MCHOSE K99 vs Royal Kludge S98Gasket vs Screen & Knob
Choose the MCHOSE K99 for a softer typing feel and longer battery life, or the Royal Kludge S98 for more productivity features and a knob.
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from$62at Mchose
90-day lowLowest price in 90 days
from$89at Royal Kludge
Which one should you get?
Get the
MCHOSE K99
Gasket
Build quality in the bottom 40% of 98% boards under $100.
- Gasket mount design for a softer, more flexible typing feel.
- Larger 6000mAh battery capacity for extended wireless use.
- Includes a per-key flex-cut PCB and detailed six-layer sound dampening system.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- Compact full-size layout. The numpad is present, the gaps of a full-size board are not.
Get the
Royal Kludge S98
Screen & Knob
Build quality in the top 30% of 96% boards under $100.
- Includes a customizable smart display screen and a control knob.
- Features a built-in USB 2.0 pass-through port.
- Offers a choice between linear and tactile switch types.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- Compact full-size layout. The numpad is present, the gaps of a full-size board are not.
Your priority dictates the choice. If a softer, more cushioned typing experience, longer battery life, and a lighter board are most important, the MCHOSE K99 is the clear pick. If you value having a screen for information, a knob for quick adjustments, and a USB pass-through for desk convenience more than typing feel, the Royal Kludge S98 is the better keyboard for you.
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.
MCHOSE K99
Royal Kludge S98
Layout size
98%
96%
Rapid trigger
Yes
No
Faster resets help in games and not in normal typing
Battery
6,000 mAh
3,750 mAh
A larger battery means fewer cables during the day
Switch options
Linear
Linear, Tactile
Mount style
Gasket Mount
Gasket Mount, Top Mount
- MCHOSE K99
- Royal Kludge S98
- Performance
- 8665
- Build quality
- 5972
- Productivity
- 7382
- Customizability
- 5872
- Portability
- 5953
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Sound dampening
What will you mostly use it for?
The Royal Kludge S98 wins in scenarios demanding extra controls and connectivity, such as office work, programming, and content creation, thanks to its knob, screen, and USB pass-through. The MCHOSE K99 is better suited for gaming, travel, and modding, where its lighter weight, larger battery, and gasket-mounted construction are more advantageous. For general use, the choice is a direct trade-off between typing feel and feature set.
Pick the MCHOSE K99
- The MCHOSE K99's feature list includes Rapid Trigger, which is not mentioned for the S98.
- Its gasket mount design can offer a softer, more cushioned feel during long sessions.
- The lighter weight (1200g vs 1879g) may be preferable for repositioning on a desk.
MCHOSE K99 vs Royal Kludge S98 specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
11 of 22 specs differ
MCHOSE K99
Royal Kludge S98
Switch options
Rapid trigger
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
Display
Connection
Battery
USB passthrough
USB-C
Plate material
Keycaps
Weight
Dimensions
Backlight
N-key rollover
Mac & Windows
Released
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MCHOSE K99 vs Royal Kludge S98: your questions
The MCHOSE K99 has a larger 6000mAh battery, while the Royal Kludge S98 has a 3750mAh battery. Based on capacity alone, the K99 should offer longer use between charges, though actual runtime depends on usage patterns like RGB brightness.
Yes, the Royal Kludge S98 features a knob. According to the manufacturer's description, this knob can be used to adjust volume, lighting, and connection settings with a twist or click.
The MCHOSE K99 uses a gasket mount, where the plate is suspended on soft gaskets for a more flexible, cushioned typing feel. The Royal Kludge S98 uses a top mount, where the plate is fixed to the top of the case, resulting in a firmer, more direct feel and sound.
Yes, both the MCHOSE K99 and Royal Kludge S98 are hot-swappable. This allows you to change the mechanical switches without soldering, using a switch puller tool.
Both keyboards feature sound dampening. The K99 lists a six-layer system with Poron and IXPE foam, while the S98 has four-layer sound absorbing foam. The S98's top mount may produce a slightly sharper sound, but both are designed to reduce noise. The S98 also offers tactile switch options, which some find quieter for typing.
No, the MCHOSE K99 does not have a USB pass-through port. The Royal Kludge S98 includes one USB 2.0 pass-through port, according to its specifications.
The Royal Kludge S98 offers a choice between Linear Cream switches and Tactile Beige switches, as per its vendor description and metadata. The MCHOSE K99 options are Hyacinth or Icy Creamsicle switches, which are both linear.
Yes, the Royal Kludge product description states the S98's display screen can be tailored for GIF displays, RGB modes, brightness, battery status, and layout switching between Win and Mac.
The Royal Kludge S98 is significantly heavier at 1879 grams (about 4.14 lbs). The MCHOSE K99 weighs 1200 grams, making it notably lighter and more portable.
Yes, both the MCHOSE K99 and Royal Kludge S98 list Mac and Windows support in their extra features. The RK S98's description also mentions support for iOS and Android.
The MCHOSE K99 uses PBT keycaps. The Royal Kludge S98 uses PBT double-shot keycaps, according to its tech specs, though its metadata also lists ABS as a possible material.
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