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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 10, 2026

Epomaker Galaxy100 vs Royal Kludge S98Gasket vs Screen

Choose the Epomaker Galaxy100 for superior typing feel and deep customization, or the Royal Kludge S98 for its smart display and USB passthrough.

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EPOMAKER Galaxy100 QMK/VIA

4.6 (69)

$87at Epomaker

90-day low

Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Epomaker Galaxy100

Gasket

Build quality in the top 15% of 96% boards under $100.

If you want

  • Aluminum alloy case with a gasket-mount structure for a premium, flexible typing feel.
  • Full QMK and VIA firmware support for deep key remapping and macro programming.
  • Massive 8000mAh battery capacity for extended wireless use.

Rules this board out

  • South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.

Get the

Royal Kludge S98

Screen

Build quality in the top 30% of 96% boards under $100.

If you want

  • Features a customizable smart display for GIFs, system info, and settings.
  • Includes a built-in USB 2.0 passthrough port for connecting a mouse or flash drive.
  • Offers a choice between linear and tactile switch options out of the box.

Rules this board out

  • South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.

Bottom line

Your priority should guide this choice. For enthusiasts who value typing acoustics, a flexible gasket-mounted feel, and the limitless customization of QMK/VIA, the Epomaker Galaxy100 is the clear winner. If you prefer a keyboard with modern conveniences like a status screen and a USB passthrough port right out of the box, and you don't require open-source firmware, the Royal Kludge S98 is a compelling package.

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.

Epomaker Galaxy100

Royal Kludge S98

  • Battery

    8,000 mAh

    3,750 mAh

    A larger battery means fewer cables during the day

  • Switch options

    Clicky, Linear

    Linear, Tactile

  • Mount style

    Gasket Mount

    Gasket Mount, Top Mount

  • Display

    None

    TFT

    A case display rather than a typing feature

  • Weight

    2,000 g

    1,879 g

    Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Epomaker Galaxy100
  • Royal Kludge S98
Performance
83
65
Build quality
83
72
Productivity
93
82
Customizability
88
72
Portability
62
53

What they share

  • Layout size: 96%
  • Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
  • Hot-swappable
  • Knob
  • Sound dampening
See every spec side by side

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

The Epomaker Galaxy100 is the stronger choice for gaming, programming, and modding due to its performance specs, open-source firmware, and gasket-mounted construction. The Royal Kludge S98 takes the lead for office use with its practical USB passthrough and informative screen. For travel, both are similarly heavy, and for content creation, their shared knob feature makes them equally viable, with different secondary advantages.

For gaming

Pick the Epomaker Galaxy100

  • The Galaxy100 has a specified 1000Hz polling rate for wired and 2.4GHz modes.
  • Its vendor page lists specific low latency figures (2.81ms wired, 4.72ms 2.4GHz).
  • The gasket mount with five layers of sound dampening foam can provide a more stable, consistent typing feel.

Full specs

Epomaker Galaxy100 vs Royal Kludge S98 specs

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

12 of 26 specs differ

Epomaker Galaxy100

Royal Kludge S98

Typing & switches

Switch options

Clicky, Linear
Linear, Tactile

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Gasket Mount
Gasket Mount, Top Mount

Sound dampening

Yes
Yes

Layout

Layout size

96%
96%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Knob

Yes
Yes

Display

None
TFT

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired

Max polling rate

1,000 Hz
—

Battery

8,000 mAhBetter
3,750 mAh

USB passthrough

No
Yes

USB-C

Yes
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

Aluminum
—

Plate material

Plastic
—

Keycaps

PBT
ABS, PBT

Weight

2,000 g
1,879 g

Dimensions

32 x 405 x 138 mm
41 x 140 x 41 mm

Typing angle

7°
—

Backlight

RGB, south-facing
RGB, south-facing

Firmware & software

QMK

Yes
No

VIA

Yes
No

N-key rollover

Yes
No

Mac & Windows

Yes
Yes

Extras

Released

2024
2023

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

Epomaker Galaxy100 vs Royal Kludge S98: your questions

The Epomaker Galaxy100 has a larger 8000mAh battery, which should theoretically last longer than the Royal Kludge S98's 3750mAh battery. However, the S98's vendor claims up to 200 hours of use with the backlight off. Actual battery life will depend on usage patterns like RGB brightness and connection mode.

The Epomaker Galaxy100 supports QMK and VIA firmware, which allows for extensive remapping of every key, creating macros, and programming layers. The Royal Kludge S98 uses proprietary software for customization, but its product description does not specify the same degree of open-source, granular control as QMK/VIA.

Yes, both the Epomaker Galaxy100 and Royal Kludge S98 list compatibility with Mac and Windows operating systems. The Galaxy100's vendor page also specifically mentions Android compatibility.

The Epomaker Galaxy100 uses a gasket mount, where the plate is suspended by rubber or silicone gaskets for a softer, more flexible typing feel. The Royal Kludge S98 uses a top mount, where the plate is fixed to the top of the case, typically resulting in a firmer, more direct feel. The choice is subjective and affects sound and typing sensation.

Both keyboards feature sound-dampening foam. The Galaxy100 lists five specific layers including Poron and PET pads, while the S98 mentions a four-layer sound absorbing foam. Both should be relatively quiet with their included linear switches, but the final sound will also depend on the specific switches and keycaps used.

Yes, according to the Royal Kludge product description, the customizable smart display on the S98 can show the battery status, among other information like RGB modes and system layout (Win/Mac).

The Epomaker Galaxy100 uses PBT keycaps. The Royal Kludge S98's specifications list its keycap type as 'PBT Double Shot Keycaps.' Double-shot construction generally means the legends are more durable and won't wear off.

Yes, both the Epomaker Galaxy100 and Royal Kludge S98 are hot-swappable, meaning you can change the mechanical switches without soldering. The Galaxy100's product page specifies compatibility with 3-pin and 5-pin switches.

The Epomaker Galaxy100's vendor page provides specific latency measurements: 2.81ms for wired USB, 4.72ms for 2.4GHz wireless, and 15ms for Bluetooth. The Royal Kludge S98's product description does not provide comparable latency or polling rate figures, making a direct performance comparison difficult.

Both keyboards come with a USB cable, a keycap and switch puller, and a user manual. The Epomaker Galaxy100 listing specifies a 2-in-1 switch puller is included.

Yes, both the Epomaker Galaxy100 and the Royal Kludge S98 feature south-facing RGB LEDs. South-facing LEDs are often preferred as they prevent interference with Cherry-profile keycaps and can improve the look of the lighting from the typist's angle.

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