Royal Kludge S85 vs S98 ESCompact TKL vs Full 96% Layout

The Royal Kludge S85 has a significantly larger 7200mAh battery compared to the S98ES's 3750mAh battery. According to the S85's product page, this allows for up to 41 hours of use with maximum RGB brightness, making it the better choice for long wireless sessions.

Yes, the Royal Kludge S98ES uses a 96% layout. This layout integrates a number pad into a compact design by removing some of the spacing found on a full-size keyboard, providing number keys without the full 100% footprint.

The S85 uses a gasket mount, where the plate is suspended by silicone gaskets for a softer, more cushioned typing feel. The S98ES uses a top mount, where the plate is fixed to the top of the case, which the manufacturer describes as providing a firmer, more consistent tactile response.

Yes, both the Royal Kludge S85 and S98ES feature hot-swappable PCBs. This allows you to change the mechanical switches without soldering, supporting both 3-pin and 5-pin switch types for easy customization.

The RK S85 is better for travel. It weighs less than half as much as the S98ES (950g vs 1879g) and has a more compact TKL (80%) layout that saves space in a bag. Its larger battery also means less worry about charging while on the go.

Yes, both the Royal Kludge S85 and S98ES list support for Mac operating systems in their specifications. They also support Windows, iOS, and Android, offering broad compatibility across devices.

The RK S85 uses Cherry profile double-shot PBT keycaps, which are more resistant to wear and shine. The RK S98ES uses double-shot PBT keycaps according to its vendor page, but the core metadata specifies ABS as the material, which may be less durable over time.

The S85 includes the keyboard, a USB-C cable, a keycap and switch puller, four spare Cloud switches, and a user manual. The S98ES includes the keyboard, a USB-C cable, a keycap and switch puller, and a user manual.

Both have sound dampening, but the implementations differ. The S85's product description mentions a 5-layer noise dampening system including silicone, IXPE foam, and PET film. The S98ES description mentions two layers of thick foam between the PCB to reduce noise.

Yes, both keyboards feature customizable RGB backlighting. The S85 specifically has south-facing LEDs, which help prevent light interference when using Cherry-profile keycaps. Both have companion software for DIY customization, as noted in their vendor pages.

The vendor description for the Royal Kludge S98ES states it features Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, along with 2.4GHz wireless and USB-C wired modes. The S85's description does not specify a Bluetooth version.