Leopold FC730MBT V2 vs Varmilo Minilo98 ProCompact vs Feature-Rich
Choose the Leopold for a simpler, more portable wireless experience, or the Varmilo for extensive features, customization, and a full layout.
Which one should you get?
Get the
Leopold FC730MBT V2
Compact
- More portable 75% layout with 73 keys.
- Uses three AAA batteries, allowing for quick swaps without charging downtime.
- Offers a wide selection of Cherry MX2A switch types including clicky, tactile, linear, and silent.
- Lacks a rechargeable battery and 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity.
- Not hot-swappable, limiting switch customization.
- No backlighting or RGB options.
Get the
Varmilo Minilo98 Pro
Feature-Rich
- Feature-rich 98% layout with a number pad in a compact form factor.
- Hot-swappable PCB supports extensive switch customization.
- Includes both 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth 5.0 wireless with a 4000mAh rechargeable battery.
- Larger, heavier design at 1000g is less portable.
- More expensive than the Leopold.
- Switch options in the listing appear limited to silent linear types (Kailh Prestige Silent/Voice).
Your primary need dictates the choice. If you want a simple, compact, and truly portable wireless keyboard where easy battery replacement is a plus, the Leopold FC730MBT V2 is a solid option. If you need a full layout with a number pad, demand high-performance wireless for gaming, and plan to heavily customize switches and keymaps, the Varmilo Minilo98 Pro is worth the higher investment for its extensive feature set.
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.
Leopold FC730MBT V2
Varmilo Minilo98 Pro
Layout size
75%
98%
Hall effect (magnetic)
No
Yes
Connection
Bluetooth, Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Hot-swappable
No
Yes
Switch options
Clicky, Linear, Silent, Tactile
Silent
- Leopold FC730MBT V2
- Varmilo Minilo98 Pro
- Performance
- 4675
- Build quality
- 4474
- Productivity
- 5688
- Customizability
- 4089
- Portability
- 7356
- Sound dampening
- Keycaps: PBT
What will you mostly use it for?
The Varmilo Minilo98 Pro is the clear choice for office work, gaming, and content creation due to its full layout, high-performance wireless, and multimedia features. It also dominates for modding with its hot-swap sockets and layered foam construction. The Leopold FC730MBT V2 wins for travel thanks to its smaller size and use of disposable batteries. For programming, it's a tie between the Leopold's space efficiency and the Varmilo's superior programmability.
Pick the Varmilo Minilo98 Pro
- The Varmilo Minilo98 Pro lists a 1000 Hz polling rate and 1ms latency in its 2.4 GHz and wired modes.
- It features N-key rollover for reliable multi-key presses.
- The Leopold's gaming performance specifications are not detailed in its listing.
Leopold FC730MBT V2 vs Varmilo Minilo98 Pro specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
13 of 25 specs differ
Leopold FC730MBT V2
Varmilo Minilo98 Pro
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
Backlight
QMK
VIA
N-key rollover
Mac & Windows
Released
Compare prices
Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.
Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.
Prices in USD are converted to your currency and can change at any time. KeebFinder may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Leopold FC730MBT V2 vs Varmilo Minilo98 Pro: your questions
The Varmilo Minilo98 Pro is better suited for wireless gaming. According to its product page, it features a 1000 Hz polling rate and 1ms ultra-low latency specifically in its 2.4 GHz and wired modes. The Leopold's listing does not specify its polling rate or latency for gaming.
No, the Leopold FC730MBT V2 is not hot-swappable. It comes pre-built with your choice of Cherry MX2A switches soldered onto the PCB. To change switches, you would need to desolder the existing ones.
Yes, the Varmilo Minilo98 Pro has explicit Mac/Win support. The manufacturer states you can press Fn+Tab for 5 seconds to switch systems, and it includes two additional keys and four Mac OS keycaps in the box.
The Varmilo Minilo98 Pro is powered by a built-in 4000mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery. It charges via the included USB-C cable. The manufacturer claims over 20 days of working time with all lights off.
The Leopold FC730MBT V2 uses three AAA batteries for its Bluetooth 5.1 wireless functionality. These batteries are included, and the design allows for quick replacement without needing to recharge the keyboard.
The Varmilo Minilo98 Pro has a more elaborate sound-dampening construction according to its specs, listing a gasket mount with a PC plate, plate Poron foam, IXPE switch pad, PCB Poron foam, and bottom silicone. The Leopold includes a sound-absorbing pad and foam, but its internal structure is not detailed as extensively.
Yes, the Varmilo Minilo98 Pro supports QMK and VIA, which are open-source firmware tools that allow for deep key remapping, macro creation, and layer customization directly on your computer.
No, the Leopold FC730MBT V2 does not have any form of backlighting or RGB lighting. The Varmilo Minilo98 Pro features south-facing RGB backlighting.
The Varmilo Minilo98 Pro offers extensive ISO layout support for over a dozen European languages, including German, French, Spanish, and UK English, with extra keycap sets. The Leopold FC730MBT V2 is listed with an ANSI (US QWERTY) layout only.
According to the listing, the Varmilo Minilo98 Pro comes with a keyboard, manual, USB-C cable, key puller/switch puller, a 2.4GHz dongle, extra keycaps (for Mac/ISO layouts), and a dust cover.
Both keyboards use PBT keycaps, which are known for their durability and resistance to shine over time. The Leopold uses double-shot PBT, and the Varmilo uses dye-sublimated PBT in a Cherry profile.
Not sold on either?
Still torn?
Answer a few quick questions and the keyboard finder ranks 2,000+ boards by how you will actually use yours.