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Varmilo Beijing Opera VEM87 Review | 64 Data compared

Avg. price:~£140Layout size:TKLConnection type:USBSwitch type:?Polling rate:1000 Hz

Varmilo Beijing Opera VEM87 Review: Compare 64 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Keyboards category and whether it is worth buying.

6.4

Overall score

Score
6.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the keyboard's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best keyboards on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 72% of models
Score components

80%

6.1

Technical score

20%

7.6

User score

â–¼Worse than 72% of keyboards
6.1

Technical score

Technical score
6.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Keyboards category across these key areas: Switches, Design, Connectivity & Power, Features, Materials.
When it matters
When you want to compare keyboards based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 73% of models
Score components

34%

6.5

Connectivity & Power

28%

4.0

Switches

20%

9.5

Materials

12%

3.5

Features

6%

7.1

Design

â–¼Worse than 73% of keyboards
7.6

User score

User score
7.6/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the keyboard.
When it matters
When you want to understand how a keyboard performs in daily use or gaming and how reliable it is in terms of typing feel, noise level, comfort, and long-term durability.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 83% of models
Score components

70%

10

User ratings

30%

1.8

Number of reviews

Based on 2 buyer reviews from online shops.
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
â–¼Worse than 83% of keyboards
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Best prices

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Best rankings

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of keyboard Varmilo Beijing Opera VEM87

Technical score
Technical score
6.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Keyboards category across these key areas: Switches, Design, Connectivity & Power, Features, Materials.
When it matters
When you want to compare keyboards based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 73% of models
Score components:

34%

6.5

Connectivity & Power

28%

4.0

Switches

20%

9.5

Materials

12%

3.5

Features

6%

7.1

Design

6.1
User score
User score
7.6/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the keyboard.
When it matters
When you want to understand how a keyboard performs in daily use or gaming and how reliable it is in terms of typing feel, noise level, comfort, and long-term durability.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 83% of models
Score components

70%

10

User ratings

30%

1.8

Number of reviews

Based on 2 buyer reviews from online shops.
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
7.6
Popularity
Popularity
1.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the keyboard.
When it matters
When you prefer a keyboard that has already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 82% of models
Popularity:
Varmilo Beijing Opera VEM87 has a popularity score of 1.8 points, which is lower than that of 79.8% of products in this category.
1.8
Value for money
Value for money
7.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the keyboard's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a keyboard that offers a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 74% of models
Score components:

60%

6.4

Overall score

40%

9.8

Price

7.4
Switch type
?
Switch feel
linear / tactile / clicky
Switch name
Varmilo EC V2
Actuation force
42 g
Min actuation distance
?
Show more
Keyboard type
Capacitive
Layout size
TKL
Layout standard
ANSI
N. of keys
87
N. of keys
87
â–² Better than 45% of models
Market range: <64 – >108
This keyboard has 87 keys, which is more than 44.6% of keyboards and equal to 18% of keyboards.
Profile
standard
Show more
Connection type
USB
Connection type
USB
â–¼ Worse than 58% of models
This keyboard offers USB connectivity, which is less versatile than 57.6% of keyboards and equal to 42.5% of keyboards.
Multi-device pairing
N/A
Bluetooth version
N/A
Mac compatibility
yes
Mac compatibility
yes
â–² Better than 58% of models
This keyboard is Mac compatible. 58% of keyboards are Mac compatible.
Battery life
N/A
Show more
RGB lighting
no
RGB lighting
no
â–¼ Worse than 88% of models
This keyboard does not have RGB lighting. 87.9% of keyboards include RGB lighting.
Per-key RGB
no
Per-key RGB
no
â–¼ Worse than 73% of models
This keyboard does not have per-key RGB. 72.8% of keyboards offer per-key RGB.
RGB zones
0
RGB zones
0
â–¼ Worse than 86% of models
Market range: <0 – >104
This keyboard has 0 RGB zones, which is fewer than 86.3% of keyboards and equal to 13.7% of keyboards.
Underglow / side lighting
no
Underglow / side lighting
no
â–¼ Worse than 8% of models
This keyboard does not include underglow lighting. 8% of keyboards include underglow lighting.
Backlight direction
north-facing
Show more
Case material
plastic
Plate material
steel
Keycap material
PBT
Keycap profile
OEM
Legend method
dye-sub
Legend method
dye-sub
â–¼ Worse than 75% of models
This keyboard uses dye-sub legends, which are less durable than 75.1% of keyboards and equal to 10.9% of keyboards.
Show more

Varmilo Beijing Opera VEM87 vs the average keyboard

246810TotalDesignConnectivity & PowerSwitchesMaterialsFeatures
  • Works with Mac
    Mac compatibility
    yes
    â–² Better than 58% of models
    This keyboard is Mac compatible, the average keyboard is not. 42.3% of keyboards are Mac compatible.
  • 0.4 mm shorter key travel
    Total travel distance
    3.6 mm
    â–² Better than 64% of models
    Market range: <3.2 mm – >4 mm
    This keyboard has 3.6 mm of total travel, while the average keyboard has 4 mm.
    3.6 mm vs 4 mm
  • Works with Mac
    Mac compatibility
    yes
    â–² Better than 58% of models
    This keyboard is Mac compatible, the average keyboard is not. 42.3% of keyboards are Mac compatible.
  • 0.4 mm shorter key travel
    Total travel distance
    3.6 mm
    â–² Better than 64% of models
    Market range: <3.2 mm – >4 mm
    This keyboard has 3.6 mm of total travel, while the average keyboard has 4 mm.
    3.6 mm vs 4 mm
  • Less versatile connectivity
    Connection type
    USB
    â–¼ Worse than 58% of models
    This keyboard offers less versatile connectivity than the average keyboard (USB vs USB / 2.4GHz / Bluetooth). The average keyboard offers USB / 2.4GHz / Bluetooth connectivity.
    USB vs USB / 2.4GHz / Bluetooth
  • No hot-swap support
    Hot-swappable switches
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 65% of models
    This keyboard does not support hot-swappable switches, the average keyboard does. 64.7% of keyboards support hot-swappable switches.
  • Less durable legends
    Legend method
    dye-sub
    â–¼ Worse than 75% of models
    This keyboard uses dye-sub legends, while the average keyboard uses double-shot.
    dye-sub vs double-shot
  • No per-key RGB lighting
    Per-key RGB
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 73% of models
    This keyboard does not have per-key RGB, the average keyboard does. 72.5% of keyboards offer per-key RGB.
  • 83 fewer RGB zones
    RGB zones
    0
    â–¼ Worse than 86% of models
    Market range: <0 – >104
    This keyboard has fewer RGB zones than the average keyboard (0 vs 83). The average keyboard has 83 RGB zones.
    0 vs 83
  • No onboard memory
    Onboard memory
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 86% of models
    This keyboard does not include onboard memory, the average keyboard does. 85.6% of keyboards include onboard memory.
  • No RGB lighting
    RGB lighting
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 88% of models
    This keyboard does not have RGB lighting, the average keyboard does. 87.7% of keyboards feature RGB lighting.
  • 3.35x less popular
    Varmilo Beijing Opera VEM87 is less popular than the average keyboard (1.84 vs 6.2).
    1.84 vs 6.15
  • 3.35x less popular
    Varmilo Beijing Opera VEM87 is less popular than the average keyboard (1.84 vs 6.2).
    1.84 vs 6.15
  • 6% lower user score
    User score
    7.6/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the keyboard.
    When it matters
    When you want to understand how a keyboard performs in daily use or gaming and how reliable it is in terms of typing feel, noise level, comfort, and long-term durability.
    Score distribution
    ▼▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Varmilo Beijing Opera VEM87
    the average keyboard
    Varmilo Beijing Opera VEM87 has a lower user score than the average keyboard (7.55 vs 8.000).
    7.55 vs 8
  • 6.1% worse value for money
    Varmilo Beijing Opera VEM87 has worse value for money than the average keyboard (7.39 vs 7.8).
    7.39 vs 7.84
  • Less versatile connectivity
    Connection type
    USB
    â–¼ Worse than 58% of models
    This keyboard offers less versatile connectivity than the average keyboard (USB vs USB / 2.4GHz / Bluetooth). The average keyboard offers USB / 2.4GHz / Bluetooth connectivity.
    USB vs USB / 2.4GHz / Bluetooth
  • No hot-swap support
    Hot-swappable switches
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 65% of models
    This keyboard does not support hot-swappable switches, the average keyboard does. 64.7% of keyboards support hot-swappable switches.
  • Less durable legends
    Legend method
    dye-sub
    â–¼ Worse than 75% of models
    This keyboard uses dye-sub legends, while the average keyboard uses double-shot.
    dye-sub vs double-shot
  • No per-key RGB lighting
    Per-key RGB
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 73% of models
    This keyboard does not have per-key RGB, the average keyboard does. 72.5% of keyboards offer per-key RGB.
  • No onboard memory
    Onboard memory
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 86% of models
    This keyboard does not include onboard memory, the average keyboard does. 85.6% of keyboards include onboard memory.
  • 83 fewer RGB zones
    RGB zones
    0
    â–¼ Worse than 86% of models
    Market range: <0 – >104
    This keyboard has fewer RGB zones than the average keyboard (0 vs 83). The average keyboard has 83 RGB zones.
    0 vs 83
  • No RGB lighting
    RGB lighting
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 88% of models
    This keyboard does not have RGB lighting, the average keyboard does. 87.7% of keyboards feature RGB lighting.

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

T
techpowerup.com
08/02/2021
Summary of the review
Varmilo MA87M Beijing Opera Review - A Celebration of Chinese Culture

Third-party reviews

Based on 2 buyer reviews from online shops.
Reviews last updated: June 2026 · How we calculate this
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →

What we like about Varmilo Beijing Opera VEM87

  • Stunning Beijing Opera aesthetic with detailed artwork on the space bar and case
  • High-quality PBT dye-sublimated keycaps with a nice texture that resists shine
  • Excellent build quality that feels heavy, sturdy, and durable (built like a tank)
  • Exceptionally smooth Varmilo EC V2 switches (Sakura/Rose/Daisy) that outperform standard mechanical switches
  • Lubed stabilizers that are quiet and rattle-free straight out of the box
  • Useful cable management with three-way routing channels on the underside
  • Premium unboxing experience and high-quality artistic packaging

What we don't like about Varmilo Beijing Opera VEM87

  • Lack of customisation software or onboard macro reprogrammability
  • Still uses a mini-USB connector instead of the more modern USB-C
  • Possible 'spring ping' or metallic echoing noise on certain keys in quiet environments
  • Stock keycaps are not compatible with backlighting (only the indicators shine through)
  • Limited ergonomics as it lacks a dedicated wrist rest
  • The artistic ancient 'Bronze Script' legends can be confusing for some users to read
  • Partial compatibility with Mac OS (shortcut keys often do not work)

Verdict

The Varmilo Beijing Opera VEM87 is a premium TKL mechanical keyboard featuring high-quality 1.3mm PBT dye-sublimated keycaps and a refined aesthetic inspired by Chinese cultural heritage. It utilizes Varmilo’s proprietary EC (Electrostatic Capacitive) V2 switches, which offer a frictionless, contact-free typing experience and exceptional durability. Main pros include its rock-solid build quality, vibrant themed artwork, and pre-lubricated stabilizers that ensure smooth performance. However, notable cons include the lack of modern wireless connectivity (standard wired-only), a non-detachable mini-USB cable on some older revisions, and the absence of hotswap PCB sockets.

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