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  1. Table of Contents
  2. Top
  3. Main Differences
  4. Design
    1. Dimensions
    2. Build Quality
    3. Ergonomics
    4. Hardware Customizability
    5. Backlight Features
    6. Backlight Clarity
    7. Cable & Connector
    8. Wireless Versatility
    9. Macro Keys And Programming
    10. Extra Features
    11. In The Box
  5. Typing Experience
    1. Switches
    2. Keystrokes
    3. Typing Quality
    4. Typing Noise
    5. Latency
  6. Software and Operating System
    1. Configuration Software
    2. Computer Compatibility
    3. Wireless Mobile Compatibility
  7. Comments

Ducky One 2 RGB TKL vs Varmilo VA87M

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Ducky One 2 RGB TKL
Varmilo VA87M

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Nov 19, 2024 02:01 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.2

Updated Jun 21, 2023 03:22 PM

Unavailable
Missing store
Ducky One 2 RGB TKL Picture
Varmilo VA87M Picture

Variants

  • One 2 TKL (Black)
  • One 2 TKL (White)
  • VA87M (Beijing Opera)
  • VA87M (CMKY)
  • VA87M (Forest Fairy)
  • VA87M (Koi)
  • VA87M (Mac)
  • VA87M (Moonlight)
  • VA87M (Panda)
  • VA87M (RGBK)
  • VA87M (RGBY)
  • VA87M (Sakura)
  • VA87M (Sea Melody)
  • VA87M (Summit White)

Our Verdict

Ducky One 2 RGB TKL

Varmilo VA87M

The Ducky One 2 RGB TKL and the Varmilo VA87M are very similar. The main differences are that the Ducky has lower latency, macro-programmable keys, and software for customization. Both keyboards are available in a wide variety of Cherry MX switches.

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Notice: Two or more of the products selected have been tested with different test methodologies, so some of the results below aren't directly comparable. Learn how our test benches and scoring system work, and read more about the latest changes to our keyboards test methodology.

Main Differences for

Threshold 

0.10

Gaming 

9.0
8.0

Backlighting 
 

9.6
6.5

Software & Programming 
 

9.2
0.0

Keyboard Compatibility 
 

7.2
10

Full Comparison

Design

Dimensions 
 

Top Picture  

Ducky One 2 RGB TKL Top Picture
Varmilo VA87M Top Picture

Size 
 

TenKeyLess (80%)
TenKeyLess (80%)

Height 
 

1.5" (3.8 cm)
1.4" (3.5 cm)

Width  

14.2" (36.1 cm)
14.0" (35.6 cm)

Depth 
 

5.6" (14.1 cm)
5.2" (13.3 cm)

Depth With Wrist Rest 
 

N/A
N/A

Weight 
 

1.98 lbs (0.900 kg)
2.22 lbs (1.008 kg)

Show text

Build Quality 
 

8.5
8.5

Build Quality Close Up  

Ducky One 2 RGB TKL Build Quality Close Up
Varmilo VA87M Build Quality Close Up

Keycap Material  

PBT
PBT

Show text

Ergonomics 
 

6.5
6.0

Side Picture  

Ducky One 2 RGB TKL Side Picture
Varmilo VA87M Side Picture

Curved/Angled 
 

Straight
No

Split Keyboard 
 

No

Key Alignment 
 

Staggered

Minimum Incline 
 

4.5°

Medium Incline 
 

N/A

Maximum Incline 
 

11°
12°

Home Row Height 
 

27.8 mm (1.1")

Wrist Rest  

No

Show text

Hardware Customizability 
 

6.7

Customizability Overview  

Varmilo VA87M Customizability Overview

Replaceable Cherry Stabilizers 
 

Yes

Stabilizer Fixation 
 

Plate-Mounted

Spacebar Stabilizer Size 
 

6.25u

Size Of Right Mod Keys 
 

1.25u

Hot-Swappable Switches 
 

No

Switch Stem Shape 
 

Cherry MX Style

Switch PCB Socket 
 

Soldered

North-Facing Cherry MX Interference 
 

No

Backlight Features 
 

9.6
6.5

Backlighting Picture  

Ducky One 2 RGB TKL Backlighting Picture
Varmilo VA87M Backlighting Picture

Brightness Max  

Ducky One 2 RGB TKL Brightness Max
Varmilo VA87M Brightness Max

Backlighting  

Yes
Yes

Brightness Min  

Ducky One 2 RGB TKL Brightness Min
Varmilo VA87M Brightness Min

White Shot 
 

Ducky One 2 RGB TKL White Shot
Varmilo VA87M White Shot

RGB 
 

No

Per-Key Backlighting 
 

Yes
Yes

Effects 
 

Yes
Yes

Software Controllable 
 

Yes
No

Color 
 

RGB

Color Mixing 
 

Poor

Show text

Backlight Clarity 
 

4.0

White Shot  

Ducky One 2 RGB TKL White Shot
Varmilo VA87M White Shot

Show text

Cable & Connector  

Connectivity  

Wired
Wired

Detachable 
 

Yes (Wired Only Keyboard)
Yes (Wired Only Keyboard)

Length  

5.9 ft (1.8 m)
4.7 ft (1.4 m)

Connector (Keyboard side) 
 

USB type-C
Mini USB

Show text

Wireless Versatility 
 

0.0
0.0

Bluetooth 
 

No
No

Bluetooth Multi-Device Pairing 
 

No
No

Proprietary Receiver 
 

No
No

Battery Type 
 

No Batteries
No Batteries

Show text

Macro Keys And Programming 
 

0.0

Dedicated Macro Keys Count  

0

Onboard Macro Programming 
 

No

Macro Programming With Software 
 

No

Extra Features 
 

Extra Features  

Ducky One 2 RGB TKL Extra Features
Varmilo VA87M Extra Features

Media Keys 
 

No
Non-Dedicated

Trackpad / Trackball  

No
No

Scroll Wheel 
 

No
No

Control Knob 
 

No

USB Passthrough 
 

No
No

Numpad  

No
No

Windows Key Lock 
 

Yes
Yes

Lock Indicator  

Caps & Scroll Lock
No Indicator

Macro Programmable Keys 
 

All

Show text

In The Box  

Bundle Picture  

Ducky One 2 RGB TKL Bundle Picture
Varmilo VA87M Bundle Picture

Show text

Typing Experience

Switches 
 

Wobble Video  

Switch Name 
 

Cherry MX Brown
Cherry MX Red

Switch Type 
 

Mechanical

Feel 
 

Tactile
Linear

Keystrokes 
 

Key Switch Actuation Graph  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Key Switches 
 

Cherry MX Brown
Cherry MX Red

Mechanical 
 

Yes

Feel 
 

Tactile
Linear

Operating Force 
 

53 gf
50 gf

Actuation Force 
 

45 gf
50 gf

Pre-Travel 
 

2.1 mm
2.0 mm

Total Travel 
 

4.0 mm
4.0 mm

Show text

Typing Quality 
 

9.0
8.5

Show text

Typing Noise 
 

9.0
8.1

Typing Sample  

Average Loudness 
 

49.4 dBA

High Pitch Clicks 
 

No

Noise 
 

Quiet

Show text

Latency 
 

8.2
7.2

Latency Video  

Latency Wired 
 

7.7 ms
12.8 ms

Latency Receiver 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency Bluetooth 
 

N/A
N/A

Show text

Software and Operating System

Configuration Software 
 

Software Picture  

Ducky One 2 RGB TKL Software Picture

Software Tour  

Software Name  

Ducky RGB
No Software

Software Windows Compatible 
 

Yes
No

Software macOS Compatible 
 

No
No

Onboard Memory 
 

Yes
No

Profiles 
 

6+
No Profile

Account Required 
 

No

Cloud Sync 
 

No

Macro Programming 
 

Onboard

Ease Of Use 
 

Easy

Show text

Computer Compatibility 
 

7.2
10

Windows 
 

Full
Fully Compatible

macOS 
 

Partial
Fully Compatible

Linux (Ubuntu 22) 
 

Partial
Fully Compatible

Media Key Compatibility 
 

Windows, MacOS & Linux

Android  

No
Not Compatible

iOS  

No
Not Compatible

iPadOS  

No
Not Compatible

Show text

Wireless Mobile Compatibility 
 

0.0

Android 
 

No
Not Compatible

iOS 
 

No
Not Compatible

iPadOS 
 

No
Not Compatible

Media Key Compatibility 
 

Not Compatible

Ducky One 2 RGB TKL

Varmilo VA87M

Comments

  1. Comparison

Ducky One 2 RGB TKL vs Varmilo VA87M: Main Discussion

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