Royal Kludge C98 HE vs S98 FRHall Effect or Wireless 96%
Choose the C98 HE for competitive gaming performance or the S98 FR for wireless office convenience and a built-in screen.
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from$89at Royal Kludge
from$109at Royal Kludge
Which one should you get?
Get the
Royal Kludge C98 HE
Hall effect
Build quality in the bottom 25% of 96% boards under $100.
- 8000 Hz polling rate and 0.125ms response time for exceptional low-latency gaming
- Hall effect magnetic switches with adjustable actuation (0.01mm-3.5mm) and Rapid Trigger support
- Comes with a dust cover, 4 backup switches, and a keycap/switch puller in the box
- 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 FR
Build quality in the bottom 50% of 96% boards under $150.
- Tri-mode connectivity with Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4 GHz wireless, and USB-C wired options
- Large 3750 mAh battery provides extended wireless usage without frequent recharging
- Built-in LCD screen can display a custom GIF, battery level, or connection mode
For competitive gamers who need the fastest possible input and advanced features like Rapid Trigger and SOCD, the Royal Kludge C98 HE is the clear choice. Its wired design and hall effect technology are built for speed. For users who need a versatile keyboard for office work, programming, or creative tasks, the Royal Kludge S98 FR is the better option, offering wireless freedom, a smart screen, and a large battery for all-day productivity.
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 FR
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
Max polling rate
8,000 Hz
4,000 Hz
Higher polling helps competitive FPS and does nothing for typing
Display
None
LCD
A case display rather than a typing feature
- Royal Kludge C98 HE
- Royal Kludge S98 FR
- Performance
- 9585
- Build quality
- 5267
- Productivity
- 8491
- Customizability
- 6779
- Portability
- 4557
- Layout size: 96%
- Hot-swappable
- Knob
- Sound dampening
What will you mostly use it for?
The C98 HE wins decisively for Gaming and Modding thanks to its hall effect switches, Rapid Trigger, and 8000 Hz polling rate. For office and productivity tasks, the S98 FR is the better choice due to its wireless flexibility, long battery life, and LCD screen. In Travel and Content Creation, the S98 FR's portability and desk-friendly wireless features make it the winner. The C98 HE is the specialist tool for the gamer, while the S98 FR is the versatile all-rounder for daily work and play.
Pick the Royal Kludge C98 HE
- Hall effect switches with adjustable actuation from 0.01mm to 3.5mm and Rapid Trigger technology for instant key reset
- 8000 Hz polling rate and 0.125ms response time for extremely low input latency
- Supports advanced features like Dynamic Keys (DKS), SOCD Cleaning, and Toggle (TGL) for competitive FPS and fighting games
Royal Kludge C98 HE vs S98 FR specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
12 of 23 specs differ
Royal Kludge C98 HE
Royal Kludge S98 FR
Switch options
Hall effect (magnetic)
Rapid trigger
Hot-swappable
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 FR: your questions
The Royal Kludge C98 HE is the better choice for FPS games. It features hall effect magnetic switches with Rapid Trigger technology, which allows for instant key resets and faster peeking and stopping. The 8000 Hz polling rate also ensures extremely low input latency compared to the S98 FR's 4000 Hz.
Yes, the Royal Kludge S98 FR supports full wireless connectivity. It offers Bluetooth 5.0 and a 2.4 GHz wireless mode in addition to a USB-C wired connection. Its built-in 3750 mAh battery allows for extended use without being plugged in.
No, the Royal Kludge C98 HE does not have a built-in screen. The Royal Kludge S98 FR is the model in this comparison that includes an LCD screen, which can display a customizable GIF, connection mode, and battery status.
Yes, the C98 HE uses Cherry profile PBT keycaps, which are noted for being durable and oil-resistant. The S98 FR listing mentions double-shot PBT keycaps. The S98 FR listing also mentions ABS keycaps in some variants, but the primary specification lists PBT double injection keycaps.
The Royal Kludge C98 HE is lighter at 1200 grams compared to the S98 FR at 1879 grams. However, the S98 FR is still the recommended keyboard for travel due to its wireless capability, which eliminates the need for a wired connection.
Both keyboards have hot-swappable PCBs, allowing you to change the switches without soldering. The C98 HE can only accept RK magnetic switches. The S98 FR, which uses standard mechanical switches, can accept both 3-pin and 5-pin switches.
The Royal Kludge S98 FR is often described as having a higher-quality feel for office use. It includes features like screw-in stabilizers and multiple layers of sound dampening foam (IXPE, foam, silicone), which contribute to a more solid and quieter typing experience suitable for shared workspaces.
Yes, the Royal Kludge C98 HE supports Rapid Trigger technology. The manufacturer lists a Rapid Trigger step distance of 0.01mm, which enables instant activation and reset for faster inputs in competitive games.
The Royal Kludge S98 FR features a 3750 mAh internal battery. The vendor description notes a 'long battery life', but specific usage hours for continuous use with RGB lighting on are not provided. It can be used wirelessly via Bluetooth or 2.4 GHz.
Both keyboards include a knob. The C98 HE has a dedicated knob for volume control. The S98 FR has a multifunction knob that can adjust volume, connection mode, RGB brightness, and other settings.
Yes, the vendor description for the Royal Kludge C98 HE states it supports Mac, as well as Windows, iOS, and Android. It also has specific Mac/Win support mentioned in its extra features.
According to the vendor descriptions, the C98 HE comes with 4 backup switches, a Type-C cable, a keycap and switch puller, a dust cover, and a user manual. The S98 FR comes with a USB Type-C cable, a keycap and switch puller, and a user manual.
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