Weikav STARS80 Standard vs WhatGeek PMO Aurora 80
Choose the Aurora 80 for hot-swap switches, RGB, and richer listed features, or the STARS80 if you specifically want a barebones kit and do not need hot-swap sockets.
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![[In Stock] Weikav STARS80 Standard Version Mechanical Keyboard, Aluminum , Tri-mode, Suitable for Office Use, Gaming, and Esports](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0549/0262/0278/files/177303639895204_fix1773039209.jpg?v=1773299596&width=3840&quality=75)
Which one should you get?
Get the
Weikav STARS80 Standard
Build quality in the top 20% of 80% boards under $150.
- Aluminum case and 80% ANSI layout.
- Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and wired connectivity.
- QMK and VIA support.
- Switches are soldered. Swapping them means soldering.
Get the
WhatGeek PMO Aurora 80
Hot-swappable
Build quality in the top 10% of 80% boards under $200.
- Hot-swappable switches, QMK support, and VIA support.
- Gasket mount with steel and FR4 plate materials.
- RGB lighting with a 270° side halo, front logo lighting, and underglow.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
Choose the WhatGeek PMO Aurora 80 if you want a prebuilt keyboard with hot-swap switches, RGB, and listed acoustic features. Pick the Weikav STARS80 Standard if its DIY barebones format is the priority and you are comfortable with soldered switches. Before buying the Aurora, check that your preferred keycaps suit its south-facing LEDs.
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.
Weikav STARS80 Standard
WhatGeek PMO Aurora 80
Hot-swappable
No
Yes
Switch changes without soldering
Sound dampening
No
Yes
Screw-in stabilizers
No
Yes
Easier to tune than the plate-mount stabs you get prebuilt
Backlight
None
RGB, south-facing
RGB for looks and low light rather than speed
N-key rollover
No
Yes
- Weikav STARS80 Standard
- WhatGeek PMO Aurora 80
- Performance
- 5181
- Build quality
- 7486
- Productivity
- 5695
- Customizability
- 6989
- Portability
- 6388
- Layout size: 80%
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Case material: Aluminum
- QMK
- VIA
What will you mostly use it for?
The Aurora 80 leads in gaming, office use, programming, modding, and content creation because it adds features such as hot-swap switches, RGB, and sound dampening. Travel is a tie based on the evidence available: both offer wireless connections, but only the Aurora has a listed weight. Both share an 80% ANSI layout, aluminum cases, and QMK and VIA support.
Pick the WhatGeek PMO Aurora 80
- The Aurora 80 lists a 1000 Hz polling rate and N-key rollover.
- Its wired, Bluetooth, and 2.4 GHz connection options match the STARS80’s listed connectivity, while adding RGB lighting.
Weikav STARS80 Standard vs WhatGeek PMO Aurora 80 specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
8 of 22 specs differ
Weikav STARS80 Standard
WhatGeek PMO Aurora 80
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
Weight
Dimensions
Backlight
QMK
VIA
N-key rollover
Mac & Windows
Released
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Weikav STARS80 Standard vs WhatGeek PMO Aurora 80: your questions
The STARS80 Standard is listed as a DIY barebones kit with no RGB and soldered switches. The Aurora 80 is listed as prebuilt, with hot-swappable switches, RGB, and sound dampening.
Yes, the Aurora 80 is listed as hot-swappable. The STARS80 switches are soldered, so changing them requires soldering.
No, the STARS80 metadata lists RGB as absent. The Aurora 80 has RGB, including side halo, front logo, and underglow lighting described by WhatGeek.
Yes, both the STARS80 Standard and Aurora 80 list QMK and VIA support. The Aurora vendor also describes web-based and desktop client configuration.
The Aurora 80 is the stronger fit if its listed gaming details matter to you: it has a 1000 Hz polling rate and N-key rollover. Both keyboards offer wired, Bluetooth, and 2.4 GHz connections.
The Aurora 80 has south-facing LEDs, and its compatibility note says shine-through legends stay dark. Some sculpted keycaps can also clip the LED.
Both list Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz connectivity, as well as wired use. The Aurora’s vendor description specifies USB-C for its wired connection.
The Aurora 80 lists sound dampening, and WhatGeek describes a five-layer acoustic filling structure that includes IXPE foam. The STARS80 vendor description mentions a refined sound profile but does not specify those dampening layers.
Both are 80% ANSI keyboards with aluminum cases. The Aurora 80 additionally lists steel and FR4 plate materials.
The Aurora 80 is easier to modify if you plan to change switches, because it is hot-swappable. Both support QMK and VIA, but the STARS80’s soldered switches require soldering to replace.
The Aurora 80 has a listed weight of 2300 g, but there is no STARS80 weight listed here for comparison. Both offer Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz connectivity, so the available details do not establish which is lighter to carry.
Not sold on either?
![[In Stock] Lucky80 80% Ball-Catched Wireless Mechanical Keyboard](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0549/0262/0278/files/f94058fc3bf7170209168f33ce58a94.jpg?v=1744097048&width=3840&quality=75)
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