Varmilo Minilo98 Pro vs EC LieModern Feature vs Classic Design
Choose the Minilo98 Pro for modern features and customizability, or the EC Lie for a simple, full-size layout at a lower cost.
KeebFinder may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Which one should you get?
Get the
Varmilo Minilo98 Pro
Modern Feature
Build quality in the top 20% of 98% boards under $200.
- Tri-mode wireless connectivity (Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4 GHz, wired) with a 4000mAh battery.
- Fully hot-swappable PCB with support for 3-pin and 5-pin switches.
- Advanced gasket mount structure with PC plate, Poron foam, and silicone dampening.
- 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 EC Lie
Classic Design
Build quality in the bottom 15% of 100% boards under $150.
- Typically available at a lower price point than the Minilo98 Pro.
- Simple, familiar full-size (100%) layout with a dedicated numpad.
- Features thick PBT dye-sublimated keycaps according to the vendor listing.
- Switches are soldered. Swapping them means soldering.
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
For most buyers, the Varmilo Minilo98 Pro is the recommended choice due to its extensive modern features, wireless flexibility, and high degree of customizability. It justifies its higher cost for users who value future-proofing, multi-device use, or a premium typing experience. Only consider the Varmilo EC Lie if your budget is strict, you exclusively need a wired full-size keyboard, and you have no plans to modify it.
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 EC Lie
Layout size
98%
100%
Hall effect (magnetic)
Yes
No
Adjustable actuation helps in games and not in normal typing
Hot-swappable
Yes
No
Switch changes without soldering
Case material
Copper, Metal, Plastic
Plastic
Switch options
Silent
Clicky
- Varmilo Minilo98 Pro
- Varmilo EC Lie
- Performance
- 7446
- Build quality
- 7444
- Productivity
- 8845
- Customizability
- 8950
- Portability
- 5542
- Keycaps: PBT
What will you mostly use it for?
The Varmilo Minilo98 Pro is the clear choice across all defined use cases due to its superior connectivity, customizability, and modern feature set. It excels in environments that demand flexibility, quiet operation, or programmable keys. The EC Lie's primary advantage is its lower cost and familiar full-size layout for users who need a dedicated numpad and have no need for wireless connectivity or modding potential.
Pick the Varmilo Minilo98 Pro
- The Minilo98 Pro has a confirmed 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.
- Its gasket mount structure with foam layers may offer a more consistent typing feel.
Varmilo Minilo98 Pro vs EC Lie 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 EC Lie
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 EC Lie
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.
Varmilo Minilo98 Pro vs EC Lie: your questions
The Varmilo Minilo98 Pro offers tri-mode connectivity, including Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4 GHz wireless, and wired USB-C. The Varmilo EC Lie is a wired-only keyboard with no wireless capabilities mentioned in its specifications.
No. The vendor listing for the EC Lie specifies it is not hot-swappable. Changing switches would require desoldering the existing ones and soldering in new ones. The Minilo98 Pro has a hot-swappable PCB for easy switch changes.
Yes. The Minilo98 Pro is listed as compatible with macOS and Windows. According to Varmilo, it includes two additional keys and four Mac OS keycaps, and you can switch between system layouts by pressing Fn+Tab for five seconds.
The Minilo98 Pro uses a 98% layout, which includes a numpad but removes a few keys to save about 20% space compared to a full-size board. The EC Lie is a standard 100% full-size keyboard with a full nav cluster and numpad.
The Minilo98 Pro is the better choice for a quiet office. It is available with silent switch options like the Kailh Prestige Silent. The EC Lie, according to its metadata, comes with clicky switches, which are louder and may disturb coworkers.
The Minilo98 Pro features south-facing RGB backlighting. The EC Lie has white LED backlighting, as confirmed by its vendor description, which a reviewer noted makes the legends difficult to read in low light.
You can fully reprogram the Minilo98 Pro using QMK and VIA firmware for remapping and macros. There is no information provided about reprogramming or software support for the EC Lie.
Both keyboards use PBT keycaps. The Minilo98 Pro uses Cherry profile, 1.5mm thick PBT keycaps. The EC Lie uses thick, dye-sublimated PBT keycaps according to its vendor page.
According to Varmilo, the box includes the keyboard, manual, USB-C cable, key puller/switch puller, a 2.4GHz dongle, extra keycaps (for Mac/ISO layouts), and a dust cover.
The Minilo98 Pro uses a gasket mount, where the plate is suspended on rubber gaskets for a softer, more cushioned typing feel and sound. The EC Lie uses a plate mount, where the plate is fixed directly to the case, resulting in a firmer, more direct feel.
The Minilo98 Pro has extensive support, offering ISO layouts for over a dozen European languages with included replacement keycap sets. The EC Lie is listed only with an ANSI (US QWERTY) layout.
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.