Royal Kludge RK68 vs S85Budget Compact vs Premium TKL
Choose the RK68 for a low-cost, portable entry point, or the S85 for a premium typing experience and extensive features at a higher price.
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from$52at Royal Kludge
from$89at Royal Kludge
Which one should you get?
Get the
Royal Kludge RK68
Budget Compact
Build quality in the bottom 20% of 65% boards under $100.
- Significantly lower cost, making it an accessible entry point.
- More compact and portable 65% layout with standalone arrow keys.
- Offers tri-mode connectivity (Bluetooth, 2.4GHz, wired) at a budget price.
- 65% layout. No function row and no numpad.
Get the
Royal Kludge S85
Premium TKL
Build quality in the top 30% of 80% boards under $100.
- Premium gasket mount structure with 5-layer noise dampening (silicone, IXPE foam, PET film).
- High-quality Cherry profile PBT double-shot keycaps included.
- Massive 7200mAh battery for extended wireless use.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- No numpad.
Your budget and need for premium features dictate the choice here. The RK68 is a capable, no-frills wireless keyboard for those who want to save money and desk space. The S85 is worth the investment if you value a superior typing feel, extensive battery life, and modern amenities like a knob and screen. Prioritize the S85 for a primary workstation keyboard and the RK68 for a secondary or travel board.
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 S85
Layout size
65%
80%
Battery
1,450 mAh
7,200 mAh
A larger battery means fewer cables during the day
Knob
No
Yes
Display
None
OLED
A case display rather than a typing feature
Weight
600 g
950 g
Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel
- Royal Kludge RK68
- Royal Kludge S85
- Performance
- 5567
- Build quality
- 5069
- Productivity
- 7084
- Customizability
- 5974
- Portability
- 8686
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Sound dampening
What will you mostly use it for?
The S85 is the clear winner for stationary, feature-focused use cases like office work, programming, and content creation, thanks to its superior layout, battery, and build quality. The RK68 finds its niche in travel and for users with a strict budget, where its small size and low cost are primary advantages. For gaming and modding, the S85's advanced construction gives it the edge, though both are hot-swappable.
Pick the Royal Kludge S85
- The S85's gasket mount and 5-layer noise dampening may provide a more stable, consistent typing feel during long sessions.
- South-facing RGB lighting is less likely to interfere with Cherry-profile keycaps, a common choice for gamers.
- The inclusion of a volume knob, as noted in vendor descriptions, offers convenient in-game audio control.
Royal Kludge RK68 vs S85 specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
9 of 19 specs differ
Royal Kludge RK68
Royal Kludge S85
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
Display
Connection
Battery
USB-C
Case material
Keycaps
Weight
Dimensions
Backlight
Mac & Windows
Released
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Royal Kludge RK68 vs S85: your questions
The Royal Kludge S85 has a substantially larger 7200mAh battery compared to the RK68's 1450mAh battery. According to the manufacturer, the S85 can last up to 41 hours with max RGB brightness, offering much longer usage between charges.
No, the RK68 does not have RGB lighting. Its product listing specifies it has single-color blue LED backlighting with multiple dynamic modes. The S85 features full south-facing RGB backlighting.
Yes, both keyboards feature hot-swappable sockets. The RK68 supports standard hot-swap switches. The S85's listing confirms its hot-swappable PCB supports both 3-pin and 5-pin mechanical switches.
A gasket mount is a method of suspending the keyboard's internal plate with silicone or foam gaskets to create a softer, more consistent typing feel and reduce noise. Only the Royal Kludge S85 features a gasket-mounted design, as stated in its specifications.
The RK68 is more portable. It is a 65% layout keyboard measuring 309 x 103 mm and weighing 600g. The S85 is an 80% TKL keyboard, which is larger and heavier at 950g, making it less ideal for frequent travel.
The RK68 uses ABS double-shot keycaps. The S85 uses higher-quality PBT double-shot keycaps in a Cherry profile, which are more resistant to wear and shine over time.
The RK68 vendor description includes a user review noting compatibility issues with Apple computers. The S85 vendor description explicitly lists Mac/iOS/Android in its operating system compatibility section.
According to its package contents, the S85 includes the keyboard, a USB-C cable, a keycap and switch puller, four spare Cloud switches, and a user manual. The RK68 includes the keyboard, a cable, and a manual.
The manufacturer states the S85's built-in OLED screen displays real-time information such as battery status, current connection mode (wired/2.4G/Bluetooth), and the active system mode (Win/Mac).
The S85 is likely better for a quiet office. It features 5-layer noise dampening including silicone and foam, and comes with pre-lubed linear Cloud switches designed for a smoother, quieter press. The RK68's switch options include clicky Blue switches, which are louder.
Yes, both have hot-swappable sockets allowing you to change switches without soldering. The S85 specifically supports both 3-pin and 5-pin switch types, offering broader compatibility for aftermarket switches.
Yes, the Royal Kludge S85 includes a volume control knob, as mentioned in user reviews and listed under its 'knob support' feature. The RK68 does not have a knob.
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