Mechboards Hyper7 R4 vs Varmilo Minilo98 ProGiant vs Portable
Choose the Hyper7 R4 for a massive, stationary productivity tool, or the Minilo98 Pro for a versatile, portable daily driver.
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Which one should you get?
Get the
Mechboards Hyper7 R4
Giant
- Unique 173% layout with between 179 and 213 keys for extreme productivity and macros.
- Sturdy all-stainless steel case construction.
- Includes a carry case with shoulder straps for transport.
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
Get the
Varmilo Minilo98 Pro
Portable
Build quality in the top 20% of 98% boards under $200.
- Versatile triple-mode connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4 GHz, and wired USB-C.
- Gasket mount design with multiple foam layers (Plate Poron, IXPE switch pad, PCB Poron, bottom silicone) for a tuned sound.
- Hot-swappable PCB supporting 3-pin and 5-pin switches with south-facing RGB.
- 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.
The Varmilo Minilo98 Pro is the recommended choice for the vast majority of users seeking a modern, capable, and portable mechanical keyboard. Its wireless features, thoughtful construction, and balanced layout make it a superior daily driver. Only consider the Mechboards Hyper7 R4 if you have a specific, stationary workflow that demands an extraordinary number of dedicated keys and you are prepared for its significant cost, size, and weight.
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.
Mechboards Hyper7 R4
Varmilo Minilo98 Pro
Hall effect (magnetic)
No
Yes
Adjustable actuation helps in games and not in normal typing
Connection
Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Case material
Steel
Copper, Metal, Plastic
Switch options
Clicky, Linear, Tactile
Silent
Mount style
PCB Mount
Gasket Mount
- Mechboards Hyper7 R4
- Varmilo Minilo98 Pro
- Performance
- 7174
- Build quality
- 6574
- Productivity
- 7188
- Customizability
- 6589
- Portability
- 4755
- Hot-swappable
What will you mostly use it for?
The Varmilo Minilo98 Pro wins in most scenarios requiring portability, wireless connectivity, or a balanced feature set for general use. It is the clear choice for gaming, office work, and travel. The Mechboards Hyper7 R4 is a niche winner only for stationary content creation where its extreme key count is fully utilized. For programming and modding, the choice depends on whether you value the Hyper7's macro potential or the Minilo98 Pro's out-of-the-box tuning and easier customization.
Pick the Varmilo Minilo98 Pro
- The Minilo98 Pro offers a 1000 Hz polling rate and 1ms latency in its 2.4 GHz and wired modes, as stated by the manufacturer.
- Its 98% layout provides dedicated arrow and navigation keys without the extreme size of the Hyper7.
- South-facing RGB lighting is included, which is absent on the Hyper7 R4.
Mechboards Hyper7 R4 vs Varmilo Minilo98 Pro specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
17 of 27 specs differ
Mechboards Hyper7 R4
Varmilo Minilo98 Pro
Switch options
Hall effect (magnetic)
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
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
ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
Mechboards Hyper7 R4
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.
Mechboards Hyper7 R4 vs Varmilo Minilo98 Pro: your questions
Yes, the Varmilo Minilo98 Pro is suitable for gaming. The manufacturer states it has a 1000 Hz polling rate and 1ms ultra-low latency in both its 2.4 GHz wireless and wired modes, which is beneficial for responsive gameplay. Its 98% layout also retains dedicated arrow and navigation keys.
No, the Mechboards Hyper7 R4 is a wired-only keyboard according to its specifications and product description. It does not have Bluetooth or 2.4 GHz wireless capabilities.
The Varmilo Minilo98 Pro is significantly more portable. It weighs 1kg, has a compact 98% layout, and features wireless connectivity with a 4000mAh battery. The Hyper7 R4 weighs 5.15kg, is much larger, and is wired-only, though it does come with a dedicated carry case.
Yes, the Varmilo Minilo98 Pro has Mac and Windows support. The manufacturer states it includes two additional keys and four Mac OS keycaps, and you can switch between systems by pressing Fn+Tab for five seconds.
Based on the vendor description, the Varmilo Minilo98 Pro is shown with Kailh Prestige Silent (linear, thocky and silent) and Kailh Prestige Voice (linear, crispy clicks) switch options. The product metadata lists the switch type as 'Silent'.
The Mechboards Hyper7 R4 product description states it has between 179 and 213 different keys, calling it a 173% keyboard. This is an extremely large layout compared to standard keyboards.
Yes, both keyboards support firmware for customization. The Mechboards Hyper7 R4 is VIA compatible and runs QMK firmware. The Varmilo Minilo98 Pro also supports customizable keymaps with QMK and VIA, according to its product page.
The Mechboards Hyper7 R4 uses an all-stainless steel case, making it extremely heavy and solid. The Varmilo Minilo98 Pro uses a plastic case with a soft skin-like texture and features a copper or metal inlay frame, focusing on a lighter, gasket-mounted design with internal sound-dampening foams.
No, the Mechboards Hyper7 R4 does not have RGB lighting according to its specifications. The Varmilo Minilo98 Pro does feature south-facing RGB backlighting.
It depends on your preference. The Hyper7 R4 offers a vast number of keys for creating extensive macro layers via VIA/QMK. The Minilo98 Pro offers a more standard 98% layout with the same VIA/QMK support and the added convenience of wireless connectivity. The choice is between extreme key count and general-purpose versatility.
Yes, the Varmilo Minilo98 Pro uses Cherry profile PBT keycaps on a hot-swappable PCB, making them easily replaceable with other MX-compatible keycaps. The keyboard also comes with extra keycap sets for various ISO language layouts.
The Mechboards Hyper7 R4 has a lower typing angle of 5 degrees and an upper typing angle of 25 degrees, as listed in its product specifications. The Varmilo Minilo98 Pro features two-stage kickstands offering angle ranges of 4°, 7.5°, and 11°.
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