Head to head · both bought and tested

Sable 104 vs Vellum TKL

Both tested here, side by side: measured sound, latency and typing scores for the Sable 104 and the Vellum TKL, and which one to buy.

The Vellum TKL scores 0.3 higher overall and costs $68 against $58. Someone who uses a default layout, never remaps, and wants gasket-mount feel cheaply. Buy the other one if: someone who needs a full-size layout, has the desk for it, and will not remap anything.

Scores, criterion by criterion

Criterion	Sable 104	Vellum TKL	Difference
Build	7.0	7.5	-0.5 to Vellum TKL
Typing feel	6.5	7.5	-1.0 to Vellum TKL
Sound	6.0	7.0	-1.0 to Vellum TKL
Stabilisers	6.0	7.5	-1.5 to Vellum TKL
Software	5.0	2.0	+3.0 to Sable 104
Value	7.5	6.0	+1.5 to Sable 104
Overall	6.4	6.7	-0.3 to Vellum TKL

Measured

Figure	Sable 104	Vellum TKL	Difference
Sound	59.7 dB	56.1 dB	3.6 dB quieter to Vellum TKL
Latency, wired	6.2 ms	7.8 ms	1.6 ms faster to Sable 104
Polling	1,000 Hz	500 Hz	500 Hz higher to Sable 104
Actuation	57.4 g	56.1 g	+1.3 g — preference, not better
Case flex	0.7 mm	2.6 mm	-1.9 mm — softer, not better

Specifications

Specification	Sable 104	Vellum TKL	Difference
Price	$58	$68	$10 cheaper — Sable 104
Layout	Full-size (104-key)	TKL (87-key)	—
Switches	Tactile — Outemu Brown (V2)	Tactile — Gateron Brown Pro	—
Hot-swap	Yes	Yes	—
Mount	Tray mount	Gasket mount	—
Plate	Steel	FR4	—
Connectivity	Wired USB-C	Wired USB-C, Bluetooth	—
Remapping	Vendor software	None	—
Weight	1,180 g	900 g	—

Shape and footprint

Sable 104

Full-size (104-key) — 104 keys, 22.5u wide. Everything. The widest board here, and the reason your mouse sits further right than it should. Highlighted keys are what this layout adds over the next size down.

Vellum TKL

TKL (87-key) — 87 keys, 18.25u wide. Standard layout minus the numpad. Spaced clusters, so muscle memory transfers from a full-size.

Where to buy

The full reviews

Everything above is a summary of two longer reviews — including the flaws, the long-term notes and the photographs. Sable 104 · Vellum TKL