Royal Kludge S104 vs S98Full-Size vs 96% Layout Showdown
Pick the S104 if you need a full-size layout and the longest battery life; choose the S98 if you want a slightly smaller footprint with a tactile switch option and a USB pass-through port.
Which one should you get?
Get the
Royal Kludge S104
Full-Size
- Massive 8000mAh battery that the vendor states lasts up to 200 hours with RGB off.
- Full 104-key layout with a dedicated number pad for data entry.
- 5-layer sound dampening for a quieter typing experience.
- Larger footprint and heavier weight (1520g) make it less portable.
- Only available with linear (Cream or Silent) switches, no tactile option out of the box.
- No USB pass-through port for connecting peripherals.
Get the
Royal Kludge S98
96% Layout Showdown
- Space-saving 96% layout retains arrow keys and numpad in a smaller footprint.
- Offers a choice of linear Cream or tactile Beige switches for different typing feels.
- Built-in USB 2.0 pass-through port for connecting a mouse or other device.
- Smaller 3750mAh battery compared to the S104's 8000mAh.
- Heavier weight at 1879g despite the smaller layout.
- Customization software is noted to work only when connected via wire.
Choose the Royal Kludge S104 if you need a true full-size keyboard with the longest battery life for wireless use. The S98 is the better pick if you are willing to trade some battery capacity for a slightly more compact layout that also includes a USB pass-through. Both are well-equipped for office and creative tasks.
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 S104
Royal Kludge S98
Layout size
100%
96%
Battery
8,000 mAh
3,750 mAh
Switch options
Linear, Silent
Linear, Tactile
Mount style
Top Mount
Gasket Mount, Top Mount
Weight
1,520 g
1,879 g
- Royal Kludge S104
- Royal Kludge S98
- Performance
- 6766
- Build quality
- 6372
- Productivity
- 8482
- Customizability
- 7472
- Portability
- 6353
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Knob
- Display: TFT
- Sound dampening
- Keycaps: ABS, PBT
What will you mostly use it for?
The S104 wins for gaming and modding due to its larger battery and full-size layout. The S98 is the better choice for programming and travel because of its more compact 96% design and tactile switch option. In office and content creation tasks, both keyboards are evenly matched, with the S104 offering a dedicated numpad and the S98 providing a USB pass-through.
Pick the Royal Kludge S104
- Larger 8000mAh battery allows for longer wireless gaming sessions without charging.
- Top-mount structure with 5-layer dampening provides a stable typing experience suited for gaming.
- Offers a TFT display to see connection mode and battery status at a glance.
Royal Kludge S104 vs S98 specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
9 of 19 specs differ
Royal Kludge S104
Royal Kludge S98
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
Display
Connection
Battery
USB passthrough
USB-C
Keycaps
Weight
Dimensions
Backlight
Mac & Windows
Released
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Royal Kludge S104 vs S98: your questions
The RK S104 is a true full-size keyboard with a standard 104-key layout and a dedicated number pad. The RK S98 uses a 96% layout that keeps the number pad but is more compact by nearly eliminating gaps between key clusters.
Yes, both keyboards offer tri-mode connectivity with Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4GHz wireless, and USB-C wired connections. The S104 and S98 can be seamlessly switched between these modes.
The S104 has a significantly larger battery at 8000mAh, which the manufacturer states can last up to 200 hours with the backlight off. The S98 has a 3750mAh battery that the vendor says also delivers up to 200 hours with the backlight off.
Yes, both the Royal Kludge S104 and S98 include a smart TFT display and a knob. According to the vendor, the screen can show custom GIFs, date, connection mode, and battery status, and the knob controls volume and other settings.
Yes, both keyboards have hot-swappable PCBs. The S104 supports 3-pin and 5-pin switches, while the S98 also supports hot-swappable switches that are well-lubed from the factory.
The S104 weighs 1520g, which is lighter than the S98 at 1879g. This is notable because the S104 is a larger full-size keyboard, but the S98 is heavier despite its more compact 96% layout.
Yes, the RK S98 features a built-in USB 2.0 pass-through port, along with a Type-C port and a 2.4G dongle slot. The S104 does not list a USB pass-through in its specifications.
The S104 is available with pre-lubed linear Cream switches or linear Silent switches. The S98 is available with linear Cream switches or tactile Beige switches, as well as a Silent Purple option.
Both the S104 and S98 come with double-shot PBT keycaps, which are durable and resistant to oil and fading. The S104 also offers an ABS keycap option depending on the color variant.
Yes, both keyboards support RGB backlighting. The S104 allows customization via its TFT screen, and both can be customized using RK's web-based driver or software. The S98 features south-facing RGB LEDs.
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