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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 11, 2026

Pulsar PCMK V2 HE vs Varmilo VPG87 Panda R2

Get the Pulsar PCMK V2 HE for hall effect and rapid trigger.

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Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Pulsar PCMK V2 HE

Hall effect

Build quality in the top 35% of 80% boards under $150.

Rules this board out

  • Magnetic switches only. Standard MX switches will not fit.

Get the

Varmilo VPG87 Panda R2

Build quality in the bottom 45% of 80% boards under $150.

Rules this board out

  • North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.

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.

Pulsar PCMK V2 HE

Varmilo VPG87 Panda R2

  • Hall effect (magnetic)

    Yes

    No

    Adjustable actuation helps in games and not in normal typing

  • Rapid trigger

    Yes

    No

    Faster resets help in games and not in normal typing

  • Case material

    Aluminum, Plastic

    ABS

  • Switch options

    Magnetic

    Linear, Silent, Tactile

  • Backlight

    RGB

    RGB, north-facing

    RGB for looks and low light rather than speed

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Pulsar PCMK V2 HE
  • Varmilo VPG87 Panda R2
Performance
98
76
Build quality
63
55
Productivity
76
64
Customizability
61
65
Portability
61
59

What they share

  • Layout size: 80%
  • Connection: Wired
  • Hot-swappable
  • Mount style: Plate Mount
  • Sound dampening
  • Keycaps: PBT
See every spec side by side

Full specs

Pulsar PCMK V2 HE vs Varmilo VPG87 Panda R2 specs

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

8 of 21 specs differ

Pulsar PCMK V2 HE

Varmilo VPG87 Panda R2

Typing & switches

Switch options

Magnetic
Linear, Silent, Tactile

Hall effect (magnetic)

Yes
No

Rapid trigger

Yes
No

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Plate Mount
Plate Mount

Sound dampening

Yes
Yes

Layout

Layout size

80%
80%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Display

None
None

Media keys

No
Yes

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Wired
Wired

Max polling rate

8,000 Hz
—

USB-C

Yes
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

Aluminum, Plastic
ABS

Plate material

Aluminum
—

Keycaps

PBT
PBT

Backlight

RGB
RGB, north-facing

Firmware & software

N-key rollover

Yes
Yes

Mac & Windows

Yes
No

Extras

Released

2025
2024

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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