Varmilo VPE87 vs VPE87 Summit R1Which TKL Wins?
Choose the standard Varmilo VPE87 if you want silent switch options, or save a little with the Summit R1 if you only need tactile or linear switches.
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Which one should you get?
Get the
Varmilo VPE87
N-key rollover
Build quality in the bottom 45% of 80% boards under $150.
- Offers silent switch options (e.g. Cherry MX Silent Red) for quieter typing.
- Triple mode connectivity with Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and wired USB-C.
- Hotswap sockets with flex cut PCB for easy switch changes.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
Get the
Varmilo VPE87 Summit R1
Build quality in the bottom 45% of 80% boards under $150.
- Triple mode connectivity with Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and wired USB-C.
- Hotswap sockets with flex cut PCB for easy switch changes.
- Double-layer silicone sound absorption for reduced noise.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
For most buyers, the standard Varmilo VPE87 is the better choice because it provides the option of silent switches, making it more versatile for quiet environments. The Summit R1 is essentially the same keyboard with a different colorway and a more limited switch selection, so only choose it if you prefer its blue and white keycaps and do not need silent switches. Both keyboards share the same plastic build, wireless flexibility, and sound dampening, so your final decision should come down to switch preference and aesthetics.
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
Varmilo VPE87 Summit R1
Switch options
Clicky, Linear, Silent, Tactile
Clicky, Linear, Tactile
N-key rollover
Yes
No
- Varmilo VPE87
- Varmilo VPE87 Summit R1
- Performance
- 6955
- Build quality
- 5555
- Productivity
- 7979
- Customizability
- 6465
- Portability
- 7575
- Layout size: 80%
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Case material: Plastic
- Mount style: Plate Mount
- Sound dampening
What will you mostly use it for?
In most use cases, the standard Varmilo VPE87 and the Summit R1 tie due to their identical TKL layout, wireless connectivity, and hotswap capabilities. The standard VPE87 pulls ahead in the Office and Modding categories because it offers silent switch variants, which the Summit R1 does not list. For programming and gaming, the two keyboards offer essentially the same feature set, making switch choice and price the deciding factors.
It's a tie
- Both offer triple mode connectivity for low-latency 2.4 GHz wireless or wired USB-C play.
- Both have N-Key Rollover over USB and white LED backlighting for low-light gaming.
- Both use a standard TKL layout which saves desk space for mouse movement.
Varmilo VPE87 vs VPE87 Summit R1 specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
2 of 18 specs differ
Varmilo VPE87
Varmilo VPE87 Summit R1
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Display
Media keys
Connection
USB-C
Case material
Plate material
Keycaps
Backlight
N-key rollover
Mac & Windows
Released
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Varmilo VPE87 vs VPE87 Summit R1: your questions
The main differences are switch selection and colorway. The standard VPE87 offers tactile, linear, clicky, and silent switch options, while the Summit R1 lists only tactile, linear, and clicky switches. The VPE87 is available in a black case with grey, white, and multi-colored keycaps, while the Summit R1 comes in a black case with blue and white keycaps.
Yes, both keyboards are triple mode and support wired USB-C, Bluetooth, and 2.4 GHz wireless connections. This allows you to use them with multiple devices and switch between connection types easily.
Yes, both the Varmilo VPE87 and the VPE87 Summit R1 feature hotswap sockets. This means you can easily remove and replace switches without soldering, allowing for easy customization of the typing feel.
Both the VPE87 and Summit R1 have white LED backlighting only. They do not feature per-key RGB lighting. The LEDs are north-facing and white.
According to the vendor listing, the VPE87 Summit R1 is available with Cherry MX Red (linear) and Cherry MX Brown (tactile) switches. The standard VPE87 offers a wider range, including silent options like Cherry MX Silent Red.
Yes, both keyboards have Mac support alongside Windows and Linux compatibility. They include a Mac/Win toggle switch on the keyboard for easy switching between operating systems.
Both keyboards use PBT keycaps with dye-sublimated legends. PBT is known for being durable and resistant to shine over time, making it a good choice for heavy typists.
Yes, both are 80% Tenkeyless keyboards with 87 keys. They have a standard ANSI layout, which means they lack a numpad but keep the function row, arrow keys, and navigation cluster.
Yes, both the standard VPE87 and the Summit R1 include double-layer silicone sound absorption inside the keyboard. This helps reduce the hollow ping and echo often found in plastic cases.
Yes, both the Varmilo VPE87 and the VPE87 Summit R1 are pre-built keyboards. They come fully assembled with switches and keycaps installed, so you can use them right out of the box.
No, neither keyboard is compatible with QMK or VIA firmware. This means you cannot remap keys or create custom macros using these popular open-source tools. However, they do support standard operating system shortcuts.
Both keyboards share identical construction with a plastic case, plastic plate, and plate mount design. Their build quality is very similar, though the standard VPE87 slightly edges ahead in the provided data due to a more favorable build quality score relative to its price tier.
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