Royal Kludge M75 vs S85Compact 75% vs TKL with Sound Dampening
Choose the M75 for a more compact layout and lighter weight, or the S85 for a larger battery, dedicated arrow keys, and built-in sound dampening.
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from$84at Royal Kludge
from$89at Royal Kludge
Which one should you get?
Get the
Royal Kludge M75
Compact 75%
Build quality in the top 50% of 75% boards under $100.
- More compact 75% layout saves significant desk space.
- Lighter weight of 660g enhances portability.
- Includes a functional rotary knob for volume and mode control.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- No numpad.
Get the
Royal Kludge S85
TKL with Sound Dampening
Build quality in the top 30% of 80% boards under $100.
- Features 5-layer noise dampening for a quieter typing experience.
- Massive 7200mAh battery provides extended wireless use.
- TKL layout retains arrow and navigation keys without a function layer.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- No numpad.
Your primary need dictates the choice. If your desk is small, you travel often, or you want a knob for media control, the Royal Kludge M75 is the compelling option. If you work in a quiet environment, prioritize long battery life, and prefer a TKL layout with dedicated keys, the Royal Kludge S85's sound-dampening and endurance make it worth the extra size and weight.
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.
Royal Kludge M75
Royal Kludge S85
Layout size
75%
80%
Battery
3,750 mAh
7,200 mAh
A larger battery means fewer cables during the day
Weight
900 g
950 g
Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel
Sound dampening
No
Yes
USB passthrough
Yes
No
- Royal Kludge M75
- Royal Kludge S85
- Performance
- 6767
- Build quality
- 6669
- Productivity
- 7384
- Customizability
- 7474
- Portability
- 8086
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Mount style: Gasket Mount
- Knob
- Display: OLED
- Keycaps: PBT
What will you mostly use it for?
The S85 takes the lead for office use and content creation due to its sound-dampening features and massive battery. The M75 is the better choice for portability and space-constrained desks, winning for travel and having an edge for programming. For gaming and modding, the keyboards are evenly matched, sharing their core wireless and customizable features.
It's a tie
- Both offer tri-mode connectivity with 2.4GHz for low-latency gaming.
- Both feature south-facing RGB lighting compatible with Cherry profile keycaps.
- Both have gasket mount designs for a softer typing feel.
Royal Kludge M75 vs S85 specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
6 of 19 specs differ
Royal Kludge M75
Royal Kludge S85
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
Display
Connection
Battery
USB passthrough
USB-C
Keycaps
Weight
Dimensions
Backlight
Mac & Windows
Released
Compare prices
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Royal Kludge M75 vs S85: your questions
The core difference is the layout and sound design. The M75 uses a 75% layout, omitting the numpad and navigation cluster to save space. The S85 is an 80% TKL layout, keeping the arrow and navigation keys but removing the numpad. Additionally, the S85 specifically includes 5-layer noise dampening foam, which the M75's listing does not mention.
The Royal Kludge S85 has a significantly larger battery. It is equipped with a 7200mAh battery, while the M75 has a 3750mAh battery. According to the manufacturer, the S85 can last up to 41 hours with RGB on at full brightness.
Yes, both the Royal Kludge M75 and S85 feature hot-swappable PCBs. This allows you to change the mechanical switches without soldering. The S85's listing notes its PCB supports both 3-pin and 5-pin switches.
Both product listings reference available software. The S85 vendor page has a dedicated 'Software' section, and the M75 listing mentions onboard storage for profiles. For specific macro programming and RGB effect details, you would need to consult the manufacturer's software directly.
The Royal Kludge S85 is designed to be quieter. Its vendor description explicitly highlights a '5-Layer Noise Dampening' system using silicone, IXPE foam, and PET film. The M75's description focuses on its gasket mount for comfort but does not list specific dampening materials.
Yes, both keyboards list Mac support in their compatibility features. Their vendor descriptions state compatibility with Mac OS, iOS, Android, and multiple versions of Windows.
Both the Royal Kludge M75 and S85 come equipped with Cherry profile, double-shot PBT keycaps. This is a popular profile known for its sculpted feel and is noted in the tech specs for both models.
The Royal Kludge M75 includes a rotary knob that its vendor description states can be used to adjust volume, among other functions. The S85 listing describes an OLED screen for status information but does not mention a physical control knob.
Based on the provided vendor description, the Royal Kludge S85 comes with pre-lubed Linear Cloud Switches. The listing mentions an actuation force of 45±10gf and includes four spare switches in the box. Other switch types are not listed for this model.
Yes, both the M75 and S85 feature south-facing RGB LEDs. This orientation helps prevent interference with Cherry-profile keycaps and shines the light toward the user, which is highlighted as a feature in both product descriptions.
The Royal Kludge M75 is more portable. It weighs 660g compared to the S85's 950g, and its 75% layout dimensions are smaller than the S85's TKL form factor, making it easier to transport and fit into a bag.
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