Evoworks Evo80 vs WhatGeek PMO Aurora 80Kit vs Pre-Built
Choose the Evoworks Evo80 for a comprehensive DIY kit with multiple mounting options, or the WhatGeek PMO Aurora 80 for a polished pre-built with unique music-reactive lighting.
Which one should you get?
Get the
Evoworks Evo80
Kit
- Sold as a comprehensive DIY kit with extensive spare parts and acoustic foams.
- Offers three mounting style options: gasket, top, and plate mount.
- Includes multiple plate material choices (FR4, Polypropylene).
- Requires assembly, which may not suit users wanting a ready-to-use product.
- Heavier focus on the kit format means it may lack some polished pre-built software features.
- The vendor description does not mention a dust cover.
Get the
WhatGeek PMO Aurora 80
Pre-Built
- Sold as a complete, pre-built keyboard ready for immediate use.
- Features a unique music rhythm reactive lighting mode via its client software.
- Includes a PVD brushed stainless steel top plate and a dust cover.
- No user reviews are available to gauge real-world experience.
- The music rhythm feature is exclusive to the manufacturer's client software.
- It is currently listed as out of stock with no vendors available.
Your decision should be guided by your willingness to build. If you enjoy the process of assembly and want maximum flexibility with mounting and plates, the Evoworks Evo80 kit is the superior choice. If you prefer a finished product with unique aesthetic lighting features and do not want to assemble components, the WhatGeek PMO Aurora 80 is the better option, assuming it becomes available for purchase.
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.
Evoworks Evo80
WhatGeek PMO Aurora 80
Case material
Aluminum, Copper
Aluminum
Mount style
Plate Mount
Gasket Mount
Weight
1,870 g
2,300 g
QMK
No
Yes
Plate material
FR4, Plastic, Polycarbonate
FR4, Steel
- Evoworks Evo80
- WhatGeek PMO Aurora 80
- Performance
- 7781
- Build quality
- 8086
- Productivity
- 8395
- Customizability
- 8290
- Portability
- 8788
- Layout size: 80%
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Battery: 8,000 mAh
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- VIA
What will you mostly use it for?
The Evoworks Evo80 is the clear choice for modders and tinkerers due to its kit format and hardware flexibility. The WhatGeek PMO Aurora 80 is better suited for users who want a ready-to-use keyboard with distinctive, reactive lighting effects. For general gaming, office work, and programming, both keyboards are closely matched in core functionality, making the decision hinge on your preference for assembly versus out-of-the-box features.
It's a tie
- Both offer a 1000Hz polling rate in wired and 2.4GHz modes.
- Both feature N-key rollover for simultaneous key presses.
- Both have low-latency 2.4GHz wireless connectivity.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Evoworks Evo80
58 owner reviews
“This is a great keyboard! It looks amazing, and it sounds incredible. I made it my main work keyboard so I could experience typing on it as much as possible.”
“I should have looked in the VIA supported keyboards list. The marketing said VIA compatible, but it's not "supported". You have to manually import a bare-bones JSON file that lacks tons of features that other VIA keyboards have. This keyboard is nicely built…”
WhatGeek PMO Aurora 80
No owner reviews collected yet.
Evoworks Evo80 vs WhatGeek PMO Aurora 80 specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
7 of 24 specs differ
Evoworks Evo80
WhatGeek PMO Aurora 80
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Display
Connection
Max polling rate
Battery
USB-C
Case material
Plate material
Keycaps
Weight
Dimensions
Backlight
QMK
VIA
N-key rollover
Mac & Windows
Released
Compare prices
Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.
Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.
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Evoworks Evo80 vs WhatGeek PMO Aurora 80: your questions
The Evoworks Evo80 is primarily sold as a DIY kit. The listing states it includes all components like the case, PCB, plates, switches, keycaps, foams, and stabilizers for assembly. It is also listed with a 'Pre-Built' extra feature, suggesting a pre-assembled option may exist, but the vendor description details a full kit.
Yes, the WhatGeek PMO Aurora 80 uses a self-developed client software for its advanced lighting features. The manufacturer specifically notes that the music rhythm lighting mode is exclusive to this official client software. The keyboard also supports configuration via QMK and VIA.
Both keyboards offer identical tri-mode connectivity: wired USB-C, Bluetooth, and 2.4GHz wireless. Both also specify a 1000Hz polling rate in wired and 2.4GHz modes, suggesting similar performance for low-latency use cases like gaming.
Yes, both the Evoworks Evo80 and the WhatGeek PMO Aurora 80 feature hot-swappable PCBs. This allows you to change mechanical switches without soldering, using a switch puller tool. The Aurora 80 includes a switch puller in the box.
Both keyboards are equipped with an 8000mAh battery. The Evoworks Evo80 achieves this with two 4000mAh batteries. Large batteries like these typically support extended wireless usage, but actual battery life depends on usage patterns, backlighting, and connection mode.
Both keyboards are designed with sound dampening in mind. The Evo80 kit includes five layers of Poron foam and a double-layer of cotton bottom foam. The Aurora 80 features a five-layer acoustic filling structure, including a full-surround IXPE foam, aimed at reducing metal ping and resonance.
The WhatGeek PMO Aurora 80 supports both QMK and VIA, which are powerful, open-source tools for key remapping and macro programming. The Evoworks Evo80 supports VIA. Both offer a high degree of firmware-based customization.
Yes, both the Evoworks Evo80 and the WhatGeek PMO Aurora 80 list Mac compatibility. The Evoworks Evo80 specifically includes a 'Mac add-on kit' in its package, which likely contains keycaps or adapters for Mac layout.
According to the Evoworks vendor description, the Evo80 uses a butterfly leaf spring mechanism with a specially designed gasket. This is part of its mounting system, which aims to provide a unique typing feel. The kit includes six butterfly leaf springs and spare dampeners for them.
Both have per-key south-facing RGB. The key difference is the Aurora 80's additional 270-degree side halo RGB lighting and a star-ring front logo light. The Evo80's vendor description focuses on the per-key RGB without mentioning dedicated side lighting.
The WhatGeek PMO Aurora 80 is heavier, with a listed weight of 2300g (2.3kg). The Evoworks Evo80 weighs 1870g. The Aurora 80's stainless steel top plate likely contributes to its increased weight.
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