Royal Kludge C87 vs C98 HETKL vs Numpad Layout
Choose the C87 for a smaller TKL footprint, or the C98 HE if you want a numpad and dedicated knob.
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from$73at Royal Kludge
from$89at Royal Kludge
Which one should you get?
Get the
Royal Kludge C87
TKL
Build quality in the bottom 10% of 80% boards under $100.
- 80% TKL layout measures 366 mm wide.
- Weighs 770 g, lighter than the C98 HE.
- Hall Effect magnetic switches with Rapid Trigger and an 8000 Hz polling rate.
- Magnetic switches only. Standard MX switches will not fit.
- No numpad.
Get the
Royal Kludge C98 HE
Numpad Layout
Build quality in the bottom 25% of 96% boards under $100.
- 96% layout includes a numpad in a 409 mm-wide board.
- Dedicated knob provides control for volume, lighting, and connection settings.
- Hot-swappable with RK magnetic switches only.
- 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.
- Compact full-size layout. The numpad is present, the gaps of a full-size board are not.
Pick the Royal Kludge C87 if you want a narrower, lighter TKL board for gaming or easier transport. Choose the C98 HE if keeping a numpad and adding a dedicated knob are worth its larger footprint and higher weight. Both retain the same core wired Hall Effect gaming features, and neither accepts standard MX 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 C87
Royal Kludge C98 HE
Layout size
80%
96%
Hot-swappable
No
Yes
Switch changes without soldering
Knob
No
Yes
Weight
770 g
1,200 g
Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel
Backlight
RGB
RGB, south-facing
RGB for looks and low light rather than speed
- Royal Kludge C87
- Royal Kludge C98 HE
- Performance
- 9395
- Build quality
- 4552
- Productivity
- 7184
- Customizability
- 4967
- Portability
- 5645
- 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 C87 suits gaming setups where a narrower keyboard and more mouse room matter, while both boards share Hall Effect switches, Rapid Trigger, and 8000 Hz polling. The C98 HE is the more convenient pick for office and programming tasks that benefit from a numpad. Its dedicated knob also gives it a practical edge for content creation controls. For carrying between locations, the lighter and narrower C87 is the more manageable option, though both are wired-only.
Pick the Royal Kludge C87
- Both keyboards have magnetic Hall Effect switches, Rapid Trigger, and an 8000 Hz polling rate.
- The C87's 80% TKL layout is narrower than the C98 HE's 96% layout, leaving more room beside it for mouse movement.
Royal Kludge C87 vs C98 HE specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
6 of 19 specs differ
Royal Kludge C87
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 C87 vs C98 HE: your questions
The C87 is an 80% TKL keyboard without a numpad. The C98 HE is a 96% layout with a numpad and a dedicated knob.
The C98 HE includes a numpad in its 96% layout. The C87 is an 80% TKL board, and its compatibility details specify that it has no numpad.
The C87 measures 366 mm wide, while the C98 HE measures 409 mm wide. The C87 is also lighter at 770 g versus 1200 g.
Both have Hall Effect magnetic switches, Rapid Trigger, RGB, and an 8000 Hz polling rate. The C87's narrower TKL layout may suit players who want more mouse space beside the keyboard.
Yes, Rapid Trigger is listed for both keyboards. Royal Kludge describes adjustable actuation from 0.01 mm to 3.5 mm for both models.
Both are listed as wired-only keyboards. Royal Kludge describes a detachable USB-A to USB-C connection for the C87 and includes a Type-C USB cable in the C98 HE package.
No. Both models use magnetic switches, and their compatibility rules specify that standard MX switches will not fit.
Yes, the C98 HE is listed as hot-swappable, but the supported replacements are RK magnetic switches only. Royal Kludge also lists four backup switches in the package.
Royal Kludge describes the C87 as hot-swappable for RK magnetic switches only. Standard MX switches are not compatible with its magnetic switch sockets.
Royal Kludge says the C98 HE knob can adjust volume, lighting, and connection settings. The C87 does not list a knob feature.
Both keyboards have RGB lighting. The C98 HE uses south-facing LEDs, which can leave shine-through keycap legends dark and may clip some sculpted keycaps.
The C87 is lighter at 770 g and narrower at 366 mm, compared with the C98 HE at 1200 g and 409 mm wide. Both are wired-only, so neither offers wireless use while traveling.
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