Royal Kludge RK96 vs S98Wrist Rest vs Screen & Top Mount
Choose the RK96 for its included wrist rest and dual USB passthrough, or the S98 for its customizable screen and top-mount construction.
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Which one should you get?
Get the
Royal Kludge RK96
Wrist Rest
Build quality in the bottom 30% of 96% boards under $100.
- Includes a magnetic wrist rest for ergonomic support.
- Features two USB 2.0 passthrough ports for peripheral connectivity.
- Lighter weight (1500g) and slightly more compact dimensions.
Get the
Royal Kludge S98
Screen & Top Mount
Build quality in the top 30% of 96% boards under $100.
- Features a customizable smart display for system info and GIFs.
- Utilizes a top-mount design for potentially improved typing stability.
- Includes four-layer sound absorbing foam for a quieter typing experience.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
Your primary need dictates the choice. If you value immediate ergonomics and desktop connectivity, the RK96's included wrist rest and dual USB ports are significant advantages. If you prefer a more premium typing feel, visual customization, and a sturdier build, the S98's screen, top-mount design, and PBT keycaps justify its typically higher price point. Both are competent wireless 96% keyboards from the same brand.
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 RK96
Royal Kludge S98
Switch options
Clicky, Linear, Tactile
Linear, Tactile
Mount style
PCB Mount
Gasket Mount, Top Mount
Display
None
TFT
A case display rather than a typing feature
Weight
1,500 g
1,879 g
Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel
Keycaps
ABS
ABS, PBT
- Royal Kludge RK96
- Royal Kludge S98
- Performance
- 5165
- Build quality
- 5472
- Productivity
- 9182
- Customizability
- 7872
- Portability
- 5453
- Layout size: 96%
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Battery: 3,750 mAh
- Knob
- Sound dampening
What will you mostly use it for?
The RK96 takes the lead for office and travel use due to its included wrist rest, lighter weight, and extra USB ports. The S98 is favored for gaming, modding, and content creation, offering a premium top-mount build, customizable screen, and enhanced sound-dampening. For programming, both keyboards are equally capable with their shared 96% layout and hot-swap support.
Pick the Royal Kludge S98
- The S98's vendor description mentions well-lubed switches and stabilizers for smoother keystrokes.
- Its top-mount design, according to the manufacturer, aims to provide stability and reduce noise.
- South-facing RGB LEDs are listed for the S98, which can improve compatibility with certain keycap sets.
Royal Kludge RK96 vs S98 specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
10 of 22 specs differ
Royal Kludge RK96
Royal Kludge S98
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
Display
Media keys
Connection
Battery
USB passthrough
USB-C
Case material
Keycaps
Weight
Dimensions
Backlight
Mac & Windows
Released
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Royal Kludge RK96 vs S98: your questions
The vendor description for the RK96 specifies it has blue single-color backlighting with 20 onboard modes, not full RGB. Some customer reviews note this can be misleading if RGB is expected.
Both the RK96 and S98 have a 3750mAh battery. The S98's manufacturer claims up to 200 hours of use with the backlight off. Battery life will vary with usage and lighting settings.
Yes, both the Royal Kludge RK96 and S98 support hot-swappable switches. This allows you to change switches without soldering, using compatible 3-pin or 5-pin switches.
The S98 may offer a more refined typing experience due to its top-mount construction, four-layer sound foam, and PBT keycaps. The RK96 includes a magnetic wrist rest which aids comfort during long sessions.
Yes, according to the vendor specifications for both models, they support macOS in addition to Windows, iOS, and Android operating systems.
The RK96 uses a PCB-mount style where the PCB is fixed to the case. The S98 uses a top-mount design where the plate is suspended from the top of the case, which can alter the typing feel and sound.
No, the Royal Kludge S98 does not include a wrist rest. The RK96, however, comes with a magnetic wrist rest as part of the package.
Yes, the manufacturer states the S98's display screen can be customized to show GIFs, RGB mode, brightness, battery status, and to switch between Win/Mac layouts.
The RK96 has two built-in USB 2.0 passthrough ports. The S98 has only one USB 2.0 passthrough port, but it also includes a dedicated slot to store the 2.4GHz dongle.
The vendor description for the S98 states it features 'well-lubed, custom switches' and 'well-lubed stabilizers'. The RK96 description does not mention factory lubrication for its switches.
The RK96 package includes the keyboard, a magnetic wrist rest, a 2.4GHz receiver, a USB-C cable, a keycap and switch puller, a user manual, and four replacement switches.
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