Varmilo Minilo98 Pro vs VPE108 Aurora: Gasket vs Plate Mount

Compare Varmilo Minilo98 Pro vs VPE108 Aurora Differences Side by Side

This comparison is for Varmilo buyers deciding between a compact, feature-rich 98% board and a traditional full-size model. The Minilo98 Pro offers a modern gasket mount and extensive firmware support, while the VPE108 Aurora provides a familiar 100% layout with a simpler plate mount. The decision hinges on whether you prioritize a premium typing experience and customization or need dedicated navigation keys in a more conventional package.

Model
Rating	0.0 stars (0 reviews)	0.0 stars (0 reviews)
Purchase Options
Main differences	Has Silent switch options Available in a 98% layout Built with the ANSI, ISO-BEL, ISO-CH, ISO-DE, ISO-DK, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-HU, ISO-IT, ISO-Nordic, ISO-PT, ISO-UK, ISO layout standard Utilizes Hall effect sensors Supports QMK firmware Supports VIA configuration Features N-key rollover Uses a Gasket Mount mounting style Runs at a 1000 Hz polling rate Equipped with a 4000 mAh battery Weighs about 1000 g Sized at 37 x 388 x 140 mm Made with a Plastic, Copper, Metal case Offers Yes, Rgb, South-face, Rgb South-face RGB lighting	Has Tactile, Linear, Clicky switch options Available in a 100% layout Built with the ANSI layout standard Uses a Plate Mount mounting style Made with a Plastic case Offers Yes, White, North-face, White North-face RGB lighting
Score	Scores Performance: 74.6 Build Quality: 73.9 Productivity: 88.1 Customizability: 89.7 Portability: 55.7	Scores Performance: 55.1 Build Quality: 54.4 Productivity: 78.2 Customizability: 63.8 Portability: 53.9
Name	Name Varmilo Minilo98 Pro	Name Varmilo VPE108 Aurora
Release year	Release year 2024	Release year 2024
Switch Options	Switch Options Silent	Switch Options Tactile, Linear, Clicky
Profile	Profile Normal Profile	Profile Normal Profile
Hot Swappable	Hot Swappable	Hot Swappable
Layout Size	Layout Size 98%	Layout Size 100%
Layout Standard	Layout Standard ANSI, ISO-BEL, ISO-CH, ISO-DE, ISO-DK, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-HU, ISO-IT, ISO-Nordic, ISO-PT, ISO-UK, ISO	Layout Standard ANSI
Layout Ergonomics	Layout Ergonomics Normal	Layout Ergonomics Normal
Knob Support	Knob Support	Knob Support
Display Support	Display Support	Display Support
Mac/Win Support	Mac/Win Support	Mac/Win Support
Multi-Media Keys	Multi-Media Keys	Multi-Media Keys
USB-C	USB-C	USB-C
USB passthrough	USB passthrough	USB passthrough
Connection	Connection Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless	Connection Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless
Polling Rate	Polling Rate 1000 Hz	Polling Rate -
Battery capacity	Battery capacity 4000 mAh	Battery capacity -
Hall Effect Support	Hall Effect Support	Hall Effect Support
QMK Support	QMK Support	QMK Support
VIA Support	VIA Support	VIA Support
VIAL Support	VIAL Support	VIAL Support
N-Key Rollover	N-Key Rollover	N-Key Rollover
Rapid Trigger	Rapid Trigger	Rapid Trigger
Mount Style	Mount Style Gasket Mount	Mount Style Plate Mount
Screw in Stabilizers	Screw in Stabilizers	Screw in Stabilizers
Sound Dampening	Sound Dampening	Sound Dampening
Backlight	Backlight Rgb, South-face	Backlight White, North-face
Case Colors	Case Colors	Case Colors
Case Material	Case Material Plastic, Copper, Metal	Case Material Plastic
Keycaps Material	Keycaps Material PBT	Keycaps Material PBT
Dimensions	Dimensions 37 x 388 x 140 mm	Dimensions -
Weight	Weight 1000g	Weight -

Varmilo VPE108 Aurora Hotswap Triple Mode White LED Mechanical Keyboard

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0.0 stars (0 reviews)

Has Silent switch options
Available in a 98% layout
Built with the ANSI, ISO-BEL, ISO-CH, ISO-DE, ISO-DK, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-HU, ISO-IT, ISO-Nordic, ISO-PT, ISO-UK, ISO layout standard
Utilizes Hall effect sensors
Supports QMK firmware
Supports VIA configuration
Features N-key rollover
Uses a Gasket Mount mounting style
Runs at a 1000 Hz polling rate
Equipped with a 4000 mAh battery
Weighs about 1000 g
Sized at 37 x 388 x 140 mm
Made with a Plastic, Copper, Metal case
Offers Yes, Rgb, South-face, Rgb South-face RGB lighting

Has Tactile, Linear, Clicky switch options
Available in a 100% layout
Built with the ANSI layout standard
Uses a Plate Mount mounting style
Made with a Plastic case
Offers Yes, White, North-face, White North-face RGB lighting

Scores

Performance: 74.6
Build Quality: 73.9
Productivity: 88.1
Customizability: 89.7
Portability: 55.7

Scores

Performance: 55.1
Build Quality: 54.4
Productivity: 78.2
Customizability: 63.8
Portability: 53.9

Name

Varmilo Minilo98 Pro

Name

Varmilo VPE108 Aurora

Release year

2024

Release year

2024

Switch Options

Silent

Switch Options

Tactile, Linear, Clicky

Profile

Normal Profile

Profile

Normal Profile

Hot Swappable

Layout Size

98%

Layout Size

100%

Layout Standard

ANSI, ISO-BEL, ISO-CH, ISO-DE, ISO-DK, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-HU, ISO-IT, ISO-Nordic, ISO-PT, ISO-UK, ISO

Layout Standard

ANSI

Layout Ergonomics

Normal

Layout Ergonomics

Normal

Knob Support

Display Support

Mac/Win Support

Multi-Media Keys

USB-C

USB passthrough

Connection

Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless

Connection

Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless

Polling Rate

1000 Hz

Polling Rate

Battery capacity

4000 mAh

Battery capacity

Hall Effect Support

QMK Support

VIA Support

VIAL Support

N-Key Rollover

Rapid Trigger

Mount Style

Gasket Mount

Mount Style

Plate Mount

Screw in Stabilizers

Sound Dampening

Backlight

Rgb, South-face

Backlight

White, North-face

Case Colors

Case Material

Plastic, Copper, Metal

Case Material

Plastic

Keycaps Material

PBT

Keycaps Material

PBT

Dimensions

37 x 388 x 140 mm

Dimensions

Weight

1000g

Weight

Pros and Trade-offs

The Varmilo Minilo98 Pro is the more future-proof and enthusiast-oriented board, offering superior customization through its gasket mount and QMK/VIA support. The VPE108 Aurora is a competent, straightforward full-size keyboard for users who prioritize a traditional layout and simpler hot-swap functionality. Your choice should be guided by your need for advanced modding features versus a familiar, complete key layout.

Varmilo Minilo98 Pro

+Gasket mount construction with PC plate and multiple foam layers for a tuned typing feel.
+Full QMK and VIA support for advanced key remapping and macros.
+South-facing RGB LEDs compatible with Cherry-profile keycaps.
+Includes a wide array of ISO layout keycap sets for European languages.
+Comes with accessories like a dust cover, switch puller, and extra keycaps.

−Heavier at 1000g, which reduces portability despite its compact size.
−The silent switch type option may not appeal to users who prefer tactile or clicky feedback.
−More complex construction may be intimidating for first-time modders.

Varmilo VPE108 Aurora

+Traditional full-size 100% layout with a dedicated numpad and navigation cluster.
+Features a 3-way cord channel for cable management flexibility.
+Hot-swappable with a choice of linear, tactile, or clicky switch types.
+Includes double-layer silicone sound absorption according to the vendor.

−Plate mount design is less customizable for sound and feel compared to gasket mount.
−Lacks QMK/VIA firmware support for software customization.
−North-facing white LEDs may cause interference with some Cherry-profile keycaps.
−No specified polling rate or latency figures are provided in the available information.

Which Keyboard Is Better for Your Needs?

The Minilo98 Pro is the stronger choice for gaming, programming, travel, and modding due to its low-latency wireless, firmware support, compact size, and gasket-mounted construction. The VPE108 Aurora wins for content creation where its full-size layout with media keys is advantageous. For general office use, both are capable, with the choice boiling down to layout preference.

GamingVarmilo Minilo98 Pro

•The Minilo98 Pro has a specified 1000 Hz polling rate and 1ms latency in its 2.4 GHz and wired modes.
•Its south-facing RGB LEDs avoid interference with Cherry-profile keycaps, a common choice for gamers.
•The gasket mount with PC plate and foam layers may provide a more consistent typing feel during rapid key presses.

OfficeTie

•Both keyboards offer triple-mode connectivity (Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, wired) for flexible device switching.
•Both include PBT keycaps for durability and Mac/Windows support.
•The VPE108 Aurora's full-size layout includes a dedicated numpad, while the Minilo98 Pro's 98% layout saves desk space while retaining it.

ProgrammingVarmilo Minilo98 Pro

•The Minilo98 Pro supports QMK and VIA for deep key remapping and macro creation.
•Its compact 98% layout saves desk space while keeping the numpad for numerical input.
•It includes extra Mac OS keycaps and a system toggle, beneficial for developers using multiple operating systems.

TravelVarmilo Minilo98 Pro

•The Minilo98 Pro has a smaller footprint (388mm wide) compared to a standard full-size keyboard.
•It includes a dust cover in the box for protection during transport.
•Both are wireless, but the Minilo98 Pro's more compact form factor is easier to pack.

ModdingVarmilo Minilo98 Pro

•The Minilo98 Pro features a gasket mount design with a PC plate, plate Poron foam, IXPE switch pad, and PCB foam.
•It has extensive QMK/VIA firmware support for software customization.
•It supports both 3-pin and 5-pin switches in its hot-swap sockets.
•The vendor description details multiple foam and silicone layers for sound modification.

Content CreationVarmilo VPE108 Aurora

•The VPE108 Aurora's full 100% layout provides dedicated media keys and a full numpad for shortcut commands and numerical entry.
•Its plate mount construction is a simpler, more traditional design.
•The white LED backlighting offers consistent illumination for low-light work environments.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)