Desktop Tribe Balance 103 vs Varmilo APT87 Yakumo
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![[In Stock] Balance 103 Full Sized Wired Mechanical Keyboard](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0549/0262/0278/files/DSC06757.jpg?v=1748337224&width=3840&quality=75)
Which one should you get?
Get the
Desktop Tribe Balance 103
Build quality in the top 10% of 100% boards under $200.
- Magnetic switches only. Standard MX switches will not fit.
Get the
Varmilo APT87 Yakumo
Build quality in the bottom 45% of 80% boards under $150.
- Magnetic switches only. Standard MX switches will not fit.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
- No numpad.
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 APT87 Yakumo
Layout size
100%
80%
Connection
Wired, Wireless
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Case material
Aluminum
ABS
Switch options
Linear, Magnetic
Clicky, Linear, Silent, Tactile
Mount style
Gasket Mount
Plate Mount
- Desktop Tribe Balance 103
- Varmilo APT87 Yakumo
- Performance
- 7583
- Build quality
- 8455
- Productivity
- 8279
- Customizability
- 8671
- Portability
- 6375
- Hall effect (magnetic)
- Hot-swappable
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Sound dampening
Desktop Tribe Balance 103 vs Varmilo APT87 Yakumo specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
12 of 26 specs differ
Desktop Tribe Balance 103
Varmilo APT87 Yakumo
Switch options
Hall effect (magnetic)
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
Compare prices
Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.
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Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.
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Amazon
Check price
Not sold on either?
![[In Stock] Qelec.Studio i101 Tri-mode Mechanical Keyboard Kit](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1674/0405/files/DSC04088.jpg?v=1736759467&width=3840&quality=75)
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