Nuphy Gem80 vs Varmilo VPM87 Moonlight ECCustom Wireless vs Wired Prebuilt
Choose the Nuphy Gem80 for deep customization and wireless freedom, or the Varmilo VPM87 for a straightforward, wired prebuilt experience.
Which one should you get?
Get the
Nuphy Gem80
Custom Wireless
- Extensive customization with hot-swap PCB, omni-mount design, and multiple included sound mods.
- High-performance wireless with 1000Hz polling rate on 2.4GHz and a 4000mAh battery.
- Premium build featuring a CNC aluminum top case and polycarbonate bottom case.
- Sold as a barebones kit, requiring separate purchase of switches and keycaps.
- Heavy at 1120 grams, reducing portability.
- The assembly process can be complex for beginners, as noted in some user reviews.
Get the
Varmilo VPM87 Moonlight EC
Wired Prebuilt
- Fully prebuilt and ready to use out of the box.
- Features double silicone sound dampening pads for a quieter typing experience.
- Includes practical design elements like a 2-step kickstand and a 3-way cord channel.
- Wired-only connectivity with no wireless option.
- Not hot-swappable, limiting switch customization.
- Lacks programmability features like QMK or VIA support.
Your choice fundamentally depends on your involvement level. The Nuphy Gem80 is a project and a platform, rewarding users who want to tailor every aspect of sound, feel, and function, and who need wireless versatility. The Varmilo VPM87 Moonlight EC is an appliance, offering a solid, quiet, and straightforward typing experience with no setup required. Invest in the Gem80 for a long-term custom tool, or choose the Varmilo for a reliable, immediate-use keyboard.
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.
Nuphy Gem80
Varmilo VPM87 Moonlight EC
Connection
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Wired
Hot-swappable
Yes
No
Case material
Aluminum, Polycarbonate
Plastic
Switch options
Mechanical
Clicky
Mount style
Gasket Mount
Plate Mount
- Nuphy Gem80
- Varmilo VPM87 Moonlight EC
- Performance
- 8067
- Build quality
- 8450
- Productivity
- 8857
- Customizability
- 9448
- Portability
- 7655
- Layout size: 80%
- Sound dampening
What will you mostly use it for?
The Nuphy Gem80 is the clear choice for users who prioritize customization, wireless performance, and programmability across gaming, office, programming, and content creation. Its advantages stem from its hot-swappable design, tri-mode connectivity, and open-source firmware. The Varmilo VPM87 wins for travel primarily due to its simpler, wired-only nature, which eliminates battery concerns. For modding, the Gem80 is in a different league as a dedicated barebones kit.
Pick the Nuphy Gem80
- The Gem80 offers a 1000Hz polling rate for both wired and 2.4GHz wireless connections.
- Its hot-swappable PCB allows for installing preferred gaming switches.
- The listing mentions a Nordic wireless chip and STM32 MCU for optimized latency.
Nuphy Gem80 vs Varmilo VPM87 Moonlight EC specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
12 of 25 specs differ
Nuphy Gem80
Varmilo VPM87 Moonlight EC
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Display
Media keys
Connection
Max polling rate
Battery
USB-C
Case material
Plate material
Keycaps
Weight
Dimensions
Typing angle
Backlight
QMK
VIA
N-key rollover
Mac & Windows
Released
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Nuphy Gem80 vs Varmilo VPM87 Moonlight EC: your questions
No, the Gem80 is sold primarily as a barebones kit. According to Nuphy's product page, the kit includes the assembled chassis, PCB, stabilizers, and sound mods, but you must separately purchase and install your own switches and keycaps.
No, the Varmilo VPM87 is not hot-swappable. The vendor specifications list it as a prebuilt keyboard with plate-mounted switches, meaning switch replacement would require soldering.
The Nuphy Gem80 offers more paths to a quiet setup. It supports silent switch types and includes multiple sound-dampening foams. The Varmilo also has double silicone dampening pads, but it is only available with a clicky switch, which is typically louder.
No, the Varmilo VPM87 Moonlight EC features white LED backlighting only, as specified in its product characteristics. It does not have RGB lighting.
According to Nuphy, the omni-mount technology allows users to configure the keyboard as a top mount, gasket mount, or bottom mount. This is achieved using a complementary gasket and mount kit to change the typing feel and sound signature.
Yes, the Gem80's specifications list Mac support. The vendor description further explains it has a system switch to toggle a Mac mode, which enables specific Mac function keys (F3-F6) through the VIA software.
The Varmilo VPM87 is likely more portable for simple travel. It is wired-only, so there's no battery to charge, and its all-plastic construction suggests it may be lighter than the 1120-gram, aluminum-clad Gem80.
The Varmilo VPM87 comes with thick, dye-sublimated PBT keycaps in a Varmilo profile. The legends are in white and black on a blue, grey, and black keycap set.
Nuphy's tech specs list a 4000mAh battery with lab test results showing up to 330 hours with lights off, 34-70 hours with only the homing bar LEDs on, and 24-45 hours with all lights on.
No, the Varmilo VPM87 does not support QMK or VIA firmware. It offers preset multimedia keypress combinations via function layers, but does not allow for user-defined key remapping or macro creation.
Based on the vendor description, the Gem80 kit includes the keyboard assembly, a USB-C cable, a 2.4G receiver (for tri-mode), a keycap/switch puller, extra switches, silicone gasket sets, a screwdriver, extra feet, and guides. Switches and keycaps are not included.
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