Keychron K5 Pro vs Varmilo Minilo98 ProLow-Profile vs Gasket Mount
Choose the Keychron K5 Pro for a low-profile, full-size layout, or the Varmilo Minilo98 Pro for a premium gasket-mounted typing feel in a compact form.
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4.8 (8)4.8 · 8 reviews
from$135at Keychron (DE)
No reviews
from$155at Varmilo
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K5 Pro
Low-Profile
Build quality in the top 15% of 100% boards under $150.
- Ultra-slim low-profile design with an aluminum frame for a modern, sleek look.
- Full 100% layout with dedicated navigation and numpad keys.
- Hot-swappable for Gateron low-profile mechanical switches with redesigned stabilizers.
- Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps will not fit.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
- Missing ISO-IT, ISO-CH, ISO-PT. The other board is sold in those layouts.
Get the
Varmilo Minilo98 Pro
Gasket Mount
Build quality in the top 20% of 98% boards under $200.
- Gasket mount structure with multiple foam layers (Poron, IXPE, silicone) for a cushioned typing feel and sound.
- Larger 4000mAh battery promises longer wireless use.
- Includes a comprehensive accessory kit with a dust cover, switch puller, and extra keycaps.
- 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.
- Missing ISO-SW. The other board is sold in those layouts.
- Compact full-size layout. The numpad is present, the gaps of a full-size board are not.
Your primary need dictates the choice. If a thin, lightweight keyboard with a full number pad is essential, the Keychron K5 Pro is the clear candidate. If you prioritize a premium, acoustically tuned typing experience with a space-saving layout and longer battery life, the Varmilo Minilo98 Pro is worth its higher cost. Both are excellent, customizable boards, but they cater to distinctly different user profiles.
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.
Keychron K5 Pro
Varmilo Minilo98 Pro
Layout size
100%
98%
Hall effect (magnetic)
No
Yes
Adjustable actuation helps in games and not in normal typing
Connection
Bluetooth, Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Battery
2,000 mAh
4,000 mAh
A larger battery means fewer cables during the day
Low profile
Yes
No
- Keychron K5 Pro
- Varmilo Minilo98 Pro
- Performance
- 8074
- Build quality
- 7974
- Productivity
- 8288
- Customizability
- 8989
- Portability
- 5555
- Hot-swappable
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- QMK
- VIA
What will you mostly use it for?
The Varmilo Minilo98 Pro wins for office use and content creation due to its silent switch options, space-efficient layout, and superior sound dampening. The Keychron K5 Pro is the better choice for travel and has an edge for gaming with its full layout and low-profile design. For programming and modding, it's a close call, with the K5 Pro offering a standard layout and the Minilo98 Pro providing a more advanced internal structure for customization.
Pick the Keychron K5 Pro
- The K5 Pro has a 1000 Hz polling rate in wired mode, which the manufacturer states is engineered for competitive gaming.
- Its low-profile switches and 3° typing angle may facilitate faster keypresses for some users.
- The full-size layout provides dedicated keys without layers for in-game macros or commands.
Keychron K5 Pro vs Varmilo Minilo98 Pro specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
15 of 27 specs differ
Keychron K5 Pro
Varmilo Minilo98 Pro
Switch options
Hall effect (magnetic)
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Low profile
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
ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
Keychron K5 Pro
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW
Out of stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW
In stockDoes not ship to you
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.
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Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.
Keychron K5 Pro vs Varmilo Minilo98 Pro: your questions
The Varmilo Minilo98 Pro is likely better for a quiet office. Its listing specifically offers Kailh Prestige Silent switches, which are described as linear and silent. The K5 Pro's listed switch options include clicky (blue) and tactile (brown) switches, which are typically louder.
No, the Keychron K5 Pro is only compatible with Gateron low-profile mechanical switches, as stated in the manufacturer's description. It does not support standard Cherry MX profile switches due to its low-profile design.
Yes, according to the 'In the Box' section of its tech specs, the Varmilo Minilo98 Pro includes a 2.4GHz dongle. It also supports Bluetooth 5.0 and wired USB-C connections.
The Varmilo Minilo98 Pro has a larger 4000mAh battery compared to the Keychron K5 Pro's 2000mAh. Varmilo's listing claims over 20 days of working time with lights off, suggesting significantly longer wireless battery life.
Yes, both the Keychron K5 Pro and Varmilo Minilo98 Pro list QMK and VIA support in their specifications. This allows for extensive key remapping and macro programming on both devices.
The Varmilo Minilo98 Pro uses a gasket mount, where the plate is suspended by silicone or foam gaskets for a softer, more cushioned typing feel. The Keychron K5 Pro uses a tray mount, where the PCB is screwed directly into the case bottom, typically resulting in a firmer feel. The Minilo98 Pro's listing details its multi-layer foam construction.
The Keychron K5 Pro is more portable. It is thinner (18mm height vs. 37mm), lighter (720g vs. 1000g), and its vendor description emphasizes its ultra-slim, low-profile design as one of the thinnest wireless mechanical keyboards.
Yes, both keyboards list Mac support. The Keychron K5 Pro description notes it offers a Mac layout with matching multimedia keys and includes keycaps for both macOS and Windows. The Varmilo Minilo98 Pro includes Mac OS keycaps and a system toggle function.
The Keychron K5 Pro uses Low-profile Spherical-Angled (LSA) profile keycaps. The Varmilo Minilo98 Pro uses Cherry profile keycaps, as stated in its specifications. Both keycap sets are made from PBT material.
Yes, the Varmilo Minilo98 Pro is hot-swappable. Its vendor description confirms it supports both 3-pin and 5-pin switches, allowing you to change switches without soldering to customize the sound and feel.
The Keychron K5 Pro has north-facing RGB LEDs. The Varmilo Minilo98 Pro has south-facing RGB LEDs, which its listing highlights as a feature to prevent interference with Cherry-profile keycaps.
Neither keyboard's specifications or listed contents include a wrist rest. The Keychron K5 Pro has a low 3° typing angle and adjustable feet, while the Varmilo Minilo98 Pro has two-stage kickstands, but a separate wrist rest would need to be purchased.
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