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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 7, 2026

Varmilo VPE87 Aurora vs VPT87White LED vs RGB Gaming Performance

Choose the VPT87 for its higher wired polling rate and RGB lighting, or the VPE87 Aurora for its simpler white backlighting and potentially lower cost.

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Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Varmilo VPE87 Aurora

White LED

Build quality in the bottom 45% of 80% boards under $150.

If you want

  • Includes double-layer silicone sound absorption for a quieter typing experience.
  • Features a 3-way cord channel for flexible cable routing.
  • Offers a 2-step kickstand for adjustable typing angles.

Rules this board out

  • North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.

Get the

Varmilo VPT87

RGB Gaming Performance

Build quality in the bottom 40% of 80% boards under $150.

If you want

  • Specifies a 1000 Hz polling rate in wired mode for responsive gaming.
  • Features full RGB backlighting with south-facing LEDs.
  • Includes a Flex Cut PCB and an aluminum plate for a more customizable typing feel.

Rules this board out

  • 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.

Bottom line

The Varmilo VPT87 is the more feature-complete keyboard, making it the better choice for gamers and those who want RGB lighting and multimedia controls. If you prefer a simpler aesthetic with white backlighting and the core wireless/hot-swap features are enough, the VPE87 Aurora could be a suitable option, potentially at a slightly lower price point. Base your decision on whether the VPT87's performance-oriented specs justify its cost.

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 VPE87 Aurora

Varmilo VPT87

  • Case material

    Plastic

    ABS

  • Switch options

    Clicky, Linear, Tactile

    Clicky, Linear, Silent, Tactile

  • Plate material

    Plastic

    Aluminum

  • Backlight

    White, north-facing

    RGB, south-facing

    RGB for looks and low light rather than speed

  • N-key rollover

    No

    Yes

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Varmilo VPE87 Aurora
  • Varmilo VPT87
Performance
55
76
Build quality
55
54
Productivity
79
78
Customizability
64
71
Portability
75
74

What they share

  • Layout size: 80%
  • Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
  • Hot-swappable
  • Mount style: Plate Mount
  • Sound dampening
  • Keycaps: PBT
See every spec side by side

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

The Varmilo VPT87 holds clear advantages for gaming and content creation due to its specified polling rate, NKRO, and multimedia keys. For modding, its Flex Cut PCB and aluminum plate offer more potential. The two keyboards are evenly matched for office, programming, and travel use, sharing core features like wireless connectivity, hot-swap capability, and sound dampening. Your primary use case will determine if the VPT87's extra features are worth it.

For gaming

Pick the Varmilo VPT87

  • The VPT87 lists a 1000 Hz wired polling rate, which the VPE87 Aurora's specifications do not mention.
  • The VPT87 includes N-Key Rollover (NKRO) for simultaneous key presses.
  • Both have low-latency 2.4 GHz wireless, but the VPT87 provides specific performance metrics for each mode.

Full specs

Varmilo VPE87 Aurora vs VPT87 specs

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

5 of 19 specs differ

Varmilo VPE87 Aurora

Varmilo VPT87

Typing & switches

Switch options

Clicky, Linear, Tactile
Clicky, Linear, Silent, Tactile

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Plate Mount
Plate Mount

Sound dampening

Yes
Yes

Layout

Layout size

80%
80%

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

USB-C

Yes
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

Plastic
ABS

Plate material

Plastic
Aluminum

Keycaps

PBT
PBT

Backlight

White, north-facing
RGB, south-facing

Firmware & software

N-key rollover

No
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.

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Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.

FAQ

Varmilo VPE87 Aurora vs VPT87: your questions

The primary differences are in lighting and performance specs. The VPT87 features full RGB backlighting and lists a 1000 Hz wired polling rate with N-Key Rollover. The VPE87 Aurora has white LED backlighting, and its listing does not specify a polling rate.

Yes, both the VPE87 Aurora and the VPT87 come with hot-swap sockets. This allows you to change the mechanical switches without soldering, using any compatible MX-style switches.

Yes. Both keyboards offer triple-mode connectivity: wired via USB-C, 2.4 GHz wireless with a dongle, and Bluetooth. This allows you to pair them with multiple devices like computers, tablets, or phones and switch between them.

The VPT87 is likely better for gaming due to its specified 1000 Hz polling rate in wired mode and N-Key Rollover (NKRO). The VPE87 Aurora's gaming performance is less clear as its polling rate is not stated in the provided specifications.

The VPT87 listing includes silent switch options like Cherry MX Silent Red and Kailh Prestige Silent. The VPE87 Aurora listing shows tactile, linear, and clicky switches, but does not specifically list silent variants.

Both keyboards use dye-sublimated PBT keycaps. PBT plastic is more resistant to shine and wear compared to ABS, and dye-sublimation ensures the legends are durable and won't fade easily.

Yes, according to the vendor descriptions, both the VPE87 Aurora and the VPT87 include double-layer silicone sound absorption foam inside the case to reduce typing noise and echo.

The VPT87 has south-facing RGB LEDs. The VPE87 Aurora has north-facing white LEDs. South-facing LEDs avoid interference with the legends on Cherry-profile keycaps.

Yes, both keyboards are listed as compatible with macOS, Windows, and Linux operating systems. The VPT87 description specifically highlights MacOS compatibility.

A Flex Cut PCB has cuts in the circuit board designed to allow more flex, which can change the typing feel. Only the Varmilo VPT87 is listed as having a Flex Cut PCB. The VPE87 Aurora is listed with a standard PCB.

The VPT87 includes preset multimedia keypress combinations. The VPE87 Aurora's vendor listing states it does not have multimedia keys, though the metadata suggests it might.

Neither keyboard is listed as compatible with QMK or VIA, which are popular third-party firmware tools for reprogramming. Any key customization would be limited to any proprietary software Varmilo provides, which is not detailed in the listings.

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