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

Head to head · Prices checked Oct 21, 2026

Royal Kludge RK68 vs RK84Compact 65% vs Feature-Rich 75%

Choose the RK68 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 RK68

Compact 65%

If you want

  • More portable due to lighter 600g weight and compact 65% layout.
  • Often available at a lower price point than the RK84.
  • Hot-swappable switches allow for easy customization of typing feel.

And can live with

  • Small 1450mAh battery requires more frequent charging.
  • Lacks RGB lighting, featuring only single-color blue backlighting.
  • No dedicated F-row or navigation cluster, requiring use of function layers.

Get the

Royal Kludge RK84

Feature-Rich 75%

If you want

  • More functional 75% layout with F-row, arrows, and navigation cluster.
  • Significantly larger 3750mAh battery for extended wireless use.
  • Includes two USB 2.0 passthrough ports and a removable frame.

And can live with

  • Larger and heavier (803.5g) design is less portable.
  • Typically commands a higher price than the RK68.
  • Some user reviews mention firmware or wireless connectivity issues.

Bottom line

Your choice between the RK68 and RK84 boils down to a trade-off between portability and functionality. If your primary need is a lightweight, space-saving keyboard for travel or a minimalist desk, the RK68 is the sensible pick. If you work primarily at a single desk and value dedicated keys, a long-lasting battery, and extra features like USB passthrough, the RK84's additional cost is justified. Prioritize the layout and battery life that best match your daily routine.

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 RK68

Royal Kludge RK84

  • Layout size

    65%

    75%

  • Battery

    1,450 mAh

    3,750 mAh

  • Weight

    600 g

    803.5 g

  • USB passthrough

    No

    Yes

  • Media keys

    No

    Yes

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Royal Kludge RK68
  • Royal Kludge RK84
Performance
55
63
Build quality
50
50
Productivity
70
77
Customizability
59
68
Portability
86
80

What they share

  • Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
  • Hot-swappable
  • Case material: Plastic
  • Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Silent, Tactile
  • Sound dampening
  • 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 for stationary use cases like office work, programming, and gaming, thanks to its fuller layout and extra features. It wins in modding due to its included tools and screw-in stabilizers. For content creation, its RGB and media controls are advantageous. The RK68's primary advantage is in portability, making it the clear winner for travel due to its smaller size and lower weight.

For gaming

Pick the Royal Kludge RK84

  • The RK84 includes dedicated multimedia keys for quick audio control.
  • Its listed 8-degree typing angle may provide a more comfortable wrist position during long sessions.
  • The vendor description for the RK84 mentions onboard storage for profiles.

Full specs

Royal Kludge RK68 vs RK84 specs

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

6 of 21 specs differ

Royal Kludge RK68

Royal Kludge RK84

Typing & switches

Switch options

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

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Sound dampening

Yes
Yes

Layout

Layout size

65%
75%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Display

None
None

Media keys

No
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
Plastic

Keycaps

ABS, PBT
ABS, PBT

Weight

600 g
803.5 g

Dimensions

39 x 309 x 103 mm
41 x 315 x 125 mm

Typing angle

—
8°

Backlight

RGB
RGB

Firmware & software

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

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.

FAQ

Royal Kludge RK68 vs RK84: your questions

The RK84 has a much larger 3750mAh battery compared to the RK68's 1450mAh battery. According to the manufacturer, the RK84 can last up to 200 hours with the backlight off. The RK68 will require more frequent charging due to its smaller capacity.

Yes, both the Royal Kludge RK68 and RK84 feature hot-swappable sockets. This allows you to change the mechanical switches without soldering. The RK84's package even includes a switch puller and four replacement RK switches to get started.

The RK68 uses a 65% layout with 68 keys, which removes the function row and navigation cluster, relying on function layers. The RK84 uses a 75% layout with 84 keys, which retains the function row, arrow keys, and a compact navigation cluster in a space-efficient design.

Yes, the RK84 includes a hub design with two built-in USB 2.0 passthrough ports and one Type-C port. This allows you to connect other devices like a mouse or a USB drive directly to the keyboard. The RK68 does not have this feature.

The RK84 is generally better for office work. Its 75% layout provides dedicated arrow keys and a navigation cluster, reducing the need for keyboard shortcuts. The included USB passthrough is also convenient for office peripherals, and the larger battery means less worry about charging.

The vendor description for the RK84 lists Mac OS as a supported operating system. The RK68's vendor page does not explicitly list Mac support, but one user review mentions difficulty with Apple computers. It's advisable to check for specific Mac compatibility before purchasing the RK68.

The RK84 package is more comprehensive. It includes 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. The RK68 comes with just the keyboard, a manual, and a cable.

Yes. The RK84 features RGB backlighting with multiple effects. The RK68, according to its vendor page, has only a single-color blue LED backlight with dynamic modes, but it is not full RGB.

The RK84 has a slight edge for gaming. It includes dedicated multimedia keys for audio control, an 8-degree typing angle for ergonomics, and onboard storage for profiles as per the vendor description. Both are hot-swappable, allowing for gaming-optimized linear switches.

Yes. The RK84 is listed as having screw-in stabilizers, which are typically more secure and produce less rattle than clip-in stabilizers. The type of stabilizers on the RK68 is not specified in the provided information.

Both keyboards support triple-mode connectivity: wired via USB-C, 2.4GHz wireless with an included dongle (for the RK84; the RK68's listing varies), and Bluetooth. The RK68 vendor page states it can connect to multiple Bluetooth devices, and the RK84 page mentions Bluetooth 5.0.

Still torn?

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