Sharkoon Skiller SGK50 S3 PBT 75% Wood Mechanical Keyboard Review

Sharkoon has long been a favourite brand of mine in the gaming peripheral market, known for delivering high-performance hardware, innovative designs, and most importantly, always surprisingly competitive prices. Their latest offering, the Skiller SGK50 S3 Wood PBT, is a 75% layout mechanical keyboard designed for PC enthusiasts who demand a sophisticated aesthetic without compromising on gaming performance. By blending a classic wooden chassis with modern enthusiast-grade internals, Sharkoon targets users who want a premium, tactile typing experience that serves as a centrepiece for their desktop setup. Expecting a refined acoustic profile and high-level customisation, this keyboard looks to bridge the gap between boutique custom builds and accessible gaming hardware. While it’s not “cheap” at £129.98, it’s competitively priced compared to other high-end products from the big name brands, further enhancing the appeal of the SGK50.

Premium Wood Design and Customisation

The Skiller SGK50 S3 Wood PBT stands out immediately due to its visually striking wooden housing, which provides a unique aesthetic contrast to the typical plastic or aluminium shells found in the gaming market. Beyond its looks, the keyboard is designed with acoustic performance in mind, featuring a polycarbonate positioning plate and integrated silicone cushioning to ensure a rich, dampened sound profile; or as the cool keyboard kids say, it’s “thocky” rather than “clacky”. For the enthusiast who prefers a bespoke experience, the board supports full hot-swappability, allowing for the installation of both 3-pin and 5-pin switches without soldering. Furthermore, it avoids bloated proprietary drivers by utilising the industry-standard VIA and QMK open-source software for macro programming and RGB lighting adjustments,

Key Features

• Unique Wooden Housing: Provides a distinct blend of classic craftsmanship and modern design.
• Hot-Swappable PCB: Compatible with 3-pin and 5-pin switches for complete tactile customisation.
• Acoustic Dampening: Features a polycarbonate plate and silicone padding for a deep, “thocky” sound.
• Open-Source Compatibility: Fully supports VIA and QMK for advanced remapping and lighting control.
• Premium Accessories: Includes a stylish USB-C spiral (coiled) cable and necessary tools for maintenance.
• Enhanced Durability: Equipped with high-quality, abrasion-resistant PBT keycaps.

In terms of technical performance, the SGK50 S3 Wood PBT is equipped with Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow switches, which are highly praised for their smooth, linear travel and reliable actuation. These switches require an actuation force of 50 ± 15 g, making them ideal for both rapid gaming inputs and stress-free typing. The 75% form factor utilised here is a popular choice among gamers, as it retains the essential function row and arrow keys while significantly reducing the footprint compared to a full-sized board. I do prefer a full-sized myself, but don’t worry, as Sharkoon have multiple form factors of this keyboard to suit your needs. However, this 75% design does allow for more mouse movement space and is ideal for a more minimalist desktop environment.

Technical Specifications

• Form Factor: 75% Layout (85 Keys).
• Switch Type: Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow (Linear).
• Actuation Force: 50 ± 15 g.
• Keycap Material: PBT (Polybutylene Terephthalate).
• Connectivity: Detachable USB Type-C.
• Polling Rate: 1,000 Hz.
• Lighting: Per-key RGB.
• Software Support: VIA and QMK.
• Compatibility: Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Official Product Page here.