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Head to head · Prices checked Oct 21, 2026

Keychron J5 vs Royal Kludge X104

Get the Keychron J5 for qmk and via. Get the Royal Kludge X104 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 X104

  • Connection

    Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired

    Wired

  • Switch options

    Clicky, Linear, Tactile

    Linear

  • Knob

    No

    Yes

  • QMK

    Yes

    No

  • VIA

    Yes

    No

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Keychron J5
  • Royal Kludge X104
Performance
70
79
Build quality
69
52
Productivity
62
84
Customizability
86
67
Portability
48
45

What they share

  • Layout size: 100%
  • Hot-swappable
  • Keycaps: PBT
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 X104

No owner reviews collected yet.

Full specs

Keychron J5 vs Royal Kludge X104 specs

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

12 of 23 specs differ

Keychron J5

Royal Kludge X104

Typing & switches

Switch options

Clicky, Linear, Tactile
Linear

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Sound dampening

No
Yes

Layout

Layout size

100%
100%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Knob

No
Yes

Display

None
None

Media keys

Yes
No

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Wired

Max polling rate

1,000 Hz
—

Battery

3,750 mAh
Wired only

USB-C

No
Yes

Build & materials

Plate material

Steel
—

Keycaps

PBT
PBT

Weight

—
1,350 g

Dimensions

—
43 x 422 x 137 mm

Backlight

RGB, north-facing
RGB

Firmware & software

QMK

Yes
No

VIA

Yes
No

N-key rollover

No
Yes

Mac & Windows

No
Yes

Extras

Released

2025
2026

Where to buy

Compare prices

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

Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.

Keychron J52 stores
  • KeychronHK

    In stock
    $59Visit
  • AmazonGlobal

    Check price
    Visit
  • Royal KludgeUS

    In stock
    $64Visit
  • AmazonGlobal

    Check price
    Visit

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