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Head to head · Prices checked Oct 21, 2026

NE Key OE93 vs Royalaxe XL98Customization vs Display

Choose the NE Key OE93 for deep customization and enthusiast-grade features, or the Royalaxe XL98 for a unique screen and a ready-to-use experience.

Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

NE Key OE93

Customization

If you want

  • Extensive customization with QMK and VIA firmware support.
  • DIY kit includes multiple mounting options (Plate Gasket, PCB Gasket, Top) and layered sound dampening foam.
  • Unique 93% layout with a left-side F-key cluster and split backspace.

And can live with

  • Requires assembly and sourcing of switches and keycaps.
  • Heavier at 2200 grams.
  • The unconventional layout may have a steeper learning curve.
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Get the

Royalaxe XL98

Display

If you want

  • Includes a customizable DIY RGB dot-matrix display screen.
  • Comes pre-built with TTC Titan Heart linear switches and PBT keycaps.
  • Larger 8000mAh battery with a claimed 200-hour battery life.

And can live with

  • Lacks detailed programmability features like QMK/VIA support.
  • Case uses a combination of aluminum and plastic materials.
  • No polling rate is specified in the provided specifications.
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Bottom line

Your choice depends entirely on your willingness to build and customize. If you enjoy the process of assembling and fine-tuning every aspect of your keyboard, from mounting style to firmware, the NE Key OE93 is the superior enthusiast platform. If you want a distinctive, feature-complete keyboard that works out of the box with a standout LED screen, the Royalaxe XL98 is the more practical option. Both are premium wireless keyboards, but they cater to different segments of the market.

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.

NE Key OE93

Royalaxe XL98

  • Layout size

    93%

    98%

  • Hall effect (magnetic)

    Yes

    No

  • Battery

    6,000 mAh

    8,000 mAh

  • Ergonomics

    Split Backspace

    Standard

  • Case material

    Aluminum

    Aluminum, Plastic

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • NE Key OE93
  • Royalaxe XL98
Performance
85
56
Build quality
87
57
Productivity
97
76
Customizability
98
72
Portability
66
66

What they share

  • Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
  • Hot-swappable
  • Mount style: Gasket Mount
  • Knob
See every spec side by side

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

The NE Key OE93 is the clear choice for modders and programmers due to its DIY kit format, extensive firmware support, and customizable layout. The Royalaxe XL98 wins for office users and travelers seeking a lighter, pre-built keyboard with a long-lasting battery and a unique screen. For gaming, the OE93's confirmed high polling rate gives it an edge, while content creators will find useful features in both.

For gaming

Pick the NE Key OE93

  • The OE93 lists a 1000Hz polling rate for wired and 2.4GHz modes, which the XL98's description does not specify.
  • It features N-Key Rollover (NKRO) for precise simultaneous key presses.
  • The vendor page confirms a 1000Hz polling rate for low latency gaming.
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Full specs

NE Key OE93 vs Royalaxe XL98 specs

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

17 of 28 specs differ

NE Key OE93

Royalaxe XL98

Typing & switches

Switch options

Linear, Magnetic
Linear

Hall effect (magnetic)

Yes
No

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Gasket Mount
Gasket Mount

Sound dampening

Yes
No

Screw-in stabilizers

Yes
No

Layout

Layout size

93%
98%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI

Ergonomics

Split Backspace
Standard

Knob

Yes
Yes

Display

None
Yes

Media keys

Yes
No

Connectivity & battery

Connection

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

Max polling rate

1,000 Hz
—

Battery

6,000 mAh
8,000 mAhBetter

USB-C

Yes
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

Aluminum
Aluminum, Plastic

Plate material

Aluminum
CarbonFiber

Keycaps

—
PBT

Weight

2,200 g
1,800 g

Dimensions

19 x 483 x 153 mm
67 x 220 x 543 mm

Typing angle

7°
—

Backlight

RGB
RGB

Firmware & software

QMK

Yes
No

VIA

Yes
No

N-key rollover

Yes
No

Mac & Windows

Yes
Yes

Extras

Released

2025
2023

Where to buy

Compare prices

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

Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.

NE Key OE932 stores

  • VelocifireCN

    In stock
    $399Visit

  • AmazonGlobal

    Check price
    ~$399Visit
Royalaxe XL983 stores

  • MechkeysCN

    In stock
    $389Visit

  • AmazonGlobal

    Check price
    ~$389Visit

  • WhatGeekCN

    Out of stock
    $399Visit

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.

FAQ

NE Key OE93 vs Royalaxe XL98: your questions

The Royalaxe XL98 is better for beginners as it comes pre-built with switches and keycaps installed. The NE Key OE93 is a DIY kit that requires you to purchase and install your own switches and keycaps, which is better suited for enthusiasts familiar with the process.

The Royalaxe XL98 listing mentions 'Royal Axe Driver Integration' for its display, but it does not specify support for advanced key remapping software like QMK or VIA. The NE Key OE93 explicitly supports both QMK and VIA for deep customization.

Yes, both keyboards feature hot-swappable PCBs, allowing you to change switches without soldering. The OE93's listing also notes compatibility with Hall Effect (magnetic) switches.

The NE Key OE93 uses a unique 93% layout with the F-keys moved to a column on the left side and a split backspace. The Royalaxe XL98 uses a more standard 98% layout that compresses a full numpad into a compact form factor with a normal key arrangement.

The NE Key OE93 specifies a 1000Hz polling rate for both its wired and 2.4GHz wireless modes, which is ideal for low-latency gaming. The Royalaxe XL98's product description does not specify a polling rate for its wireless modes.

The Royalaxe XL98 has a larger 8000mAh battery compared to the OE93's 6000mAh battery. The XL98's manufacturer claims up to 200 hours of use, while the OE93's listing does not provide a runtime estimate.

The Royalaxe XL98 comes pre-built with PBT keycaps. The NE Key OE93 is sold as a DIY kit/barebones, which does not include keycaps; you must purchase them separately.

The NE Key OE93 case is made entirely of aluminum. The Royalaxe XL98 case uses a combination of aluminum and plastic materials, according to its metadata.

The Royalaxe XL98 is more portable by weight at 1800 grams, which is 400 grams lighter than the 2200-gram OE93. The OE93 is also slightly wider (483mm vs 543mm) but much slimmer in profile (19mm vs 67mm front height).

Yes, the vendor description for the Royalaxe XL98 states its DIY RGB dot-matrix display screen can be personalized with different texts and patterns.

The NE Key OE93 kit includes multiple layers of sound dampening: a Japanese Inoue poron pad, a switch socket silencer pad, an IXPE switch pad, and a PET anti-static film. The Royalaxe XL98 description mentions a soft-elastic gasket structure for sound absorption but does not list specific foam layers.

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