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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 1, 2026

Meletrix Zoom EE R3 vs Varmilo Sword 2 87

Get the Meletrix Zoom EE R3 for hot-swappable and via.

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Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Meletrix Zoom EE R3

Hot-swappable

Build quality in the top 25% of 80% boards under $300.

Get the

Varmilo Sword 2 87

Build quality in the bottom 35% of 80% boards under $300.

Rules this board out

  • Switches are soldered. Swapping them means soldering.

What actually differs

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.

Meletrix Zoom EE R3

Varmilo Sword 2 87

  • Hot-swappable

    Yes

    No

    Switch changes without soldering

  • Ergonomics

    Split Backspace, Split Spacebar

    Standard

  • Mount style

    Gasket Mount

    Plate Mount

  • VIA

    Yes

    No

    GUI remapping without compiling firmware

  • Sound dampening

    Yes

    No

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Meletrix Zoom EE R3
  • Varmilo Sword 2 87
Performance
57
62
Build quality
75
52
Productivity
85
49
Customizability
74
48
Portability
78
52

What they share

  • Layout size: 80%
  • Case material: Aluminum
See every spec side by side

Full specs

Meletrix Zoom EE R3 vs Varmilo Sword 2 87 specs

Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.

10 of 20 specs differ

Meletrix Zoom EE R3

Varmilo Sword 2 87

Typing & switches

Switch options

—
Clicky

Hot-swappable

Yes
No

Mount style

Gasket Mount
Plate Mount

Sound dampening

Yes
No

Layout

Layout size

80%
80%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI

Ergonomics

Split Backspace, Split Spacebar
Standard

Display

None
None

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Bluetooth, Wired
—

Max polling rate

1,000 Hz
—

Battery

2,250 mAh
—

USB-C

Yes
No

Build & materials

Case material

Aluminum
Aluminum

Plate material

Polycarbonate, Steel
Aluminum

Keycaps

—
PBT

Backlight

None
White

Firmware & software

VIA

Yes
No

N-key rollover

No
Yes

Mac & Windows

Yes
Yes

Extras

Released

2026
2023

Where to buy

Compare prices

Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.

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Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.

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