
The deep option when you want to remap every key
- Cidoo ABM098
- Varmilo Minilo98 Pro
- Performance
- 5474
- Build quality
- 6174
- Productivity
- 7588
- Customizability
- 7889
- Portability
- 5255
- Layout size: 98%
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Mount style: Gasket Mount
- VIA
- Sound dampening
What will you mostly use it for?
The Varmilo Minilo98 Pro holds advantages for gaming, programming, travel, and modding due to its specified low latency, firmware support, lighter build, and detailed construction. The Cidoo ABM098 is the pick for content creation thanks to its integrated media knob and is a strong value contender for office use. For general productivity, both keyboards are closely matched, making the choice more about specific layout or budget preferences.
Pick the Varmilo Minilo98 Pro
- The Varmilo Minilo98 Pro lists a 1000 Hz polling rate and 1ms latency for its 2.4GHz and wired modes.
- It includes Hall Effect switches, which are noted for their consistency and durability.
- Its lighter weight (1000g) may allow for easier repositioning during gameplay.
Cidoo ABM098 vs Varmilo Minilo98 Pro specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
10 of 26 specs differ
Cidoo ABM098
Varmilo Minilo98 Pro
Switch options
Hall effect (magnetic)
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
Display
Media keys
Connection
Max polling rate
Battery
USB-C
Case material
Plate material
Keycaps
Weight
Dimensions
Backlight
QMK
VIA
N-key rollover
Mac & Windows
Released
ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
Cidoo ABM098
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
Varmilo Minilo98 Pro
Varmilo
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-FR, ISO-ES
In stockShips to you
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.
Cidoo ABM098 vs Varmilo Minilo98 Pro: your questions
The Varmilo Minilo98 Pro is the stronger candidate for competitive gaming. Its product listing specifically mentions a 1000 Hz polling rate and 1ms ultra-low latency on its 2.4GHz and wired connections. It also includes Hall Effect switches, which are known for their consistency.
Yes, the Cidoo ABM098 features a 1800-compact layout. This design includes a number pad while saving space compared to a traditional full-size keyboard, as confirmed by the vendor's description.
Yes. The Varmilo Minilo98 Pro lists Mac/Win support and includes specific Mac OS keycaps in the box. The manufacturer states you can switch between Windows and Mac layouts by holding a key combination.
The Varmilo Minilo98 Pro is more portable. It weighs 1000g, which is half the weight of the 2000g Cidoo ABM098. The Varmilo also has a slightly slimmer profile according to its dimensions.
Yes, both support extensive key remapping. The Cidoo ABM098 supports VIA programming. The Varmilo Minilo98 Pro supports both QMK and VIA, which may offer deeper customization options for advanced users.
Both are hot-swappable and support 3-pin and 5-pin mechanical switches. The Cidoo offers linear and clicky switch types, while the Varmilo is listed with silent switch types, specifically Kailh Prestige Silent and Prestige Voice switches.
Yes, it is particularly well-suited for European users. It offers a wide range of ISO layouts, including options for German, French, Spanish, UK, Nordic, and several other languages, with replacement keycap sets included.
Both keyboards feature sound-dampening materials. The Cidoo ABM098 uses Poron PCB foam, an IXPE switch sheet, and silicone bottom foam. The Varmilo Minilo98 Pro uses a gasket structure with Plate Poron foam, an IXPE switch pad, PCB Poron foam, and bottom silicone.
Both keyboards are equipped with a 4000mAh battery. The Varmilo manufacturer claims over 20 days of working time with all lights off, but a direct runtime comparison for the Cidoo under the same conditions is not provided in the specifications.
A key construction difference is the plate material. The Cidoo ABM098 uses a steel plate, while the Varmilo Minilo98 Pro uses a polycarbonate (PC) plate. This will create different typing sounds and feels, with polycarbonate often producing a softer, more muted sound.
Yes, according to the 'Inside the Box' section of its vendor description, the Cidoo ABM098 includes a 2.4G receiver along with the keyboard, manual, puller, and a Type-C cable.
Not sold on either?
Still torn?
Answer a few quick questions and the keyboard finder ranks 2,000+ boards by how you will actually use yours.











