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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 10, 2026

Varmilo APT108 vs APT108 Sea Melody

Choose the Sea Melody for its explicitly listed VIA support, or the APT108 if you want an aluminum plate option and listed clicky or silent switch types.

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Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Varmilo APT108

Build quality in the top 35% of 100% boards under $200.

If you want

  • Aluminum plate is listed as an option alongside plastic.
  • Switch types include tactile, linear, silent, and clicky.
  • Vendor description specifies double-layer silicone sound absorption and thick dye-sub PBT keycaps.

Rules this board out

  • Magnetic switches only. Standard MX switches will not fit.
  • North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.

Get the

Varmilo APT108 Sea Melody

VIA

Build quality in the top 30% of 100% boards under $200.

If you want

  • VIA compatibility is explicitly listed, alongside programming through Varmilo's web application.
  • Hot-swap support, N-Key Rollover, multimedia keys, and RGB are listed.
  • Offers Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and USB-C wired connections.

Rules this board out

  • Magnetic switches only. Standard MX switches will not fit.
  • North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.

Bottom line

Choose the Varmilo APT108 Sea Melody if VIA support is central to how you want to customize the keyboard. Pick the APT108 if an aluminum plate option or the listed silent and clicky switch types matter more. Both provide the same broad full-size, wireless, RGB, and hot-swap foundation, so base the choice on those specific differences and your preferred colorway.

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.

Varmilo APT108

Varmilo APT108 Sea Melody

  • Switch options

    Clicky, Linear, Silent, Tactile

    Linear, Tactile

  • VIA

    No

    Yes

    GUI remapping without compiling firmware

  • Plate material

    Aluminum, Plastic

    Plastic

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Varmilo APT108
  • Varmilo APT108 Sea Melody
Performance
83
84
Build quality
60
64
Productivity
78
85
Customizability
80
80
Portability
54
53

What they share

  • Layout size: 100%
  • Hall effect (magnetic)
  • Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
  • Hot-swappable
  • Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
  • Case material: ABS
See every spec side by side

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

The two keyboards are closely matched for gaming, office use, and travel based on their shared layout, connection choices, multimedia features, and sound absorption. Sea Melody has a clearer advantage for buyers who specifically want VIA support, making it the more straightforward programming and content-creation pick. The APT108 stands out for its listed aluminum plate option and its silent and clicky switch categories. Neither product has a documented size or weight advantage for travel.

For gaming

It's a tie

  • Both list a 1000 Hz polling rate, and the vendor descriptions specify that this applies to wired use.
  • Both support Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and wired USB-C connections.
  • Both list N-Key Rollover and hot-swappable switches.

Full specs

Varmilo APT108 vs APT108 Sea Melody specs

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

3 of 21 specs differ

Varmilo APT108

Varmilo APT108 Sea Melody

Typing & switches

Switch options

Clicky, Linear, Silent, Tactile
Linear, Tactile

Hall effect (magnetic)

Yes
Yes

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Plate Mount
Plate Mount

Sound dampening

Yes
Yes

Layout

Layout size

100%
100%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Display

None
None

Media keys

Yes
Yes

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired

Max polling rate

1,000 Hz
1,000 Hz

USB-C

Yes
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

ABS
ABS

Plate material

Aluminum, Plastic
Plastic

Keycaps

PBT
PBT

Backlight

RGB, north-facing
RGB, north-facing

Firmware & software

VIA

No
Yes

N-key rollover

Yes
Yes

Mac & Windows

Yes
Yes

Extras

Released

2024
2024

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.

FAQ

Varmilo APT108 vs APT108 Sea Melody: your questions

The Sea Melody explicitly lists VIA support, while the APT108 vendor description names programming through Varmilo's Web Driver. The APT108 lists aluminum or plastic plate materials and silent and clicky switch types, while the Sea Melody lists a plastic plate and tactile or linear types.

Yes, the Sea Melody vendor listing explicitly marks VIA compatibility. It also describes programming through Varmilo's web application.

VIA compatibility is not listed for the regular APT108. Its vendor description says it is programmable through Varmilo's Web Driver.

Yes, both product listings identify hot-swap support, and both vendor descriptions specify a hot-swap PCB. This allows switches to be changed without treating either keyboard as a barebones kit.

The APT108 metadata lists aluminum and plastic plate materials, and its vendor description identifies an aluminum plate. The Sea Melody lists a plastic plate.

The APT108 metadata lists tactile, linear, silent, and clicky switch types. The Sea Melody metadata lists tactile and linear, although its vendor listing names several specific switch models.

Yes, both list Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and wired connectivity. Their vendor descriptions specify USB-C for wired connection and Bluetooth 5.1 and 2.4 GHz wireless.

Both product metadata entries list a 1000 Hz polling rate. The vendor descriptions clarify that polling varies by connection mode, 1000 Hz wired, 133 Hz Bluetooth, and 250 Hz over 2.4 GHz.

Yes, both are listed as 100% ANSI keyboards. The vendor descriptions call each a full-size 104 + 4 layout with 108 keys.

Both listings specify PBT keycaps. Their vendor descriptions identify thick dye-sub PBT keycaps.

Both list RGB backlighting and sound dampening. The vendor descriptions specify double-layer silicone sound absorption for each model.

The Sea Melody vendor listing identifies the keyboard as blue with white and blue keycap colors. The APT108 vendor listing identifies a black keyboard with white, grey, and multicolored keycaps.

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