# Willow Pro Mechanical Keyboard Review: A Distinct Full-Size Low-Profile Choice
The realm of mechanical keyboards is extensive, featuring numerous options tailored to varying tastes, from compact 65% configurations to full-size keyboards. Yet, discovering a full-size mechanical keyboard that doesn’t dominate desk space can prove difficult. Enter the **Willow Pro** from **Wombat**, a sub-brand of **KSI Keyboards**, designed to address this issue by providing a full-size keyboard with low-profile mechanical switches in a more compact design.
## Android Central Verdict
The Willow Pro is a compelling pick for individuals seeking a full-size mechanical keyboard while conserving desk space. It is equipped with **Gateron low-profile linear switches**, a distinctive layout with system keys located above the QWERTY section, and includes a dedicated number pad. While the construction quality and typing feel are impressive, its **battery life** is lacking, particularly when RGB lighting is active.
### Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
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## Pros and Cons
### Pros:
– **Attractive design**: The compact full-size configuration of the Willow Pro stands out.
– **Gateron low-profile linear switch**: These switches deliver an exceptional typing experience, replicating the feel of full-size switches.
– **Reduced footprint**: The Willow Pro, although a full-size keyboard, is narrower than the majority, preserving essential desk space.
– **PBT keycaps**: These durable keycaps resist wear, enhancing the overall quality of the keyboard.
### Cons:
– **Unconventional system key layout**: The arrangement of system keys, like Delete, may require some adjustment.
– **Lackluster battery life**: The 1000mAh battery struggles to endure a full day when RGB lighting is activated.
– **Absence of VIA integration**: While Wombat provides its unique software for customization, the lack of VIA support restricts options for advanced users.
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## Design and Build Quality
The design of the Willow Pro is one of its standout characteristics. It showcases a **grey color scheme** featuring dual-tone white and grey keycaps, complemented by a **yellow spacebar and arrow keys**, creating an appealing aesthetic. The keyboard is constructed with an **aluminum top plate** paired with a **plastic base**, ensuring durability without unnecessary heft. After four months of use, there are no visible signs of wear, and the chassis exhibits no flex, demonstrating robust build quality.
A significant design decision is the **tall layout**, with system keys such as Delete, Home, and End situated above the QWERTY keys. This arrangement allows the keyboard to keep a **narrower width** while still incorporating a **dedicated number pad**. Despite its full-size status, it occupies roughly the same width as a 75% keyboard, making it an excellent space-efficient choice. Nevertheless, users accustomed to traditional layouts may find the positioning of the system keys somewhat awkward, especially when reaching for the Delete key.
### Adjustable Feet
Furthermore, the Willow Pro is equipped with **magnetized rubber feet**, enabling users to effortlessly alter the keyboard’s angle. While it lacks a six-degree angle (which may be preferred by some), the four-degree elevation provided by the raised feet ensures a comfortable typing experience.
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## Typing Experience: Gateron Low-Profile Linear Switches
Central to the Willow Pro’s typing performance are **Gateron Red low-profile linear switches**. These switches feature an **actuation force of 50gf** and a **total travel distance of 3.0mm**, making them suitable for users who enjoy a smooth, linear keystroke without tactile response. The switches effectively replicate the sensations of full-size mechanical switches, providing a pleasing typing experience in everyday usage.
The sound profile is relatively subdued, though a slight hollowness can be attributed to the plastic base. Considering the keyboard’s price range, an **all-metal housing** would have been a valuable enhancement for the acoustics.
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## Connectivity and Customization
The Willow Pro offers **Bluetooth connectivity**, facilitating easy pairing with various devices, including **Windows**, **macOS**, **Android**, and **iPadOS**. During my testing, I primarily utilized the keyboard with an **iPad Pro 13 (2024)**, and the connection remained stable throughout.
Wombat supplies its custom software utility for configuring macros and RGB lighting. Although the software is functional and generally user-friendly, the absence of **VIA integration** is a drawback for users seeking more advanced customization alternatives. VIA is widely recognized as one of the premier tools for keyboard personalization, and its lack is quite noticeable.
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## Battery Life: A Significant Disadvantage
One of the most considerable drawbacks of the Willow Pro is its
