Royal Kludge S98 DE vs S98 JPANSI or JIS?
Choose the S98 DE for its ANSI QWERTZ layout and documented linear or tactile switches, or the S98 JP for its JIS layout, 5° typing angle and documented N-Key Rollover.
KeebFinder may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.
from$109at Royal Kludge
from$109at Royal Kludge
Which one should you get?
Get the
Royal Kludge S98 DE
Build quality in the top 45% of 96% boards under $150.
- ANSI QWERTZ layout.
- Linear and tactile switch types are explicitly listed in the product metadata.
Get the
Royal Kludge S98 JP
N-key rollover
Build quality in the top 40% of 96% boards under $150.
- JIS layout.
- N-Key Rollover is listed for simultaneous key presses.
- A 5° typing angle is specified.
Get the S98 DE if you want an ANSI QWERTZ layout and documented linear or tactile switch types. Get the S98 JP if JIS is your preferred layout, or if its listed N-Key Rollover and 5° typing angle are useful to you.
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 JP
Weight
1,879 g
1,880 g
Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel
Layout standard
ANSI
JIS
ISO and JIS exist so regional layouts fit
N-key rollover
No
Yes
Released
2024
2025
Dimensions
41 x 140 x 41 mm
140 x 410 x 40 mm
- Royal Kludge S98 DE
- Royal Kludge S98 JP
- Performance
- 6878
- Build quality
- 7070
- Productivity
- 9191
- Customizability
- 7979
- Portability
- 5757
- Layout size: 96%
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Battery: 3,750 mAh
- Mount style: Top Mount
- Knob
What will you mostly use it for?
The S98 JP has the clearer gaming-specific edge in the listed features, with N-Key Rollover and a specified typing angle. For programming, the choice is more about regional layout preference, with the DE also explicitly listing linear and tactile switch types. Office and content-creation features are closely matched, as are the listed travel and switch-modding basics. Choose the layout that fits your typing habits before treating the shared features as a deciding factor.
Pick the Royal Kludge S98 JP
- The S98 JP listing specifies N-Key Rollover.
- Its metadata gives a 5° typing angle.
- The vendor describes a top-mount design for gaming.
Royal Kludge S98 DE vs S98 JP specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
5 of 22 specs differ
Royal Kludge S98 DE
Royal Kludge S98 JP
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
Display
Connection
Battery
USB passthrough
USB-C
Keycaps
Weight
Dimensions
Typing angle
Backlight
N-key rollover
Mac & Windows
Released
Compare prices
Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.
Prices in USD are converted to your currency and can change at any time. KeebFinder may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.
- Check on Amazon
Amazon
Check price
- Check on Amazon
Amazon
Check price
Royal Kludge S98 DE vs S98 JP: your questions
The S98 DE has an ANSI QWERTZ layout, while the S98 JP has a JIS layout. The JP listing also specifies N-Key Rollover and a 5° typing angle.
Yes, its metadata lists ANSI as the layout standard. The vendor describes it as a DE QWERTZ keyboard.
Yes, the S98 JP metadata and vendor product title identify it as a JIS-layout keyboard. Choose it if that is the layout you prefer.
Both are listed as 96% keyboards. Their layout standards differ, with ANSI on the DE and JIS on the JP.
Yes, N-Key Rollover is listed among the S98 JP's extra features. It is not listed in the S98 DE metadata.
The S98 DE metadata lists linear and tactile switches. Its vendor description names Pale Green tactile and Viridian linear switches.
Both are listed as hot-swappable. Their vendor descriptions say the hot-swap PCB accepts 3-pin and 5-pin switches without soldering.
Yes, both have an LCD and knob listed in their metadata. The vendor descriptions say the display can show information such as the connection mode and battery status.
Both list Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz connectivity, as well as wired USB-C. The DE vendor description names Bluetooth 5.0, and the JP description does too.
Both keyboards are listed with a 3750mAh battery. The vendor descriptions also identify the battery capacity as 3750mAh for each model.
The S98 JP metadata specifies a 5° typing angle. No typing angle is listed for the S98 DE.
Yes, the S98 DE is listed at 1879g and the S98 JP at 1880g. Their listed weights differ by just 1g.
Not sold on either?
Still torn?
Answer a few quick questions and the keyboard finder ranks 2,000+ boards by how you will actually use yours.