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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 10, 2026

zFrontier Smoke vs Varmilo Sword 2 68 R2

Get the zFrontier Smoke for hot-swappable and sound dampening. Get the Varmilo Sword 2 68 R2 for media keys.

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Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

zFrontier Smoke

Hot-swappable

Build quality in the bottom 45% of 65% boards at any price.

Get the

Varmilo Sword 2 68 R2

Media keys

Build quality in the bottom 30% of 65% boards under $300.

Rules this board out

  • Switches are soldered. Swapping them means soldering.

What actually differs

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.

zFrontier Smoke

Varmilo Sword 2 68 R2

  • Hot-swappable

    Yes

    No

    Switch changes without soldering

  • Mount style

    Top Mount

    Plate Mount

  • Sound dampening

    Yes

    No

  • Backlight

    None

    White

    RGB for looks and low light rather than speed

  • Media keys

    No

    Yes

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • zFrontier Smoke
  • Varmilo Sword 2 68 R2
Performance
46
45
Build quality
61
52
Productivity
58
43
Customizability
48
54
Portability
87
67

What they share

  • Layout size: 65%
  • Case material: Aluminum
  • Plate material: Aluminum
See every spec side by side

Full specs

zFrontier Smoke vs Varmilo Sword 2 68 R2 specs

Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.

7 of 19 specs differ

zFrontier Smoke

Varmilo Sword 2 68 R2

Typing & switches

Switch options

—
Clicky

Hot-swappable

Yes
No

Mount style

Top Mount
Plate Mount

Sound dampening

Yes
No

Layout

Layout size

65%
65%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Display

None
None

Media keys

No
Yes

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Wireless
—

Build & materials

Case material

Aluminum
Aluminum

Plate material

Aluminum
Aluminum

Keycaps

—
ABS, PBT

Weight

2,100 g
—

Dimensions

38 x 320 x 125 mm
—

Typing angle

9°
—

Backlight

None
White

Firmware & software

Mac & Windows

No
Yes

Extras

Released

2025
2023

Where to buy

Compare prices

Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.

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Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.

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