Not sure which keyboard to choose? Try the Keyboard Finder now!

Head to head · Prices checked Nov 7, 2026

Dot Works Layer75 vs Royal Kludge M87

Get the Dot Works Layer75 for qmk. Get the Royal Kludge M87 for knob.

KeebFinder may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.

Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Dot Works Layer75

QMK

Build quality in the top 10% of 75% boards under $200.

Rules this board out

  • No numpad.

Get the

Royal Kludge M87

Knob

Build quality in the top 35% of 80% boards under $100.

Rules this board out

  • South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
  • No numpad.

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.

Dot Works Layer75

Royal Kludge M87

  • Layout size

    75%

    80%

  • Knob

    No

    Yes

  • Display

    None

    LCD

    A case display rather than a typing feature

  • Weight

    2,000 g

    840 g

    Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel

  • QMK

    Yes

    No

    The deep option when you want to remap every key

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Dot Works Layer75
  • Royal Kludge M87
Performance
51
66
Build quality
87
69
Productivity
73
83
Customizability
89
78
Portability
60
85

What they share

  • Hot-swappable
  • Mount style: Gasket Mount
  • Sound dampening
See every spec side by side

Full specs

Dot Works Layer75 vs Royal Kludge M87 specs

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

11 of 25 specs differ

Dot Works Layer75

Royal Kludge M87

Typing & switches

Switch options

—
Linear

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Gasket Mount
Gasket Mount

Sound dampening

Yes
Yes

Layout

Layout size

75%
80%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Knob

No
Yes

Display

None
LCD

Media keys

No
Yes

Connectivity & battery

Connection

—
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired

Battery

—
7,500 mAh

USB-C

No
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

Aluminum
—

Plate material

Aluminum, FR4
—

Keycaps

—
PBT

Weight

2,000 g
840 g

Dimensions

—
41 x 157 x 41 mm

Typing angle

7°
—

Backlight

None
RGB, south-facing

Firmware & software

QMK

Yes
No

VIA

Yes
No

VIAL

Yes
No

Mac & Windows

No
Yes

Extras

Released

2024
2024

Where to buy

Compare prices

Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.

Prices in USD are converted to your currency and can change at any time. KeebFinder may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.

Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.

Still torn?

Answer a few quick questions and the keyboard finder ranks 2,000+ boards by how you will actually use yours.