Keychron K10 Max vs Royal Kludge S98: Full-Size vs 96% Layout

Compare Keychron K10 Max vs Royal Kludge S98 Differences Side by Side

This comparison is for buyers deciding between a traditional full-size layout and a more compact 96% design. Both the Keychron K10 Max and Royal Kludge S98 are hot-swappable, wireless keyboards, making the choice difficult. The decision hinges on whether you prioritize a dedicated numpad and open-source firmware or a space-saving layout with a customizable screen and control knob.

Model
Rating	4.2 stars (14 reviews)	0.0 stars (0 reviews)
Purchase Options
Main differences	Released in 2024 Has Linear, Tactile, Clicky switch options Available in a 100% layout Built with the ISO, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ANSI layout standard Includes a No display Provides dedicated media keys Supports QMK firmware Supports VIA configuration Features N-key rollover Includes screw-in stabilizers Uses a PCB Mount mounting style Runs at a 1000 Hz polling rate Equipped with a 4000 mAh battery Weighs about 1530 g Sized at 40 x 447 x 140 mm Made with a ABS case Features PBT, ABS keycaps Offers Yes, White, Rgb, South-face RGB lighting	Released in 2023 Has Linear, Tactile, Silent switch options Available in a 96% layout Built with the ANSI layout standard Comes with a knob Includes a Yes display Offers a USB passthrough port Uses a Top Mount mounting style Equipped with a 3750 mAh battery Weighs about 1879 g Sized at 41 x 140 x 41 mm Features ABS, PBT keycaps Offers Yes, Rgb, South-face, Rgb South-face RGB lighting
Score	Scores Performance: 81.9 Build Quality: 81.7 Productivity: 95.1 Customizability: 92.7 Portability: 54.1	Scores Performance: 65.1 Build Quality: 63 Productivity: 82.3 Customizability: 72.6 Portability: 53.3
Name	Name Keychron K10 Max	Name Royal Kludge S98
Release year	Release year 2024	Release year 2023
Switch Options	Switch Options Linear, Tactile, Clicky	Switch Options Linear, Tactile, Silent
Profile	Profile Normal Profile	Profile Normal Profile
Hot Swappable	Hot Swappable	Hot Swappable
Layout Size	Layout Size 100%	Layout Size 96%
Layout Standard	Layout Standard ISO, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ANSI	Layout Standard ANSI
Layout Ergonomics	Layout Ergonomics Normal	Layout Ergonomics Normal
Knob Support	Knob Support	Knob Support
Display Support	Display Support	Display Support
Mac/Win Support	Mac/Win Support	Mac/Win Support
Multi-Media Keys	Multi-Media Keys	Multi-Media Keys
USB-C	USB-C	USB-C
USB passthrough	USB passthrough	USB passthrough
Connection	Connection Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless	Connection Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless
Polling Rate	Polling Rate 1000 Hz	Polling Rate -
Battery capacity	Battery capacity 4000 mAh	Battery capacity 3750 mAh
Hall Effect Support	Hall Effect Support	Hall Effect Support
QMK Support	QMK Support	QMK Support
VIA Support	VIA Support	VIA Support
VIAL Support	VIAL Support	VIAL Support
N-Key Rollover	N-Key Rollover	N-Key Rollover
Rapid Trigger	Rapid Trigger	Rapid Trigger
Mount Style	Mount Style PCB Mount	Mount Style Top Mount
Screw in Stabilizers	Screw in Stabilizers	Screw in Stabilizers
Sound Dampening	Sound Dampening	Sound Dampening
Backlight	Backlight White, Rgb, South-face	Backlight Rgb, South-face
Case Colors	Case Colors	Case Colors
Case Material	Case Material ABS	Case Material -
Keycaps Material	Keycaps Material PBT, ABS	Keycaps Material ABS, PBT
Dimensions	Dimensions 40 x 447 x 140 mm	Dimensions 41 x 140 x 41 mm
Weight	Weight 1530g	Weight 1879g

Keychron K10 Max QMK Wireless Mechanical Keyboard ISO Layout Collection

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4.2 stars (14 reviews)

0.0 stars (0 reviews)

Released in 2024
Has Linear, Tactile, Clicky switch options
Available in a 100% layout
Built with the ISO, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ANSI layout standard
Includes a No display
Provides dedicated media keys
Supports QMK firmware
Supports VIA configuration
Features N-key rollover
Includes screw-in stabilizers
Uses a PCB Mount mounting style
Runs at a 1000 Hz polling rate
Equipped with a 4000 mAh battery
Weighs about 1530 g
Sized at 40 x 447 x 140 mm
Made with a ABS case
Features PBT, ABS keycaps
Offers Yes, White, Rgb, South-face RGB lighting

Released in 2023
Has Linear, Tactile, Silent switch options
Available in a 96% layout
Built with the ANSI layout standard
Comes with a knob
Includes a Yes display
Offers a USB passthrough port
Uses a Top Mount mounting style
Equipped with a 3750 mAh battery
Weighs about 1879 g
Sized at 41 x 140 x 41 mm
Features ABS, PBT keycaps
Offers Yes, Rgb, South-face, Rgb South-face RGB lighting

Scores

Performance: 81.9
Build Quality: 81.7
Productivity: 95.1
Customizability: 92.7
Portability: 54.1

Scores

Performance: 65.1
Build Quality: 63
Productivity: 82.3
Customizability: 72.6
Portability: 53.3

Name

Keychron K10 Max

Name

Royal Kludge S98

Release year

2024

Release year

2023

Switch Options

Linear, Tactile, Clicky

Switch Options

Linear, Tactile, Silent

Profile

Normal Profile

Profile

Normal Profile

Hot Swappable

Layout Size

100%

Layout Size

96%

Layout Standard

ISO, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ANSI

Layout Standard

ANSI

Layout Ergonomics

Normal

Layout Ergonomics

Normal

Knob Support

Display Support

Mac/Win Support

Multi-Media Keys

USB-C

USB passthrough

Connection

Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless

Connection

Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired, Wireless

Polling Rate

1000 Hz

Polling Rate

Battery capacity

4000 mAh

Battery capacity

3750 mAh

Hall Effect Support

QMK Support

VIA Support

VIAL Support

N-Key Rollover

Rapid Trigger

Mount Style

PCB Mount

Mount Style

Top Mount

Screw in Stabilizers

Sound Dampening

Backlight

White, Rgb, South-face

Backlight

Rgb, South-face

Case Colors

Case Material

ABS

Case Material

Keycaps Material

PBT, ABS

Keycaps Material

ABS, PBT

Dimensions

40 x 447 x 140 mm

Dimensions

41 x 140 x 41 mm

Weight

1530g

Weight

1879g

Pros and Trade-offs

Your primary need dictates the choice. If you require a full numpad, plan on deep firmware customization with QMK/VIA, or need specific ISO layouts, the Keychron K10 Max is the clear option. If you want to maximize desk space, value a control knob and screen for quick adjustments, and don't need a numpad, the Royal Kludge S98 is the better compact alternative.

Keychron K10 Max

+Full 100% layout with a dedicated numpad.
+Supports QMK and VIA for extensive, open-source firmware customization.
+Features screw-in PCB stabilizers and multiple acoustic foam layers (IXPE, PET, EPDM).
+Offers multiple ISO layout options (ANSI, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-DE, ISO-UK).
+Includes a 4000mAh battery and a specified 1000 Hz polling rate for wireless and wired modes.

−Large 100% footprint requires significant desk space.
−Some user reviews note that keycaps for Print Screen, Scroll Lock, and Pause are not included.
−The vendor description states the Keychron Launcher software requires a wired connection for configuration.

Royal Kludge S98

+Compact 96% layout saves space while retaining arrow and navigation keys.
+Includes a customizable screen and a multifunction control knob.
+Features a built-in USB 2.0 pass-through port.
+Comes with well-lubed stabilizers and a four-layer sound absorbing foam according to the manufacturer.
+Offers a top-mount design, which the vendor states provides stability and reduces noise.

−Only available in an ANSI layout, with no ISO options listed.
−Heavier at 1879g, which may reduce portability despite the smaller size.
−Lacks a specified polling rate in its product listing.

Which Keyboard Is Better for Your Needs?

The Keychron K10 Max is the stronger choice for gaming, programming, and modding due to its confirmed high polling rate, QMK/VIA support, and full layout. The Royal Kludge S98 wins for travel and content creation with its space-saving design, knob, and screen. For office use, it's a tie, as the choice depends on whether you need a numpad or prefer a smaller footprint.

GamingKeychron K10 Max

•The K10 Max has a specified 1000 Hz polling rate in its 2.4 GHz and wired modes, which the S98's listing does not mention.
•Its full-size layout provides a dedicated numpad for macros or keybinds.
•The manufacturer states its 1000 Hz polling rate makes latency 'hardly noticeable even in competitive games'.

OfficeTie

•Both offer triple-mode connectivity (Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, wired) for device switching.
•The K10 Max's 100% layout includes a full numpad for data entry.
•The S98's 96% layout saves desk space while keeping arrow and navigation keys.

ProgrammingKeychron K10 Max

•The K10 Max supports QMK and VIA firmware for extensive key remapping and macro creation.
•Its full-size layout provides dedicated keys like Print Screen, which some users note are missing from its keycaps but are physically present on the board.
•It offers multiple ISO layout options (Nordic, German, UK, Swiss) for international developers.

TravelRoyal Kludge S98

•The Royal Kludge S98 has a more compact 96% layout, taking up less bag space than a full-size board.
•It is slightly lighter at 1879g compared to the K10 Max's 1530g, though both are heavy.
•Its built-in USB pass-through port can be useful for connecting other devices on the go.

ModdingKeychron K10 Max

•The K10 Max explicitly supports QMK and VIA, offering deep, open-source firmware customization.
•It features screw-in PCB stabilizers, which are favored for modding, and supports third-party replacements.
•The vendor description details multiple acoustic foam layers (IXPE, PET, EPDM) and a steel plate for sound customization.

Content CreationRoyal Kludge S98

•The S98 includes a programmable knob for adjusting volume, lighting, and other parameters.
•Its customizable screen can display GIFs, battery status, and system layout.
•The compact 96% layout frees up desk space for graphics tablets or other peripherals.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)