Royal Kludge C98 HE vs S98 ESMagnetic Speed vs Wireless All-Rounder
Choose the C98 HE for competitive gaming speed, or the S98 ES for wireless versatility and a screen.
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from$89at Royal Kludge
from$109at Royal Kludge
Which one should you get?
Get the
Royal Kludge C98 HE
Magnetic Speed
Build quality in the bottom 25% of 96% boards under $100.
- Hall Effect magnetic switches with adjustable actuation from 0.01mm to 3.5mm.
- 8K Hz polling rate with 0.125ms response time.
- Rapid Trigger and SOCD features for competitive FPS and fighting games.
- 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.
Get the
Royal Kludge S98 ES
Wireless All-Rounder
Build quality in the top 45% of 96% boards under $150.
- Triple-mode wireless (Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4 GHz, USB-C).
- Built-in LCD screen for GIFs, battery, and connection info.
- Top mount design with 2-layer sound dampening foam for a quieter typing experience.
If competitive gaming is your priority, the C98 HE offers magnetic switches, Rapid Trigger, and 8K Hz polling that the S98 ES cannot match. If you need a wireless daily driver with a screen and a knob for productivity and media control, the S98 ES is the better fit. Both share the same 96% layout, so your choice depends on whether you value raw speed or flexible features.
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 C98 HE
Royal Kludge S98 ES
Hall effect (magnetic)
Yes
No
Adjustable actuation helps in games and not in normal typing
Rapid trigger
Yes
No
Faster resets help in games and not in normal typing
Connection
Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Display
None
LCD
A case display rather than a typing feature
Weight
1,200 g
1,879 g
Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel
- Royal Kludge C98 HE
- Royal Kludge S98 ES
- Performance
- 9578
- Build quality
- 5270
- Productivity
- 8491
- Customizability
- 6779
- Portability
- 4556
- Layout size: 96%
- Hot-swappable
- Knob
- Sound dampening
What will you mostly use it for?
The C98 HE dominates gaming due to its magnetic switches and ultra-high polling rate. The S98 ES wins in office, travel, and content creation thanks to wireless connectivity, a screen, and a knob. For programming they tie because the layout and hot-swap capability are identical. Modders will prefer the S98 ES for its top mount and screw-in stabilizers.
Pick the Royal Kludge C98 HE
- Hall Effect magnetic switches with adjustable actuation from 0.01mm to 3.5mm.
- Rapid Trigger technology with 0.01mm step distance for fast FPS actions.
- 8K Hz polling rate and 0.125ms response time.
Royal Kludge C98 HE vs S98 ES specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
11 of 24 specs differ
Royal Kludge C98 HE
Royal Kludge S98 ES
Switch options
Hall effect (magnetic)
Rapid trigger
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
Display
Connection
Max polling rate
Battery
USB passthrough
USB-C
Keycaps
Weight
Dimensions
Backlight
N-key rollover
Mac & Windows
Released
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Royal Kludge C98 HE vs S98 ES: your questions
The C98 HE has Hall Effect magnetic switches with adjustable actuation from 0.01mm to 3.5mm and Rapid Trigger with a 0.01mm step distance. This allows faster key resets and custom actuation points, giving a clear advantage in FPS games like Valorant and CSGO.
Yes, the S98 ES supports triple-mode connectivity including Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4 GHz wireless, and wired USB-C. The vendor description mentions it can connect via Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz dongle, or USB-C cable.
Yes, both the C98 HE and S98 ES feature hot-swappable PCBs. The C98 HE is compatible with RK magnetic switches only, while the S98 ES supports standard 3 or 5 pin mechanical switches.
The C98 HE uses Hall Effect magnetic switches with adjustable actuation from 0.01mm to 3.5mm and a 8K Hz polling rate. The vendor describes these features as enabling instant activation and reset for quicker peeking and rapid-stop shooting in fast-paced games.
Yes, the S98 ES includes a built-in LCD screen that can display custom GIF images, date, connection mode, Win/Mac layout, and battery status, according to the vendor.
The C98 HE is lighter at 1200g compared to the S98 ES at 1879g. However, the S98 ES offers wireless connectivity and a 3750mAh battery, which may be more convenient for travel despite its heavier weight.
The C98 HE includes a 3-layer sound dampening system composed of a thick EVA sound dampener, sound-absorbing foam, and a bottom silicone pad. The vendor states that this reduces hollow sounds and cavity noise.
Yes, the S98 ES connects via USB-C and can be used in wired mode while charging, as it supports triple-mode connectivity (BT/2.4G/USB-C).
The C98 HE uses Cherry profile PBT keycaps, which the vendor describes as durable and oil-resistant. The S98 ES uses double-shot PBT keycaps, which are also durable and feature legends that do not fade. Both are PBT, but C98 HE uses a Cherry profile while S98 ES uses a standard OEM profile.
Yes, the C98 HE includes Rapid Trigger technology with a 0.01mm step distance, allowing instant activation and reset for competitive play in games like Valorant and CSGO, as described by the vendor.
Yes, the S98 ES comes with screw-in stabilizers according to the metadata. These are generally easier to tune and less prone to rattling than plate-mounted stabilizers.
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