Varmilo Sword68 vs Sword68 ArielGasket Mount vs Plate Mount Comparison
Choose the Sword68 for a gasket-mounted typing feel and more plate options, or the Ariel for a consistent plate-mounted build with a specific aesthetic.
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Which one should you get?
Get the
Varmilo Sword68
Gasket Mount
Build quality in the bottom 35% of 65% boards under $300.
- Features a gasket mount design for a potentially more flexible typing feel.
- Offers a choice between FR4 and polycarbonate plate materials.
- Includes sound-dampening features as part of its construction.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
Get the
Varmilo Sword68 Ariel
Plate Mount Comparison
Build quality in the bottom 50% of 65% boards under $200.
- Specifically noted to include premium acoustic foam layers like IXPE, PET, and Poron.
- Plate mount design can offer a more consistent and rigid typing feel.
- The Ariel design features a specific aesthetic with UV-printed aluminum or glass plate weight options.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
Your choice hinges on the desired typing experience. Opt for the Varmilo Sword68 if you value the potential for a softer, more cushioned feel from its gasket mount and want the option to choose between different plate materials. The Sword68 Ariel is the better pick if you prefer the straightforward rigidity of a plate-mounted board and are drawn to its specific sea-themed design and documented foam insulation layers. Both are otherwise excellent, fully-featured wireless keyboards.
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.
Varmilo Sword68
Varmilo Sword68 Ariel
Mount style
Gasket Mount, Plate Mount
Plate Mount
Plate material
FR4, Polycarbonate
FR4
Keycaps
ABS, PBT
PBT
Released
2023
2024
- Varmilo Sword68
- Varmilo Sword68 Ariel
- Performance
- 4857
- Build quality
- 5663
- Productivity
- 7469
- Customizability
- 6361
- Portability
- 9189
- Layout size: 65%
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Battery: 4,000 mAh
- Case material: Aluminum
- Sound dampening
What will you mostly use it for?
The keyboards are tied in most practical scenarios due to their shared core features like wireless connectivity, hot-swap sockets, and compact layout. The primary differentiator is in the modding category, where the standard Sword68's gasket mount and dual plate options provide more avenues for customization. For gaming, office work, programming, travel, and content creation, either model will perform similarly based on the provided specifications.
It's a tie
- Both offer tri-mode connectivity with 2.4 GHz for low-latency wireless.
- Both have a 65% layout that saves desk space for mouse movement.
- Both feature south-facing RGB LEDs to avoid interference with Cherry-profile keycaps.
Varmilo Sword68 vs Sword68 Ariel specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
4 of 20 specs differ
Varmilo Sword68
Varmilo Sword68 Ariel
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Display
Connection
Battery
USB-C
Case material
Plate material
Keycaps
Weight
Dimensions
Typing angle
Backlight
Mac & Windows
Released
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Varmilo Sword68 vs Sword68 Ariel: your questions
The main difference is the mounting style. The standard Sword68 is listed with a gasket mount, while the Ariel variant uses a plate mount. The Ariel also has a specific color theme and its vendor description details specific acoustic foam layers like IXPE, PET, and Poron.
Yes, both the Varmilo Sword68 and the Sword68 Ariel feature hot-swappable sockets. The manufacturer states they support both 3-pin and 5-pin switches, allowing for easy switch replacement without soldering.
Both keyboards offer tri-mode connectivity. You can use them with a wired USB-C connection, a 2.4 GHz wireless dongle for low latency, or Bluetooth 5.0 for pairing with multiple devices.
According to Varmilo's product page, the Ariel variant originally used JDA profile keycaps but has been updated to use Cherry profile keycaps. The keycaps are made from five-sided dye-sublimated PBT.
Both models are equipped with a 4000mAh rechargeable battery. The manufacturer does not provide an estimated hours of use, but a battery of this capacity is considered large for a wireless mechanical keyboard and should offer extended usage between charges.
Yes, Varmilo provides custom software for these keyboards. The vendor description for the Sword68 states the driver can be used to customize key combinations, backlight effects, and create macros.
Yes, both the Varmilo Sword68 and Sword68 Ariel are listed as compatible with Windows and Mac operating systems. The extra features in the metadata explicitly include Mac/Win support.
Both keyboards feature a full CNC-machined case. The manufacturer specifies the use of 6063 aluminum, finished with anodization or electrophoresis for a premium, sturdy feel.
Both models feature RGB backlighting with south-facing LEDs. South-facing LEDs are beneficial as they prevent interference with the legends on Cherry-profile keycaps, allowing for wider keycap compatibility.
Based on the manufacturer's description, the package includes the keyboard, a manual, a dust cover, a key/switch puller, a 2.4G adapter, and a USB-C cable.
Varmilo's product page notes that the Ariel's plate weight has been upgraded. It was originally a UV-printed aluminum plate weight but is now a mirror tempered glass plate weight in the new version.
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