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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 7, 2026

LUMINKEY Luminkey98 V2 vs 98

Choose the Luminkey98 V2 for RGB, 8K polling and a numpad that moves within the case, or the LUMINKEY 98 for a reversible numpad layout and a barebones-style kit.

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Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

LUMINKEY Luminkey98 V2

Battery

Build quality in the bottom 45% of 98% boards under $300.

If you want

  • Gasket mount with an aluminum case and an anodized aluminum external weight.
  • Numpad can move to either side of the alpha keys within the case.
  • South-facing per-key RGB and an 8000 Hz polling rate.

Rules this board out

  • South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.

Get the

LUMINKEY 98

Build quality in the top 50% of 98% boards at any price.

If you want

  • Reversible layout lets the numpad switch between standard and southpaw orientations.
  • Aluminum case with a top-mount structure and a 1.5mm polycarbonate plate.
  • Hot-swappable tri-mode PCB and 4400mAh internal battery.

Bottom line

Pick the Luminkey98 V2 if you want south-facing RGB, 8K polling, multimedia keys or a numpad that physically changes sides inside the case. Choose the LUMINKEY 98 if reversible standard/southpaw orientation and its included kit tools matter more; its vendor description also specifies a top mount and polycarbonate plate.

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.

LUMINKEY Luminkey98 V2

LUMINKEY 98

  • Battery

    6,000 mAh

    4,400 mAh

    A larger battery means fewer cables during the day

  • Mount style

    Gasket Mount

    Top Mount

  • Plate material

    Plastic

    Polycarbonate

  • Backlight

    RGB, south-facing

    None

    RGB for looks and low light rather than speed

  • Media keys

    Yes

    No

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • LUMINKEY Luminkey98 V2
  • LUMINKEY 98
Performance
82
55
Build quality
62
64
Productivity
79
65
Customizability
67
60
Portability
65
48

What they share

  • Layout size: 98%
  • Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
  • Hot-swappable
  • Ergonomics: Southpaw
  • Case material: Aluminum
  • Sound dampening
See every spec side by side

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

The V2 is the more feature-forward choice for gaming, office use and content creation, particularly if you want RGB or a numpad that physically moves within the case. Programming is a close match because both share the same broad layout and connection options. The LUMINKEY 98 has an edge for buyers who want the included kit tools and its reversible numpad arrangement. For travel, the V2's larger listed battery is a useful distinction, though its weight is not specified.

For gaming

Pick the LUMINKEY Luminkey98 V2

  • The Luminkey98 V2 lists an 8000 Hz polling rate.
  • It offers wired, Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz connections, plus south-facing per-key RGB.

Full specs

LUMINKEY Luminkey98 V2 vs 98 specs

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

8 of 22 specs differ

LUMINKEY Luminkey98 V2

LUMINKEY 98

Typing & switches

Switch options

—
Linear

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Gasket Mount
Top Mount

Sound dampening

Yes
Yes

Layout

Layout size

98%
98%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI

Ergonomics

Southpaw
Southpaw

Display

None
None

Media keys

Yes
No

Connectivity & battery

Connection

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

Max polling rate

8,000 Hz
—

Battery

6,000 mAhBetter
4,400 mAh

USB-C

Yes
No

Build & materials

Case material

Aluminum
Aluminum

Plate material

Plastic
Polycarbonate

Keycaps

PBT
PBT

Weight

—
2,600 g

Dimensions

—
20 x 400 x 136 mm

Typing angle

7°
—

Backlight

RGB, south-facing
None

Firmware & software

Mac & Windows

Yes
No

Extras

Released

2026
2025

Where to buy

Compare prices

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

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.

LUMINKEY 982 stores

FAQ

LUMINKEY Luminkey98 V2 vs 98: your questions

The Luminkey98 V2 has south-facing RGB, an 8000 Hz polling rate and a numpad that moves to either side of the alpha keys within the case. The LUMINKEY 98 has no RGB and instead offers a reversible layout that switches the numpad between standard and southpaw orientation.

No, the LUMINKEY 98 is listed without RGB, and its vendor description says RGB is not included with the PCB. The Luminkey98 V2 has south-facing per-key RGB backlighting.

The Luminkey98 V2 lists an 8000 Hz polling rate. No polling-rate figure is listed for the LUMINKEY 98.

Yes, the V2's vendor description says its numpad can be placed on either side of the alpha keys within the same case. The LUMINKEY 98 instead has a reversible layout that changes the numpad's orientation between standard and southpaw.

Yes, both models are listed as hot-swappable. The V2's vendor description specifies sockets for 3-pin or 5-pin switches, while the LUMINKEY 98 is described as having a tri-mode hot-swap PCB.

Both models list wired, Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz connectivity. The Luminkey98 V2 vendor description also specifies a USB-C cable for wired use.

The Luminkey98 V2 has a listed 6000mAh rechargeable battery. The LUMINKEY 98 has a 4400mAh internal battery.

The Luminkey98 V2 uses a gasket mount and a 1.5mm polypropylene plate. The LUMINKEY 98 uses a top mount and a 1.5mm polycarbonate plate.

The LUMINKEY 98 is described as a DIY kit/barebones model, and its vendor lists a switch and keycap puller and a screwdriver among the included items. Both models are hot-swappable, so either can accommodate switch changes.

The Luminkey98 V2 lists Mac/Win support, and its vendor description also explicitly lists Windows and Mac compatibility. The LUMINKEY 98 descriptions do not specify operating-system compatibility.

The compatibility note says shine-through legends stay dark with the V2's south-facing LEDs. It also warns that some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.

The LUMINKEY 98 is listed at 2600g, and its vendor gives the same weight as 2.6kg. No weight is listed for the Luminkey98 V2, so their relative weight cannot be established from these listings.

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