AULA F99 Pro vs Royal Kludge S98 DEBattery Life vs Screen & Build
Choose the AULA F99 Pro for superior battery life and a softer typing feel, or the Royal Kludge S98DE for a feature-rich build with a screen and PBT keycaps.
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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$109at Royal Kludge
Which one should you get?
Get the
AULA F99 Pro
Battery Life
Build quality in the bottom 50% of 96% boards under $100.
- Massive 8000mAh battery for extended wireless use.
- Gasket mount structure with a PC plate and flex-cut PCB for a softer, more cushioned typing feel.
- Detailed five-layer sound dampening package including sandwich foam, IXPE pad, PET film, bottom foam, and silicone pad.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
Get the
Royal Kludge S98 DE
Screen & Build
Build quality in the top 40% of 96% boards under $150.
- Features an integrated LCD screen for displaying custom GIFs, battery status, and connection mode.
- Includes a USB 2.0 pass-through port for connecting peripherals directly.
- Comes with double-shot PBT keycaps for better durability and texture.
Your priority should guide this decision. If unmatched wireless battery life, a lighter build, and a soft, mod-friendly gasket-mounted typing experience are most important, the AULA F99 Pro is the compelling choice, often at a lower price. If you value premium materials like PBT keycaps, extra features like a USB pass-through and an LCD screen, and a sturdier, heavier build, the Royal Kludge S98DE justifies its higher 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 S98 DE
Battery
8,000 mAh
3,750 mAh
A larger battery means fewer cables during the day
Switch options
Linear
Linear, Tactile
Mount style
Gasket Mount
Top Mount
Display
None
LCD
A case display rather than a typing feature
Weight
1,023 g
1,879 g
Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel
- AULA F99 Pro
- Royal Kludge S98 DE
- Performance
- 6668
- Build quality
- 6270
- Productivity
- 8391
- Customizability
- 6679
- Portability
- 6357
- Layout size: 96%
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Knob
- Sound dampening
What will you mostly use it for?
The Royal Kludge S98DE takes the lead for office use and content creation due to its practical USB pass-through, durable PBT keycaps, and customizable LCD screen. The AULA F99 Pro is the clear choice for travel and modding, thanks to its much lighter weight, enormous battery, and detailed gasket-mounted sound-dampening construction. For gaming and programming, the keyboards are closely matched, making the decision more about preference for typing feel versus premium build materials.
It's a tie
- Both offer tri-mode connectivity with 2.4GHz wireless for low-latency gaming.
- Both feature hot-swappable PCBs for switch customization.
- The AULA's gasket mount may offer a softer feel, while the Royal Kludge's top mount is described as providing a 'fixed feeling'.
- Both include RGB backlighting.
AULA F99 Pro vs Royal Kludge S98 DE specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
9 of 22 specs differ
AULA F99 Pro
Royal Kludge S98 DE
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
Display
Connection
Battery
USB passthrough
USB-C
Case material
Plate material
Keycaps
Weight
Dimensions
Backlight
Mac & Windows
Released
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AULA F99 Pro vs Royal Kludge S98 DE: your questions
The AULA F99 Pro has a significantly larger 8000mAh battery compared to the Royal Kludge S98DE's 3750mAh battery. Based on the manufacturer's specifications, this should translate to much longer usage time between charges for the AULA model when using its wireless modes.
Yes, the Royal Kludge S98DE features an integrated LCD screen. According to the vendor page, this smart display can show custom GIF images, the date, connection mode, layout, and battery status.
The Royal Kludge S98DE comes with double-shot PBT keycaps, which are generally more durable and resistant to shine and wear than ABS keycaps. The AULA F99 Pro's vendor description specifies an ABS plastic case but does not explicitly detail the keycap material, though its metadata lists ABS for keycaps.
The AULA F99 Pro uses a gasket mount, where the plate is suspended on rubber or silicone gaskets to dampen vibrations and create a softer, more flexible typing feel. The Royal Kludge S98DE uses a top mount, where the plate is fixed to the top of the case, which the manufacturer describes as providing a 'fixed feeling' that is often perceived as more solid and consistent.
The AULA F99 Pro is explicitly designed with sound dampening in mind, featuring five layers of materials including sandwich foam, an IXPE switch pad, PET film, bottom foam, and a silicone case pad. The Royal Kludge S98DE also has sound-absorbing foam, listing two thicker foams between the PCB. The AULA's more comprehensive stack may offer a more muted sound profile out of the box.
Yes, both the AULA F99 Pro and the Royal Kludge S98DE feature hot-swappable PCBs. This allows you to change the mechanical switches without any soldering required, using 3-pin or 5-pin switches.
Yes, there is a significant weight difference. The Royal Kludge S98DE weighs 1879 grams (over 4 lbs), while the AULA F99 Pro weighs 1023 grams. This makes the AULA model considerably more portable.
No, the AULA F99 Pro does not list a USB pass-through port among its features. The Royal Kludge S98DE includes one integrated USB 2.0 pass-through port, which is a convenient feature for connecting a mouse or flash drive.
Based on the vendor descriptions, the Royal Kludge S98DE offers a choice between Cream Linear switches and Beige Tactile switches. The AULA F99 Pro listing shows options for LEOBOG Nimbus V3 Linear or Star Arrow Linear switches, providing choice within the linear category but no tactile option.
Yes, both the AULA F99 Pro and the Royal Kludge S98DE list Mac and Windows support in their specifications and extra features.
Yes, both keyboards support software customization. The AULA F99 Pro uses the AULA Driver for key mapping and RGB effects. The Royal Kludge S98DE supports DIY software and lists onboard storage for profiles.
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