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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 10, 2026

Royal Kludge R87 PRO vs S85QMK/VIA vs OLED Screen Comparison

Choose the R87 PRO for deep firmware customization and a lower price, or the S85 for a built-in OLED screen and a larger battery.

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Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Royal Kludge R87 PRO

QMK/VIA

Build quality in the top 20% of 80% boards under $100.

If you want

  • Supports QMK and VIA firmware for extensive key remapping and macro programming.
  • Lighter weight (760g) and slightly more compact dimensions for better portability.
  • Includes a removable metal volume knob for convenient media control.

Rules this board out

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

Get the

Royal Kludge S85

OLED Screen Comparison

Build quality in the top 30% of 80% boards under $100.

If you want

  • Features a built-in OLED screen for displaying battery, connection mode, and system status.
  • Larger 7200mAh battery capacity for extended wireless use.
  • Includes 5-layer noise dampening, as per the vendor description, for a potentially quieter sound profile.

Rules this board out

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

Bottom line

Your choice hinges on a single trade-off: software freedom versus hardware utility. If you value creating deeply personalized keymaps, layers, and lighting effects, the Royal Kludge R87 PRO and its QMK/VIA support are the clear path. If you prefer a keyboard that provides immediate, at-a-glance system information via its OLED screen and offers a larger battery, the Royal Kludge S85 is the more suitable option. Prioritize your workflow needs over shared features like the gasket mount and PBT keycaps.

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 R87 PRO

Royal Kludge S85

  • Battery

    6,000 mAh

    7,200 mAh

    A larger battery means fewer cables during the day

  • Display

    None

    OLED

    A case display rather than a typing feature

  • Weight

    760 g

    950 g

    Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel

  • QMK

    Yes

    No

    The deep option when you want to remap every key

  • VIA

    Yes

    No

    GUI remapping without compiling firmware

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Royal Kludge R87 PRO
  • Royal Kludge S85
Performance
83
66
Build quality
78
69
Productivity
93
84
Customizability
91
74
Portability
85
86

What they share

  • Layout size: 80%
  • Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
  • Hot-swappable
  • Mount style: Gasket Mount
  • Knob
  • Sound dampening
See every spec side by side

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

The R87 PRO wins in scenarios demanding high customizability and portability, such as gaming, programming, travel, and modding, primarily due to its QMK/VIA support and lighter build. The S85 takes the lead for office use, leveraging its OLED screen for system monitoring and its larger battery. For content creation, both offer compelling but different advantages, making it a tie based on whether you prioritize programmable keys or a status display.

For gaming

Pick the Royal Kludge R87 PRO

  • The R87 PRO's QMK/VIA support allows for extensive macro and key rebinding customization for game profiles.
  • It is notably lighter at 760g compared to the S85's 950g, which may be preferable for quick desk adjustments.
  • Both feature hot-swappable switches and south-facing RGB, but the R87 PRO's advanced firmware offers more control over gaming setups.

Full specs

Royal Kludge R87 PRO vs S85 specs

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

8 of 23 specs differ

Royal Kludge R87 PRO

Royal Kludge S85

Typing & switches

Switch options

Linear
—

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Gasket Mount
Gasket Mount

Sound dampening

Yes
Yes

Layout

Layout size

80%
80%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Knob

Yes
Yes

Display

None
OLED

Media keys

Yes
No

Connectivity & battery

Connection

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

Battery

6,000 mAh
7,200 mAhBetter

USB-C

Yes
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

Plastic
—

Keycaps

PBT
PBT

Weight

760 g
950 g

Dimensions

43 x 131 x 43 mm
44 x 142 x 44 mm

Backlight

RGB, south-facing
RGB, south-facing

Firmware & software

QMK

Yes
No

VIA

Yes
No

N-key rollover

Yes
No

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.

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Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.

FAQ

Royal Kludge R87 PRO vs S85: your questions

The Royal Kludge R87 PRO has superior software customization. It supports both QMK and VIA firmware, which are open-source platforms allowing for deep key remapping, macro creation, and lighting control. The S85 uses proprietary software, which typically offers less granular control than QMK/VIA.

Yes, according to the manufacturer, the S85's OLED screen displays real-time information. This includes battery status, the current connection mode (wired, 2.4GHz, or Bluetooth), and the active system mode (Windows or Mac). This allows for quick monitoring without using software.

Yes, both keyboards feature hot-swappable PCBs. This means you can change the mechanical switches without any soldering. The R87 PRO comes with Creamy switches, and the S85 comes with Cloud switches, but both can accept compatible 3-pin and 5-pin switches.

The Royal Kludge R87 PRO is more portable. It weighs 760 grams, which is 190 grams lighter than the 950-gram S85. The R87 PRO is also slightly shorter in length (131mm vs. 142mm), making it a more compact option for travel or moving between workspaces.

The Royal Kludge S85 has a larger 7200mAh battery, while the R87 PRO has a 6000mAh battery. The manufacturer claims the S85 can last up to 41 hours with max RGB brightness. While specific hours for the R87 PRO aren't stated, the larger capacity in the S85 suggests potentially longer wireless runtime.

Both keyboards are listed as compatible with Mac. The vendor description for the R87 PRO explicitly states compatibility with MacOS and Linux. The S85 vendor description lists Mac/IOS/Android and Windows, but Linux compatibility is not explicitly mentioned for the S85 in the provided information.

Both keyboards come equipped with double-shot PBT keycaps in a Cherry profile. PBT plastic is more durable and resistant to shine compared to ABS, and the Cherry profile is a popular choice for its typing angle. The south-facing RGB LEDs ensure compatibility with these keycaps.

A gasket mount is a design where the keyboard's plate is suspended on soft gaskets within the case, reducing harsh vibrations and creating a softer, more consistent typing feel. Yes, both the Royal Kludge R87 PRO and S85 utilize a gasket mount design, which contributes to a quieter and more comfortable typing experience.

Both are designed to be relatively quiet with gasket mounts and sound-dampening foam. The S85 vendor description specifically mentions '5-Layer Noise Dampening,' which may give it a slight edge in reducing sound. However, the pre-lubed linear switches on both models will also contribute to a quieter typing experience compared to clicky switches.

Yes. The manufacturer's description for the R87 PRO states it has a 'removable metal volume knob.' This knob can be taken off and replaced with a standard keycap if you prefer, offering flexibility in your keyboard's layout and control scheme.

There is a discrepancy. The product metadata lists connectivity as Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, and Wired (tri-mode). However, the vendor product description title calls it a 'Wired Gaming Keyboard' and details a detachable Type-C cable. You should verify with the seller to confirm if the specific model you are purchasing includes wireless functionality.

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