AULA F99 vs Royal Kludge S98: Battery Life vs Screen & Knob

Compare AULA F99 vs Royal Kludge S98 Differences Side by Side

This comparison is for buyers deciding between two popular 96% wireless mechanical keyboards. The AULA F99 and Royal Kludge S98 share a compact layout with a numpad and triple-mode connectivity, making the choice difficult. The decision hinges on whether you prioritize long-lasting wireless use and a specific typing feel, or prefer a keyboard with a screen, knob, and additional ports for desktop convenience.

Model
Rating	4.8 stars (51 reviews)	0.0 stars (0 reviews)
Purchase Options
Main differences	Has Linear switch options Includes a No display Enables rapid trigger functionality Includes screw-in stabilizers Uses a Gasket Mount mounting style Equipped with a 8000 mAh battery Weighs about 1023 g Sized at 43 x 147 x 391 mm Made with a ABS, Plastic, PBT case Features PBT keycaps Offers Yes, Rgb, North-face, Rgb North-face RGB lighting	Has Linear, Tactile, Silent switch options Comes with a knob Includes a Yes display Offers a USB passthrough port Uses a Top Mount mounting style Equipped with a 3750 mAh battery Weighs about 1879 g Sized at 41 x 140 x 41 mm Features ABS, PBT keycaps Offers Yes, Rgb, South-face, Rgb South-face RGB lighting
Score	Scores Performance: 59.7 Build Quality: 63.2 Productivity: 89.1 Customizability: 73.1 Portability: 64.4	Scores Performance: 65 Build Quality: 62.9 Productivity: 82.4 Customizability: 72.7 Portability: 53.2
Name	Name AULA F99	Name Royal Kludge S98
Release year	Release year 2023	Release year 2023
Switch Options	Switch Options Linear	Switch Options Linear, Tactile, Silent
Profile	Profile Normal Profile	Profile Normal Profile
Hot Swappable	Hot Swappable	Hot Swappable
Layout Size	Layout Size 96%	Layout Size 96%
Layout Standard	Layout Standard ANSI	Layout Standard ANSI
Layout Ergonomics	Layout Ergonomics Normal	Layout Ergonomics Normal
Knob Support	Knob Support	Knob Support
Display Support	Display Support	Display Support
Mac/Win Support	Mac/Win Support	Mac/Win Support
Multi-Media Keys	Multi-Media Keys	Multi-Media Keys
USB-C	USB-C	USB-C
USB passthrough	USB passthrough	USB passthrough
Connection	Connection Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless	Connection Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless
Polling Rate	Polling Rate -	Polling Rate -
Battery capacity	Battery capacity 8000 mAh	Battery capacity 3750 mAh
Hall Effect Support	Hall Effect Support	Hall Effect Support
QMK Support	QMK Support	QMK Support
VIA Support	VIA Support	VIA Support
VIAL Support	VIAL Support	VIAL Support
N-Key Rollover	N-Key Rollover	N-Key Rollover
Rapid Trigger	Rapid Trigger	Rapid Trigger
Mount Style	Mount Style Gasket Mount	Mount Style Top Mount
Screw in Stabilizers	Screw in Stabilizers	Screw in Stabilizers
Sound Dampening	Sound Dampening	Sound Dampening
Backlight	Backlight Rgb, North-face	Backlight Rgb, South-face
Case Colors	Case Colors	Case Colors
Case Material	Case Material ABS, Plastic, PBT	Case Material -
Keycaps Material	Keycaps Material PBT	Keycaps Material ABS, PBT
Dimensions	Dimensions 43 x 147 x 391 mm	Dimensions 41 x 140 x 41 mm
Weight	Weight 1023g	Weight 1879g

Select a keyboard to compare

4.8 stars (51 reviews)

0.0 stars (0 reviews)

Has Linear switch options
Includes a No display
Enables rapid trigger functionality
Includes screw-in stabilizers
Uses a Gasket Mount mounting style
Equipped with a 8000 mAh battery
Weighs about 1023 g
Sized at 43 x 147 x 391 mm
Made with a ABS, Plastic, PBT case
Features PBT keycaps
Offers Yes, Rgb, North-face, Rgb North-face RGB lighting

Has Linear, Tactile, Silent switch options
Comes with a knob
Includes a Yes display
Offers a USB passthrough port
Uses a Top Mount mounting style
Equipped with a 3750 mAh battery
Weighs about 1879 g
Sized at 41 x 140 x 41 mm
Features ABS, PBT keycaps
Offers Yes, Rgb, South-face, Rgb South-face RGB lighting

Scores

Performance: 59.7
Build Quality: 63.2
Productivity: 89.1
Customizability: 73.1
Portability: 64.4

Scores

Performance: 65
Build Quality: 62.9
Productivity: 82.4
Customizability: 72.7
Portability: 53.2

Name

AULA F99

Name

Royal Kludge S98

Release year

2023

Release year

2023

Switch Options

Linear

Switch Options

Linear, Tactile, Silent

Profile

Normal Profile

Profile

Normal Profile

Hot Swappable

Layout Size

96%

Layout Size

96%

Layout Standard

ANSI

Layout Standard

ANSI

Layout Ergonomics

Normal

Layout Ergonomics

Normal

Knob Support

Display Support

Mac/Win Support

Multi-Media Keys

USB-C

USB passthrough

Connection

Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless

Connection

Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless

Polling Rate

Battery capacity

8000 mAh

Battery capacity

3750 mAh

Hall Effect Support

QMK Support

VIA Support

VIAL Support

N-Key Rollover

Rapid Trigger

Mount Style

Gasket Mount

Mount Style

Top Mount

Screw in Stabilizers

Sound Dampening

Backlight

Rgb, North-face

Backlight

Rgb, South-face

Case Colors

Case Material

ABS, Plastic, PBT

Case Material

Keycaps Material

PBT

Keycaps Material

ABS, PBT

Dimensions

43 x 147 x 391 mm

Dimensions

41 x 140 x 41 mm

Weight

1023g

Weight

1879g

Pros and Trade-offs

Your primary need dictates the choice. If your keyboard rarely leaves your desk and you value a screen, knob, and extra USB port for convenience, the Royal Kludge S98 is the more feature-rich option. If you prioritize wireless endurance, a lighter build for occasional movement, or a specific preference for a gasket-mounted typing feel, the AULA F99 is the more suitable keyboard, especially given its strong user reviews.

AULA F99

+Exceptionally large 8000mAh battery for extended wireless use.
+Gasket mount design with a flex-cut PCB for a softer, more responsive typing feel.
+Includes rapid trigger functionality for gaming.
+Comes with a choice of PC or FR4 plates for different acoustic profiles.
+Detailed five-layer sound dampening system with sandwich foam, IXPE pad, PET film, bottom foam, and silicone case pad.

−North-facing RGB LEDs may cause interference with certain Cherry-profile keycaps.
−Only offers linear switch options in the base configuration.
−Lacks the extra features like a screen, knob, or USB passthrough found on the competitor.

Royal Kludge S98

+Features a customizable smart display for system info, GIFs, or settings.
+Includes a multifunctional control knob for media and settings adjustment.
+Offers a built-in USB 2.0 passthrough port for peripheral connectivity.
+Provides a choice of linear, tactile, and silent switch types from the factory.
+Uses south-facing RGB LEDs, which are compatible with a wider range of keycap profiles.

−Battery capacity (3750mAh) is less than half that of the AULA F99.
−Substantially heavier at 1879 grams, reducing portability.
−Uses a top mount design, which typically offers less flex than a gasket mount.

Which Keyboard Is Better for Your Needs?

The AULA F99 is the stronger choice for mobile users and gamers, thanks to its lighter weight, massive battery, and gaming-specific rapid trigger feature. The Royal Kludge S98 excels in stationary, feature-rich environments like an office or content creation setup, offering a screen, knob, and USB passthrough. For programming, both keyboards are equally capable due to their shared compact layout and hot-swap sockets, leaving the choice to secondary preferences.

GamingAULA F99

•The AULA F99 lists rapid trigger functionality in its extra features, which is a gaming-focused technology.
•Its gasket mount design, described by the vendor as enhancing responsiveness, may offer a softer, more consistent feel during extended sessions.
•The lighter weight (1023g vs 1879g) makes it easier to reposition on a desk.

OfficeRoyal Kludge S98

•The Royal Kludge S98 includes a USB passthrough port, allowing easy connection of a mouse or flash drive directly to the keyboard.
•It features a customizable screen and a control knob for adjusting volume or settings, adding convenience.
•It offers a choice of silent switch types, which can be beneficial in shared workspaces.

ProgrammingTie

•Both use a 96% ANSI layout, providing a numpad and arrow keys in a compact form factor.
•Both are hot-swappable, allowing programmers to customize switches for their preferred tactile feedback.
•Both support Mac and Windows systems natively.

TravelAULA F99

•The AULA F99 is significantly lighter at 1023 grams compared to the S98's 1879 grams.
•Its 8000mAh battery is more than double the capacity of the S98's 3750mAh, requiring less frequent charging.
•Both have similar compact 96% dimensions, but the F99's lower weight is a clear advantage for portability.

ModdingAULA F99

•The AULA F99 uses a gasket mount with a flex-cut PCB and offers a choice of PC or FR4 plates, providing a more flexible and customizable typing feel foundation.
•Its vendor description details a five-layer sound dampening system (sandwich foam, IXPE pad, PET film, bottom foam, silicone pad) for acoustic tuning.
•Both keyboards are hot-swappable, but the F99's gasket structure and detailed internal foams offer more avenues for sound and feel modification.

Content CreationRoyal Kludge S98

•The Royal Kludge S98's control knob can be mapped to adjust timeline scrubbing, brush size, or volume in creative software.
•The built-in USB passthrough port is useful for connecting drawing tablets or other peripherals without reaching for the PC.
•The customizable screen can display system stats or media information, keeping the workspace organized.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)