Keychron K2 Pro vs Varmilo APT87 Dreams On BoardOpen-Source vs Hall Effect

The Keychron K2 Pro supports QMK and VIA, which are open-source firmware standards allowing for deep, system-level key remapping and macro programming. The Varmilo APT87 uses a proprietary Varmilo web application for programming, which may offer less flexibility than the open-source alternatives.

Yes, according to the vendor description, the Varmilo APT87 supports 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity in addition to Bluetooth 5.1 and wired USB-C. The listing specifies a 250 Hz polling rate for the 2.4 GHz mode.

You can use them on both, but with a caveat. The Keychron K2 Pro has south-facing RGB LEDs, which prevent interference with Cherry-profile keycaps. The Varmilo APT87 has north-facing LEDs, which may cause interference with the front of some Cherry-profile keycaps.

The Keychron K2 Pro is likely more portable. It has a more compact 75% layout compared to the TKL (80%) layout of the Varmilo APT87. The K2 Pro's specifications also list a concrete weight of 1070g for comparison.

Yes, both keyboards feature hot-swappable PCBs for MX-style switches. However, the vendor notes that one specific fully assembled version of the Keychron K2 Pro is not hot-swappable, so buyers must select the correct variant.

Hall Effect switches, featured on the Varmilo APT87, use a magnetic sensor and a magnet in the stem to detect keystrokes instead of a physical metal contact. This can lead to greater consistency, faster actuation, and potentially longer lifespan as there is no physical wear on electrical contacts.

The Keychron K2 Pro is explicitly marketed for Mac compatibility, including Mac-specific keycaps in the box. Both keyboards list Mac support, but the K2 Pro provides the dedicated keycaps for a native experience.

Yes, both include sound-dampening materials. The Keychron K2 Pro includes sound-absorbing foam and a silicone dampening pad. The Varmilo APT87 listing mentions a double-layer silicone sound absorption system.

The Keychron K2 Pro is listed with a 4000mAh battery. The Varmilo APT87 product description does not specify a battery capacity.

Yes, the Keychron K2 Pro is available as a barebones kit, which includes the case, PCB, plate, and stabilizers without switches or keycaps. The Varmilo APT87 is only listed as a pre-built unit.

For the Varmilo APT87, the vendor lists polling rates of 1000 Hz for wired, 250 Hz for 2.4 GHz wireless, and 133 Hz for Bluetooth. The Keychron K2 Pro specification lists a 1000 Hz polling rate but does not break it down by connection mode.

The Keychron K2 Pro offers significantly more layout options. Its metadata includes support for ISO, JIS, ANSI, and specific ISO layouts for Germany, Spain, France, Switzerland, Sweden, and the UK. The Varmilo APT87 is listed only with an ANSI US QWERTY layout.