Not sure which keyboard to choose? Try the Keyboard Finder now!

Head to head · Prices checked Nov 7, 2026

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.

KeebFinder may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.

Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Royal Kludge M75

Compact 75%

Build quality in the top 50% of 75% boards under $100.

If you want

  • More compact 75% layout saves significant desk space.
  • Lighter weight of 660g enhances portability.
  • Includes a functional rotary knob for volume and mode control.

Rules this board out

  • 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.

If you want

  • 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.

Rules this board out

  • South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
  • No numpad.

Bottom line

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.

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.

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

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Royal Kludge M75
  • Royal Kludge S85
Performance
67
67
Build quality
66
69
Productivity
73
84
Customizability
74
74
Portability
80
86

What they share

  • Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
  • Hot-swappable
  • Mount style: Gasket Mount
  • Knob
  • Display: OLED
  • Keycaps: PBT
See every spec side by side

Best for

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.

For gaming

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.

Full specs

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

Typing & switches

Switch options

Clicky, Linear
—

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Gasket Mount
Gasket Mount

Sound dampening

No
Yes

Layout

Layout size

75%
80%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Knob

Yes
Yes

Display

OLED
OLED

Connectivity & battery

Connection

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

Battery

3,750 mAh
7,200 mAhBetter

USB passthrough

Yes
No

USB-C

Yes
Yes

Build & materials

Keycaps

PBT
PBT

Weight

900 g
950 g

Dimensions

42 x 328 x 139 mm
44 x 142 x 44 mm

Backlight

RGB, south-facing
RGB, south-facing

Firmware & software

Mac & Windows

Yes
Yes

Extras

Released

2024
2024

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.

Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.

FAQ

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.

Still torn?

Answer a few quick questions and the keyboard finder ranks 2,000+ boards by how you will actually use yours.