Royal Kludge F99 vs S98: Lightweight vs Feature-Rich 96% Keyboards

Compare Royal Kludge F99 vs Royal Kludge S98 Differences Side by Side

This comparison is for buyers deciding between two of Royal Kludge's popular 96% wireless keyboards. The choice is difficult because both share a compact layout with a number pad, tri-mode connectivity, and hot-swappable switches. The decision ultimately hinges on whether you prioritize extreme portability and battery life or desire premium desk features like a customizable screen and control knob at a higher cost.

Model
Rating	0.0 stars (0 reviews)	0.0 stars (0 reviews)
Purchase Options
Main differences	Released in 2025 Includes a No display Uses a Gasket Mount mounting style Equipped with a 5000 mAh battery Weighs about 700 g Features PBT keycaps	Released in 2023 Comes with a knob Includes a Yes display 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
Score	Scores Performance: 61.4 Build Quality: 60.7 Productivity: 76.5 Customizability: 60 Portability: 54.2	Scores Performance: 65.1 Build Quality: 63 Productivity: 82.3 Customizability: 72.6 Portability: 53.3
Name	Name Royal Kludge F99	Name Royal Kludge S98
Release year	Release year 2025	Release year 2023
Switch Options	Switch Options Linear, Tactile, Silent	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 5000 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, South-face	Backlight Rgb, South-face
Case Colors	Case Colors	Case Colors
Case Material	Case Material -	Case Material -
Keycaps Material	Keycaps Material PBT	Keycaps Material ABS, PBT
Dimensions	Dimensions -	Dimensions 41 x 140 x 41 mm
Weight	Weight 700g	Weight 1879g

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0.0 stars (0 reviews)

Released in 2025
Includes a No display
Uses a Gasket Mount mounting style
Equipped with a 5000 mAh battery
Weighs about 700 g
Features PBT keycaps

Released in 2023
Comes with a knob
Includes a Yes display
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

Scores

Performance: 61.4
Build Quality: 60.7
Productivity: 76.5
Customizability: 60
Portability: 54.2

Scores

Performance: 65.1
Build Quality: 63
Productivity: 82.3
Customizability: 72.6
Portability: 53.3

Name

Royal Kludge F99

Name

Royal Kludge S98

Release year

2025

Release year

2023

Switch Options

Linear, Tactile, Silent

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

5000 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, South-face

Backlight

Rgb, South-face

Case Colors

Case Material

Keycaps Material

PBT

Keycaps Material

ABS, PBT

Dimensions

41 x 140 x 41 mm

Weight

700g

Weight

1879g

Pros and Trade-offs

Your primary need dictates the choice. If you frequently move your keyboard or want maximum battery life from a wireless peripheral, the Royal Kludge F99 is the pragmatic pick. If your keyboard stays on one desk and you value multimedia controls, customization via a screen and knob, and a potentially more solid typing feel, the Royal Kludge S98 justifies its extra weight and cost. Both are competent 96% keyboards that share excellent core features.

Royal Kludge F99

+Significantly lighter at 700g for better portability.
+Larger 5000mAh battery capacity for longer wireless use.
+Gasket mount structure with three-layer sound dampening (bottom foam, IXPE switch pad, latex dampener).
+Offers a silent switch option, which the S98 does not list.
+Generally available at a lower price point than the S98.

−Lacks a screen and control knob.
−No dedicated media keys listed in its specifications.
−Vendor description does not mention adjustable feet or onboard storage.

Royal Kludge S98

+Features a customizable display screen for GIFs, system info, and settings.
+Includes a multifunction control knob for volume and lighting adjustments.
+Top mount design paired with four-layer sound absorbing foam per the vendor.
+Has dedicated media keys and listed onboard storage.
+Vendor description mentions well-lubed stabilizers and a 2-stage adjustable design.

−Much heavier at 1879g, making it less portable.
−Smaller 3750mAh battery compared to the F99.
−Typically commands a higher price than the F99.
−Does not list a silent switch option in its available types.

Which Keyboard Is Better for Your Needs?

The S98 takes the lead for office use and content creation due to its knob, screen, and media keys. For travel, the F99 is the clear winner with its much lighter weight and larger battery. Gaming and programming are ties, as both keyboards share the core wireless, layout, and hot-swap features needed for these tasks. The S98 also has a slight edge for modders interested in its specific top-mount construction and foam layers.

GamingTie

•Both offer tri-mode connectivity for low-latency 2.4GHz wireless.
•Both feature south-facing RGB lighting for compatibility with Cherry-profile keycaps.
•Both have hot-swappable PCBs for switch customization.

OfficeRoyal Kludge S98

•The S98 includes a control knob and dedicated media keys for quick adjustments.
•The S98's listed onboard storage can be useful for profile switching between computers.
•The S98's vendor description mentions well-lubed stabilizers for a consistent typing feel.

ProgrammingTie

•Both retain the 96% layout with a full number pad, useful for data entry.
•Both are hot-swappable, allowing for preference-specific switch tuning.
•Both include a USB pass-through port for connecting peripherals.

TravelRoyal Kludge F99

•The F99 weighs 700g, significantly lighter than the S98's 1879g.
•The F99 has a larger 5000mAh battery compared to the S98's 3750mAh.
•The lighter weight makes the F99 easier to carry in a bag.

ModdingRoyal Kludge S98

•The S98 uses a top mount design, which the vendor claims offers stability and reduces noise.
•The S98's vendor description specifies a four-layer sound absorbing foam.
•The F99 uses a gasket mount with three-layer dampening, but the S98's construction may offer a different modding base.

Content CreationRoyal Kludge S98

•The S98's control knob can be mapped to adjust volume, timeline scrubbing, or brush size.
•The customizable screen can display system stats, GIFs, or battery status.
•Dedicated media keys on the S98 provide quick playback control.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)