Royal Kludge F99 vs S98Lightweight vs Feature-Rich 96% Keyboards
Choose the F99 for a lighter, longer-lasting portable keyboard, or the S98 for a desk-anchored unit with a screen, knob, and more media controls.
Which one should you get?
Get the
Royal Kludge F99
Lightweight
- 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).
- Lacks a screen and control knob.
- No dedicated media keys listed in its specifications.
- Vendor description does not mention adjustable feet or onboard storage.
Get the
Royal Kludge S98
Feature-Rich 96% Keyboards
- 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.
- Much heavier at 1879g, making it less portable.
- Smaller 3750mAh battery compared to the F99.
- Typically commands a higher price than the F99.
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.
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.
Royal Kludge F99
Royal Kludge S98
Battery
5,000 mAh
3,750 mAh
Switch options
Linear, Silent, Tactile
Linear, Tactile
Mount style
Gasket Mount
Gasket Mount, Top Mount
Knob
No
Yes
Display
None
TFT
- Royal Kludge F99
- Royal Kludge S98
- Performance
- 6266
- Build quality
- 6072
- Productivity
- 7782
- Customizability
- 5972
- Portability
- 5453
- Layout size: 96%
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Sound dampening
What will you mostly use it for?
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.
It's a tie
- 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.
Royal Kludge F99 vs S98 specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
8 of 19 specs differ
Royal Kludge F99
Royal Kludge S98
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
Display
Connection
Battery
USB passthrough
USB-C
Keycaps
Weight
Dimensions
Backlight
Mac & Windows
Released
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Royal Kludge F99 vs S98: your questions
The Royal Kludge F99 has a larger 5000mAh battery, while the S98 has a 3750mAh battery. According to their vendor pages, the F99 is rated for up to 550 hours with RGB off, and the S98 for up to 200 hours with the backlight off, indicating the F99 likely offers longer usage between charges.
Yes, the Royal Kludge S98 includes a control knob. The manufacturer states this knob can be used to adjust volume, lighting, and connection settings with a twist or click.
The RK F99 may have an advantage for quiet environments as it offers a silent switch option, which is not listed for the S98. Both keyboards feature sound-dampening foam, with the F99 using a three-layer system and the S98 using a four-layer system according to their descriptions.
Yes, both the Royal Kludge F99 and S98 feature hot-swappable PCBs. This allows you to easily change the mechanical switches without soldering, using the included switch puller.
The mount style affects the typing feel and sound. The F99's gasket mount uses rubber or silicone gaskets to suspend the plate, aiming for a softer, more cushioned feel. The S98's top mount fixes the plate to the top of the case, which the vendor claims offers superior stability and a more direct, consistent typing experience.
The Royal Kludge S98 is significantly heavier at 1879 grams (over 4 lbs). The Royal Kludge F99 weighs 700 grams, making it less than half the weight of the S98 and much easier to transport.
Yes, both the RK F99 and RK S98 include a USB 2.0 pass-through port. This allows you to connect a mouse, flash drive, or other peripheral directly to the keyboard.
Yes, according to the Royal Kludge product description for the S98, the customizable display screen can show the battery status, among other information like RGB modes and system layouts.
Both keyboards come with PBT double-shot keycaps, which are durable and resistant to shine. The S98's metadata also lists ABS as a possible material, suggesting some variants or included keycaps might differ.
Only the Royal Kludge S98 lists dedicated media keys in its specifications. The F99's spec sheet explicitly states it has no media keys, requiring the use of function layer combinations for media control.
Yes, both keyboards list Mac support in their extra features. The vendor description for the S98 specifically mentions its screen can switch between WIN and MAC layouts.
Both the Royal Kludge F99 and S98 come with a similar package: the keyboard itself, a USB-A to USB-C cable, a combined keycap and switch puller, and a user manual.
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