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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 7, 2026

Royal Kludge C98 HE vs S98 JPMagnetic Speed vs Wireless Feature

Choose the C98 HE if you need competitive gaming performance with Hall Effect switches, or the S98 JP for flexible wireless connectivity and a built-in screen.

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Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Royal Kludge C98 HE

Magnetic Speed

Build quality in the bottom 25% of 96% boards under $100.

If you want

  • Hall Effect magnetic switches with 0.01mm adjustability for competitive gaming
  • 8K Hz polling rate and 0.125ms response time for near-instant input registration
  • 3-layer sound dampening (EVA foam, sound-absorbing foam, bottom silicone pad) reduces hollow noise

Rules this board out

  • 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 JP

Wireless Feature

Build quality in the top 40% of 96% boards under $150.

If you want

  • Triple connectivity (Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4 GHz, USB-C) for use with multiple devices
  • Built-in LCD screen displays GIF, date, connection mode, and battery status
  • Multi-function knob controls volume, backlight brightness, and RGB modes

Bottom line

If your primary focus is low-latency gaming with features like Rapid Trigger and adjustable actuation, the Royal Kludge C98 HE is the clear choice. For users who need a versatile daily driver with wireless freedom, a smart display, and a robust typing experience, the Royal Kludge S98 JP offers better value. Consider your main use case between competitive play and flexible productivity to make the final decision.

What actually differs

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 JP

  • 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

    1,880 g

    Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Royal Kludge C98 HE
  • Royal Kludge S98 JP
Performance
95
78
Build quality
52
70
Productivity
84
91
Customizability
67
79
Portability
45
57

What they share

  • Layout size: 96%
  • Hot-swappable
  • Knob
  • Sound dampening
See every spec side by side

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

The C98 HE dominates in gaming tasks thanks to magnetic switches and an 8K polling rate that enable rapid trigger and precise actuation adjustments. For productivity-focused roles like office work and programming, the S98 JP pulls ahead with wireless convenience, a smart LCD screen, and superior sound dampening. When traveling or creating content, the S98 JP's battery life and USB pass-through make it the more practical companion. For modding, both keyboards offer hot-swappable PCBs and good build potential, making them equally appealing to enthusiasts.

For gaming

Pick the Royal Kludge C98 HE

  • Hall Effect magnetic switches with adjustable actuation from 0.01mm to 3.5mm
  • Rapid Trigger with 0.01mm step distance for faster key releases in FPS titles
  • 8K Hz polling rate and 0.125ms response time for ultra-low latency

Full specs

Royal Kludge C98 HE vs S98 JP specs

Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.

12 of 25 specs differ

Royal Kludge C98 HE

Royal Kludge S98 JP

Typing & switches

Switch options

Magnetic
—

Hall effect (magnetic)

Yes
No

Rapid trigger

Yes
No

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

—
Top Mount

Sound dampening

Yes
Yes

Screw-in stabilizers

No
Yes

Layout

Layout size

96%
96%

Layout standard

ANSI
JIS

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Knob

Yes
Yes

Display

None
LCD

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired

Max polling rate

8,000 Hz
—

Battery

Wired only
3,750 mAh

USB passthrough

No
Yes

USB-C

Yes
Yes

Build & materials

Keycaps

PBT
ABS

Weight

1,200 g
1,880 g

Dimensions

41 x 409 x 140 mm
140 x 410 x 40 mm

Typing angle

—
5°

Backlight

RGB, south-facing
RGB

Firmware & software

N-key rollover

No
Yes

Mac & Windows

Yes
Yes

Extras

Released

2025
2025

Where to buy

Compare prices

Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.

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Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.

FAQ

Royal Kludge C98 HE vs S98 JP: your questions

The C98 HE is better for FPS gaming due to its Hall Effect magnetic switches. It offers an adjustable actuation range from 0.01mm to 3.5mm and Rapid Trigger technology with a 0.01mm step distance, which enables quicker peeking and stop-shooting in titles like Valorant and CSGO. The S98 JP uses standard mechanical switches and lacks these advanced gaming features.

Yes, the S98 JP supports Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz wireless, and USB-C wired connectivity. It has a 3750mAh battery that powers the wireless modes, making it suitable for multi-device setups. The C98 HE, in contrast, is wired only.

The C98 HE is hot-swappable but only accepts RK magnetic switches due to the Hall Effect PCB design. The S98 JP supports standard 3-pin and 5-pin mechanical switches (RK Cream, Beige, etc.), giving it wider switch compatibility. Both keyboards come pre-built but allow switch replacement.

Both keyboards include sound dampening, but the S98 JP features more extensive noise reduction. It uses an IXPE switch damper pad, two layers of thick sound-absorbing foam, and a silicon pad, which the vendor claims cuts 40% of noise and removes 80% of high-pitched sounds. The C98 HE has a 3-layer system with EVA foam, sound-absorbing foam, and a bottom silicone pad.

Yes, the vendor description notes the smart display can show custom GIF images, date, connection mode, WIN/MAC layout, and battery level. The mult-function knob also allows direct control of volume, backlight brightness, and RGB modes without software.

The C98 HE is lighter at 1.2kg compared to the S98 JP at 1.88kg. However, the C98 HE is wired-only, which can limit placement during travel. The S98 JP offers wireless convenience but is heavier, making it less ideal for frequent transport.

The C98 HE uses Cherry Profile PBT keycaps, which are durable and resistant to shine. The S98 JP uses PBT double-shot keycaps according to its tech specs, offering good longevity. The C98 HE's PBT material is specifically noted as oil-resistant by the vendor.

Yes, the C98 HE package includes a dust cover, four backup switches, a Type-C USB cable, and a keycap and switch puller. The S98 JP package includes the keyboard, a Type-C to USB cable, and a keycap and switch puller, but no dust cover is listed.

The S98 JP has a heavier 1.88kg weight and a top mount design, which the vendor describes as providing better tactile consistency and reduced noise. The C98 HE is lighter at 1.2kg and uses an ABS case, which some user reviews note feels good for its price but may not match the S98 JP's solid feel.

Yes, both the C98 HE and S98 JP support Mac and Windows operating systems according to their vendor descriptions. The S98 JP's LCD screen can display WIN/MAC layout information, and its software allows key remapping for different OS.

The C98 HE has an 8K Hz polling rate (8000Hz) with a 0.125ms response time, making it eight times faster than standard 1000Hz keyboards. The S98 JP does not have a stated polling rate in its specifications, but it uses standard mechanical switches and is not marketed as high-speed.

The vendor tech specs list compatibility with Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, but do not explicitly mention PlayStation or Xbox support. Console compatibility is not confirmed in the provided data.

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