Dareu A98 Master vs A98 ProAdjustable Gasket vs TFT Screen
Choose the A98 Master for a customizable typing feel, or the A98 Pro for a premium build with a smart display.
KeebFinder may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.
No reviews
from$169at Mechkeys
5.0 · 2 reviews
from$169at Mechkeys
Which one should you get?
Get the
Dareu A98 Master
Adjustable Gasket
Build quality in the bottom 40% of 98% boards under $200.
- Innovative Gasket Adjustable System (GAS) for customizing typing softness.
- Lighter weight (980g) and slimmer profile (31mm) for better portability.
- Features a six-layered sound and shock absorbing internal structure.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
Get the
Dareu A98 Pro
TFT Screen
Build quality in the top 30% of 98% boards under $200.
- Includes a 1.4-inch TFT color display with customizable animations.
- Case combines aluminum and plastic for a potentially more premium build.
- Vendor listing explicitly states compatibility with macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android.
Your priority should guide this choice. If you value a deeply customizable typing experience and a lighter build, the Dareu A98 Master's adjustable gasket system is the defining feature. If you prefer a keyboard with a smart display, explicit wide compatibility, and a mixed-material case, the extra features of the A98 Pro justify its added heft.
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.
Dareu A98 Master
Dareu A98 Pro
Case material
PBT
Aluminum, Plastic
Display
None
TFT
A case display rather than a typing feature
Weight
980 g
1,200 g
Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel
Backlight
RGB, south-facing
RGB
RGB for looks and low light rather than speed
Mac & Windows
No
Yes
- Dareu A98 Master
- Dareu A98 Pro
- Performance
- 5049
- Build quality
- 5970
- Productivity
- 7086
- Customizability
- 6274
- Portability
- 4956
- Layout size: 98%
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Battery: 4,000 mAh
- Switch options: Linear
- Mount style: Gasket Mount
What will you mostly use it for?
The A98 Pro takes the lead for office use and content creation due to its explicit multi-OS support and smart TFT display. The A98 Master is the better choice for modders seeking a unique, adjustable typing feel and for travelers due to its lower weight and slimmer profile. For gaming and programming, the keyboards are evenly matched on core functional specs.
It's a tie
- Both offer identical triple-mode connectivity (Bluetooth, 2.4GHz, wired).
- Both feature hot-swappable sockets for switch customization.
- Both have RGB backlighting for visual effects.
Dareu A98 Master vs A98 Pro specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
8 of 19 specs differ
Dareu A98 Master
Dareu A98 Pro
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Display
Connection
Battery
USB-C
Case material
Keycaps
Weight
Dimensions
Backlight
Mac & Windows
Released
Compare prices
Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.
Prices in USD are converted to your currency and can change at any time. KeebFinder may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.
Dareu A98 Master vs A98 Pro: your questions
According to Dareu, the GAS is an innovative design that lets you adjust the tightness or softness of the gasket mount. By rotating an adjustment key, you can harden or soften the typing feel to match your preference, a feature not mentioned for the A98 Pro.
The vendor description states the 1.4-inch TFT display can be configured to switch between five different pre-loaded animations. It serves as a visual feature, unlike the A98 Master which does not have a screen.
The A98 Pro explicitly lists Mac/Win support and states compatibility with macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android. The A98 Master's vendor description does not provide the same explicit multi-OS compatibility list, though it supports standard USB connections.
The A98 Master is specifically engineered for sound and feel, with a six-layered dampening design, single-key slotted PCB, and the adjustable gasket system. The A98 Pro also has sound-dampening features but lacks the unique adjustable mechanism of the Master.
Yes, both the Dareu A98 Master and A98 Pro offer triple-mode connectivity, supporting Bluetooth, a 2.4GHz wireless dongle, and a wired USB-C connection. They also share the same 4000mAh battery capacity.
Yes, both models are hot-swappable, allowing you to easily change the mechanical switches without soldering. They both support 3-pin and 5-pin switches, according to the A98 Pro's vendor page.
The Dareu A98 Pro is the heavier keyboard at 1200 grams. The A98 Master weighs 980 grams, making it noticeably lighter and potentially more portable.
Both the Dareu A98 Master and A98 Pro use PBT plastic keycaps. The A98 Master's are described as OEM height, while the A98 Pro's are listed as PBT double shot and dye-sublimation.
Yes, the vendor description for the Dareu A98 Master specifies it has south-facing RGB LEDs. This orientation prevents interference with Cherry-profile keycaps. The A98 Pro's description does not specify LED orientation.
The A98 Pro has dedicated driver software mentioned by the vendor for customizing lighting modes and macro keys. The A98 Master's vendor description does not mention comparable software, focusing instead on hardware adjustments.
The A98 Master's case is made from PBT plastic. The A98 Pro uses a combination of aluminum and plastic in its case construction, which may contribute to its heavier weight and different aesthetic.
Not sold on either?
Still torn?
Answer a few quick questions and the keyboard finder ranks 2,000+ boards by how you will actually use yours.