Varmilo Minilo98 Pro vs VA108MWireless Modernity vs Wired Classic
Choose the Minilo98 Pro for modern wireless features and customizability, or the VA108M if you strictly need a basic, wired full-size layout.
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Which one should you get?
Get the
Varmilo Minilo98 Pro
Wireless Modernity
Build quality in the top 20% of 98% boards under $200.
- Triple-mode connectivity (wired, Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4 GHz) with a 4000mAh battery.
- Hot-swappable PCB supporting 3-pin and 5-pin switches for easy customization.
- Gasket mount design with PC plate, Poron foams, and silicone dampening for a tuned typing experience.
- 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 VA108M
Wired Classic
Build quality in the bottom 25% of 100% boards under $150.
- Traditional full-size 104-key layout with a dedicated numpad and navigation cluster.
- Uses genuine Cherry MX switches, offering a choice of tactile, linear, silent, or clicky variants.
- Built with dye-sublimated PBT keycaps for durable legends.
- Switches are soldered. Swapping them means soldering.
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
The Varmilo Minilo98 Pro is the definitive recommendation for users seeking a future-proof, versatile keyboard. Its wireless freedom, extensive customizability via hot-swap and QMK/VIA, and space-efficient 98% layout make it superior for most tasks. Only consider the VA108M if your workflow absolutely requires a full-size layout and you have no need for wireless connectivity or any after-purchase modifications.
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 VA108M
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
ABS, Plastic
- Varmilo Minilo98 Pro
- Varmilo VA108M
- Performance
- 7466
- Build quality
- 7346
- Productivity
- 8852
- Customizability
- 8952
- Portability
- 5542
- Keycaps: PBT
What will you mostly use it for?
The Varmilo Minilo98 Pro is the clear choice for most modern, feature-focused use cases. It wins for gaming, office work, programming, travel, and modding due to its wireless options, compact but complete layout, and extensive customization through hot-swap and firmware. The VA108M's primary advantage is its traditional full-size layout with dedicated keys, but it lacks the connectivity and modern features of the Minilo98 Pro. For content creation, the choice depends on whether programmable layers or a dedicated media cluster is more valuable.
Pick the Varmilo Minilo98 Pro
- The Minilo98 Pro offers a 1000 Hz polling rate and 1ms latency in its 2.4 GHz and wired modes, as stated by the manufacturer.
- Its gasket mount structure with plate and PCB foam may provide a more consistent typing feel during rapid key presses.
- The 98% layout saves desk space for larger mouse movements while retaining the numpad.
Varmilo Minilo98 Pro vs VA108M specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
15 of 25 specs differ
Varmilo Minilo98 Pro
Varmilo VA108M
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 VA108M
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.
Varmilo Minilo98 Pro vs VA108M: your questions
Yes, the Minilo98 Pro supports triple-mode connectivity. You can use it via a USB-C wired connection, Bluetooth 5.0, or a 2.4 GHz wireless dongle, which is included in the box. It has a built-in 4000mAh rechargeable battery.
No, the VA108M is not hot-swappable. Its Cherry MX switches are soldered onto a plate-mounted PCB. To change switches, you would need to desolder the existing ones and solder in new ones, which requires technical skill and tools.
The Minilo98 Pro has better native Mac support. It includes extra Mac OS keycaps (Command, Option) and a function key combination (Fn+Tab) to switch between Windows and Mac modes. The VA108M is listed as Mac compatible but does not mention included Mac keycaps.
Yes, the Minilo98 Pro uses a 98% layout, which incorporates a numpad into a compact form factor. It saves about 20% space compared to a standard full-size keyboard while retaining the number keys.
Both keyboards use PBT plastic keycaps, which are more resistant to shine and wear than ABS. The Minilo98 Pro uses Cherry profile, 1.5mm thick PBT keycaps, while the VA108M uses dye-sublimated PBT keycaps.
The Minilo98 Pro fully supports QMK and VIA firmware, allowing for deep key remapping, layer creation, and macro programming. The VA108M does not list any software or firmware reprogramming capabilities in its provided specifications.
The Minilo98 Pro uses a gasket mount, where the plate is suspended on rubber gaskets, which can offer a softer, more consistent typing feel and reduce case ping. The VA108M uses a traditional plate mount, where the plate is screwed directly into the case, resulting in a firmer, more direct feel.
The Minilo98 Pro is more portable due to its smaller 98% footprint and wireless capabilities. However, it is notably heavy at 1kg (2.2 lbs). The VA108M is a larger, wired full-size keyboard, making it less convenient to move around.
Both keyboards come pre-built and ready to use. The Minilo98 Pro includes a keycap/switch puller, extra keycaps, a dust cover, and a 2.4GHz dongle. The VA108M comes fully assembled with its keycaps and switches installed.
Based on the vendor description, the Minilo98 Pro is shown with Kailh Prestige Silent (linear, thocky) and Kailh Prestige Voice (linear, clacky) switches. The product metadata lists the switch type as 'Silent'.
The VA108M is listed as having 'White' RGB in the metadata, which suggests single-color white backlighting. The Minilo98 Pro features south-facing RGB backlighting with multiple color options.
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