The mechanical keyboard world is exciting, and the Womier SK71 Pro is leading the charge as one of the most talked-about models this year. Priced at just $89.99 on platforms like AliExpress and Amazon, this keyboard has quickly become a favorite for many. It’s not hard to see why—this compact 75% keyboard packs a punch with features often costing way more in other brands. From its sleek aluminum build to its customizable RGB lighting, the SK71 Pro feels like it’s punching way above its weight class.
Imagine getting wireless connectivity, QMK/VIA compatibility, and hot-swappable switches for under $100. That’s practically unheard of in today’s market, where you’d typically need to shell out significantly more for these kinds of premium features. The SK71 Pro doesn’t just stop there, though. Its unique two-tone design, magnetic plate covering the USB dongle, and even the decorative RGB strips around the case make it feel like a keyboard that’s worth way more than $89.99.
And let’s not forget about the typing experience. With pre-lubed linear switches, a gasket-mounted design, and PBT keycaps, this keyboard delivers a typing feel that rivals many high-end options. Sure, it might not be perfect right out of the box—there are some minor quirks like the slightly scratchy feel and the missing Home and End keys—but when you consider everything this keyboard brings to the table, those issues feel like small trade-offs.
Design and Build Quality
The Womier SK71 Pro is a keyboard that immediately catches the eye, and it’s not just because of its compact 75% layout. The design feels fresh and modern, with a two-tone aesthetic that blends materials in a way that’s both functional and visually appealing. The top and bottom cases are made of aluminum, which gives it a premium feel without being overly flashy.
The anodization on the aluminum is smooth to the touch, and there’s no graininess or blemishes that sometimes sneak into keyboards at this price point. Sandwiched between the aluminum pieces is a plastic mid-accent strip, but here’s the kicker—it doesn’t feel cheap. In fact, unless you’re inspecting it closely, you might not even notice it’s plastic. This combination of materials creates a sleek, polished look while keeping the weight manageable.
The edges of the keyboard are rounded, giving it a softer profile compared to the boxy designs many keyboards have. The bezels are super thin on the sides, which adds to the modern vibe, and while the top and bottom bezels are a bit thicker, they don’t feel out of place. On the right corner, there’s a badge that doubles as a cover for the USB dongle and power switch compartment. Speaking of customization, the engraved “Designed by Womier” text near the arrow keys feels like a subtle flex—it’s sleek and understated, but it adds character.
Flip the board over, and it stays simple. There’s no unnecessary branding or clutter, just a clean white accent piece that ties into the overall minimalist theme. The bottom is plastic, but it doesn’t feel flimsy or out of place. Eight screws hold everything together, which might seem like a lot, but it ensures the keyboard feels solid and well-constructed.
At 2.9 pounds, it’s heavy enough to stay put on your desk without sliding around, thanks in part to the long rubber pads underneath. The height of the board is noticeable, with an 8° typing angle, but there aren’t any adjustable feet. If you’re used to lower-profile keyboards, you might want to pair it with a wrist rest for comfort.
Around the case, there’s decorative RGB lighting, which is another standout feature. These strips along the edges add a unique touch, especially when paired with the south-facing RGB under the keycaps. The lighting isn’t individually controllable on the back, but it syncs with whatever color or pattern you set for the main backlighting. This creates a cohesive glow that elevates the entire desk setup.
Keycaps and Switches
The Womier SK71 Pro doesn’t disappoint when it comes to the keycaps and switches, which are two of the most important things people look at in a keyboard. The keycaps on this board are PBT, which is a big deal because PBT is known for being super durable and resistant to wear. Unlike ABS keycaps, which can get shiny and slick over time, these PBT caps feel like they’ll hold up for years without showing much wear. They’ve got a Cherry profile, meaning they’re shorter and slightly tapered compared to some other profiles like OEM or SA. While this might not be everyone’s favorite, it’s still a solid choice for typing and gaming.
What really stands out about these keycaps is how crisp the legends are. The printing is sharp and clean, almost like something you’d see on higher-end custom sets like GMK. It’s honestly surprising to see this level of quality on a pre-built keyboard that costs less than $100. There’s no fading or smudging, and the double-shot molding process ensures the legends won’t rub off even after heavy use. That said, there are a few quirks with the printing. For example, some keys have bold, big letters while others are smaller and placed differently. On certain keys like Delete or Backspace, the alignment feels a bit off, but it’s not a dealbreaker—it’s just something to keep in mind depending on your preferences.
Now let’s talk about the switches. Every version of the SK71 Pro comes with pre-lubed linear switches, which is awesome because it means you don’t have to do any extra work to get smooth performance right out of the box. These aren’t just any switches—they’re full POM switches, meaning the top housing, bottom housing, and stem are all made of POM plastic. This material is known for being self-lubricating, so the switches feel buttery smooth during actuation. The specific switch you get depends on the colorway of the keyboard, but they’re all linear and come with slight variations in actuation force. For instance, the gray version has Palm Gray V2 switches with a 55g actuation force, which strikes a nice balance between light and heavy.
Plus, since the switches are south-facing, the RGB shines brightly through the sides of the keycaps, adding an extra layer of visual flair. If you love tinkering, you’ll appreciate that the SK71 Pro is fully hot-swappable. You can easily swap out the stock switches for something else if you want a different feel or sound. The board supports both 3-pin and 5-pin switches, so compatibility isn’t an issue either.
Underneath the switches, there’s a polycarbonate plate designed with flex cuts. This adds a tiny bit of give when you press down on the keys, contributing to a softer typing experience. Paired with the gasket mount design, this creates a balanced feel—not too bouncy, not too stiff. It’s comfortable enough for long typing sessions but still responsive enough for gaming. There’s also multiple layers of foam inside the case, which helps dampen any hollowness and gives the keyboard a more refined sound profile.
While the switches feel great overall, there is one minor downside: they can feel a bit scratchy straight out of the box. It’s not unbearable, but it’s noticeable enough that you might want to break them in or add a drop of lube yourself if you’re picky about smoothness. Another thing worth noting is that the switches have a unique feel compared to typical linear switches. Instead of a completely consistent force throughout the keystroke, there’s a subtle variation—almost like a gradual arc of pressure as you press down. It’s hard to describe exactly, but it feels a bit pulsating, almost like the resistance changes slightly midway through the press.
Sound Profile
Now let’s talk about sound because the Womier SK71 Pro has a lot to say in that department. Out of the box, the sound profile is pleasant and mid-range—not too loud, not too quiet. It sits comfortably in the middle, making it versatile for both office environments and late-night gaming sessions. Without case foam, the sound has a lively quality to it, almost like it has a bit of personality. There’s a soft clackiness that adds character to each keystroke, but it’s far from obnoxious. If you’re looking for something aggressive or super clicky, this isn’t it. On the flip side, if you prefer completely muted sounds, you might want to tweak it a bit.
Adding case foam changes the sound noticeably, though not dramatically. With the foam, the keyboard produces a fuller, warmer tone. The higher-pitched clacks soften slightly, giving the sound a smoother, more rounded quality. However, even without the foam, the SK71 Pro doesn’t sound hollow or cheap thanks to the multiple layers of internal padding. The aluminum case also plays a big role here, adding density and reducing unwanted resonance. Spacebar rattle, which can be an issue on many keyboards, is surprisingly minimal here. It’s controlled and consistent, which makes a huge difference during long typing sessions.
What really stands out about the SK71 Pro’s typing experience is its consistency. Every key feels evenly weighted and responsive, whether you’re hammering out emails or jumping into a fast-paced game. The lack of dead spots or weird inconsistencies is impressive for a keyboard at this price point. Sure, there are minor trade-offs like the scratchy switches and the slightly unusual force curve, but none of these issues are dealbreakers. Instead, they’re small areas where the board could improve—but they don’t detract significantly from the overall experience.
Software
One of the standout aspects is its compatibility with QMK and VIA, which opens up a world of possibilities for users who like to tweak their setup. These two pieces of software are pretty much staples in the mechanical keyboard community, and having them baked into the Womier SK71 Pro is a big win. QMK allows you to remap keys, create custom layers, and even program macros, while VIA provides an easy-to-use interface for those who want quick adjustments without diving too deep into coding.
Setting up QMK and VIA is straightforward, which is great because not everyone wants to spend hours tinkering to get things working. Once you plug in the keyboard and open VIA, the board is detected automatically, and you can start customizing right away. The ability to remap keys is especially useful given the layout of the SK71 Pro. For example, the keyboard doesn’t include dedicated Home or End keys, which might be a bummer for some people. But with QMK and VIA, you can easily assign those functions to other keys—like using Function + Page Up for Home and Function + Page Down for End. It’s not a perfect solution, but it gets the job done and makes the keyboard more functional for different workflows.
Backlighting customization is another area where the SK71 Pro shines. The RGB lighting is south-facing, meaning the LEDs are positioned along the bottom edges of the switches. This creates a vibrant glow that spills over onto the desk surface, especially since the keycaps aren’t shine-through. You can control the RGB effects directly from VIA, choosing from a variety of colors, patterns, and brightness levels. Want a solid color? Done. Prefer something flashy like a rainbow wave? That’s there too.
And don’t forget about the decorative RGB strips along the edges of the case—they sync with whatever you set for the main backlighting, creating a cohesive look that ties everything together. It’s bright, it’s fun, and it’s fully controllable, which is exactly what you’d hope for in a modern keyboard.
Another thing worth mentioning is how the SK71 Pro handles connectivity. This keyboard gives you three Bluetooth slots, a 2.4GHz wireless dongle, and a wired connection option. Switching between these modes is simple thanks to clearly labeled key commands. You press Function + Q, W, or E to connect to your Bluetooth devices, Function + R for the dongle, and Function + T for wired mode. It’s all laid out in a nice, logical order that’s easy to remember.
Plus, the polling rate for the wired connection is 1000Hz, which is ideal for gaming. There’s been some chatter about the polling rate for the 2.4GHz dongle, but according to Womier, it’s also around 1000Hz based on lab tests. While they haven’t officially advertised this number, it seems reliable enough for most users.
Battery Life and Charging
The Womier SK71 Pro boasts an absolutely massive 8,000mAh battery, which is one of the standout specs on paper. To put that into perspective, most mechanical keyboards with wireless functionality usually come with batteries in the range of 4,000mAh to 6,000mAh. So having an 8,000mAh battery feels like a big deal. However, there’s a catch—Womier doesn’t provide any official numbers about how long this battery actually lasts in real-world use. That’s where things get a little murky.
On the surface, you’d think a battery that size would give you weeks of unplugged typing or gaming. But it’s possible that some power-hungry components inside the board might offset the benefit of the larger capacity. For example, features like RGB lighting, wireless connectivity (both Bluetooth and the 2.4GHz dongle), and even the aluminum case itself can all contribute to faster battery drain. So while the SK71 Pro might last longer than other boards under certain conditions, it’s hard to say if it’ll blow competitors out of the water when it comes to sheer longevity. It’s also worth noting that turning off the RGB or using the keyboard in wired mode will obviously extend battery life, but those aren’t always practical solutions depending on your setup.
Charging the SK71 Pro is straightforward, thanks to the included USB-A to C cable. The cable itself is nothing fancy—it’s your standard plastic-wrapped cord—but it feels noticeably softer and more flexible compared to many other cheap cables bundled with keyboards. You won’t mistake it for a high-end braided cable, but it gets the job done without feeling stiff or awkward to handle. At just over 5 feet (about 1.5 meters) long, it’s also a decent length for most desk setups, whether you’re plugging it into a laptop or a wall adapter.
One thing that’s really cool about the Womier SK71 Pro is the built-in shortcut to check the battery level. Just press Function + Spacebar, and the percentage will display across the number row. This feature is so simple yet incredibly useful. No need to dig through menus or guess how much juice is left—it’s right there in front of you.
