Varmilo Minilo98 Pro vs VPE108: Gasket vs Plate Mount Showdown

Compare Varmilo Minilo98 Pro vs VPE108 Dreams on Board Differences Side by Side

This comparison is for Varmilo shoppers deciding between a modern, feature-rich compact and a straightforward full-size board. The Minilo98 Pro offers advanced construction and firmware support, while the VPE108 provides a traditional layout with fewer frills. The decision hinges on whether you prioritize a premium typing experience and modding potential over dedicated navigation keys.

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 RGB lighting
Score	Scores Performance: 74.5 Build Quality: 73.8 Productivity: 88 Customizability: 89.6 Portability: 55.6	Scores Performance: 55 Build Quality: 54.5 Productivity: 78.3 Customizability: 64.1 Portability: 54
Name	Name Varmilo Minilo98 Pro	Name Varmilo VPE108 Dreams on Board
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
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 Dreams on Board Hotswap Wireless White LED Keyboard

Select a keyboard to compare

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 RGB lighting

Scores

Performance: 74.5
Build Quality: 73.8
Productivity: 88
Customizability: 89.6
Portability: 55.6

Scores

Performance: 55
Build Quality: 54.5
Productivity: 78.3
Customizability: 64.1
Portability: 54

Name

Varmilo Minilo98 Pro

Name

Varmilo VPE108 Dreams on Board

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

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 superior investment for most users, offering a premium typing experience, extensive customization, and future-proof features like QMK/VIA. Its compact layout is a smart space-saver. Only choose the VPE108 Dreams on Board if your workflow absolutely requires a full-size keyboard with a number pad and you have no plans for advanced modding or key remapping.

Varmilo Minilo98 Pro

+Advanced gasket mount construction with polycarbonate plate and multiple sound-dampening foams.
+Full QMK and VIA firmware support for unlimited key remapping and macros.
+Extensive ISO layout compatibility with included keycap sets for many European languages.
+South-facing RGB backlighting and support for Hall Effect switches.
+Specified 1000 Hz polling rate and 1ms latency in wireless and wired modes.

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

Varmilo VPE108 Dreams on Board

+Traditional full-size 108-key layout with dedicated navigation cluster.
+Includes a 3-way cord channel for flexible cable routing.
+Hot-swappable sockets allow for basic switch customization.
+Double-layer silicone sound absorption is pre-installed.

−Basic plate mount design lacks the typing feel refinement of a gasket mount.
−No support for QMK or VIA firmware, limiting software customization.
−Only white LED backlighting is available, not full RGB.
−Only ANSI layout is supported, with no ISO options mentioned.

Which Keyboard Is Better for Your Needs?

The Varmilo Minilo98 Pro is the more versatile and capable keyboard, winning in most categories. It excels for gaming, programming, and office use due to its low-latency wireless, extensive layout support, and deep software customization. It is also the clear choice for modders. The VPE108 Dreams on Board wins only for content creation where its full-size layout with dedicated media keys is non-negotiable. For travel, both are similarly equipped with wireless, but the Minilo98 Pro's smaller footprint is offset by its heavier weight.

GamingVarmilo Minilo98 Pro

•The Minilo98 Pro has a specified 1000 Hz polling rate and 1ms latency in its 2.4 GHz and wired modes, according to the vendor page.
•Its gasket mount with plate poron foam, IXPE switch pad, and PCB poron foam may offer a more consistent typing feel during rapid key presses.
•The south-facing RGB LEDs are compatible with Cherry profile keycaps without interference.

OfficeVarmilo Minilo98 Pro

•It offers extensive ISO layout support with included keycap sets for over a dozen European languages.
•Includes dedicated Mac OS keycaps and a system toggle function for seamless switching between Windows and Mac.
•The 4000mAh battery and triple-mode connectivity (Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4GHz, wired) provide flexibility for a clean desk setup.

ProgrammingVarmilo Minilo98 Pro

•Full QMK and VIA support allows for deep key remapping, macros, and layer programming.
•The 98% layout retains the numpad while saving space compared to a full-size board.
•Hot-swappable PCB supports both 3-pin and 5-pin switches for easy switch experimentation.

TravelTie

•Both keyboards offer triple-mode wireless connectivity.
•The Minilo98 Pro is more compact (98% vs 100%), but is heavier at 1000g.
•Neither listing specifies a travel case or sleeve as a bundled accessory.

ModdingVarmilo Minilo98 Pro

•The Minilo98 Pro features a gasket mount design with a polycarbonate plate and multiple foam layers (plate poron, IXPE, PCB poron, bottom silicone).
•It has full QMK and VIA firmware support for software customization.
•South-facing RGB and support for Hall Effect switches, as noted in its metadata, indicate a more capable PCB.

Content CreationVarmilo VPE108 Dreams on Board

•The VPE108's full 108-key layout provides dedicated media keys and a full numpad for shortcut-heavy workflows.
•Its listing mentions a 3-way cord channel for cable management, aiding in a clean workspace.
•The simpler white LED backlighting may be less distracting than full RGB during focused work.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)