Royal Kludge RK C68 HE vs C98 HECompact vs Full-Featured Hall Effect
Choose the C68 HE for a portable, mouse-friendly desk, or the C98 HE for a full numpad and knob without sacrificing desk space.
Which one should you get?
Get the
Royal Kludge RK C68 HE
Compact
- Extremely compact 65% layout saves substantial desk space.
- Lightweight at 640g, enhancing portability.
- Includes MDA profile PBT keycaps for a distinct typing feel.
- Lacks a numpad and dedicated function row, requiring layer use.
- Does not include a control knob.
- Hot-swap is limited to RK's proprietary magnetic switches only.
Get the
Royal Kludge C98 HE
Full-Featured Hall Effect
- 96% layout includes a numpad and arrow keys while remaining relatively compact.
- Features a dedicated control knob for media and volume.
- Uses Cherry profile PBT keycaps, a popular standard.
- Significantly heavier at 1200g and larger (409mm wide).
- Less portable and takes up more desk space.
- Commands a higher price than the C68 model.
Select the Royal Kludge C68 HE if your priority is a minimalist, portable setup for gaming or you need to maximize mouse real estate. Opt for the Royal Kludge C98 HE if you require a numpad, arrow keys, and a control knob for productivity tasks but still want a space-efficient board compared to a full-size. Both deliver identical top-tier gaming performance with Hall Effect switches.
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 C98 HE
Layout size
65%
96%
Knob
No
Yes
Weight
640 g
1,200 g
Dimensions
41 x 332 x 117 mm
41 x 409 x 140 mm
- Royal Kludge RK C68 HE
- Royal Kludge C98 HE
- Performance
- 9295
- Build quality
- 5152
- Productivity
- 7184
- Customizability
- 6167
- Portability
- 7145
- Hall effect (magnetic)
- Rapid trigger
- Connection: Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Max polling rate: 8,000 Hz
- Switch options: Magnetic
What will you mostly use it for?
The C98 HE is the clear choice for productivity-focused tasks like office work, programming, and content creation due to its full layout and knob. For travel and maximizing mouse space, the C68 HE's compact form and light weight are superior. For pure gaming and modding, the keyboards are functionally identical, sharing all critical performance specs. Your primary workflow and desk space will dictate the winner.
It's a tie
- Both feature an 8000Hz polling rate and 0.125ms response time.
- Both include Rapid Trigger technology with a 0.01mm step distance.
- Both have adjustable magnetic switch actuation from 0.01mm to 3.5mm.
- Both offer a 3-layer sound dampening system with EVA, foam, and silicone.
Royal Kludge RK C68 HE vs C98 HE specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
4 of 19 specs differ
Royal Kludge RK C68 HE
Royal Kludge C98 HE
Switch options
Hall effect (magnetic)
Rapid trigger
Hot-swappable
Sound dampening
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
Display
Connection
Max polling rate
USB-C
Keycaps
Weight
Dimensions
Backlight
Mac & Windows
Released
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Royal Kludge RK C68 HE vs C98 HE: your questions
The core difference is the layout size. The C68 HE is a 65% keyboard with 68 keys, sacrificing the numpad and function row for compactness. The C98 HE is a 96% keyboard with 98 keys, retaining a numpad and arrow keys in a condensed layout, and it adds a dedicated control knob.
Yes, for gaming performance they are identical. Both feature an 8000Hz polling rate, a 0.125ms response time, Rapid Trigger technology with 0.01mm steps, and fully adjustable Hall Effect magnetic switches. The manufacturer states both use the same triple-layer sound dampening system.
No. According to the manufacturer's specifications, the hot-swap sockets on both the C68 HE and C98 HE only support RK's proprietary magnetic switches. They are not compatible with standard mechanical switches.
The C98 HE is better suited for office work. Its 96% layout includes a numpad for data entry and a dedicated control knob for easy volume adjustment. The C68 HE requires using function layers to access numbers and media controls, which is less efficient for frequent use.
Yes. The vendor description states the C68 HE uses MDA profile PBT keycaps, while the C98 HE uses Cherry profile PBT keycaps. This affects the shape and typing feel of the keycaps.
No. Both the Royal Kludge C68 HE and C98 HE are wired-only keyboards, connecting via the included USB-C cable. Wireless connectivity is not listed as a feature for these specific models.
According to the vendor pages, both keyboards come with the keyboard itself, a USB-C to USB cable, a keycap and switch puller, four backup magnetic switches, a dust cover, and a user manual.
The manufacturer describes the sound dampening as consisting of three internal layers: a thick EVA sound dampener, a sound-absorbing foam, and a bottom silicone pad. This is intended to reduce hollow sounds and cavity noise during typing.
Yes. Both keyboards feature Hall Effect magnetic switches with an adjustable actuation range from 0.01mm to 3.5mm. This customization is done per-key through the web-based driver software.
The C68 HE is significantly more portable. It weighs 640g compared to the C98 HE's 1200g, and its dimensions are much smaller (332mm wide vs 409mm). The 65% layout is far easier to pack and carry.
Yes, both the C68 HE and C98 HE list support for Windows and Mac operating systems in their specifications. The web-based driver software is also noted as accessible for both Windows and macOS users.
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