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Head to head · Prices checked Oct 21, 2026

Ajazz AK980 vs Royal Kludge S98Battery Life vs Build Features

Choose the Ajazz AK980 for superior wireless battery life, or the Royal Kludge S98 for a more feature-rich desktop experience.

Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Ajazz AK980

Battery Life

If you want

  • Massive 8000mAh battery for extended wireless use.
  • Lighter weight (1140g) and thinner profile for better portability.
  • Five-layer gasket mount structure for a potentially more cushioned typing feel.

And can live with

  • Smaller 3750mAh battery requires more frequent charging.
  • Much heavier at 1879g, making it less portable.
  • Top mount design may offer a different, firmer typing feel compared to gasket mount.

Get the

Royal Kludge S98

Build Features

If you want

  • Includes a multifunction control knob for media and settings.
  • Features a built-in USB 2.0 passthrough port.
  • Comes with four-layer sound absorbing foam and well-lubed stabilizers.

And can live with

  • Much heavier at 1879g, making it less portable.
  • Smaller 3750mAh battery requires more frequent charging.
  • Top mount design may offer a different, firmer typing feel compared to gasket mount.

Bottom line

Your primary need dictates the choice. If your keyboard rarely moves and you value desktop convenience features like a knob and USB passthrough, the Royal Kludge S98 is the more capable hub. If you prioritize wireless freedom, long battery life, and a lighter build for occasional transport, the Ajazz AK980 delivers superior endurance and portability at a potentially lower cost.

What actually differs

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.

Ajazz AK980

Royal Kludge S98

  • Connection

    Wireless

    Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired

  • Battery

    8,000 mAh

    3,750 mAh

  • Switch options

    Linear

    Linear, Tactile

  • Mount style

    Gasket Mount

    Gasket Mount, Top Mount

  • Knob

    No

    Yes

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Ajazz AK980
  • Royal Kludge S98
Performance
42
66
Build quality
50
72
Productivity
42
82
Customizability
58
72
Portability
57
53

What they share

  • Hot-swappable
  • Display: TFT
See every spec side by side

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

The Royal Kludge S98 takes the lead for stationary, feature-focused use cases like office work, gaming, and content creation due to its knob, passthrough port, and sound-dampening construction. The Ajazz AK980 is the clear choice for portability and long wireless sessions, thanks to its lighter weight and massive battery. For programming and basic modding, the keyboards are closely matched, with the Ajazz offering a specific gasket mount appeal.

For gaming

Pick the Royal Kludge S98

  • The Royal Kludge S98 features south-facing RGB LEDs, which are listed as a key feature and are often preferred for compatibility with certain keycap profiles.
  • Its top-mount design, as described by the manufacturer, is noted for stability and typing precision.
  • The keyboard includes a dedicated software for customization when used in wired mode.

Full specs

Ajazz AK980 vs Royal Kludge S98 specs

Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.

12 of 21 specs differ

Ajazz AK980

Royal Kludge S98

Typing & switches

Switch options

Linear
Linear, Tactile

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Gasket Mount
Gasket Mount, Top Mount

Sound dampening

No
Yes

Layout

Layout size

—
96%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Knob

No
Yes

Display

TFT
TFT

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Wireless
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired

Battery

8,000 mAhBetter
3,750 mAh

USB passthrough

No
Yes

USB-C

No
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

Plastic
—

Plate material

FR4
—

Keycaps

PBT
ABS, PBT

Weight

—
1,879 g

Dimensions

—
41 x 140 x 41 mm

Backlight

RGB
RGB, south-facing

Firmware & software

Mac & Windows

No
Yes

Extras

Released

2024
2023

Where to buy

Compare prices

Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.

Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.

Ajazz AK9802 stores
  • MechkeysCN

    In stock
    $79Visit
  • AmazonGlobal

    Check price
    Visit
  • Royal KludgeUS

    In stock
    $89Visit
  • AmazonGlobal

    Check price
    Visit

Prices in USD are converted to your currency and can change at any time. KeebFinder may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.

FAQ

Ajazz AK980 vs Royal Kludge S98: your questions

The Ajazz AK980 has a significantly larger 8000mAh battery compared to the Royal Kludge S98's 3750mAh battery. Based on the listed capacities, the Ajazz should offer more than double the wireless usage time between charges.

Yes, the Royal Kludge S98 includes a control knob. The manufacturer states this knob can be used to adjust volume, lighting, and connection settings with a twist or click.

The Ajazz AK980 uses a gasket mount, which its vendor describes as a five-layer filled structure. The Royal Kludge S98 uses a top mount design, which the manufacturer pairs with four-layer sound absorbing foam.

Only the Royal Kludge S98 has a built-in USB 2.0 passthrough port, allowing you to connect a flash drive or other peripheral directly to the keyboard. The Ajazz AK980 does not list this feature.

The Royal Kludge S98 may have an edge for quiet typing. Its product description specifically highlights four-layer sound absorbing foam and well-lubed stabilizers designed to reduce noise. The Ajazz AK980 also has a gasket structure for noise reduction, but the RK's foam layers are explicitly called out.

Both keyboards feature PBT keycaps. The Royal Kludge S98's listing specifies they are double-shot PBT keycaps, which typically offer more durable legends.

There is a substantial weight difference. The Ajazz AK980 weighs 1140 grams (1.14kg), while the Royal Kludge S98 weighs 1879 grams (1.88kg). The RK S98 is over 60% heavier.

Both offer software support, but the details differ. The Royal Kludge S98 listing mentions professional software support for key mappings and macros when connected via wire. The Ajazz AK980 vendor page does not detail software features, focusing instead on hardware customization like switch swapping.

Both keyboards have a TFT screen. According to their descriptions, the screens can display information like time, connection mode, battery level, and custom GIFs or animations. The RK S98's screen also integrates with the knob for control.

The Ajazz AK980 is more portable. It is significantly lighter (1140g vs 1879g) and has a slimmer profile (19mm tall vs 41mm). Combined with its larger battery, it is better suited for mobile use.

The Royal Kludge S98's description states it comes with "well-lubed, custom switches" and "well-lubed stabilizers." The Ajazz AK980 vendor page lists various switch options with their specifications but does not explicitly state if they are pre-lubed from the factory.

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