Keychron K8 Max vs Varmilo VA87MWireless or Wired
Choose the Keychron K8 Max for wireless connections and customization, or the Varmilo VA87M if you want a wired-only board with listed Cherry MX switch options.
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Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K8 Max
Hot-swappable
Build quality in the top 5% of 80% boards under $150.
- Three connection modes are listed: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz and wired.
- The K8 Max lists QMK and VIA support, and Keychron describes remapping and macros through the Launcher web app.
- A hot-swappable version is available; Keychron describes compatibility with many 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style switches.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
Get the
Varmilo VA87M
Build quality in the bottom 5% of 80% boards under $100.
- The vendor description lists Cherry MX Brown, Blue, Silent Red and Silver switch options.
- The VA87M uses PBT keycaps with dye-sub printing, according to the vendor description.
- The vendor describes a wood-grained ABS case and distinctive themed keycaps.
- Switches are soldered. Swapping them means soldering.
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
Choose the Keychron K8 Max if you want wireless flexibility, QMK/VIA-related customization or the option to change switches without soldering. Consider the Varmilo VA87M if its wired-only design, themed PBT keycaps and listed Cherry MX switch options fit your needs. Check the specific K8 Max variant before buying, since Keychron identifies hot-swapping as an option rather than a feature of every version.
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 K8 Max
Varmilo VA87M
Connection
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Hot-swappable
Yes
No
Switch changes without soldering
Case material
ABS, Aluminum, Steel
ABS, Plastic
Switch options
Clicky, Linear, Tactile
Clicky, Linear, Silent, Tactile
Mount style
PCB Mount, Plate Mount
Plate Mount
- Keychron K8 Max
- Varmilo VA87M
- Performance
- 8062
- Build quality
- 8744
- Productivity
- 9451
- Customizability
- 9149
- Portability
- 7652
- Layout size: 80%
- Keycaps: PBT
What will you mostly use it for?
The K8 Max leads in the listed use cases, particularly where wireless connections, remapping or switch changes matter. The VA87M remains a straightforward wired option with listed Cherry MX switch variants and themed dye-sub PBT keycaps. Both offer an 80% layout, multimedia keys and Mac/Windows support. For travel, the K8 Max adds wireless use, although its listed weight is 1308 g.
Pick the Keychron K8 Max
- The K8 Max lists a 1000 Hz polling rate and supports 2.4 GHz or wired use.
- The VA87M is wired only, and its listing does not specify a polling rate.
Keychron K8 Max vs Varmilo VA87M specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
13 of 26 specs differ
Keychron K8 Max
Varmilo VA87M
Switch options
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.
Keychron K8 Max
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-CH
In stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-CH
Out of stockDoes not ship to you
Varmilo VA87M
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
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 K8 Max vs Varmilo VA87M: your questions
Yes. The K8 Max lists Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz and wired connections. Keychron says its Bluetooth mode can connect to up to three devices.
No, the VA87M is listed as wired only. Its vendor description specifies a Mini USB interface.
A hot-swappable version of the K8 Max is available, but Keychron also lists non-hot-swappable variants. Check the selected version before ordering.
The VA87M's switches are soldered, so changing them requires soldering. Its vendor listing includes Cherry MX Brown, Blue, Silent Red and Silver options.
The Keychron K8 Max lists ANSI and several ISO layouts, including ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-SW and ISO-CH. The Varmilo VA87M is listed as ANSI only.
The K8 Max lists a 1000 Hz polling rate. Keychron specifies that rate for 2.4 GHz and wired modes.
The VA87M's specifications here do not give a polling rate. Its listing does specify full USB key rollover.
The K8 Max lists QMK and VIA support, and Keychron describes using its Launcher web app for key remapping and macros. The VA87M listing does not describe comparable remapping features.
Keychron says the K8 Max can connect over Bluetooth to up to three devices. The VA87M is wired only.
The VA87M is listed with PBT keycaps, and its vendor description identifies them as dye-sub printed and themed. The listing also describes a multi-colored keycap design.
The K8 Max lists a 4000 mAh battery. The VA87M is wired only and has no battery listed.
The K8 Max compatibility note says shine-through legends stay dark with its south-facing LEDs, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED. Keychron's vendor description says the south-facing RGB is designed to avoid interference with Cherry-profile alternative keycaps.
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