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.
KeebFinder may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Which one should you get?
Get the
Royal Kludge RK C68 HE
65%
Build quality in the bottom 25% of 65% boards under $100.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Magnetic switches only. Standard MX switches will not fit.
- No numpad.
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.
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
- Royal Kludge RK C68 HE
- Royal Kludge C87
- Performance
- 9293
- Build quality
- 5145
- Productivity
- 7171
- Customizability
- 6149
- Portability
- 7156
- Hall effect (magnetic)
- Rapid trigger
- Connection: Wired
- Max polling rate: 8,000 Hz
- Switch options: Magnetic
- Sound dampening
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.
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.
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
Switch options
Hall effect (magnetic)
Rapid trigger
Hot-swappable
Sound dampening
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Display
Connection
Max polling rate
USB-C
Keycaps
Weight
Dimensions
Backlight
Mac & Windows
Released
Compare prices
Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.
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.
Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.
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.
Not sold on either?
Still torn?
Answer a few quick questions and the keyboard finder ranks 2,000+ boards by how you will actually use yours.










