Varmilo Minilo98 Pro vs MA108MWireless Modern vs Wired Classic
Choose the Minilo98 Pro for modern wireless features and customization, or the MA108M for a basic, wired full-size layout.
KeebFinder may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.
from$155at Varmilo
from$157at MK
90-day lowLowest price in 90 days
Which one should you get?
Get the
Varmilo Minilo98 Pro
Wireless Modern
Build quality in the top 20% of 98% boards under $200.
- Triple-mode wireless connectivity with Bluetooth 5.0 and 2.4GHz.
- Fully hot-swappable PCB supporting 3-pin and 5-pin switches.
- Advanced gasket mount construction with PC plate, plate poron foam, and IXPE switch pad.
- 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.
- Compact full-size layout. The numpad is present, the gaps of a full-size board are not.
Get the
Varmilo MA108M
Wired Classic
Build quality in the bottom 25% of 100% boards under $200.
- Standard 100% layout with a dedicated numpad and navigation cluster.
- Uses double-shot PBT keycaps for durability.
- Includes a 60-inch USB cable.
- Switches are soldered. Swapping them means soldering.
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
For most users, the Varmilo Minilo98 Pro is the recommended choice due to its superior flexibility, modern features, and higher customizability. Its wireless options, hot-swap capability, and programmable firmware offer significant long-term value. Only consider the MA108M if you are certain you need a strictly wired, full-size keyboard and have no plans to modify switches or use advanced software features.
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.
Varmilo Minilo98 Pro
Varmilo MA108M
Layout size
98%
100%
Hall effect (magnetic)
Yes
No
Adjustable actuation helps in games and not in normal typing
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
Copper, Metal, Plastic
Plastic
- Varmilo Minilo98 Pro
- Varmilo MA108M
- Performance
- 7466
- Build quality
- 7346
- Productivity
- 8852
- Customizability
- 8953
- Portability
- 5542
- Keycaps: PBT
What will you mostly use it for?
The Varmilo Minilo98 Pro is the decisive winner across all defined use cases. Its advantages in connectivity, customizability, and modern features like hot-swap and programmability make it the more versatile and future-proof choice. The MA108M's primary appeal is its traditional, full-size layout for users who require a dedicated numpad and function row and have no need for wireless operation or aftermarket modifications.
Pick the Varmilo Minilo98 Pro
- The Minilo98 Pro offers a 1000 Hz polling rate for potentially lower latency.
- Its gasket mount with plate poron foam and IXPE switch pad may provide a more consistent typing feel.
- South-facing RGB lighting is compatible with more keycap profiles.
Varmilo Minilo98 Pro vs MA108M specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
14 of 25 specs differ
Varmilo Minilo98 Pro
Varmilo MA108M
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
ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
Varmilo Minilo98 Pro
Varmilo
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-FR, ISO-ES
In stockShips to you
Varmilo MA108M
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
Compare prices
Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.
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.
Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.
- Check on Amazon
Amazon
Check price
Varmilo Minilo98 Pro vs MA108M: your questions
No, the Varmilo MA108M is not hot-swappable. Its product listing confirms 'Hotswap: No', meaning the switches are soldered to the PCB and cannot be easily changed without desoldering.
Yes, the Minilo98 Pro supports macOS. It includes dedicated Mac OS keycaps (Command, Option) and a function key combination (Fn+Tab) to switch between Windows and Mac key layouts, as stated in its product description.
The Minilo98 Pro uses a gasket mount system with a polycarbonate plate and multiple foam layers. The MA108M uses a simpler plate mount system, as listed in its specifications.
Yes, the Minilo98 Pro fully supports QMK and VIA firmware. This allows for extensive key remapping, macro creation, and layer configuration directly through those software tools.
The Minilo98 Pro has a 4000mAh battery. According to Varmilo, with all lights off, it can last over 20 days on a single charge.
The MA108M comes with Varmilo EC switches. The vendor page lists specific variants like EC Ivy V2 (clicky), EC Rose V2, EC Sakura V2, and EC Daisy V2, but the exact switch included depends on the specific model purchased.
The Minilo98 Pro is better for quiet environments. It offers silent switch options like the Kailh Prestige Silent, which are described as 'Thocky & Silent'. The MA108M is listed with a clicky switch type, which is louder.
Yes, according to the 'In the Box' section of its product description, the Minilo98 Pro includes a key puller and switch puller, which are necessary for its hot-swap functionality.
The Minilo98 Pro has a 1000 Hz polling rate in its 2.4GHz and wired modes, as specified by the manufacturer for low latency.
Yes, both keyboards use PBT keycaps. The Minilo98 Pro uses Cherry profile, dye-sub PBT keycaps, while the MA108M uses double-shot PBT keycaps.
Only the Minilo98 Pro has RGB lighting, specifically south-facing RGB. The MA108M has white LED backlighting only.
The Minilo98 Pro is a 98% layout, which is more compact and saves about 20% space compared to a full-size board while keeping the numpad. The MA108M is a standard 100% (full-size) layout with 104 keys plus 4 multimedia keys.
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.