Varmilo Review: Tri-Mode Keyboards, US Tariff Options, No Change-of-Mind Returns and a 1-Year Warranty
Varmilo is a mechanical keyboard brand founded in Shenzhen, China, in 2013, known for themed designs such as Sakura and Sea Melody. Its official store sells full-size, compact, 75% and 65% keyboards, magnetic-switch gaming boards, arcade controllers and accessories, priced in US dollars for US visitors. Most keyboards cost about $119 to $199; deskmats are $12–$15 and arcade controllers run $189–$349.
This review covers what Varmilo sells, the layouts, switches and connection options it lists, prices, the three US shipping methods (and how tariffs are handled), the strict no-change-of-mind return policy and the one-year warranty.
At a glance Checked October 2026
Varmilo suits buyers who want a well-specified wireless mechanical keyboard with a distinctive look and are comfortable buying directly from a brand based in China. Product pages list switch forces, battery sizes and connection modes in detail. The catches are that Varmilo does not accept returns for non-quality reasons, warranty claims may mean shipping a keyboard back at your own cost until a defect is confirmed, and US import tariffs apply on some shipping options.
- Best for: Typists who want a quiet or themed tri-mode keyboard, and gamers interested in magnetic (Hall-effect) switches.
- Typical price: $119–$199 for most keyboards; switch sets $7–$23; keycap sets $38–$69.
- Shipping: Three US options: DHL with tariff collected on delivery (about 3 days, plus a $20 handling fee), tariff-paid general delivery (15–25 days), or tariff-paid free shipping over $50 (2–7 days).
- Returns: No returns or refunds for non-quality problems; one-year limited warranty for defects.
- Watch out for: ISO keyboards default to a Swedish layout, so US buyers should pick ANSI; check which shipping method shows at checkout.
What Varmilo sells
The official store listed 41 products when we checked. The site menu groups keyboards by size (65%, 75%, 80%, 98% and 110%), layout (ANSI or ISO), theme and switch. The main lines are:
- VA series. Full-size and tenkeyless-style boards with themed designs, including VA100 Sakura, Sea Melody, Dream of the Red Chamber and the VA80/100 Hygge.
- Minilo series. Compact boards with layered color cases: Minilo 65%, Minilo75 Pro and Minilo98 Pro.
- HE (magnetic) keyboards. The Muse65 HE and Minilo75 HE use Hall-effect magnetic switches aimed at gaming.
- Classic 108-key boards. Sakura R2 108, Sea Melody 108 and Chang'e 108, some with Varmilo's EC switches.
- Arcade controllers. The KASSAI arcade stick and HA10+ leverless controller, with PC-only and console-compatible versions.
- Accessories. Deskmats, wrist rests, keycap sets, switch sets, a switch test pad, a glass mousepad and a mouse.
Layouts, switches and connectivity
Varmilo's product pages carry long specification sections. The points that matter most when comparing models:
- Size. The Minilo75 Pro has 81 keys and, according to Varmilo, takes about 20% less space than a standard tenkeyless board. The Minilo98 Pro keeps a number pad in a compact frame (99 keys listed). The VA100 Sakura is a 105-key board measuring 438 x 136 x 41 mm and weighing 1.45 kg. The Minilo 65% measures 325.8 x 143.5 x 37.4 mm.
- ANSI or ISO. ANSI is the standard US layout. On the Minilo Pro boards, ISO versions default to a Swedish layout and ship with an extra keycap set for other European languages, at $10–$20 more. US buyers should choose ANSI.
- Connection. The Minilo Pro, Minilo 65%, VA80/100 Hygge and VA100 Sakura are listed as tri-mode: wired USB-C, Bluetooth 5.0 and 2.4GHz with a dongle, chosen with a physical switch. Varmilo lists a 1000Hz polling rate in wired and 2.4GHz modes; the VA100 Sakura page gives latency of about 1 ms wired, 2 ms on 2.4GHz and 15 ms on Bluetooth. The Muse65 HE and Minilo75 HE are listed as wired only.
- Battery. Listed capacities include 3,400mAh (Minilo 65%), 4,000mAh (Minilo75 Pro, Minilo98 Pro, VA80 Hygge) and 8,000mAh (VA100 Sakura). Battery life in hours was not stated on the pages we read.
- Switches. Many boards offer Kailh Prestige Silent (linear, 42gf operating force, 3.6 mm total travel) or Kailh Prestige Voice (linear, 40gf, 3.4 mm), both factory-lubed; some Minilo75 Pro ANSI versions offer Cherry Brown, Red or Silent Red. Hot-swap boards accept 3- and 5-pin switches. Varmilo's EC V3 switches on the Sakura R2 are not mechanical and are not hot-swappable.
- Magnetic boards. The HE models list rapid trigger, adjustable actuation, an 8000Hz polling rate and a web driver; keys need calibrating after setup.
- Mac and software. Minilo Pro and Hygge boards switch between Windows and Mac (Fn+Tab for five seconds), include Mac keycaps and support key remapping through QMK/VIA.
Prices
Prices show in US dollars for US visitors, and the site lets you switch to other currencies. Examples at the time of writing:
- Minilo75 HE: $70–$130 depending on theme and switch
- Muse65 HE: $119–$159
- Minilo 65%: listed at $120 (check the cart for the current price)
- VA100 CMYK/Moonlight/Aurora: $133–$148; VA100 Sakura and Sea Melody: $140–$148
- VA80/100 Hygge: $139–$159
- Minilo75 Pro: $145–$160; Minilo98 Pro: $155–$179
- Sakura R2 108: $140–$170; Chang'e 108: $192
- KASSAI arcade stick: $199–$349; HA10+ leverless controller: $189–$329
- Deskmats: $12–$15; switch sets: $7–$23; keycap sets: $38–$69
Silent-switch versions usually cost $5–$15 more than Voice versions. Payment is by PayPal or credit card, according to the shipping policy.
Shipping to the US and tariffs
Varmilo's shipping policy says orders ship from China, with some items shipped from a US warehouse in Walnut, California. Prices do not include import taxes. For US orders it lists three methods:
- DHL from the China warehouse, tariff unpaid: about 3 days. DHL collects the tariff from you after shipment and charges a $20 handling fee.
- General delivery, tariff paid: 15–25 days.
- Free shipping (standard, US warehouse, expedited or USPS Ground Advantage), tariff paid: free on orders over $50, 2–7 days.
For reference, the policy lists US tariffs (updated July 27, 2026) of 25% on keyboards and accessories and 12.5% on arcade products, plus customs processing fees, and says the actual amount is whatever customs charges. In practice, the options and rates for your address appear at checkout, so compare them before paying. Unshipped orders can be cancelled or changed; once shipped, address changes go through DHL.
Returns and warranty
Varmilo's refund policy is blunt: it does not accept returns or refunds for non-quality problems. If you are unsure about size, layout or switch feel, a switch test pad ($12–$20) is a cheaper way to decide first.
- One-year limited warranty: covers repair, replacement or refund for quality defects from the date of purchase, under the laws of the PRC. The policy says it does not affect statutory warranty rights.
- Exclusions: misuse such as self-disassembly, liquid spills, dust and improper voltage; natural disasters; consumables such as feet and non-slip mats; free gifts.
- Process: contact support@zhihaihe.cn with proof of purchase, troubleshooting details and the serial number or photos of the defect. The item may need to go back for inspection.
- Who pays shipping: the buyer pays return freight until Varmilo confirms the defect, and for returns of items found to work, unauthorized returns and warranty claims on items taken outside the original country of purchase.
- Refunds: for unresolved defects, a partial refund based on usage time, or a replacement; refunds take 3–5 working days to process.
The FAQ also warns that opening the keyboard yourself may affect the warranty.
Who should buy from Varmilo
- Office and home typists who want a quiet tri-mode board, especially with the Kailh Prestige Silent switch.
- Buyers who want a themed design, such as Sakura or Sea Melody, with dye-sublimated PBT keycaps.
- Competitive gamers interested in a wired magnetic board with rapid trigger.
- Mac users who want a board with a Mac mode and Mac keycaps included.
Think twice if you want the option to return a keyboard you simply do not like, or if you would rather buy from a US retailer with a standard return window. Varmilo's site lists authorized distributors in many countries, including one in the US.
Varmilo coupon codes
We did not find a verified public code at the time of writing, and we do not publish codes we cannot check. Offers we could see on the site: free tariff-paid shipping on US orders over $50; in-cart promotions on individual boards also appear from time to time, so check the cart before ordering; and reduced prices on some HE and Hygge versions. These can change at any time. The footer has an email signup with no stated reward. Any working offers we find are listed on our Varmilo coupons page.
Frequently asked questions
Where does Varmilo ship from?
Varmilo's shipping policy says it ships from China, with some items sent from a US warehouse in Walnut, California. The brand's contact details list a Shenzhen, China address.
Do I pay tariffs on a Varmilo keyboard in the US?
It depends on the shipping method. DHL Express from China is tariff unpaid, so DHL collects the tariff plus a $20 handling fee. The general delivery and free-shipping options are listed as tariff paid.
Can I return a Varmilo keyboard?
Only for quality problems. Varmilo says it does not accept returns or refunds for non-quality reasons. Defects are handled under a one-year limited warranty.
Are Varmilo keyboards wireless?
Many are. The Minilo Pro, Minilo 65%, VA80/100 Hygge and VA100 Sakura list wired USB-C, Bluetooth 5.0 and 2.4GHz modes. The Muse65 HE and Minilo75 HE magnetic boards are listed as wired only.
Do Varmilo keyboards work with Mac?
The Minilo Pro and Hygge pages describe a Win/Mac toggle (Fn+Tab for five seconds) and include Mac keycaps.
The bottom line
Varmilo's official store offers detailed specs, distinctive themes and tri-mode wireless keyboards mostly priced from $119 to $199, with tariff-paid free shipping to the US on orders over $50. The trade-off is a policy with no change-of-mind returns and a one-year warranty that may involve shipping costs on your side. Pick ANSI, choose your switch carefully and compare the shipping methods at checkout before you pay.
Disclosure: this article contains affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. Prices and policies were checked on the Varmilo website at the time of writing and may change.