AULA F99 Pro vs Royal Kludge C98 HEWireless vs Gaming Performance
Choose the AULA F99 Pro for wireless flexibility and the Royal Kludge C98 HE for competitive gaming features.
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4.7 (41)4.7 · 41 reviews
from$68at Epomaker
90-day lowLowest price in 90 days
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from$89at Royal Kludge
Which one should you get?
Get the
AULA F99 Pro
Wireless
Build quality in the bottom 50% of 96% boards under $100.
- Tri-mode wireless connectivity (Bluetooth, 2.4GHz, wired) for maximum flexibility.
- Large 8000mAh battery for extended cord-free use.
- Gasket mount structure with a PC plate and five layers of sound-dampening materials for a tuned typing feel.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
Get the
Royal Kludge C98 HE
Gaming Performance
Build quality in the bottom 25% of 96% boards under $100.
- High-performance 8000 Hz polling rate and 0.125ms response time for competitive gaming.
- Hall Effect magnetic switches with adjustable actuation points (0.01mm–3.5mm) and Rapid Trigger technology.
- Includes durable, oil-resistant PBT keycaps in a Cherry profile.
- Magnetic switches only. Standard MX switches will not fit.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
Your primary need dictates the choice. If you require the absolute lowest latency and advanced features like adjustable actuation for competitive gaming, the wired Royal Kludge C98 HE is the specialized tool. For all other users who value a clean desk, device switching, or working away from an outlet, the wireless AULA F99 Pro offers superior everyday versatility and convenience at a potentially lower cost.
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.
AULA F99 Pro
Royal Kludge C98 HE
Hall effect (magnetic)
No
Yes
Adjustable actuation helps in games and not in normal typing
Rapid trigger
No
Yes
Faster resets help in games and not in normal typing
Connection
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Switch options
Linear
Magnetic
Weight
1,023 g
1,200 g
Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel
- AULA F99 Pro
- Royal Kludge C98 HE
- Performance
- 6695
- Build quality
- 6252
- Productivity
- 8384
- Customizability
- 6667
- Portability
- 6345
- Layout size: 96%
- Hot-swappable
- Knob
- Sound dampening
What will you mostly use it for?
The Royal Kludge C98 HE is the clear choice for competitive gamers due to its high polling rate, Rapid Trigger, and customizable Hall Effect switches. For nearly every other scenario, the AULA F99 Pro's advantages in wireless connectivity, battery life, and lighter weight make it more versatile. Programmers will find both layouts equally capable, while modders may prefer the AULA's more open switch compatibility and detailed sound-dampening stack.
Pick the Royal Kludge C98 HE
- The Royal Kludge C98 HE features an 8000 Hz polling rate and 0.125ms response time for minimal input lag.
- It includes Rapid Trigger technology with a 0.01mm step distance for faster key resets.
- Hall Effect magnetic switches offer adjustable actuation points from 0.01mm to 3.5mm for precise customization.
AULA F99 Pro vs Royal Kludge C98 HE specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
7 of 23 specs differ
AULA F99 Pro
Royal Kludge C98 HE
Switch options
Hall effect (magnetic)
Rapid trigger
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
Display
Connection
Max polling rate
Battery
USB-C
Case material
Plate material
Keycaps
Weight
Dimensions
Backlight
Mac & Windows
Released
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AULA F99 Pro vs Royal Kludge C98 HE: your questions
The AULA F99 Pro is designed for wireless use. It supports Bluetooth, 2.4GHz, and wired connections, and is powered by an 8000mAh battery. The Royal Kludge C98 HE is a wired-only keyboard.
Yes, the Royal Kludge C98 HE features Rapid Trigger technology. According to the manufacturer, it has an ultra-responsive 0.01mm RT step distance for instant activation and reset of keystrokes.
Both keyboards are hot-swappable, but with a key difference. The AULA F99 Pro's hot-swap PCB accepts standard mechanical switches. The Royal Kludge C98 HE's product listing specifies its hot-swap socket is for RK magnetic switches only.
The Royal Kludge C98 HE has an 8000 Hz polling rate. The manufacturer states this provides a 0.125ms response time, which is significantly faster than standard 1000Hz keyboards.
The AULA F99 Pro has an 8000mAh battery. While the exact runtime depends on usage and lighting, this is a large capacity that should support extended wireless operation between charges.
Both keyboards feature internal sound dampening. The AULA F99 Pro uses five layers including sandwich foam, IXPE, PET film, bottom foam, and silicone. The Royal Kludge C98 HE uses a triple-layer system with EVA foam, sound-absorbing foam, and a silicone pad.
Yes. The Royal Kludge C98 HE comes with Cherry profile PBT keycaps, which are generally more durable and resistant to shine. The AULA F99 Pro's listing specifies Cherry profile keycaps but does not state the material, which is often ABS in this price range.
The AULA F99 Pro is more portable. It is lighter at 1023g compared to the Royal Kludge's 1200g, and its wireless functionality means you don't need to manage a cable when moving it.
Hall Effect switches, like those in the Royal Kludge C98 HE, use magnets and sensors instead of physical metal contacts. This allows for adjustable actuation points, theoretically longer lifespan, and features like Rapid Trigger without issues like contact bounce.
Yes, both offer software customization. The AULA F99 Pro uses the AULA Driver for key mapping and RGB. The Royal Kludge C98 HE uses a web-based driver for remapping keys, adjusting actuation points, and enabling advanced gaming functions.
The AULA F99 Pro is capable for casual gaming with its wired and 2.4GHz wireless modes. However, it lacks the dedicated high-performance features of the Royal Kludge C98 HE, such as the 8000Hz polling rate, Rapid Trigger, and adjustable Hall Effect switches favored by competitive players.
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