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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 11, 2026

Pulsar Xboard QS vs Varmilo Sword V2 87 Sakura R2

Get the Pulsar Xboard QS for hot-swappable and knob.

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Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Pulsar Xboard QS

Hot-swappable

Build quality in the top 25% of 80% boards under $300.

Rules this board out

  • South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
$290 at MK

Get the

Varmilo Sword V2 87 Sakura R2

Build quality in the bottom 35% of 80% boards at any price.

Rules this board out

  • Switches are soldered. Swapping them means soldering.
$320 at MK

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 Xboard QS

Varmilo Sword V2 87 Sakura R2

  • Hot-swappable

    Yes

    No

    Switch changes without soldering

  • Knob

    Yes

    No

  • QMK

    Yes

    No

    The deep option when you want to remap every key

  • VIA

    Yes

    No

    GUI remapping without compiling firmware

  • Plate material

    Plastic

    Aluminum

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Pulsar Xboard QS
  • Varmilo Sword V2 87 Sakura R2
Performance
74
52
Build quality
72
52
Productivity
87
48
Customizability
88
53
Portability
60
52

What they share

  • Layout size: 80%
  • Case material: Aluminum
  • Mount style: Plate Mount
  • Keycaps: PBT
See every spec side by side

Full specs

Pulsar Xboard QS vs Varmilo Sword V2 87 Sakura R2 specs

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

10 of 20 specs differ

Pulsar Xboard QS

Varmilo Sword V2 87 Sakura R2

Typing & switches

Switch options

—
Clicky

Hot-swappable

Yes
No

Mount style

Plate Mount
Plate Mount

Layout

Layout size

80%
80%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Knob

Yes
No

Display

None
None

Media keys

No
Yes

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Wired
—

USB passthrough

Yes
No

USB-C

Yes
No

Build & materials

Case material

Aluminum
Aluminum

Plate material

Plastic
Aluminum

Keycaps

PBT
PBT

Backlight

RGB, south-facing
White

Firmware & software

QMK

Yes
No

VIA

Yes
No

Mac & Windows

Yes
Yes

Extras

Released

2024
2023

Where to buy

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.

Pulsar Xboard QS2 stores
Varmilo Sword V2 87 Sakura R22 stores

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