Qwertykeys QK101 vs Royalaxe L98DIY Kit vs Pre-Built Keyboard
Choose the QK101 for a premium, customizable project, or the L98 for a complete, ready-to-use keyboard.
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Which one should you get?
Get the
Qwertykeys QK101
DIY Kit
Build quality in the top 5% of 100% boards under $200.
- CNC-machined aluminum and copper case construction for premium durability.
- Extensive customizability with choice of mount style (gasket/top), four plate options, and two PCBs.
- Includes a comprehensive kit with tools, stabilizers, foams, and a protective case.
Get the
Royalaxe L98
Pre-Built Keyboard
Build quality in the top 40% of 98% boards under $300.
- Fully pre-built with TTC Titan Heart switches and keycaps included.
- Lighter weight (1120g) and more compact 98% layout for easier portability.
- Includes useful accessories like a dust cover and 2.4G dongle.
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
- Compact full-size layout. The numpad is present, the gaps of a full-size board are not.
Your choice fundamentally comes down to involvement. If you enjoy the process of building, tuning, and sourcing parts for a top-tier keyboard, the Qwertykeys QK101 is a superior platform. If you want a capable, feature-rich keyboard that works immediately upon unboxing without extra cost or effort, the Royalaxe L98 is the sensible option. Consider the total investment, as the QK101's kit price is just the beginning.
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.
Qwertykeys QK101
Royalaxe L98
Layout size
100%
98%
Battery
8,000 mAh
6,000 mAh
A larger battery means fewer cables during the day
Case material
Aluminum, Copper
Aluminum, Plastic
Mount style
Gasket Mount, Top Mount
Gasket Mount
Display
TFT, OLED
TFT
A case display rather than a typing feature
- Qwertykeys QK101
- Royalaxe L98
- Performance
- 7869
- Build quality
- 9167
- Productivity
- 8281
- Customizability
- 8569
- Portability
- 6369
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Sound dampening
What will you mostly use it for?
The QK101 dominates for users who prioritize performance tuning, deep customization, and a premium build process, winning in gaming, programming, and modding. The L98 is the pragmatic choice for office use and travel due to its lighter weight, pre-built nature, and more compact form. For content creation, both offer useful screen functionality, making it a tie dependent on whether you value software customization or immediate setup.
Pick the Qwertykeys QK101
- The QK101 has a specified 4000 Hz polling rate for lower latency.
- Its dual-mount design (gasket and top-mount) allows for tuning the typing feel.
- The CNC-machined aluminum and copper case provides a solid, premium base.
Qwertykeys QK101 vs Royalaxe L98 specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
12 of 21 specs differ
Qwertykeys QK101
Royalaxe L98
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Display
Connection
Max polling rate
Battery
USB-C
Case material
Plate material
Weight
Dimensions
Typing angle
Backlight
VIA
Mac & Windows
Released
ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
Qwertykeys QK101
Listed on the product, not split by store: ISO.
Royalaxe L98
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.
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Qwertykeys QK101 vs Royalaxe L98: your questions
No, the QK101 is sold as a barebones DIY kit. It does not include switches or keycaps, so you must purchase and install them separately. Assembly of the kit itself is also required.
The Royalaxe L98 comes pre-installed with TTC Titan Heart RGB mechanical switches. According to the vendor, these are linear switches with an operating force of 42±5gf.
The Qwertykeys QK101 has a larger combined battery capacity of 8000mAh (2x 4000mAh), while the Royalaxe L98 has a 6000mAh battery. Actual battery life will depend on usage, RGB settings, and connection type.
Yes, both offer programmability. The QK101 uses the VIA web configurator, which is widely supported. The Royalaxe L98 has downloadable software for Windows and Mac for macro definition and key reassignment.
Yes, both feature a customizable screen. The QK101's vendor description mentions it can sync GIFs with typing speed. The L98 has a 1.14” TFT display showing connection status, battery, date, and time.
The Royalaxe L98 is more portable. It weighs 1120g compared to the QK101's 2000g, and its 98% layout (405mm wide) is more compact than the QK101's full-size 440mm width. The L98 also includes a dust cover.
The Qwertykeys QK101 offers a dual-mount design, allowing you to assemble it as either a gasket mount or a top mount. The Royalaxe L98 uses a gasket-mounted structure with Poron pads and a silicone padding layer.
Both product listings state Mac support. The QK101 metadata includes Mac/Win support, and the L98 vendor description states compatibility with macOS.
The QK101 kit includes the case, PCBs, plates, foams, gaskets, stabilizers, tools (screwdrivers, pullers), a USB-C cable, magnetic badges, and a protective keyboard case. Switches and keycaps are not included.
Yes, the Royalaxe L98 vendor description states it has full-key hot-swappable sockets that support both 3-pin and 5-pin switches.
The Qwertykeys QK101 has a specified 4000 Hz polling rate. The polling rate for the Royalaxe L98 is not stated in its provided specifications.
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