Compare
Pick two boards from the directory and see how they differ.
Shaded rows are where they differ.
| Spec |  MonsGeek MonsGeek M3 $110–$116 “Aluminum TKL, barebone price” |  Varmilo Varmilo VA87M $126–$169 “Varmilo's wired Cherry MX TKL with dye-sub PBT and quiet stabilizers” |
|---|---|---|
| Price , different | $110–$116 | $126–$169 |
| Size | TKL | TKL |
| Type , different | Barebones | Pre-built |
| Connectivity | Wired | Wired |
| Released , different | 2023 | 2016 |
| Mounting , different | Gasket | Tray Mount |
| Case , different | Aluminum | ABS plastic |
| Colors , different | Black, Silver, Purple | Many dye-sub themes |
| Weight , different | About 1950g barebone | 940g |
| Dimensions , different | 366 x 146 x 34mm | 356 x 134 x 33mm |
| Typing angle , different | Not listed | Adjustable feet |
| Front height , different | 34mm case height | 33mm |
| Switches | Mechanical | Mechanical |
| Profile | Standard | Standard |
| Keycaps , different | Not included | Dye-sub PBT |
| PCB , different | Hot-swap, south-facing RGB, 1.2mm | Soldered Cherry MX, white LED |
| Plates , different | PC | Steel |
| Compatible switches , different | MX-style 5-pin | Fixed Cherry MX, chosen at purchase |
| Software , different | QMK, VIA | None |
| NKRO | Yes | Yes |
| RGB , different | Yes | No |
| Features , different | Aluminum TKL, Gasket mount, Hot-swap, QMK/VIA, PC plate, RGB | TKL, Cherry MX, Dye-sub PBT, White LED, Lubed stabilizers, Case foam |
| Good for , different | First-time builders who want a metal TKL VIA users who like a heavy wired board Desk keyboards that stay put | Typists who want a quiet-ish, solid Cherry MX TKL People who care about stabilizers and keycaps Buyers who like themed colorways |
| Skip if , different | Wireless users Buyers who want a finished board People who want slim bezels | Hot-swap or wireless shoppers RGB or macro users Anyone who needs USB-C |
| Pros , different | Aluminum TKL with gasket mount and a polycarbonate plate QMK/VIA firmware on the international edition South-facing 5-pin hot-swap PCB Screw-in stabilizers and extra foam in the box A Korean owner reported about 2 kg and no case hollowness (2023) | Switch and Click called the stabilizers the best on any prebuilt keyboard, with no spacebar rattle Genuine Cherry MX switches in many varieties, including silent options (MechanicalKeyboards.com) Dye-sublimated PBT keycaps (MechanicalKeyboards.com, Switch and Click) Sturdy case with no creaking and a metal plate (Switch and Click) Plug-and-play with no software to install Full N-key rollover (MechanicalKeyboards.com) |
| Cons , different | Wired only Barebone: switches and keycaps are extra, and stabilizers need assembling Large bezels (Clien owner post) Only an older single owner post found; no professional review Does not support MonsGeek's driver, so the QMK/VIA edition is the one to buy | Mini-USB port rather than USB-C (Switch and Click) No hot-swap, so switches are fixed at purchase (MechanicalKeyboards.com) No RGB or macro software; most versions have only white or no backlight (Switch and Click) Legends hard to read on dark keycaps in the dark (Switch and Click) A Geekhack reply said the spacebar stabilizer tilted over time Plastic ABS frame (MechanicalKeyboards.com) |
| Research take , different | A plain, solid TKL kit. Only light independent evidence exists, so treat the sound as unverified. | A long-running prebuilt favorite for stabilizers and keycaps, still without hot-swap, USB-C or software. Choose it for feel and looks and expect a plain, wired board. |