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Scored using Keyboards Methodology v1.0
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Varmilo Minilo98 Pro Review | 64 Data compared

Avg. price:~£110Layout size:1800-compactConnection type:USB / 2.4GHz / BluetoothSwitch type:mechanicalPolling rate:1000 Hz

Varmilo Minilo98 Pro Review: Compare 64 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Keyboards category and whether it is worth buying.

7.9

Overall score

Score
7.9/ 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
★ Better than 95% of models
Score components

80%

8.3

Technical score

20%

6.4

User score

★Better than 95% of keyboards
8.3

Technical score

Technical score
8.3/ 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
★ Better than 99% of models
Score components

34%

9.7

Connectivity & Power

28%

5.6

Switches

20%

10

Materials

12%

7.8

Features

6%

8.5

Design

★Better than 99% of keyboards
6.4

User score

User score
6.4/ 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 97% of models
Score components

70%

7.4

User ratings

30%

3.9

Number of reviews

Based on 20 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 97% 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 Minilo98 Pro

Technical score
Technical score
8.3/ 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
★ Better than 99% of models
Score components:

34%

9.7

Connectivity & Power

28%

5.6

Switches

20%

10

Materials

12%

7.8

Features

6%

8.5

Design

8.3
User score
User score
6.4/ 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 97% of models
Score components

70%

7.4

User ratings

30%

3.9

Number of reviews

Based on 20 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.
6.4
Popularity
Popularity
3.9/ 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 70% of models
Popularity:
Varmilo Minilo98 Pro has a popularity score of 3.9 points, which is lower than that of 69.8% of products in this category.
3.9
Value for money
Value for money
8.5/ 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
★ Better than 94% of models
Score components:

60%

7.9

Overall score

40%

9.9

Price

8.5
Switch type
mechanical
Switch feel
linear / tactile / clicky
Switch name
Kailh Prestige Silent
Actuation force
37 g
Min actuation distance
?
Show more
Keyboard type
mechanical
Layout size
1800-compact
Layout standard
?
N. of keys
99
N. of keys
99
â–² Better than 69% of models
Market range: <64 – >108
This keyboard has 99 keys, which is more than 69.3% of keyboards and equal to 1.5% of keyboards.
Profile
standard
Show more
Connection type
USB / 2.4GHz / Bluetooth
Connection type
USB / 2.4GHz / Bluetooth
â–² Better than 57% of models
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
yes
Multi-device pairing
yes
â–² Better than 4% of models
This keyboard supports multi-device pairing. 4.5% of keyboards support multi-device pairing.
Bluetooth version
5
Bluetooth version
5
â–² Better than 51% of models
This keyboard uses Bluetooth 5, which is newer than 51% of keyboards and equal to 15.7% of keyboards.
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
480 h
Battery life
480 h
â–² Better than 85% of models
Market range: <30 h – >512 h
This keyboard lasts 480 h on a charge, which is longer than 85.5% of keyboards and equal to 2.4% of keyboards.
Show more
RGB lighting
yes
RGB lighting
yes
â–² Better than 12% of models
This keyboard has RGB lighting. 12.4% of keyboards have RGB lighting.
Per-key RGB
yes
Per-key RGB
yes
â–² Better than 28% of models
This keyboard has per-key RGB lighting. 27.6% of keyboards have per-key RGB lighting.
RGB zones
99
RGB zones
99
â–² Better than 76% of models
Market range: <0 – >104
This keyboard has 99 RGB zones, which is more than 75.6% of keyboards and equal to 1.2% of keyboards.
Underglow / side lighting
?
Backlight direction
south-facing
Show more
Case material
aluminum/plastic
Plate material
polycarbonate
Keycap material
PBT
Keycap profile
Cherry
Legend method
double-shot
Legend method
double-shot
â–² Better than 25% of models
This keyboard uses double-shot legends, which are more durable than 25.1% of keyboards and equal to 74.9% of keyboards.
Show more

Varmilo Minilo98 Pro vs the average keyboard

246810TotalDesignConnectivity & PowerSwitchesMaterialsFeatures
  • 0.6 mm shorter key travel
    Total travel distance
    3.4 mm
    â–² Better than 83% of models
    Market range: <3.2 mm – >4 mm
    This keyboard has 3.4 mm of total travel, while the average keyboard has 4 mm.
    3.4 mm vs 4 mm
  • 300 h longer battery life
    Battery life
    480 h
    â–² Better than 85% of models
    Market range: <30 h – >512 h
    This keyboard lasts longer on a charge than the average keyboard (480 h vs 180 h). The average keyboard lasts 180 h on a charge.
    480 h vs 180 h
  • 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.
  • Supports QMK
    QMK support
    yes
    â–² Better than 71% of models
    This keyboard supports QMK, the average keyboard does not. 28.8% of keyboards support QMK.
  • Supports VIA
    VIA support
    yes
    â–² Better than 74% of models
    This keyboard supports VIA, the average keyboard does not. 26.3% of keyboards support VIA.
  • 12 more keys
    N. of keys
    99
    â–² Better than 69% of models
    Market range: <64 – >108
    This keyboard has more keys than the average keyboard (99 vs 87). The average keyboard has 87 keys.
    99 vs 87
  • 16 more RGB zones
    RGB zones
    99
    â–² Better than 76% of models
    Market range: <0 – >104
    This keyboard has more RGB zones than the average keyboard (99 vs 83). The average keyboard has 83 RGB zones.
    99 vs 83
  • Silent
    Silent
    yes
    ★ Better than 99% of models
    This keyboard is a silent keyboard, the average keyboard is not. 1.7% of keyboards are silent.
  • 8.8% better value for money
    Varmilo Minilo98 Pro has better value for money than the average keyboard (8.52 vs 7.8).
    8.52 vs 7.84
  • 12 more keys
    N. of keys
    99
    â–² Better than 69% of models
    Market range: <64 – >108
    This keyboard has more keys than the average keyboard (99 vs 87). The average keyboard has 87 keys.
    99 vs 87
  • 300 h longer battery life
    Battery life
    480 h
    â–² Better than 85% of models
    Market range: <30 h – >512 h
    This keyboard lasts longer on a charge than the average keyboard (480 h vs 180 h). The average keyboard lasts 180 h on a charge.
    480 h vs 180 h
  • 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.
  • 0.6 mm shorter key travel
    Total travel distance
    3.4 mm
    â–² Better than 83% of models
    Market range: <3.2 mm – >4 mm
    This keyboard has 3.4 mm of total travel, while the average keyboard has 4 mm.
    3.4 mm vs 4 mm
  • Silent
    Silent
    yes
    ★ Better than 99% of models
    This keyboard is a silent keyboard, the average keyboard is not. 1.7% of keyboards are silent.
  • Supports QMK
    QMK support
    yes
    â–² Better than 71% of models
    This keyboard supports QMK, the average keyboard does not. 28.8% of keyboards support QMK.
  • Supports VIA
    VIA support
    yes
    â–² Better than 74% of models
    This keyboard supports VIA, the average keyboard does not. 26.3% of keyboards support VIA.
  • 16 more RGB zones
    RGB zones
    99
    â–² Better than 76% of models
    Market range: <0 – >104
    This keyboard has more RGB zones than the average keyboard (99 vs 83). The average keyboard has 83 RGB zones.
    99 vs 83
  • Older Bluetooth version
    Bluetooth version
    5.0
    â–² Better than 51% of models
    This keyboard uses an older Bluetooth version than the average keyboard (5 vs 5.2). The average keyboard uses Bluetooth 5.2.
    5.0 vs 5.2
  • 25.5% lower user score
    User score
    6.4/ 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 Minilo98 Pro
    the average keyboard
    Varmilo Minilo98 Pro has a lower user score than the average keyboard (6.38 vs 8.000).
    6.38 vs 8
  • 31.7 mm wider width
    Width
    388 mm
    â–¼ Worse than 71% of models
    Market range: <290 mm – >442 mm
    This keyboard is wider than the average keyboard (388 mm vs 356.3 mm). The average keyboard width is 356.3 mm.
    388 mm vs 356.3 mm
  • 58.2% less popular
    Varmilo Minilo98 Pro is less popular than the average keyboard (3.89 vs 6.2).
    3.89 vs 6.15
  • 25.5% lower user score
    User score
    6.4/ 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 Minilo98 Pro
    the average keyboard
    Varmilo Minilo98 Pro has a lower user score than the average keyboard (6.38 vs 8.000).
    6.38 vs 8
  • 58.2% less popular
    Varmilo Minilo98 Pro is less popular than the average keyboard (3.89 vs 6.2).
    3.89 vs 6.15
  • 31.7 mm wider width
    Width
    388 mm
    â–¼ Worse than 71% of models
    Market range: <290 mm – >442 mm
    This keyboard is wider than the average keyboard (388 mm vs 356.3 mm). The average keyboard width is 356.3 mm.
    388 mm vs 356.3 mm
  • Older Bluetooth version
    Bluetooth version
    5.0
    â–² Better than 51% of models
    This keyboard uses an older Bluetooth version than the average keyboard (5 vs 5.2). The average keyboard uses Bluetooth 5.2.
    5.0 vs 5.2

Video reviews

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

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

G
gbatemp.net
28/04/2025
Summary of the review
Varmilo Minilo98 Pro Mechanical Keyboard Review (Hardware)
H
hlplanet.com
23/07/2024
Summary of the review
Varmilo Minilo98 Pro Keyboard Review
R
riccardo.im
09/02/2021
Summary of the review
Custom Varmilo Miya Review (In-depth look at the Varmilo brand in Italy)
(Translated)Show original

Third-party reviews

Based on 20 buyer reviews from online shops.
Reviews last updated: June 2026 · How we calculate this
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →

What we like about Varmilo Minilo98 Pro

  • Excellent acoustic profile often described as 'creamy' or 'thocky', particularly with the Kailh Prestige Silent or Voice switches
  • Premium build quality featuring a gasket-mount design and multiple layers of internal dampening foam and silicone
  • Highly versatile tri-mode connectivity (Wired, 2.4GHz wireless, and Bluetooth 5.0) with easy switching between Windows and macOS
  • Modern customization support through QMK/VIA compatibility and a hot-swappable PCB
  • Vibrant RGB lighting with numerous customisable modes and south-facing LEDs for better keycap compatibility
  • Great layout options for international users, offering a 98% compact frame that retains the number pad while providing various ISO layout keycap sets

What we don't like about Varmilo Minilo98 Pro

  • High price point for a keyboard that primarily uses a plastic casing, which some users find difficult to justify
  • Difficult to open for deep internal modifications due to a clip-mounted case design instead of screws
  • Keycap legends on certain colourways (like Star Sand) are difficult to read and do not support shine-through lighting
  • Reported issues with 2.4GHz dongle connectivity and firmware update processes
  • Silent switches may feel 'mushy' during bottom-out due to the dampening material
  • Expensive shipping costs and potential import duties for international customers ordering directly

Verdict

The Varmilo Minilo98 Pro is a premium 98% layout mechanical keyboard featuring a compact design with a dedicated number pad, a gasket-mounted internal structure for a cushioned typing feel, and triple-mode connectivity via Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4GHz wireless, and USB-C. It comes equipped with hot-swappable sockets supporting 3-pin or 5-pin switches, 1.5mm thick double-shot PBT keycaps in a Cherry profile, and south-facing RGB backlighting. Key performance specs include a 1000Hz polling rate with 1ms latency and a large 4000mAh battery providing up to 300-480 hours of use. Main pros include its extensive QMK/VIA customization support, multi-layered sound dampening (Poron and IXPE foam), and wide ISO/ANSI layout availability. Notable cons include its relatively high price point and the close placement of the arrow keys to the right Shift key, which may lead to accidental keystrokes.

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