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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 1, 2026

Heavy shell Kira96 vs Velocifire KK98 R2

Get the Velocifire KK98 R2 for via.

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Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Heavy shell Kira96

Build quality in the bottom 20% of 96% boards under $200.

Rules this board out

  • Compact full-size layout. The numpad is present, the gaps of a full-size board are not.

Get the

Velocifire KK98 R2

VIA

Build quality in the top 30% of 98% boards under $300.

Rules this board out

  • Compact full-size layout. The numpad is present, the gaps of a full-size board are not.

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.

Heavy shell Kira96

Velocifire KK98 R2

  • Layout size

    96%

    98%

  • Connection

    Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired

    Wired

    Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency

  • Case material

    Aluminum, Plastic

    Aluminum

  • VIA

    No

    Yes

    GUI remapping without compiling firmware

  • Backlight

    RGB

    None

    RGB for looks and low light rather than speed

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Heavy shell Kira96
  • Velocifire KK98 R2
Performance
49
68
Build quality
51
72
Productivity
66
64
Customizability
75
68
Portability
57
44

What they share

  • Hot-swappable
See every spec side by side

Full specs

Heavy shell Kira96 vs Velocifire KK98 R2 specs

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

8 of 21 specs differ

Heavy shell Kira96

Velocifire KK98 R2

Typing & switches

Switch options

Clicky, Linear, Tactile
—

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

—
Gasket Mount

Layout

Layout size

96%
98%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Display

None
None

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Wired

Max polling rate

—
1,000 Hz

Battery

3,500 mAh
Wired only

USB-C

Yes
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

Aluminum, Plastic
Aluminum

Keycaps

PBT
—

Weight

—
1,100 g

Dimensions

—
30 x 384 x 140 mm

Typing angle

—
6°

Backlight

RGB
None

Firmware & software

VIA

No
Yes

N-key rollover

No
Yes

Mac & Windows

Yes
No

Extras

Released

2022
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.

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