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Head to head · Prices checked Oct 21, 2026

Desktop Tribe Balance 103 vs Varmilo APT108 Sakura R2

Get the Desktop Tribe Balance 103 for hall effect.

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.

Desktop Tribe Balance 103

Varmilo APT108 Sakura R2

  • Hall effect (magnetic)

    Yes

    No

  • Connection

    Wired, Wireless

    Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired

  • Case material

    Aluminum

    ABS

  • Switch options

    Linear, Magnetic

    Linear, Silent, Tactile

  • Mount style

    Gasket Mount

    Plate Mount

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Desktop Tribe Balance 103
  • Varmilo APT108 Sakura R2
Performance
75
79
Build quality
84
64
Productivity
82
85
Customizability
87
80
Portability
63
55

What they share

  • Layout size: 100%
  • Hot-swappable
  • Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
  • VIA
  • Sound dampening
See every spec side by side

Full specs

Desktop Tribe Balance 103 vs Varmilo APT108 Sakura R2 specs

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

10 of 26 specs differ

Desktop Tribe Balance 103

Varmilo APT108 Sakura R2

Typing & switches

Switch options

Linear, Magnetic
Linear, Silent, Tactile

Hall effect (magnetic)

Yes
No

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Gasket Mount
Plate Mount

Sound dampening

Yes
Yes

Layout

Layout size

100%
100%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Display

None
None

Media keys

No
Yes

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Wired, Wireless
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired

Max polling rate

1,000 Hz
1,000 Hz

Battery

5,800 mAh
—

USB-C

No
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

Aluminum
ABS

Plate material

FR4, Polycarbonate
Plastic

Keycaps

—
PBT

Weight

1,800 g
—

Dimensions

20 x 396 x 138 mm
—

Typing angle

6°
—

Backlight

None
RGB, south-facing

Firmware & software

QMK

Yes
No

VIA

Yes
Yes

N-key rollover

Yes
Yes

Mac & Windows

Yes
Yes

Extras

Released

2025
2025

Where to buy

Compare prices

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

  • VelocifireCN

    In stock
    $169Visit
  • AmazonGlobal

    Check price
    ~$169Visit
  • AmazonGlobal

    Check price
    ~$174Visit
  • MKUS

    Out of stock
    $174Visit

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.

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