Varmilo Minilo vs VPE87 Moonlight: 75% Gasket vs TKL Plate Mount

Compare Varmilo Minilo vs VPE87 Moonlight Differences Side by Side

This comparison is for buyers deciding between Varmilo's compact and traditional wireless offerings. The Minilo offers a modern 75% layout with a gasket mount and a small screen, while the VPE87 Moonlight is a tenkeyless (TKL) board with a plate mount and PBT keycaps. The decision hinges on preferred size, typing feel, and specific feature priorities like keycap material and layout ergonomics.

Model
Rating	0.0 stars (0 reviews)	0.0 stars (0 reviews)
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Main differences	Released in 2022 Has Silent, Clicky, Tactile, Linear switch options Available in a 75% layout Built with the ANSI, ISO-UK, ISO-DE, ISO-FR, ISO-Nordic, ISO layout standard Comes with a knob Includes a Yes display Features N-key rollover Uses a Gasket Mount mounting style Supports Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless, connectivity Equipped with a 3400 mAh battery Weighs about 1510 g Sized at 37 x 326 x 144 mm Made with a Plastic, ABS case Features ABS keycaps Offers Yes, Rgb RGB lighting	Released in 2024 Has Tactile, Linear, Clicky, Silent switch options Available in a 80% layout Built with the ANSI layout standard Includes a No display Provides dedicated media keys Uses a Plate Mount mounting style Supports Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless connectivity Made with a Plastic case Features PBT keycaps Offers Yes, White RGB lighting
Score	Scores Performance: 63.1 Build Quality: 57.6 Productivity: 83.3 Customizability: 74.4 Portability: 81.3	Scores Performance: 55.3 Build Quality: 55.1 Productivity: 78.8 Customizability: 64.8 Portability: 74.7
Name	Name Varmilo Minilo	Name Varmilo VPE87 Moonlight
Release year	Release year 2022	Release year 2024
Switch Options	Switch Options Silent, Clicky, Tactile, Linear	Switch Options Tactile, Linear, Clicky, Silent
Profile	Profile Normal Profile	Profile Normal Profile
Hot Swappable	Hot Swappable	Hot Swappable
Layout Size	Layout Size 75%	Layout Size 80%
Layout Standard	Layout Standard ANSI, ISO-UK, ISO-DE, ISO-FR, ISO-Nordic, ISO	Layout Standard ANSI
Layout Ergonomics	Layout Ergonomics Normal	Layout Ergonomics Normal
Knob Support	Knob Support	Knob Support
Display Support	Display Support	Display Support
Mac/Win Support	Mac/Win Support	Mac/Win Support
Multi-Media Keys	Multi-Media Keys	Multi-Media Keys
USB-C	USB-C	USB-C
USB passthrough	USB passthrough	USB passthrough
Connection	Connection Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless,	Connection Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless
Polling Rate	Polling Rate -	Polling Rate -
Battery capacity	Battery capacity 3400 mAh	Battery capacity -
Hall Effect Support	Hall Effect Support	Hall Effect Support
QMK Support	QMK Support	QMK Support
VIA Support	VIA Support	VIA Support
VIAL Support	VIAL Support	VIAL Support
N-Key Rollover	N-Key Rollover	N-Key Rollover
Rapid Trigger	Rapid Trigger	Rapid Trigger
Mount Style	Mount Style Gasket Mount	Mount Style Plate Mount
Screw in Stabilizers	Screw in Stabilizers	Screw in Stabilizers
Sound Dampening	Sound Dampening	Sound Dampening
Backlight	Backlight Rgb	Backlight White
Case Colors	Case Colors	Case Colors
Case Material	Case Material Plastic, ABS	Case Material Plastic
Keycaps Material	Keycaps Material ABS	Keycaps Material PBT
Dimensions	Dimensions 37 x 326 x 144 mm	Dimensions -
Weight	Weight 1510g	Weight -

Varmilo VPE87 Moonlight TKL Hotswap Triple Mode White LED Mechanical Keyboard

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0.0 stars (0 reviews)

Released in 2022
Has Silent, Clicky, Tactile, Linear switch options
Available in a 75% layout
Built with the ANSI, ISO-UK, ISO-DE, ISO-FR, ISO-Nordic, ISO layout standard
Comes with a knob
Includes a Yes display
Features N-key rollover
Uses a Gasket Mount mounting style
Supports Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless, connectivity
Equipped with a 3400 mAh battery
Weighs about 1510 g
Sized at 37 x 326 x 144 mm
Made with a Plastic, ABS case
Features ABS keycaps
Offers Yes, Rgb RGB lighting

Released in 2024
Has Tactile, Linear, Clicky, Silent switch options
Available in a 80% layout
Built with the ANSI layout standard
Includes a No display
Provides dedicated media keys
Uses a Plate Mount mounting style
Supports Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless connectivity
Made with a Plastic case
Features PBT keycaps
Offers Yes, White RGB lighting

Scores

Performance: 63.1
Build Quality: 57.6
Productivity: 83.3
Customizability: 74.4
Portability: 81.3

Scores

Performance: 55.3
Build Quality: 55.1
Productivity: 78.8
Customizability: 64.8
Portability: 74.7

Name

Varmilo Minilo

Name

Varmilo VPE87 Moonlight

Release year

2022

Release year

2024

Switch Options

Silent, Clicky, Tactile, Linear

Switch Options

Tactile, Linear, Clicky, Silent

Profile

Normal Profile

Profile

Normal Profile

Hot Swappable

Layout Size

75%

Layout Size

80%

Layout Standard

ANSI, ISO-UK, ISO-DE, ISO-FR, ISO-Nordic, ISO

Layout Standard

ANSI

Layout Ergonomics

Normal

Layout Ergonomics

Normal

Knob Support

Display Support

Mac/Win Support

Multi-Media Keys

USB-C

USB passthrough

Connection

Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless,

Connection

Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless

Polling Rate

Battery capacity

3400 mAh

Battery capacity

Hall Effect Support

QMK Support

VIA Support

VIAL Support

N-Key Rollover

Rapid Trigger

Mount Style

Gasket Mount

Mount Style

Plate Mount

Screw in Stabilizers

Sound Dampening

Backlight

Rgb

Backlight

White

Case Colors

Case Material

Plastic, ABS

Case Material

Plastic

Keycaps Material

ABS

Keycaps Material

PBT

Dimensions

37 x 326 x 144 mm

Dimensions

Weight

1510g

Weight

Pros and Trade-offs

Your choice depends on layout preference and desired typing experience. Opt for the Varmilo Minilo if you want a modern, compact keyboard with a softer gasket-mounted feel, RGB, and a screen. Choose the VPE87 Moonlight if you prefer a traditional TKL layout with proven PBT keycaps and a straightforward plate-mounted construction. Both are capable wireless boards from the same brand.

Varmilo Minilo

+Gasket mount design for a softer, cushioned typing feel.
+Compact 75% layout saves desk space while keeping arrow keys.
+Includes a small screen and per-key RGB backlighting.
+Comes with accessories like a dust cover, cue card, and switch puller.
+Offers multiple international ISO layout options (UK, DE, FR, Nordic).

−Uses ABS double-shot keycaps, which may develop shine over time.
−Function keys are not side-printed, requiring reference to a cue card.
−Heavier weight (1510g) for its size.

Varmilo VPE87 Moonlight

+Uses dye-sublimated PBT keycaps for better durability and texture.
+Traditional TKL (80%) layout retains the function row and navigation cluster.
+Features a 3-way cord channel for cable management flexibility.
+Includes double-layer silicone sound absorption pads.
+Linux compatibility is explicitly listed in its vendor specifications.

−Uses a standard plate mount instead of a gasket mount.
−Only offers white LED backlighting, not RGB.
−Only available in ANSI layout, with no ISO options listed.
−No screen or physical mode switch mentioned.

Which Keyboard Is Better for Your Needs?

The Varmilo Minilo wins for travel and modding due to its smaller size, gasket mount, and included accessories. The VPE87 Moonlight is better suited for programming with its full TKL layout and durable PBT keycaps. For gaming and content creation, the Minilo's space-saving design and RGB give it an edge, while office use is a tie given both are quiet, wireless boards.

GamingVarmilo Minilo

•The Minilo's 75% layout saves desk space for larger mouse movements.
•It includes a physical mode switch for quickly changing connection types, as noted in its vendor description.
•Both offer N-key rollover and similar wireless connectivity.

OfficeTie

•Both keyboards offer triple-mode connectivity (wired, Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz) for flexible device switching.
•Both list sound dampening features, with the Minilo using a gasket mount and the VPE87 using double-layer silicone absorption.
•The VPE87's TKL layout may be more familiar, while the Minilo's compact size saves space.

ProgrammingVarmilo VPE87 Moonlight

•The VPE87 Moonlight's TKL (80%) layout retains the function row and navigation cluster, which are often used in IDEs.
•It uses dye-sublimated PBT keycaps, which are generally more durable against shine from frequent use.
•The Minilo's 75% layout requires using function layers for some keys, which may involve a cue card for reference.

TravelVarmilo Minilo

•The Minilo has a smaller 75% footprint (326mm wide) compared to the VPE87's TKL size.
•It includes a dust cover in the box, according to its vendor description, offering protection during transport.
•Both are wireless, but the Minilo's more compact form is easier to pack.

ModdingVarmilo Minilo

•The Minilo uses a gasket mount, which typically offers a softer, more customizable typing feel than the VPE87's plate mount.
•It features a hot-swappable PCB and includes both a key puller and switch puller in the box.
•The Minilo's vendor description mentions it supports knob support, adding another potential customization avenue.

Content CreationVarmilo Minilo

•The Minilo features per-key RGB backlighting, offering more lighting customization than the VPE87's white LED backlight.
•Its compact layout frees up valuable desk space for graphics tablets or other peripherals.
•The inclusion of a small screen, as listed in its specs, can be useful for displaying system info or custom graphics.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)