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Head to head · Prices checked Oct 21, 2026

Royal Kludge RK61 vs RK8460% Portability vs 75% Functionality

Choose the RK61 for maximum portability and a lower price, or the RK84 for a more functional layout and longer battery life.

Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Royal Kludge RK61

60% Portability

If you want

  • Extremely compact 60% layout and light 500g weight for maximum portability.
  • Lower starting price point compared to the RK84.
  • Offers triple-mode connectivity (Bluetooth, 2.4GHz, wired) in a tiny form factor.

And can live with

  • Lacks dedicated arrow and navigation keys, requiring use of a function layer.
  • Smaller 1450mAh battery offers shorter wireless runtime.
  • No RGB lighting, only single-color backlighting according to the vendor page.

Get the

Royal Kludge RK84

75% Functionality

If you want

  • More functional 75% layout retains dedicated arrow keys and a navigation cluster.
  • Much larger 3750mAh battery for extended wireless use.
  • Includes a USB passthrough port for connecting peripherals directly.

And can live with

  • Larger, heavier design (803.5g) is less portable.
  • Higher price point than the RK61.
  • The removable frame feature, while customizable, may feel less solid to some users.

Bottom line

Prioritize the RK61 if your main goal is saving desk space or you need a keyboard to throw in a bag. Its tiny form factor is its greatest asset. Choose the RK84 if you want a more traditional layout with convenient dedicated keys and are willing to accept a larger footprint for features like USB passthrough and a massive battery. The RK84 is the more practical daily driver for most tasks.

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 RK61

Royal Kludge RK84

  • Layout size

    60%

    75%

  • Battery

    1,450 mAh

    3,750 mAh

  • Switch options

    Clicky, Linear, Tactile

    Clicky, Linear, Silent, Tactile

  • Weight

    500 g

    803.5 g

  • Sound dampening

    No

    Yes

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Royal Kludge RK61
  • Royal Kludge RK84
Performance
54
63
Build quality
47
50
Productivity
58
77
Customizability
53
68
Portability
86
80

What they share

  • Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
  • Hot-swappable
  • Keycaps: ABS, PBT
See every spec side by side

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

The RK84 is the more versatile choice, winning in most categories that benefit from a fuller layout and extra features. Its dedicated arrow keys, USB passthrough, and larger battery make it superior for office work, programming, and content creation. The RK61's decisive advantage is in travel and portability, where its minimal size and lower weight are paramount. For gaming and modding, the RK84's additional features like screw-in stabilizers give it an edge.

For gaming

Pick the Royal Kludge RK84

  • The RK84's 75% layout includes dedicated arrow keys, which are often used in games for menus or movement.
  • Its listed software support may offer more customization for gaming macros.
  • The RK84 includes screw-in stabilizers, which can provide a more consistent feel for larger keys used in gaming.

Full specs

Royal Kludge RK61 vs RK84 specs

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

9 of 22 specs differ

Royal Kludge RK61

Royal Kludge RK84

Typing & switches

Switch options

Clicky, Linear, Tactile
Clicky, Linear, Silent, Tactile

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Sound dampening

No
Yes

Layout

Layout size

60%
75%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Display

None
None

Media keys

Yes
Yes

Connectivity & battery

Connection

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

Max polling rate

—
1,000 Hz

Battery

1,450 mAh
3,750 mAhBetter

USB passthrough

No
Yes

USB-C

Yes
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

—
Plastic

Keycaps

ABS, PBT
ABS, PBT

Weight

500 g
803.5 g

Dimensions

39 x 292 x 101 mm
41 x 315 x 125 mm

Typing angle

8°
8°

Backlight

None
RGB

Firmware & software

N-key rollover

Yes
No

Mac & Windows

Yes
Yes

Extras

Released

2021
2021

Where to buy

Compare prices

Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.

Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.

  • Royal KludgeUS

    In stock
    $52Visit
  • AmazonGlobal

    Check price
    Visit
  • Royal KludgeUS

    In stock
    $54Visit
  • AmazonGlobal

    Check price
    Visit

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FAQ

Royal Kludge RK61 vs RK84: your questions

The RK84 has a significantly larger 3750mAh battery compared to the RK61's 1450mAh battery. According to the manufacturer, the RK84 can last up to 200 hours with the backlight off, while the RK61 is listed with approximately 10 hours of battery life.

The RK61 does not have dedicated physical arrow keys. It is a 60% layout, so arrow functions are accessed through a function layer, typically by pressing Fn + specific keys like WASD or IJKL. The vendor page notes you can switch the arrow key function using FN + Enter.

The RK84 package includes a more comprehensive kit. You get the keyboard, a user manual, two magnetic pad feet, a 2-in-1 keycap and switch puller, four replacement RK switches, a Type-C cable, and a USB receiver.

Yes, both the Royal Kludge RK61 and RK84 feature hot-swappable PCBs. This allows you to replace the 3-pin or 5-pin mechanical switches without any soldering, making it easy to customize the typing feel.

The RK61 is definitively better for a small desk. It has a 60% layout measuring 292mm in width, which is considerably more compact than the 75% RK84, which measures 315mm wide. The RK61 saves crucial desk space for your mouse or notepad.

Yes, the RK84 includes a USB passthrough feature. The manufacturer lists it as having 2 built-in USB 2.0 passthrough ports and one Type-C port, allowing you to connect devices like a mouse or flash drive directly to the keyboard.

Yes, both keyboards list Mac support in their specifications. The vendor descriptions for each model include Mac OS in their listed compatible operating systems alongside Windows, iOS, and Android.

Both the RK61 and RK84 come equipped with ABS double-shot keycaps according to their vendor descriptions. These are shine-through keycaps designed to allow backlighting to pass through the legends.

Yes, the vendor description for the RK84 specifically mentions a removable frame. This feature lets you customize the look of the keyboard and can give the keys a floating appearance when the outer frame is taken off.

The RK84 is noticeably heavier. It weighs 803.5 grams (approximately 1.77 lbs), while the RK61 weighs 500 grams. This weight difference is due to the RK84's larger size and bigger internal battery.

Yes, both the RK61 and RK84 offer triple-mode connectivity. This includes a 2.4GHz wireless connection using a USB dongle, Bluetooth for pairing with multiple devices, and a wired USB-C connection.

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