The Wombat Willow Professional is a cutting-edge, full-size mechanical keyboard designed to deliver unparalleled performance and durability.

With a collection of over two dozen mechanical keyboards, I rely daily on my trusty Indignant Miao Cyberboard R4. While this dedicated keyboard isn’t designed for portability, weighing in at 7 pounds, I’ve found a reliable assortment of compact, Bluetooth-enabled keyboards perfect for on-the-go writing when away from my desk.

Typically, 65% or 75% keyboard layouts predominate, and while I generally prefer full-size switches, their bulk can be unwieldy. As curiosity piqued whenever Cherry unveiled its foray into low-profile mechanical switches, I was thoroughly impressed by the Corsair K100 Air’s outstanding performance, while Lofree’s Move remains a top-tier option in this category.

The Willow Professional debuts in this category with a unique full-size design that stands out for its significantly slimmer profile compared to its competitors. As a sub-brand of KSI Keyboards, Wombat’s Willow Professional stands out for its innovative combination of low-profile switches and a tailored full-size design, capturing users’ attention with its unique features. The keyboard, which is also accessible through other devices properly.

Let’s establish a clear vision and framework for our project from the onset? The professional-grade Willow keyboard boasts a sleek grey aesthetic, thoughtfully paired with crisp white and grey keycaps, while subtle pops of bright yellow on the spacebar and arrow keys add a touch of visual flair. The keyboard’s construction utilizes a durable aluminum prime plate paired with a sturdy plastic base, ensuring exceptional build quality throughout. With no signs of wear and tear after four months of use, the chassis’s rigidity remains unyielding, demonstrating exceptional durability.

While the key layout is distinct, it’s crucial to highlight its unique configuration: the Willow Professional boasts an elevated design where capabilities and system keys are prominently situated at the top, complemented by a numerical keypad situated to the right. The design boasts a spacious layout without sacrificing desk real estate, its height standing out from most keyboards while maintaining the same width as typical 75% designs.

The current placement of the system keys does not provide optimal usability. I typically delete with my pinky due to its proximity to the backspace key; however, in this instance, I’m presented with a numeric keypad instead. While the compact layout was initially jarring, the innovative approach to packing the keys into a smaller profile actually worked surprisingly well.

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The feature I appreciate about this design is its clever incorporation of magnetized rubber toes at the rear, allowing for effortless adjustments to the angle. While I generally prefer a 6° angle, the keyboard’s 4° tilt with toes raised does facilitate using the Willow Professional with greater ease.

Utilizing several unassuming keyboards featuring mechanical switches, I have ample experience in this arena, and the Willow Professional impresses me in this respect. The keyboard leverages Gateron’s renowned Crimson low-profile linear switch technology, boasting an unparalleled performance among current offerings. The switch features a tactile bump with a 3.0mm travel distance, delivering a surprisingly realistic typing experience reminiscent of a standard-sized keyboard.

The compact design makes daily use enjoyable, providing the benefits of a mechanical change without occupying excessive space. While the sound profile is impressive, a hollow tone creeps in due to the use of a plastic backing. Considering the Willow Professional’s price point, it seems Wombat should have opted for a durable all-metal casing instead of something less robust.

Aside from those, there are no drawbacks to using the Willow Professional. The PBT keycaps feature durable construction and crisp, easily readable legends. While the keyboard features vibrant RGB lighting, a notable absence is the illumination of individual key legends, resulting in a more subdued lighting effect overall. Unlike other low-profile keyboards, the change is soldered.

Utilize the comprehensive Willow Professional software on both Windows and macOS platforms, featuring an expanded key set seamlessly integrated into your workspace. Since the keyboard features Bluetooth connectivity, pairing it with an Android device or tablet is feasible; in my experience, I typically paired it with my iPad Pro 13 (2024).

The Wombat offers a bespoke software utility, allowing users to effortlessly tailor macros to suit their specific needs. While VIA’s integration offered greater flexibility, I appreciated Wombat’s software for its smoother execution and reasonable level of customization.

One notable limitation of the keyboard is its battery life, which is somewhat compromised by its relatively modest 1000mAh power source – a smaller-than-usual capacity in today’s market. Despite enabling RGB lighting, the keyboard fails to last a full day of use; previously, I was able to extend battery life to two days by disabling the feature, but this remains insufficient.

While some may consider full-size keyboards an anomaly in today’s market, particularly with the rise of low-profile switches, it’s refreshing to see Willow Professional cater to this niche demand with high-quality design and construction. For individuals unencumbered by battery limitations, this is a decent overall option.