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Head to head · Prices checked Oct 28, 2026

Royal Kludge RK C68 HE vs C8765% vs 80% Hall Effect Keyboard Comparison

Choose the RK C68 for a more portable, space-saving layout, or the RK C87 if you prefer a TKL form factor with dedicated navigation keys.

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Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Royal Kludge RK C68 HE

65%

Build quality in the bottom 25% of 65% boards under $100.

If you want

  • More compact 65% layout (332mm) saves significant desk space.
  • Lighter weight at 640g for better portability.
  • Explicitly listed as hot-swappable for RK magnetic switches.

Rules this board out

  • 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.
  • 65% layout. No function row and no numpad.

Get the

Royal Kludge C87

80% Hall Effect Keyboard Comparison

Build quality in the bottom 10% of 80% boards under $100.

If you want

  • 80% TKL layout retains the function row and navigation cluster for easier access.
  • Uses Cherry profile PBT keycaps, a widely preferred profile for typing.
  • Features a side RGB lighting strip according to its vendor description.

Rules this board out

  • Magnetic switches only. Standard MX switches will not fit.
  • No numpad.

Bottom line

Select the Royal Kludge RK C68 HE if you want a highly portable keyboard and are comfortable using layer keys for functions. Opt for the Royal Kludge C87 if you prefer a more traditional TKL layout with immediate access to function and navigation keys. Since their gaming performance and core features are identical, the layout is the decisive factor.

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.

Royal Kludge RK C68 HE

Royal Kludge C87

  • Layout size

    65%

    80%

  • Hot-swappable

    Yes

    No

    Switch changes without soldering

  • Weight

    640 g

    770 g

    Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel

  • Backlight

    RGB, south-facing

    RGB

    RGB for looks and low light rather than speed

  • Dimensions

    41 x 332 x 117 mm

    41 x 366 x 139 mm

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Royal Kludge RK C68 HE
  • Royal Kludge C87
Performance
92
93
Build quality
51
45
Productivity
71
71
Customizability
61
49
Portability
71
56

What they share

  • Hall effect (magnetic)
  • Rapid trigger
  • Connection: Wired
  • Max polling rate: 8,000 Hz
  • Switch options: Magnetic
  • Sound dampening
See every spec side by side

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

The RK C68 and C87 are tied for pure gaming performance and content creation. The C87 takes the lead for office work and programming due to its TKL layout with a dedicated function row. For travel and potential modding, the smaller, lighter, and explicitly hot-swappable C68 is the better choice. Your primary task will dictate the winner.

For gaming

It's a tie

  • Both feature an 8000Hz polling rate and 0.125ms response time.
  • Both include Hall Effect magnetic switches with Rapid Trigger technology and adjustable actuation from 0.01mm to 3.5mm.
  • Both support the same advanced gaming features like Dynamic Keys, Multi-Tap, and SOCD Cleaning via the web-based driver.

Full specs

Royal Kludge RK C68 HE vs C87 specs

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

5 of 18 specs differ

Royal Kludge RK C68 HE

Royal Kludge C87

Typing & switches

Switch options

Magnetic
Magnetic

Hall effect (magnetic)

Yes
Yes

Rapid trigger

Yes
Yes

Hot-swappable

Yes
No

Sound dampening

Yes
Yes

Layout

Layout size

65%
80%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Display

None
None

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Wired
Wired

Max polling rate

8,000 Hz
8,000 Hz

USB-C

Yes
Yes

Build & materials

Keycaps

PBT
PBT

Weight

640 g
770 g

Dimensions

41 x 332 x 117 mm
41 x 366 x 139 mm

Backlight

RGB, south-facing
RGB

Firmware & software

Mac & Windows

Yes
Yes

Extras

Released

2025
2025

Where to buy

Compare prices

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

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Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.

FAQ

Royal Kludge RK C68 HE vs C87: your questions

The main difference is the layout size. The RK C68 is a 65% keyboard with 68 keys, sacrificing the function row and navigation cluster for compactness. The RK C87 is an 80% TKL keyboard with 87 keys, retaining the function row and navigation keys while removing the number pad.

Yes. Both the Royal Kludge C68 and C87 feature Hall Effect magnetic switches. They both support Rapid Trigger technology with a 0.01mm step distance and have an adjustable actuation range from 0.01mm to 3.5mm per key.

Both keyboards have an 8000Hz (8K) polling rate. This is confirmed in the specifications for both models, resulting in a reported 0.125ms response time.

The RK C68 is explicitly listed as hot-swappable in its metadata and vendor description, though it is limited to RK magnetic switches. The RK C87 vendor description states it is hot-swappable for RK magnetic switches, but this feature is not listed in the provided core metadata table for direct comparison.

The RK C87 may be better for typists who prefer a traditional layout. It has Cherry profile PBT keycaps, which are a standard and comfortable shape. The C68 uses MDA profile keycaps, which have a different sculpt and may require an adjustment period.

Yes. Both keyboards support RGB backlighting and are customizable through a web-based driver. The C87 also includes a side RGB lighting strip, as mentioned in its product description.

Yes. Both the RK C68 and C87 list Mac and Windows support in their specifications. The C68 vendor page explicitly states compatibility with Windows XP through 10, Mac, iOS, and Android.

According to the vendor descriptions, both keyboards feature a 3-layer sound dampening system. This system includes a thick EVA sound dampener, a sound-absorbing foam, and a bottom silicone pad to reduce hollow sounds.

Both keyboards come with a Type-C to USB cable, a keycap and switch puller, a dust cover, four backup magnetic switches, and a user manual. This is confirmed in the 'Package Included' sections of both vendor pages.

The RK C68 is more portable. It is shorter (332mm vs 366mm), lighter (640g vs 770g), and has a more compact 65% form factor. The C68's vendor description also specifically markets it as 'Ultra-Portable'.

Both keyboards use a web-based driver for customization, allowing for key remapping, macro creation, actuation point adjustment, and RGB control. The specific driver may be model-specific, but the functionality and access method (via a browser) appear identical.

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