VA87M is still relevant, but these alternatives cover the gaps it leaves on price fit, feature mix, or niche-specific performance.
- VA87M is not a bad product, but it is not automatically the right answer for every buyer. The important differences sit in Layout: TKL 87-key • Switches: Cherry MX Red/Brown/Blue • Connectivity: Wired USB-C.
- The alternatives below are not filler picks; they are same-category options that can match specific buyer priorities better.
- Use the spec rows and direct comparison links to avoid buying on brand habit alone.
NuPhy Halo75 V2
Halo75 V2 is the cleaner switch if VA87M feels mismatched for your use case.
View on AmazonHalo75 V2 makes more sense when you need a better fit around the better fit for this niche.
Halo75 V2 is not just a random substitute. It changes the buying profile by pushing harder on the better fit for this niche while staying in the same broad category.
| SPEC | Varmilo VA87M | NuPhy Halo75 V2 |
|---|---|---|
| Layout | TKL 87-key | 75% |
| Switches | Cherry MX Red/Brown/Blue | Gateron G Pro / Cherry (swappable) |
| Connectivity | Wired USB-C | Wireless Bluetooth 5.0 / 2.4G / USB-C |
| Hot-swap | No | Yes |
| Backlighting | White LED / RGB | RGB |
| Battery | Wired | 4000 mAh |
WHERE IT BEATS VARMILO VA87M
- + Superior Mac and Windows compatible
- + Lower baseline price or better specs.
WHERE IT FALLS SHORT
- - Lacks the established ecosystem of Varmilo.
- - Slightly worse Layout.
| SPECIFICATIONS | BEST OVERALL NuPhy Halo75 V2 | EXCELLENT ALTERNATIVE Varmilo VA87M |
|---|---|---|
| ACTION | View on Amazon ↗ | View on Amazon ↗ |
| OVERLKD SCORE | 39/100 | 38/100 |
| LAYOUT | 75% | TKL 87-key |
| SWITCHES | Gateron G Pro / Cherry (swappable) | Cherry MX Red/Brown/Blue |
| CONNECTIVITY | Wireless Bluetooth 5.0 / 2.4G / USB-C | Wired USB-C |
| HOT-SWAP | Yes | No |
| BACKLIGHTING | RGB | White LED / RGB |
| BATTERY | 4000 mAh | Wired |
Ducky One 3
One 3 is the cleaner switch if VA87M feels mismatched for your use case.
View on AmazonOne 3 makes more sense when you need a better fit around the better fit for this niche.
One 3 is not just a random substitute. It changes the buying profile by pushing harder on the better fit for this niche while staying in the same broad category.
| SPEC | Varmilo VA87M | Ducky One 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Layout | TKL 87-key | TKL / Full-size / 65% |
| Switches | Cherry MX Red/Brown/Blue | Cherry MX series |
| Connectivity | Wired USB-C | Wired USB-C |
| Hot-swap | No | Yes |
| Backlighting | White LED / RGB | RGB |
| Battery | Wired | Wired |
WHERE IT BEATS VARMILO VA87M
- + Superior Multi-device Bluetooth pairing
- + Lower baseline price or better specs.
WHERE IT FALLS SHORT
- - Lacks the established ecosystem of Varmilo.
- - Slightly worse Layout.
| SPECIFICATIONS | BEST OVERALL Ducky One 3 | EXCELLENT ALTERNATIVE Varmilo VA87M |
|---|---|---|
| ACTION | View on Amazon ↗ | View on Amazon ↗ |
| OVERLKD SCORE | 39/100 | 38/100 |
| LAYOUT | TKL / Full-size / 65% | TKL 87-key |
| SWITCHES | Cherry MX series | Cherry MX Red/Brown/Blue |
| CONNECTIVITY | Wired USB-C | Wired USB-C |
| HOT-SWAP | Yes | No |
| BACKLIGHTING | RGB | White LED / RGB |
| BATTERY | Wired | Wired |
Logitech MX Keys S
MX Keys S is the cleaner switch if VA87M feels mismatched for your use case.
View on AmazonMX Keys S makes more sense when you need a better fit around the better fit for this niche.
MX Keys S is not just a random substitute. It changes the buying profile by pushing harder on the better fit for this niche while staying in the same broad category.
| SPEC | Varmilo VA87M | Logitech MX Keys S |
|---|---|---|
| Layout | TKL 87-key | Full-size |
| Switches | Cherry MX Red/Brown/Blue | Scissor with low-profile |
| Connectivity | Wired USB-C | Logi Bolt USB / Bluetooth (3 devices) |
| Hot-swap | No | No |
| Backlighting | White LED / RGB | White Smart Backlit |
| Battery | Wired | 10 days (backlit) / 5 months (no backlit) |
WHERE IT BEATS VARMILO VA87M
- + Superior Per-key RGB lighting
- + Lower baseline price or better specs.
WHERE IT FALLS SHORT
- - Lacks the established ecosystem of Varmilo.
- - Slightly worse Firmware setup learning curve.
| SPECIFICATIONS | BEST OVERALL Logitech MX Keys S | EXCELLENT ALTERNATIVE Varmilo VA87M |
|---|---|---|
| ACTION | View on Amazon ↗ | View on Amazon ↗ |
| OVERLKD SCORE | 39/100 | 38/100 |
| LAYOUT | Full-size | TKL 87-key |
| SWITCHES | Scissor with low-profile | Cherry MX Red/Brown/Blue |
| CONNECTIVITY | Logi Bolt USB / Bluetooth (3 devices) | Wired USB-C |
| HOT-SWAP | No | No |
| BACKLIGHTING | White Smart Backlit | White LED / RGB |
| BATTERY | 10 days (backlit) / 5 months (no backlit) | Wired |