Chilkey ND75 LP vs Royal Kludge N80Aluminum vs Plastic Low-Profile
Choose the Chilkey ND75 LP for its premium aluminum build and greater modding potential, or the Royal Kludge N80 for its lower cost and included tactile switch option.
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Which one should you get?
Get the
Chilkey ND75 LP
Aluminum
Build quality in the top 35% of 75% boards under $150.
- CNC aluminum case construction for a premium feel and durability.
- Five layers of sound dampening foam for enhanced acoustics.
- Uses double-shot PBT keycaps, which resist shine over time.
- Magnetic switches only. Standard MX switches will not fit.
- Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps will not fit.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
Get the
Royal Kludge N80
Plastic Low-Profile
Build quality in the bottom 45% of 75% boards under $100.
- More affordable price point.
- Includes a multifunction control knob and a USB 2.0 passthrough port.
- Comes with a choice of linear or tactile low-profile switches out of the box.
- Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps will not fit.
Your budget and priority for material quality are the deciding factors. Invest in the Chilkey ND75 LP for its superior aluminum build, extensive sound dampening, and greater flexibility for keyboard modding. Choose the Royal Kludge N80 if you want to spend less for core features like a knob, USB passthrough, and a choice of switch types in a capable plastic-bodied keyboard.
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.
Chilkey ND75 LP
Royal Kludge N80
Hall effect (magnetic)
Yes
No
Adjustable actuation helps in games and not in normal typing
Battery
3,600 mAh
3,750 mAh
A larger battery means fewer cables during the day
Case material
Aluminum
Plastic
Mount style
Plate Mount
Top Mount
Knob
No
Yes
- Chilkey ND75 LP
- Royal Kludge N80
- Performance
- 8265
- Build quality
- 7362
- Productivity
- 8782
- Customizability
- 7472
- Portability
- 8279
- Layout size: 75%
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Low profile
- Display: Yes
- Sound dampening
What will you mostly use it for?
The Chilkey ND75 LP wins for gaming and modding due to its aluminum build, confirmed high polling rate, and detailed acoustic treatment. The Royal Kludge N80 is better suited for office use and content creation, offering practical features like a control knob and USB passthrough. For programming, both are equally capable, and for travel, the RK has a slight edge with its documented weight.
Pick the Chilkey ND75 LP
- The Chilkey ND75 LP has a specified 1000Hz polling rate in wired and 2.4GHz modes, which the Royal Kludge N80's listing does not mention.
- Its aluminum case may provide a more stable, resonant typing feel preferred by some gamers.
- The vendor description highlights a 1.2mm flex cut PCB, which can contribute to a more consistent typing experience.
Chilkey ND75 LP vs Royal Kludge N80 specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
10 of 27 specs differ
Chilkey ND75 LP
Royal Kludge N80
Switch options
Hall effect (magnetic)
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Low profile
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
Display
Connection
Max polling rate
Battery
USB passthrough
USB-C
Case material
Plate material
Keycaps
Weight
Dimensions
Typing angle
Backlight
N-key rollover
Mac & Windows
Released
Compare prices
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Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.
Chilkey ND75 LP vs Royal Kludge N80: your questions
The Chilkey ND75 LP features a low-profile CNC aluminum case. The Royal Kludge N80 has a plastic case.
Yes, the Royal Kludge N80 includes a smart display screen and a multifunction control knob. The knob can be used to adjust volume, connection modes, and RGB settings.
Yes, both the Chilkey ND75 LP and the Royal Kludge N80 are hot-swappable. However, a user review for the Chilkey notes its sockets may not be compatible with some common low-profile switch brands.
The Chilkey ND75 LP uses LSA profile double-shot PBT keycaps. The Royal Kludge N80 uses low-profile double-shot ABS keycaps.
The Chilkey ND75 LP has a 3600mAh battery (comprised of two 1800mAh cells). The Royal Kludge N80 has a slightly larger 3750mAh battery. The RK vendor claims up to 25 hours with RGB on and 115 hours without.
For the Royal Kludge N80, the vendor states it is hot-swappable with RK Low Profile switches, suggesting third-party switch compatibility may be limited. A user review for the Chilkey ND75 LP specifically states its sockets did not appear compatible with Kailh, Cherry, or Gateron low-profile switches.
Both keyboards feature sound dampening. The Chilkey ND75 LP has five layers of foam, while the Royal Kludge N80 has a triple sound-absorbing layer with two foam layers and a silicone pad. The specific switch choice will also greatly impact sound.
Yes, both product listings state compatibility with MacOS. The Royal Kludge N80 listing also mentions compatibility with iOS and Android.
Both are tri-mode keyboards, offering connectivity via Bluetooth, a 2.4GHz wireless dongle, and a wired USB-C connection.
The Chilkey ND75 LP uses a plate mount design but its vendor description says it allows for easy change between gasket mount or top mount assembly. The Royal Kludge N80 uses a top mount design.
The Royal Kludge N80 package includes a dust cover, USB-C cable, keycap & switch puller, four backup switches, a disassembling tool, and a user manual. The listed contents for the Chilkey ND75 LP are not detailed in the provided information.
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