Skyloong GK61 Pro vs GK98060% or 98% Layout
Choose the GK61 Pro for a compact board with QMK and VIA support, or the GK980 for a 98% layout with more keys and a gasket mount.
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from$69at Skyloong
4.2 (9)4.2 · 9 reviews
from$69at Skyloong
Which one should you get?
Get the
Skyloong GK61 Pro
QMK
Build quality in the top 20% of 60% boards under $100.
- Compact 60% ANSI layout.
- Lists QMK and VIA support, with vendor-described keymap and macro customization.
- Hot-swappable switches and a hot-swappable knob are described by the vendor.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
- Compact layout only. No function row, dedicated arrow keys, or numpad.
Get the
Skyloong GK980
Build quality in the top 10% of 98% boards under $100.
- 98% layout, with ANSI and ISO standards listed in the product metadata.
- Gasket mount and hot-swap support are listed.
- The metadata lists steel, polycarbonate, FR4, and plastic plate options.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
- Compact full-size layout. The numpad is present, the gaps of a full-size board are not.
Choose the GK61 Pro if you want a compact 60% board and value its explicitly listed QMK and VIA support, especially for remapping and macros. Choose the GK980 if you prefer a 98% layout, gasket mounting, and a wider set of listed plate materials. Before purchasing the GK980, confirm that its specific hot-swap implementation matches the switches you plan to use.
The differences that matter
Skip the 40-row spec sheet. These are the specs that change how each board feels, sounds, and fits your desk.
Skyloong GK61 Pro
Skyloong GK980
Layout size
60%
98%
Ergonomics
Standard
Split Spacebar
Switch options
Linear
Clicky, Linear, Tactile
QMK
Yes
No
The deep option when you want to remap every key
VIA
Yes
No
GUI remapping without compiling firmware
- Skyloong GK61 Pro
- Skyloong GK980
- Performance
- 7778
- Build quality
- 7775
- Productivity
- 6982
- Customizability
- 8877
- Portability
- 8453
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Battery: 4,000 mAh
- Case material: ABS, Aluminum
- Knob
What will you mostly use it for?
The GK980 is the more natural fit when a larger layout is important for office tasks, while the GK61 Pro has the edge for compact travel and QMK/VIA-based customization. Gaming is a close call: both list multiple connection modes and N-Key Rollover, with different layout and switch-option trade-offs. For creative work, the GK61 Pro has more explicitly described knob and macro functions. The GK980 counters with multiple listed plate materials and a gasket mount.
It's a tie
- Both list Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and wired connectivity, along with N-Key Rollover.
- The GK61 Pro has a 60% layout, while the GK980's 98% layout provides more keys on the board.
- The GK61 Pro lists linear switches; the GK980 lists linear, tactile, and clicky switch options.
Skyloong GK61 Pro vs GK980 specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
10 of 23 specs differ
Skyloong GK61 Pro
Skyloong GK980
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
Display
Connection
Battery
USB-C
Case material
Plate material
Keycaps
Weight
Dimensions
Backlight
QMK
VIA
N-key rollover
Mac & Windows
Released
ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
Skyloong GK61 Pro
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
Skyloong GK980
Skyloong
ISO
In stockShips to you
WhatGeek
ISO
Out of stockShips to you
Compare prices
Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.
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Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.
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Skyloong GK61 Pro vs GK980: your questions
The GK61 Pro is a 60% keyboard, while the GK980 has a 98% layout. The GK61 Pro lists QMK and VIA support, whereas the GK980 lists a gasket mount and several plate material options.
Yes, QMK and VIA support are listed for the GK61 Pro. Skyloong's product description says this support applies to the wired version and describes keymap and macro customization.
QMK and VIA support are not listed for the GK980. Its product information does list hot-swap support and knob support.
The GK980's 98% layout is larger than the GK61 Pro's 60% layout. Buyers who want a more expansive layout should favor the GK980, while the GK61 Pro takes less desk space by layout size.
Both product listings include Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and wired connectivity. The GK61 Pro vendor describes its wireless battery life as up to 300 hours with backlighting off or 100 hours with RGB at lowest brightness.
The GK61 Pro is the more travel-oriented option based on its 60% layout, compared with the GK980's 98% layout. The GK980 is listed at 1300g, while no weight is listed for the GK61 Pro.
The GK61 Pro is listed as hot-swappable, and Skyloong says it supports 3-pin and 5-pin switches. The vendor also describes changing switches to customize typing feel and sound.
The GK980 metadata lists hot-swap support, and the vendor's optical version description names SKYLOONG optical switches and Gateron KS-15. Confirm compatibility with the exact GK980 version before purchasing other switches.
The GK980 metadata lists steel, polycarbonate, FR4, and plastic plate materials. The vendor description for the optical BluePink version specifies a steel plate.
Skyloong describes the GK61 Pro knob as programmable and hot-swappable. Its examples include audio control, application shortcuts, and zoom functions.
The GK980 vendor listing names a dustproof cover, Type-C cable, keycap and switch puller, supplemented keycaps, warranty card, and instructional manual. Check the listing for the exact version you intend to buy, since product configurations can differ.
The GK61 Pro is the clearer choice if QMK and VIA support are important for keymap customization. The GK980 may suit you better if you prefer its larger 98% layout, but QMK and VIA are not listed for that model.
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