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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 14, 2026

Varmilo VA108M Sakura R1 vs EC Lie

Choose the VA108M Sakura R1 for its range of Cherry MX switch options and Sakura-themed pink-lit keycaps, or the EC Lie for Varmilo electrocapacitive switches, white LEDs, and adjustable feet.

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Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Varmilo VA108M Sakura R1

Build quality in the bottom 15% of 100% boards under $150.

If you want

  • Sakura-themed, dye-sublimated PBT keycaps with pink LED backlighting.
  • Vendor-listed Cherry MX options include Red, Silver, Black, and silent variants.
  • Media controls are placed in the F-row.

Rules this board out

  • Switches are soldered. Swapping them means soldering.

Get the

Varmilo EC Lie

Mac & Windows

Build quality in the bottom 15% of 100% boards under $150.

If you want

  • Varmilo electrocapacitive switches are offered in EC Ivy, Rose, Sakura, and Daisy variants.
  • White LED backlighting and three-stage adjustable flip-out feet.
  • Vendor-listed compatibility includes Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Rules this board out

  • Switches are soldered. Swapping them means soldering.

Bottom line

Get the VA108M Sakura R1 for its Sakura-themed pink-lit keycaps, F-row media controls, and range of listed Cherry MX variants. Get the EC Lie for its Varmilo electrocapacitive switch options, white LEDs, adjustable feet, and stated Windows, Mac, and Linux compatibility. Both require soldering to change switches.

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 VA108M Sakura R1

Varmilo EC Lie

  • Switch options

    Clicky, Linear, Silent, Tactile

    Clicky

  • Backlight

    None

    White

    RGB for looks and low light rather than speed

  • Mac & Windows

    No

    Yes

  • Released

    2026

    2023

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Varmilo VA108M Sakura R1
  • Varmilo EC Lie
Performance
47
46
Build quality
45
44
Productivity
46
45
Customizability
43
50
Portability
40
42

What they share

  • Layout size: 100%
  • Mount style: Plate Mount
  • Keycaps: PBT
See every spec side by side

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

The VA108M Sakura R1 has the clearer gaming and content-creation case for buyers who want its listed Cherry MX variants and dedicated F-row media controls. The EC Lie suits office and programming setups that value its stated operating-system support, adjustable feet, and electrocapacitive switch choices. Neither is presented as a travel-focused option, since both are full-size and wired. Modding is a draw because both require soldering for switch changes.

For gaming

Pick the Varmilo VA108M Sakura R1

  • The VA108M Sakura R1 lists Cherry MX Red, Silver, and Black options among its switch variants.
  • Its vendor description specifies media controls in the F-row.

Full specs

Varmilo VA108M Sakura R1 vs EC Lie specs

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

4 of 13 specs differ

Varmilo VA108M Sakura R1

Varmilo EC Lie

Typing & switches

Switch options

Clicky, Linear, Silent, Tactile
Clicky

Mount style

Plate Mount
Plate Mount

Layout

Layout size

100%
100%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Display

None
None

Media keys

Yes
Yes

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Wired
—

Build & materials

Case material

—
Plastic

Keycaps

PBT
PBT

Backlight

None
White

Firmware & software

Mac & Windows

No
Yes

Extras

Released

2026
2023

Where to buy

Compare prices

Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.

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Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.

FAQ

Varmilo VA108M Sakura R1 vs EC Lie: your questions

The VA108M Sakura R1 has Sakura-themed keycaps, pink LED backlighting, F-row media controls, and listed Cherry MX variants. The EC Lie has white LEDs, adjustable feet, and Varmilo electrocapacitive switch variants.

Yes. Its vendor description specifies pink LED backlighting, while the product listing identifies RGB as absent.

The product listing specifies white LED backlighting, not RGB. The vendor description also calls out white LEDs.

The vendor lists Cherry MX Black, Blue, Red, Silent Red, Silver, Silent Black, Clear, and Brown variants. Availability may vary, so check the specific listing before purchase.

The vendor describes the EC Lie as using Varmilo electrocapacitive switches. It lists EC Ivy V2, EC Rose V2, EC Sakura V2, and EC Daisy V2 variants.

Neither keyboard is listed as hot-swappable. Both have soldered switches, so changing switches requires soldering.

Yes. Both are listed as 100% keyboards, and the vendor descriptions identify each as full-size.

The VA108M Sakura R1 vendor description specifies media controls in the F-row. The EC Lie vendor description says it has no multimedia keys.

The product listing includes Mac/Win support, and the vendor description names both Mac and Windows compatibility. The same vendor description also lists Linux compatibility.

The EC Lie vendor description specifies three-stage adjustable flip-out feet. No comparable adjustable-feet feature is listed for the VA108M Sakura R1.

The VA108M Sakura R1 has listed Cherry MX Silent Red and Silent Black variants. The EC Lie's listed switch variants are Varmilo electrocapacitive types, and the product details do not identify them as silent.

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