Royal Kludge S98 DE vs S98 FRLayout vs Gaming Performance
Your choice comes down to keyboard layout (German QWERTZ vs French AZERTY) and whether the S98 FR's 4000 Hz polling rate matters more to you than the S98 DE's top-mount design.
Which one should you get?
Get the
Royal Kludge S98 DE
Layout
- Top-mount design, described by the vendor as offering a firm feel and noise reduction.
- Available with both Beige Tactile and Cream Linear switches, giving buyers a choice in switch feel.
- Uses screw-in stabilizers, a detail confirmed in the product data.
- No polling rate is specified for the S98 DE in wireless or wired mode; performance for competitive gaming is unclear.
- The vendor description notes the keycaps as PBT Double Shot, which contradicts the metadata listing them as ABS.
Get the
Royal Kludge S98 FR
Gaming Performance
- Listed with a 4000 Hz polling rate, which can provide a faster response in games.
- Vendor description specifies an IXPE switch cushion, two thick foam layers, and a silicone bottom dampener for enhanced sound control.
- Comes with Cream Linear switches, a popular choice for smooth and consistent keystrokes.
- The vendor description does not specify the mount style, unlike the DE model's top-mount design.
- No tactile switch option is listed for the S98 FR, only Cream Linear switches.
If you need a French AZERTY layout and prioritize wired gaming performance with a 4000 Hz polling rate, the S98 FR is the clear choice. If you prefer a German QWERTZ layout, tactile switches, and a top-mount typing experience, the S98 DE better suits an office or programming environment. For modding, the S98 DE's screw-in stabilizers give it a small advantage. Both offer the same core 96% layout, LCD screen, knob, and battery, so your decision should be driven by layout and your primary use case.
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 S98 DE
Royal Kludge S98 FR
N-key rollover
No
Yes
Released
2024
2025
Dimensions
41 x 140 x 41 mm
42 x 409 x 140 mm
- Royal Kludge S98 DE
- Royal Kludge S98 FR
- Performance
- 6885
- Build quality
- 7067
- Productivity
- 9191
- Customizability
- 7979
- Portability
- 5757
- Layout size: 96%
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Battery: 3,750 mAh
- Knob
- Display: LCD
What will you mostly use it for?
For gaming, the S98 FR wins due to its higher 4000 Hz polling rate and additional dampening layers. For office and programming use, the S98 DE edges ahead with its top-mount design and tactile switch options. Both boards tie for travel, as their identical weight and wireless capabilities offer no advantage either way. For modding, the S98 DE's confirmed screw-in stabilizers and top-mount construction give it a slight edge. In content creation, they are tied due to shared features like the knob and LCD screen.
Pick the Royal Kludge S98 FR
- The S98 FR is listed with a 4000 Hz polling rate, which can reduce input latency in fast-paced games.
- The vendor description for the S98 FR mentions a design with an IXPE foam cushion, two thick foam layers, and silicone dampener for improved noise reduction.
- The S98 FR ships with Cream Linear switches, a common choice for smooth gaming keystrokes.
Royal Kludge S98 DE vs S98 FR specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
3 of 22 specs differ
Royal Kludge S98 DE
Royal Kludge S98 FR
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
Display
Connection
Max polling rate
Battery
USB passthrough
USB-C
Keycaps
Weight
Dimensions
Backlight
N-key rollover
Mac & Windows
Released
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Royal Kludge S98 DE vs S98 FR: your questions
The main difference is the keyboard layout: the S98 DE uses a German QWERTZ layout while the S98 FR uses a French AZERTY layout. Additionally, the S98 FR has a higher 4000 Hz polling rate, and the S98 DE uses a top-mount design. They share the same chassis, 96% layout, LCD screen, and 3750 mAh battery.
The S98 FR is better for gaming because it is confirmed to have a 4000 Hz polling rate, which allows for faster communication with a connected PC. The S98 DE does not have a polling rate specified in its metadata or vendor description.
Yes, both the Royal Kludge S98 DE and S98 FR are listed as having hot-swappable PCBs. The vendor descriptions for both boards state they support replacing 3-pin or 5-pin switches without soldering.
Both the Royal Kludge S98 DE and S98 FR are listed with a 3750 mAh internal battery. The vendor descriptions for both models mention a long battery life, but specific runtime figures are not provided.
Yes, both keyboards support Bluetooth 5.0 and 2.4 GHz wireless connections, in addition to a wired USB-C connection. The vendor descriptions for both boards confirm triple-mode connectivity.
Yes, both the S98 DE and S98 FR include a built-in LCD screen. The vendor descriptions state it can display date, connection mode, battery status, and custom GIF images.
This depends entirely on your personal preference and training. The S98 DE uses German QWERTZ, which is standard in German-speaking regions for programming. The S98 FR uses French AZERTY, which is standard in French-speaking regions. Neither layout is inherently better for programming.
Yes, both the S98 DE and S98 FR are listed with a knob. The vendor descriptions say the knob can control volume, connection mode, lighting brightness, speed, and RGB mode or color.
The Royal Kludge S98 DE is confirmed to have screw-in stabilizers in its metadata. The S98 FR's metadata does not specify the stabilizer type, but the vendor description mentions lubed stabilizers for smooth keystrokes.
The S98 DE is likely better for typing due to its top-mount design and the option to choose Beige Tactile switches, which provide tactile feedback. The S98 FR uses Cream Linear switches, which some typists may find less satisfying for long typing sessions.
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