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Varmilo Cmyk VEM87 Review | 64 Data compared

Avg. price:~£160Layout size:TKLConnection type:USB / 2.4GHz / BluetoothSwitch type:mechanicalPolling rate:1000 Hz

Varmilo Cmyk 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.

Varmilo Cmyk VEM87
5.8/10

Overall score

Score
5.8/ 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 89% of models
Score components

80%

6.0

Technical score

20%

4.9

User score

â–¼Worse than 89% of keyboards
7.0

Value for money

Value for money
7.0/ 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 89% of models
Score components

70%

5.8

Overall score

30%

9.7

Price

â–¼Worse than 89%
6.0

Technical score

Technical score
6.0/ 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 75% of models
Score components

34%

7.1

Connectivity & Power

28%

3.0

Switches

20%

9.5

Materials

12%

3.5

Features

6%

7.2

Design

â–¼Worse than 75%
4.9

User score

User score
4.9/ 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 99% of models
Score components

70%

6.0

User ratings

30%

2.3

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
â–¼Worse than 99%
  • varmilo-cmyk-vem87
varmilo-cmyk-vem87
Where to buy
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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 Cmyk VEM87

Technical score
Technical score
6.0/ 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 75% of models
Score components:

34%

7.1

Connectivity & Power

28%

3.0

Switches

20%

9.5

Materials

12%

3.5

Features

6%

7.2

Design

6.0
User score
User score
4.9/ 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 99% of models
Score components

70%

6.0

User ratings

30%

2.3

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
4.9
Popularity
Popularity
2.3/ 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 80% of models
Popularity:
Varmilo Cmyk VEM87 has a popularity score of 2.3 points, which is lower than that of 79% of products in this category.
2.3
Value for money
Value for money
7.0/ 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 89% of models
Score components:

70%

5.8

Overall score

30%

9.7

Price

7.0
Switch type
mechanical
Switch feel
linear / tactile / clicky
Switch name
Cherry MX
Actuation force
42 g
Min actuation distance
1.8 mm
Market range: <0.1 mm – >2 mm
This keyboard has a minimum actuation distance of 1.8 mm, which is longer than 53.2% of keyboards and equal to 9.4% of keyboards.
Show more
Keyboard type
?
Layout size
TKL
Layout standard
ANSI
N. of keys
87
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 / 2.4GHz / Bluetooth
This keyboard offers USB / 2.4GHz / Bluetooth connectivity, which is more versatile than 57.3% of keyboards and equal to 42.7% of keyboards.
Multi-device pairing
no
This keyboard does not support multi-device pairing. 96% of keyboards support multi-device pairing.
Bluetooth version
?
Mac compatibility
no
This keyboard is not Mac compatible. 42.4% of keyboards work with Mac.
Battery life
N/A
Show more
RGB lighting
no
This keyboard does not have RGB lighting. 87.9% of keyboards include RGB lighting.
Per-key RGB
no
This keyboard does not have per-key RGB. 72.8% of keyboards offer per-key RGB.
RGB zones
0
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
This keyboard does not include underglow lighting. 8% of keyboards include underglow lighting.
Backlight direction
north-facing
Show more
Case material
plastic
Plate material
polycarbonate
Keycap material
PBT
Keycap profile
OEM
Legend method
dye-sub
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 Cmyk VEM87 vs the average keyboard

246810TotalDesignConnectivity & PowerSwitchesMaterialsFeatures
  • 0.4 mm shorter key travel
    This keyboard has 3.6 mm of total travel, while the average keyboard has 4 mm.
    3.6 mm vs 4 mm
  • 0.2 mm shorter actuation distance
    This keyboard has a longer maximum actuation distance than the average keyboard (1.8 mm vs 2 mm). The average keyboard has a maximum actuation distance of 2 mm.
    1.8 mm vs 2 mm
  • 0.4 mm shorter key travel
    This keyboard has 3.6 mm of total travel, while the average keyboard has 4 mm.
    3.6 mm vs 4 mm
  • 0.2 mm shorter actuation distance
    This keyboard has a longer maximum actuation distance than the average keyboard (1.8 mm vs 2 mm). The average keyboard has a maximum actuation distance of 2 mm.
    1.8 mm vs 2 mm
  • No hot-swap support
    This keyboard does not support hot-swappable switches, the average keyboard does. 64.7% of keyboards support hot-swappable switches.
  • No multi-device pairing
    This keyboard does not support multi-device pairing, the average keyboard does. 95.5% of keyboards support multi-device pairing.
  • Less durable legends
    This keyboard uses dye-sub legends, while the average keyboard uses double-shot.
    dye-sub vs double-shot
  • No per-key RGB lighting
    This keyboard does not have per-key RGB, the average keyboard does. 72.5% of keyboards offer per-key RGB.
  • 83 fewer RGB zones
    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
    This keyboard does not include onboard memory, the average keyboard does. 85.6% of keyboards include onboard memory.
  • No RGB lighting
    This keyboard does not have RGB lighting, the average keyboard does. 87.7% of keyboards feature RGB lighting.
  • 63.4% lower user score
    User score
    4.9/ 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
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Varmilo Cmyk VEM87
    the average keyboard
    Varmilo Cmyk VEM87 has a lower user score than the average keyboard (4.9 vs 8).
    4.9 vs 8
  • 63.4% lower user score
    User score
    4.9/ 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
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Varmilo Cmyk VEM87
    the average keyboard
    Varmilo Cmyk VEM87 has a lower user score than the average keyboard (4.9 vs 8).
    4.9 vs 8
  • 12.7% worse value for money
    Varmilo Cmyk VEM87 has worse value for money than the average keyboard (6.95 vs 7.8).
    6.95 vs 7.84
  • 2.65x less popular
    Varmilo Cmyk VEM87 is less popular than the average keyboard (2.32 vs 6.2).
    2.32 vs 6.15
  • 23.1% more expensive
    Varmilo Cmyk VEM87 is more expensive than the average keyboard (£160 vs £130).
    £160 vs £130
  • No multi-device pairing
    This keyboard does not support multi-device pairing, the average keyboard does. 95.5% of keyboards support multi-device pairing.
  • No hot-swap support
    This keyboard does not support hot-swappable switches, the average keyboard does. 64.7% of keyboards support hot-swappable switches.
  • 0.1 mm longer minimum actuation distance
    This keyboard has a longer minimum actuation distance than the average keyboard (1.8 mm vs 1.7 mm). The average keyboard has a minimum actuation distance of 1.7 mm.
    1.8 mm vs 1.7 mm
  • Less durable legends
    This keyboard uses dye-sub legends, while the average keyboard uses double-shot.
    dye-sub vs double-shot
  • No per-key RGB lighting
    This keyboard does not have per-key RGB, the average keyboard does. 72.5% of keyboards offer per-key RGB.
  • No onboard memory
    This keyboard does not include onboard memory, the average keyboard does. 85.6% of keyboards include onboard memory.
  • 83 fewer RGB zones
    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
    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

L
latestintech.com
04/07/2022
Summary of the review
Varmilo VEM87 Mechanical Keyboard Review
L
latestintech.com
04/07/2022
Summary of the review
Varmilo VEM87 Mechanical Keyboard Review Would you like me to find Italian reviews for the VA87M CMYK, which shares the same aesthetic but uses differ...
(Translated)Show original

Third-party reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
Reviews last updated: June 2026 · How we calculate this

What customers like about Varmilo Cmyk VEM87

  • Excellent build quality featuring a sturdy plastic housing and a metal positioning plate
  • High-quality, dye-sublimated PBT keycaps that are shine-resistant and feel premium to touch
  • Pre-lubricated stabilizers that provide a smooth, rattle-free typing experience out of the box
  • Impressive aesthetics with a unique CMYK color scheme and clean white backlighting
  • Stable typing experience with minimal key wobble, especially with EC V2 Sakura switches
  • Convenient cable management with a three-way routing channel and detachable cable

What customers don't like about Varmilo Cmyk VEM87

  • Lack of companion software or macro-programmability for custom key mappings
  • Wired-only connectivity limits portability and use with mobile devices
  • No included wrist rest, which may affect long-term ergonomic comfort for some users
  • Latency is noted as slightly high for a wired keyboard, potentially impacting competitive gaming
  • The mini-USB port is considered an outdated connection standard compared to USB-C

Verdict

The Varmilo CMYK VEM87 is a high-quality tenkeyless (80%) wired mechanical keyboard featuring a durable plastic case and a sturdy polycarbonate or metal plate for a premium typing feel. Its main characteristics include high-end, 1.4mm thick dye-sublimated PBT keycaps with a signature retro CMYK color scheme, white LED backlighting with adjustable brightness levels, and a detachable USB-C connection. The primary pros are its exceptional build quality, smooth pre-lubricated stabilizers, and available Varmilo Electrostatic Capacitive (EC) V2 switches—such as Ivy, Rose, or Sakura—which offer a refined, frictionless experience. However, notable cons include the lack of RGB lighting, no dedicated software for macro programming or advanced customization, and the absence of an included wrist rest.

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