AULA F99 Pro vs Royal Kludge S98ES: Gasket vs Top Mount Showdown

Compare AULA F99 Pro vs Royal Kludge S98 ES Differences Side by Side

This comparison is for buyers deciding between two popular 96% wireless mechanical keyboards. The choice is difficult because both offer tri-mode connectivity, hot-swappable switches, and a knob, but diverge significantly in core design philosophy. The AULA F99 Pro focuses on a gasket-mounted, sound-dampened typing experience with extreme battery life, while the Royal Kludge S98ES adds a smart LCD screen, USB passthrough, and a much heavier, sturdier top-mount construction.

Model
Rating	4.7 stars (39 reviews)	0.0 stars (0 reviews)
Purchase Options
Main differences	Released in 2024 Has Linear switch options Includes a No display Uses a Gasket Mount mounting style Equipped with a 8000 mAh battery Weighs about 1023 g Sized at 43 x 146 x 390 mm Made with a ABS case Offers Yes, Rgb, South-face, Rgb South-face RGB lighting	Released in 2025 Includes a Yes, LCD display Offers a USB passthrough port Features N-key rollover Includes screw-in stabilizers Uses a Top Mount mounting style Equipped with a 3750 mAh battery Weighs about 1879 g Sized at 42 x 409 x 140 mm Features ABS keycaps Offers Yes, Rgb RGB lighting
Score	Scores Performance: 66.2 Build Quality: 63.9 Productivity: 84.1 Customizability: 68.2 Portability: 63.5	Scores Performance: 78 Build Quality: 69.7 Productivity: 90.9 Customizability: 79.2 Portability: 56.4
Name	Name AULA F99 Pro	Name Royal Kludge S98 ES
Release year	Release year 2024	Release year 2025
Switch Options	Switch Options Linear	Switch Options -
Profile	Profile Normal Profile	Profile Normal Profile
Hot Swappable	Hot Swappable	Hot Swappable
Layout Size	Layout Size 96%	Layout Size 96%
Layout Standard	Layout Standard ANSI	Layout Standard ANSI
Layout Ergonomics	Layout Ergonomics Normal	Layout Ergonomics Normal
Knob Support	Knob Support	Knob Support
Display Support	Display Support	Display Support LCD
Mac/Win Support	Mac/Win Support	Mac/Win Support
Multi-Media Keys	Multi-Media Keys	Multi-Media Keys
USB-C	USB-C	USB-C
USB passthrough	USB passthrough	USB passthrough
Connection	Connection Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless	Connection Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless
Polling Rate	Polling Rate -	Polling Rate -
Battery capacity	Battery capacity 8000 mAh	Battery capacity 3750 mAh
Hall Effect Support	Hall Effect Support	Hall Effect Support
QMK Support	QMK Support	QMK Support
VIA Support	VIA Support	VIA Support
VIAL Support	VIAL Support	VIAL Support
N-Key Rollover	N-Key Rollover	N-Key Rollover
Rapid Trigger	Rapid Trigger	Rapid Trigger
Mount Style	Mount Style Gasket Mount	Mount Style Top Mount
Screw in Stabilizers	Screw in Stabilizers	Screw in Stabilizers
Sound Dampening	Sound Dampening	Sound Dampening
Backlight	Backlight Rgb, South-face	Backlight Rgb
Case Colors	Case Colors	Case Colors
Case Material	Case Material ABS	Case Material -
Keycaps Material	Keycaps Material -	Keycaps Material ABS
Dimensions	Dimensions 43 x 146 x 390 mm	Dimensions 42 x 409 x 140 mm
Weight	Weight 1023g	Weight 1879g

S98-ES Teclado Mecánico Inalámbrico 96% QWERTY

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4.7 stars (39 reviews)

0.0 stars (0 reviews)

Released in 2024
Has Linear switch options
Includes a No display
Uses a Gasket Mount mounting style
Equipped with a 8000 mAh battery
Weighs about 1023 g
Sized at 43 x 146 x 390 mm
Made with a ABS case
Offers Yes, Rgb, South-face, Rgb South-face RGB lighting

Released in 2025
Includes a Yes, LCD display
Offers a USB passthrough port
Features N-key rollover
Includes screw-in stabilizers
Uses a Top Mount mounting style
Equipped with a 3750 mAh battery
Weighs about 1879 g
Sized at 42 x 409 x 140 mm
Features ABS keycaps
Offers Yes, Rgb RGB lighting

Scores

Performance: 66.2
Build Quality: 63.9
Productivity: 84.1
Customizability: 68.2
Portability: 63.5

Scores

Performance: 78
Build Quality: 69.7
Productivity: 90.9
Customizability: 79.2
Portability: 56.4

Name

AULA F99 Pro

Name

Royal Kludge S98 ES

Release year

2024

Release year

2025

Switch Options

Linear

Switch Options

Profile

Normal Profile

Profile

Normal Profile

Hot Swappable

Layout Size

96%

Layout Size

96%

Layout Standard

ANSI

Layout Standard

ANSI

Layout Ergonomics

Normal

Layout Ergonomics

Normal

Knob Support

Display Support

LCD

Mac/Win Support

Multi-Media Keys

USB-C

USB passthrough

Connection

Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless

Connection

Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless

Polling Rate

Battery capacity

8000 mAh

Battery capacity

3750 mAh

Hall Effect Support

QMK Support

VIA Support

VIAL Support

N-Key Rollover

Rapid Trigger

Mount Style

Gasket Mount

Mount Style

Top Mount

Screw in Stabilizers

Sound Dampening

Backlight

Rgb, South-face

Backlight

Rgb

Case Colors

Case Material

ABS

Case Material

Keycaps Material

ABS

Dimensions

43 x 146 x 390 mm

Dimensions

42 x 409 x 140 mm

Weight

1023g

Weight

1879g

Pros and Trade-offs

Your priority should guide your choice. If you value a portable, mod-friendly keyboard with a soft, quiet typing experience and don't want to worry about battery life, the AULA F99 Pro is the compelling option. If you prefer a feature-rich, stationary desk keyboard with a screen, USB passthrough, and a sturdier, firmer typing feel, and are willing to accept the extra weight and cost, the Royal Kludge S98ES is the better investment.

AULA F99 Pro

+Gasket mount structure with a flexible PC plate for a softer, more cushioned typing feel.
+Massive 8000mAh battery capacity for extended wireless use.
+Five layers of sound-dampening materials including sandwich foam, IXPE pad, PET film, bottom foam, and silicone case pad.
+South-facing RGB LEDs for better compatibility with cherry-profile keycaps.
+Significantly lighter weight (1023g) for better portability.

−Case material is ABS plastic, which may feel less premium than metal alternatives.
−Keycap material is not specified in the provided metadata, unlike the PBT keycaps on the S98ES.
−Lacks the USB passthrough port and LCD screen found on the competitor.

Royal Kludge S98 ES

+Includes a smart LCD screen for displaying custom GIFs, date, battery status, and connection mode.
+Features a USB 2.0 passthrough port for connecting peripherals.
+Comes with double-shot PBT keycaps for better durability and resistance to shine.
+Equipped with screw-in stabilizers, which typically offer a more secure and stable feel than clip-in variants.
+Top mount design, which the manufacturer states offers a firm and consistent tactile feel.

−Substantially heavier at 1879g, making it less portable.
−Smaller 3750mAh battery, which will require more frequent charging than the AULA.
−More expensive than the AULA F99 Pro based on listed vendor prices.

Which Keyboard Is Better for Your Needs?

The Royal Kludge S98ES takes the lead for stationary, feature-focused use in gaming, office, and content creation, thanks to its screen, passthrough port, and premium stabilizers. The AULA F99 Pro is the clear choice for portability and modding, offering a lighter build, massive battery, and a gasket-mounted design aimed at sound and feel customization. For programming, both keyboards are equally capable due to their shared core layout and hot-swap functionality.

GamingRoyal Kludge S98 ES

•The Royal Kludge S98ES features N-Key Rollover, a spec not listed for the AULA F99 Pro.
•Its top mount design, described by the manufacturer as offering a firm and consistent feel, may provide more stability for rapid key presses.
•It includes screw-in stabilizers, which can contribute to a more solid and rattle-free feel on larger keys.

OfficeRoyal Kludge S98 ES

•The Royal Kludge S98ES includes a USB 2.0 passthrough port for easy peripheral connection.
•Its built-in LCD screen can display battery status, date, and connection mode at a glance.
•It comes with double-shot PBT keycaps, which are more resistant to shine and wear than the unspecified keycaps on the AULA.

ProgrammingTie

•Both keyboards share the same 96% ANSI layout, preserving the numpad.
•Both are hot-swappable, allowing for switch customization to suit typing preference.
•Both offer tri-mode connectivity (Bluetooth, 2.4GHz, wired) for flexible setup.

TravelAULA F99 Pro

•The AULA F99 Pro is significantly lighter at 1023g compared to the Royal Kludge S98ES at 1879g.
•It has a much larger 8000mAh battery, promising longer wireless use between charges.
•Its gasket mount with a flexible PC plate may be more resilient to travel shocks than a rigid top mount.

ModdingAULA F99 Pro

•The AULA F99 Pro uses a gasket mount with a flexible PC plate and a flex-cut PCB, a popular modding platform for a softer, more cushioned feel.
•Its vendor description details five specific layers of sound-dampening materials (sandwich foam, IXPE switch pad, PET film, bottom foam, silicone pad) for acoustic tuning.
•It features south-facing RGB LEDs, which are compatible with a wider range of aftermarket keycaps without interference.

Content CreationRoyal Kludge S98 ES

•The Royal Kludge S98ES's multifunction knob can control volume, RGB brightness, and speed, offering quick media adjustments.
•The LCD screen can be customized with GIFs, providing visual feedback or branding.
•The USB passthrough port is convenient for connecting a drawing tablet or other peripherals directly to the keyboard.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)