Skyloong GK61 Pro vs GK61 DRUM: Pre-Built or DIY?

Compare Skyloong GK61 Pro vs GK61 DRUM Differences Side by Side

This comparison helps buyers decide between a fully equipped pre-built 60% keyboard and a barebones DIY kit from Skyloong. The decision is hard because both share the same Skyloong O-ring gasket mount and a 60% layout, but the GK61 Pro offers a ready-to-type experience with QMK/VIA firmware, a 4000mAh battery, and switch choices, while the GK61 DRUM is a metal kit that requires you to supply your own switches and keycaps. The GK61 Pro targets users who want a complete, programmable keyboard out of the box, whereas the GK61 DRUM is built for modders who want to customize every component from the ground up.

Model
Rating	0.0 stars (0 reviews)	0.0 stars (0 reviews)
Purchase Options
Main differences	Released in 2023 Comes with a knob Compatible with both Mac and Windows Supports QMK firmware Supports VIA configuration Features N-key rollover Supports Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless connectivity Equipped with a 4000 mAh battery Made with a Aluminum, ABS case Features PBT keycaps Offers Yes, Rgb, North-face, Rgb North-face RGB lighting	Released in 2022 Uses a Gasket Mount mounting style Supports Bluetooth, Wired, Wireless connectivity Made with a Aluminum case Features PBT, ABS keycaps Offers Yes, Rgb RGB lighting
Score	Scores Performance: 78 Build Quality: 77.2 Productivity: 69.5 Customizability: 89.2 Portability: 84	Scores Performance: 55.6 Build Quality: 72.9 Productivity: 46.4 Customizability: 68.2 Portability: 77.7
Name	Name Skyloong GK61 Pro	Name Skyloong GK61 DRUM
Release year	Release year 2023	Release year 2022
Switch Options	Switch Options Linear	Switch Options Linear
Profile	Profile Normal Profile	Profile Normal Profile
Hot Swappable	Hot Swappable	Hot Swappable
Layout Size	Layout Size 60%	Layout Size 60%
Layout Standard	Layout Standard ANSI	Layout Standard ANSI
Layout Ergonomics	Layout Ergonomics Normal	Layout Ergonomics Normal
Knob Support	Knob Support	Knob Support
Display Support	Display Support	Display Support
Mac/Win Support	Mac/Win Support	Mac/Win Support
Multi-Media Keys	Multi-Media Keys	Multi-Media Keys
USB-C	USB-C	USB-C
USB passthrough	USB passthrough	USB passthrough
Connection	Connection Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless	Connection Bluetooth, Wired, Wireless
Polling Rate	Polling Rate -	Polling Rate -
Battery capacity	Battery capacity 4000 mAh	Battery capacity -
Hall Effect Support	Hall Effect Support	Hall Effect Support
QMK Support	QMK Support	QMK Support
VIA Support	VIA Support	VIA Support
VIAL Support	VIAL Support	VIAL Support
N-Key Rollover	N-Key Rollover	N-Key Rollover
Rapid Trigger	Rapid Trigger	Rapid Trigger
Mount Style	Mount Style -	Mount Style Gasket Mount
Screw in Stabilizers	Screw in Stabilizers	Screw in Stabilizers
Sound Dampening	Sound Dampening	Sound Dampening
Backlight	Backlight Rgb, North-face	Backlight Rgb
Case Colors	Case Colors	Case Colors
Case Material	Case Material Aluminum, ABS	Case Material Aluminum
Keycaps Material	Keycaps Material PBT	Keycaps Material PBT, ABS
Dimensions	Dimensions -	Dimensions -
Weight	Weight -	Weight -

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0.0 stars (0 reviews)

Released in 2023
Comes with a knob
Compatible with both Mac and Windows
Supports QMK firmware
Supports VIA configuration
Features N-key rollover
Supports Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless connectivity
Equipped with a 4000 mAh battery
Made with a Aluminum, ABS case
Features PBT keycaps
Offers Yes, Rgb, North-face, Rgb North-face RGB lighting

Released in 2022
Uses a Gasket Mount mounting style
Supports Bluetooth, Wired, Wireless connectivity
Made with a Aluminum case
Features PBT, ABS keycaps
Offers Yes, Rgb RGB lighting

Scores

Performance: 78
Build Quality: 77.2
Productivity: 69.5
Customizability: 89.2
Portability: 84

Scores

Performance: 55.6
Build Quality: 72.9
Productivity: 46.4
Customizability: 68.2
Portability: 77.7

Name

Skyloong GK61 Pro

Name

Skyloong GK61 DRUM

Release year

2023

Release year

2022

Switch Options

Linear

Switch Options

Linear

Profile

Normal Profile

Profile

Normal Profile

Hot Swappable

Layout Size

60%

Layout Size

60%

Layout Standard

ANSI

Layout Standard

ANSI

Layout Ergonomics

Normal

Layout Ergonomics

Normal

Knob Support

Display Support

Mac/Win Support

Multi-Media Keys

USB-C

USB passthrough

Connection

Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless

Connection

Bluetooth, Wired, Wireless

Polling Rate

Battery capacity

4000 mAh

Battery capacity

Hall Effect Support

QMK Support

VIA Support

VIAL Support

N-Key Rollover

Rapid Trigger

Mount Style

Gasket Mount

Screw in Stabilizers

Sound Dampening

Backlight

Rgb, North-face

Backlight

Rgb

Case Colors

Case Material

Aluminum, ABS

Case Material

Aluminum

Keycaps Material

PBT

Keycaps Material

PBT, ABS

Dimensions

Weight

Pros and Trade-offs

For anyone seeking a complete, programmable 60% keyboard with long battery life and out-of-box usability, the GK61 Pro is the easy recommendation. The GK61 DRUM is only worth considering if you enjoy the process of sourcing and assembling your own switches, keycaps, and plate, and value a barebones kit over pre-built convenience. Choose based on whether you want to type immediately or build your keyboard from scratch.

Skyloong GK61 Pro

+QMK and VIA support for full firmware customization of keymaps, macros, and RGB.
+Pre-built with Gateron G Pro 3.0 switches and PBT double-shot keycaps, ready to use immediately.
+4000mAh battery provides long wireless life up to 300 hours with backlight off.
+Skyloong O-ring gasket mount and sound dampening reduce keystroke noise and improve typing feel.
+Hot-swappable knob and split spacebar add versatile input options for productivity.

−The manual is noted as not perfect by a user review, potentially making setup harder for beginners.
−Split spacebar and knob may feel unfamiliar to users accustomed to traditional 60% layouts.
−North-facing RGB may cause interference with some thicker keycap profiles.

Skyloong GK61 DRUM

+DIY kit includes aluminum case, PCB, plate, and stabilizers, offering a clean slate for custom builds.
+Replaceable space key splits into three keys, enabling unique layout configurations.
+Hot-swappable PCB supports both 3-pin and 5-pin switches for broad switch compatibility.
+Skyloong O-ring mount gasket provides stable support and reduces unpleasant noise from hard contact.

−It is a barebones kit only, so you must purchase switches, keycaps, and potentially a battery separately.
−No QMK or VIA support, limiting firmware customization compared to the GK61 Pro.
−Only Bluetooth and wired connectivity, lacking the 2.4 GHz wireless option found on the GK61 Pro.
−Weight and battery details are not specified, making travel planning uncertain.

Which Keyboard Is Better for Your Needs?

The Skyloong GK61 Pro dominates in Gaming, Office, Programming, Travel, and Content Creation use cases due to its pre-built readiness, QMK/VIA software, larger battery, and wider connectivity options. The GK61 DRUM only wins in the Modding category, where its barebones kit design appeals to builders who want to select every part themselves. If you need a full-featured keyboard out of the box, the GK61 Pro is the obvious pick; if you enjoy assembling your own board from scratch, the GK61 DRUM gives you that freedom.

GamingSkyloong GK61 Pro

•The GK61 Pro supports wired, 2.4 GHz, and Bluetooth connectivity, offering more latency-reducing options for gaming than the GK61 DRUM's Bluetooth and wired modes.
•It comes pre-built with Gateron G Pro 3.0 switches, so you can game immediately without sourcing switches.
•The GK61 Pro has N-key rollover, ensuring every key press registers during rapid inputs.

OfficeSkyloong GK61 Pro

•The GK61 Pro ships with PBT double-shot keycaps that resist wear better than the GK61 DRUM's ABS/PBT keycaps.
•It includes sound dampening features and a Skyloong O-ring gasket for a quieter typing experience in shared spaces.
•The GK61 Pro offers both tactile and linear switch options, allowing you to choose quieter switches for office environments.

ProgrammingSkyloong GK61 Pro

•QMK and VIA support on the GK61 Pro allows full customization of keymaps and macros for coding workflows.
•The GK61 Pro's programmable knob can be mapped to shortcuts like zoom in/out, improving coding efficiency.
•It supports split spacebar, which can be configured to add extra modifier keys without leaving the home row.

TravelSkyloong GK61 Pro

•The GK61 Pro has a 4000mAh battery, offering wireless usage up to 300 hours with backlight off, far exceeding the GK61 DRUM's unspecified battery life.
•Being pre-built, it is ready for travel immediately, while the GK61 DRUM requires assembling switches and keycaps first.
•The GK61 Pro includes both ABS and aluminum case options, providing a lighter choice for portability.

ModdingSkyloong GK61 DRUM

•The GK61 DRUM is a DIY kit that includes only the case, PCB, plate, and stabilizers, giving full freedom to choose every other component.
•It comes with a switch puller and keycap puller, making it easy to start your custom build right away.
•The GK61 DRUM has a replaceable space key that splits into three keys, offering more layout experimentation for modders.

Content CreationSkyloong GK61 Pro

•The GK61 Pro's programmable knob can be configured for timeline scrubbing or volume control in editing software.
•QMK/VIA support enables complex macro sequences for repetitive tasks in creative applications.
•Its split spacebar and knob can be mapped to shortcuts like undo/redo or layer switching, speeding up workflow.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)