Keychron V5 Max vs Royal Kludge S98QMK or TFT
Choose the V5 Max for QMK/VIA customization and broader layout options, or the S98 for its TFT display and USB pass-through port.
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4.8 (5)4.8 · 5 reviews
from$99at MK
No reviews
from$89at Royal Kludge
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron V5 Max
Battery
Build quality in the top 10% of 96% boards under $100.
- QMK and VIA support, with vendor-described remapping and macro options through Keychron Launcher.
- 1000 Hz polling rate for 2.4 GHz and wired modes, plus N-key rollover in wired and wireless modes.
- Gasket mount, polycarbonate plate, and sound-absorbing foam are specified by Keychron.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
Get the
Royal Kludge S98
Build quality in the top 30% of 96% boards under $100.
- TFT display, with vendor-described battery, connection, date, layout, and GIF display options.
- Built-in USB pass-through port in addition to USB-C connectivity.
- Top-mount construction and four layers of sound-absorbing foam are described by Royal Kludge.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
Choose the Keychron V5 Max if you want QMK/VIA customization, a stated 1000 Hz polling rate, or an ISO layout option. Choose the Royal Kludge S98 if the TFT display and USB pass-through matter more than firmware customization or ISO support. For frequent carrying, the V5 Max is substantially lighter based on the listed weights.
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 V5 Max
Royal Kludge S98
Battery
4,000 mAh
3,750 mAh
A larger battery means fewer cables during the day
Switch options
Clicky, Linear, Tactile
Linear, Tactile
Mount style
Gasket Mount, Plate Mount
Gasket Mount, Top Mount
Display
None
TFT
A case display rather than a typing feature
Weight
925 g
1,879 g
Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel
- Keychron V5 Max
- Royal Kludge S98
- Performance
- 8365
- Build quality
- 8672
- Productivity
- 9782
- Customizability
- 9872
- Portability
- 5353
- Layout size: 96%
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Knob
- Sound dampening
- Keycaps: ABS, PBT
What will you mostly use it for?
The V5 Max leads for gaming, programming, travel, and modding, mainly on its stated polling rate, lower weight, layout breadth, and QMK/VIA support. Office use is close: each has a 96% layout and sound dampening, while the S98 contributes a display and USB pass-through. For content creation, the choice is between the S98’s on-board visual status and the V5 Max’s more explicit remapping features. Buyers who need an ISO layout should favor the V5 Max.
Pick the Keychron V5 Max
- The V5 Max lists a 1000 Hz polling rate for 2.4 GHz and wired connections.
- Its N-key rollover is listed for both wired and wireless modes.
- Both boards offer 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth, and wired connectivity, plus hot-swappable switches.
Keychron V5 Max vs Royal Kludge S98 specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
13 of 28 specs differ
Keychron V5 Max
Royal Kludge S98
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
Display
Media keys
Connection
Max polling rate
Battery
USB passthrough
USB-C
Case material
Plate material
Keycaps
Weight
Dimensions
Typing angle
Backlight
QMK
VIA
N-key rollover
Mac & Windows
Released
ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
Keychron V5 Max
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW
Out of stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW
Out of stockDoes not ship to you
Royal Kludge S98
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
Compare prices
Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.
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Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.
Keychron V5 Max vs Royal Kludge S98: your questions
The V5 Max is the more clearly specified gaming choice, with a 1000 Hz polling rate listed for wired and 2.4 GHz modes. Both keyboards support wired, Bluetooth, and 2.4 GHz connections and have hot-swappable switches.
Keychron lists the V5 Max at 1000 Hz for wired and 2.4 GHz use. The S98’s supplied specifications do not give a polling rate, so a direct rate comparison cannot be made.
Yes. Both product listings include Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz wireless, and wired connectivity.
The Keychron V5 Max lists ANSI and several ISO layout standards, including ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-FR, and ISO-Nordic. The Royal Kludge S98 is listed as ANSI only, and its compatibility rules say ISO layouts are not offered.
Yes, the S98 has a TFT display. Royal Kludge says it can show items such as battery status and connection mode, and can display custom GIFs.
The V5 Max is listed with both QMK and VIA support, and Keychron describes remapping keys and creating macros through its Launcher web app. Royal Kludge also describes software for key mapping, macros, and lighting, but says those functions are available over a wired connection.
Yes, both are listed as hot-swappable. Keychron specifies the V5 Max supports 3-pin and 5-pin MX mechanical switches, while Royal Kludge describes the S98 as hot-swappable.
The V5 Max is listed at 925 g, while the S98 is listed at 1879 g. If moving the keyboard between workspaces is important, the V5 Max has the lower listed weight.
Yes, the S98 listing includes one built-in USB pass-through port alongside its USB-C port. The V5 Max metadata lists USB-C but does not list a USB pass-through port.
Both keyboards have south-facing LEDs, and the compatibility notes warn that shine-through legends stay dark. The notes also caution that some sculpted keycaps can clip the LEDs.
The V5 Max is listed with a 4000 mAh battery, compared with 3750 mAh for the S98. Battery capacity alone does not establish real-world runtime, which can vary with use and lighting.
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