Royal Kludge S98 FR vs S984000Hz Polling vs Top Mount
Choose the S98 FR if low-latency gaming performance is your priority, or the standard S98 for a more refined typing feel with its top-mount design.
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from$109at Royal Kludge
from$89at Royal Kludge
Which one should you get?
Get the
Royal Kludge S98 FR
4000Hz Polling
Build quality in the bottom 50% of 96% boards under $150.
- 4000Hz polling rate delivers lower latency for competitive gaming and fast typing.
- Screw-in stabilizers are included, contributing to a more stable and consistent keypress feel.
- USB passthrough port enables easy connection of additional peripherals through the keyboard.
Get the
Royal Kludge S98
Top Mount
Build quality in the top 30% of 96% boards under $100.
- Top-mount design provides a more uniform and cushioned typing feel across all keys.
- Four-layer sound absorbing foam significantly reduces echo and noise, as per vendor description.
- Multiple switch options including Linear Cream, Tactile Beige, and Silent Purple cater to different preferences.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
Select the S98 FR if you need a competitive edge in gaming with its 4000Hz polling rate and USB passthrough for convenient desk setup. Opt for the standard S98 if you prioritize a quieter, more refined typing experience from its top-mount construction and extensive sound dampening. Both keyboards are solid pre-built options, but your choice should align with whether speed or acoustics matter more in your daily use.
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 FR
Royal Kludge S98
Display
LCD
TFT
A case display rather than a typing feature
Keycaps
ABS
ABS, PBT
Screw-in stabilizers
Yes
No
Easier to tune than the plate-mount stabs you get prebuilt
Backlight
RGB
RGB, south-facing
RGB for looks and low light rather than speed
N-key rollover
Yes
No
- Royal Kludge S98 FR
- Royal Kludge S98
- Performance
- 8565
- Build quality
- 6772
- Productivity
- 9182
- Customizability
- 7972
- Portability
- 5753
- Layout size: 96%
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Battery: 3,750 mAh
- Knob
- Weight: 1,879 g
What will you mostly use it for?
The S98 FR takes the lead in gaming and content creation thanks to its 4000Hz polling rate and USB passthrough, while the standard S98 excels in office and modding scenarios due to its top-mount design and sound dampening. For programming and travel, the keyboards are evenly matched, sharing the same 96% layout, weight, and battery capacity. The choice ultimately hinges on whether you prioritize raw input speed or a quieter, more refined typing foundation.
Pick the Royal Kludge S98 FR
- 4000Hz polling rate provides faster input response than the standard S98.
- Higher performance score relative to price tier indicates better latency handling.
- Vendor description states the FR model is designed for gaming with superior tactile consistency and noise reduction.
Royal Kludge S98 FR vs S98 specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
7 of 22 specs differ
Royal Kludge S98 FR
Royal Kludge S98
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 FR vs S98: your questions
The Royal Kludge S98 FR has a 4000Hz polling rate, which provides faster input detection compared to the standard S98. The standard S98 does not list its polling rate, so it likely operates at the standard 1000Hz rate common in most keyboards.
Yes, both the S98 FR and the standard S98 feature hot-swappable PCBs. This allows you to change switches without soldering, and they accept both 3-pin and 5-pin switches for a wide range of customization options.
Both the S98 FR and the standard S98 include a smart LCD screen and a multifunction knob. The screen can display custom GIFs, battery status, connection mode, and more, while the knob controls volume, lighting, and other settings.
The metadata lists ABS keycaps, but the vendor description explicitly states PBT double-shot keycaps. This discrepancy may be due to a listing error, but the vendor description suggests the shipped unit uses PBT keycaps for better durability and resistance to wear.
The standard S98 has a more detailed sound dampening setup with a four-layer foam system described by the vendor. The S98 FR also includes sound dampening, featuring an IXPE cushion, two layers of foam, and a silicone damper, but the S98's construction is more explicitly focused on noise elimination.
Yes, both the S98 FR and the standard S98 support triple-mode connectivity. This includes Bluetooth 5.0 for pairing with devices, 2.4GHz wireless via a dongle, and a wired USB-C connection for low-latency use and charging.
Both the Royal Kludge S98 FR and the standard S98 have a 3750mAh internal battery. The vendor for the standard S98 claims it can deliver up to 200 hours of use with the backlight off and takes 6 to 7 hours to fully recharge.
Yes, both models include Mac and Windows compatibility as an extra feature. The vendor descriptions list support for Windows XP through 10, as well as Mac, iOS, and Android operating systems, making them versatile for multi-platform users.
The standard S98 is better suited for quiet office use due to its top-mount design and four-layer sound absorbing foam, which the vendor says reduces noise and eliminates echo. It also offers Silent Purple switch option for an even quieter keystroke.
Yes, the Royal Kludge S98 FR includes a USB 2.0 passthrough port. This allows you to connect a mouse or other low-power peripheral directly to the keyboard, which can be convenient for keeping your desk organized.
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