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Head to head · Prices checked Oct 23, 2026

Keychron J5 vs Royal Kludge S98

Get the Royal Kludge S98 for knob.

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.

Keychron J5

Royal Kludge S98

  • Layout size

    100%

    96%

  • Switch options

    Clicky, Linear, Tactile

    Linear, Tactile

  • Knob

    No

    Yes

  • Display

    None

    TFT

  • Weight

    1,100 g

    1,879 g

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Keychron J5
  • Royal Kludge S98
Performance
82
66
Build quality
71
72
Productivity
89
82
Customizability
89
72
Portability
54
53

What they share

  • Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
  • Hot-swappable
  • Battery: 3,750 mAh
  • Sound dampening
See every spec side by side

From real owners

What owners say

Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.

Keychron J5

3.7

3 owner reviews

Praise
“Totally enjoying this keyboard. Weight gives a quality feel. Love north facing RGB and effects. Price is in a sweet spot. Happy that I didn’t allow lack of reviews to affect my decision. Highly recommended.”
M.T.Verified buyer· via Keychron
Critique
“Originally had purchased (2) J5 keyboards for staff in the office in January. Upon delivery, the top number row of one of the keyboards did not work and had to be RMA'd, within a few weeks the second keyboard refused to work altogether. Received a replacement…”
T.Verified buyer· via Keychron

Royal Kludge S98

No owner reviews collected yet.

Full specs

Keychron J5 vs Royal Kludge S98 specs

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

14 of 27 specs differ

Keychron J5

Royal Kludge S98

Typing & switches

Switch options

Clicky, Linear, Tactile
Linear, Tactile

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

—
Gasket Mount, Top Mount

Sound dampening

Yes
Yes

Layout

Layout size

100%
96%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Knob

No
Yes

Display

None
TFT

Media keys

Yes
No

Connectivity & battery

Connection

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

Max polling rate

1,000 Hz
—

Battery

3,750 mAh
3,750 mAh

USB passthrough

No
Yes

USB-C

Yes
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

ABS
—

Plate material

Steel
—

Keycaps

PBT
ABS, PBT

Weight

1,100 g
1,879 g

Dimensions

35 x 436 x 129 mm
41 x 140 x 41 mm

Typing angle

2°
—

Backlight

RGB, north-facing
RGB, south-facing

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.

Keychron J53 stores
  • KeychronHK

    In stock
    $59Visit
  • Keychron (DE)DE

    In stock
    $109Visit
  • AmazonGlobal

    Check price
    Visit
  • Royal KludgeUS

    In stock
    $89Visit
  • AmazonGlobal

    Check price
    Visit

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