Keychron V1 Max vs Varmilo Minilo98 ProCompact vs Full Layout
Choose the Keychron V1 Max for a compact, highly customizable experience, or the Varmilo Minilo98 Pro for a full layout with a premium aesthetic and silent switches.
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4.1 (18)4.1 · 18 reviews
from$94at MK
No reviews
from$155at Varmilo
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron V1 Max
Compact
Build quality in the top 5% of 75% boards under $100.
- More compact and portable 75% layout.
- Available as a barebones kit for custom builds.
- Extensive layout support including multiple ISO variants.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- Missing ISO-CH, ISO-BEL, ISO-DK. The other board is sold in those layouts.
- No numpad.
Get the
Varmilo Minilo98 Pro
Full Layout
Build quality in the top 20% of 98% boards under $200.
- 98% layout includes a numpad while saving space compared to full-size.
- Features a CNC metal inlay frame for a premium aesthetic.
- Vendor description highlights multiple sound-dampening layers like plate Poron foam and bottom silicone.
- 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 you want a compact, highly customizable keyboard that's easy to modify and travel with, the Keychron V1 Max is the clear pick. If you require a numpad, prefer a silent typing experience straight out of the box, and value a keyboard with a distinctive metal-accented design, the Varmilo Minilo98 Pro is worth the extra investment.
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 V1 Max
Varmilo Minilo98 Pro
Layout size
75%
98%
Hall effect (magnetic)
No
Yes
Adjustable actuation helps in games and not in normal typing
Case material
ABS, Plastic
Copper, Metal, Plastic
Switch options
Clicky, Linear, Tactile
Silent
Mount style
Gasket Mount, Plate Mount
Gasket Mount
- Keychron V1 Max
- Varmilo Minilo98 Pro
- Performance
- 8374
- Build quality
- 8674
- Productivity
- 9788
- Customizability
- 9889
- Portability
- 7955
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Battery: 4,000 mAh
- 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 numpad and silent switch options. The Keychron V1 Max is the better choice for travel and modding thanks to its smaller size, lighter weight, and barebones availability. For gaming and programming, the decision is closer, leaning towards the V1 Max for space-saving or the Minilo98 Pro for its fuller layout, respectively.
Pick the Keychron V1 Max
- The 75% layout frees up more desk space for mouse movement.
- Both offer a 1000 Hz polling rate in wired and 2.4 GHz modes for low latency.
- The Keychron V1 Max is lighter at 770g, making it slightly easier to reposition.
Keychron V1 Max vs Varmilo Minilo98 Pro specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
13 of 28 specs differ
Keychron V1 Max
Varmilo Minilo98 Pro
Switch options
Hall effect (magnetic)
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
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 V1 Max
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW
Out of stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-IT, ISO-SW, ISO-PT
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 V1 Max vs Varmilo Minilo98 Pro: your questions
The Keychron V1 Max is better for small desks. Its 75% layout measures 329mm in length, which is significantly shorter than the 388mm length of the Varmilo Minilo98 Pro. This saves considerable space, especially for wider mouse movements.
Yes, the Varmilo Minilo98 Pro has a numpad. Its 98% layout compactly incorporates a full number pad along with arrow keys and a navigation cluster, making it suitable for data entry without the footprint of a full-size keyboard.
Yes, both keyboards are hot-swappable. Their product listings confirm hot-swappable sockets that support 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style switches, allowing you to change switches without soldering.
Both keyboards offer high levels of software customization. They both support open-source QMK firmware and VIA software for key remapping, macros, and creating layers. The Keychron V1 Max also offers the web-based Keychron Launcher for configuration.
Yes, both are compatible with macOS. The Keychron V1 Max includes a system toggle and an extra set of keycaps for Mac. The Varmilo Minilo98 Pro also supports macOS and includes Mac-specific keycaps, with switching done via a key combination.
A key difference is the case construction. The Varmilo Minilo98 Pro features a plastic case with a CNC metal inlay frame, according to its vendor page. The Keychron V1 Max uses an ABS plastic case, but includes a polycarbonate plate and screw-in stabilizers.
They cater to different sound profiles. The Varmilo Minilo98 Pro is listed with silent switch options and multiple dampening foams (plate Poron, PCB Poron, bottom silicone) for a quiet experience. The Keychron V1 Max uses a gasket mount and sound-absorbing foam for a softer acoustic, but with standard switch types that can be louder.
Both offer triple-mode connectivity (Bluetooth, 2.4GHz, and wired). The Keychron V1 Max vendor page specifies Bluetooth 5.1, while the Varmilo Minilo98 Pro listing mentions Bluetooth 5.0. Both have a 1000 Hz polling rate in their 2.4GHz and wired modes.
The Varmilo Minilo98 Pro listing confirms a key puller and switch puller are included in the box. The Keychron V1 Max vendor description does not explicitly state if pullers are included, so it's advisable to check the specific kit contents at purchase.
Yes, both keyboards support a wide range of ISO layouts. The Keychron V1 Max lists support for numerous ISO variants. The Varmilo Minilo98 Pro offers several ISO layouts and includes additional keycap sets to support over 12 European languages.
Both keyboards are equipped with a 4000mAh rechargeable battery. The Keychron V1 Max vendor page claims up to 190 hours with backlighting off. The Varmilo Minilo98 Pro listing states a working time of over 20 days with lights off, which is a similar range.
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