Varmilo Minilo vs VPE87 Moonlight75% Gasket vs TKL Plate Mount
Choose the Minilo for a compact, gasket-mounted layout with a screen, or the VPE87 for a more traditional TKL form factor with PBT keycaps.
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Which one should you get?
Get the
Varmilo Minilo
75% Gasket
Build quality in the bottom 30% of 75% boards under $150.
- 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.
- No numpad.
Get the
Varmilo VPE87 Moonlight
TKL Plate Mount
Build quality in the bottom 45% of 80% boards under $150.
- 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.
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
- No numpad.
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.
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 Minilo
Varmilo VPE87 Moonlight
Layout size
75%
80%
Case material
ABS, Plastic
Plastic
Mount style
Gasket Mount
Plate Mount
Knob
Yes
No
Display
Yes
None
A case display rather than a typing feature
- Varmilo Minilo
- Varmilo VPE87 Moonlight
- Performance
- 6355
- Build quality
- 5754
- Productivity
- 8379
- Customizability
- 7464
- Portability
- 8175
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Silent, Tactile
- Sound dampening
What will you mostly use it for?
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.
Pick the Varmilo 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.
Varmilo Minilo vs VPE87 Moonlight specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
11 of 22 specs differ
Varmilo Minilo
Varmilo VPE87 Moonlight
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
Display
Media keys
Connection
Battery
USB-C
Case material
Plate material
Keycaps
Weight
Dimensions
Backlight
N-key rollover
Mac & Windows
Released
ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
Varmilo Minilo
Listed on the product, not split by store: ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-FR.
Varmilo VPE87 Moonlight
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
Compare prices
Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.
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Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.
Varmilo Minilo vs VPE87 Moonlight: your questions
The Varmilo Minilo is more compact with its 75% layout, measuring 326mm in width. The VPE87 Moonlight is a tenkeyless (TKL or 80%) keyboard, which will have a larger footprint to accommodate the function row and navigation cluster.
Yes, both the Varmilo Minilo and the VPE87 Moonlight feature hot-swappable sockets. This allows you to easily change the mechanical switches without soldering.
The Minilo uses a gasket mount, where the internal plate is suspended on rubber gaskets for a softer, more cushioned typing feel. The VPE87 Moonlight uses a plate mount, where the switches are fixed to a plate attached directly to the case, resulting in a firmer and more direct feedback.
The VPE87 Moonlight uses dye-sublimated PBT keycaps, which are generally more resistant to wear and shine. The Minilo uses double-shot ABS keycaps, which allow for vibrant backlighting but may develop a shiny surface with prolonged use.
Yes, both keyboards list Mac and Windows support in their specifications. The VPE87 Moonlight's vendor page also explicitly lists Linux compatibility.
The Varmilo Minilo features per-key RGB backlighting. The VPE87 Moonlight only has white LED backlighting, as stated in its product description.
Both keyboards are designed to be quiet. The Minilo uses a gasket mount and sound dampening, while the VPE87 Moonlight specifically mentions double-layer silicone sound absorption. Both are available with silent switch options.
According to its vendor description, the Minilo comes with a box, USB cable, key puller, switch puller, warranty card, dust cover, additional keycaps, a cue card, and a 2.4G adapter.
The product metadata for the VPE87 Moonlight does not list a battery capacity, while the Minilo specifies a 3400mAh battery. Both offer wireless connectivity, so the VPE87 does have a battery, but its capacity is not provided in the given information.
Yes. The Minilo features two-stage kickstands (3°/6°), and the VPE87 Moonlight also has a 2-step kickstand for adjustability, according to their respective descriptions.
The VPE87 Moonlight is better for frequent function key use. It has a dedicated function row in its TKL layout. The Minilo's 75% layout requires using a function layer to access F-keys, and its vendor page notes the function legends are not on the keycaps, requiring a cue card.
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