RK ROYAL KLUDGE S98 Wireless Mechanical Keyboard w/Smart Display & Knob

This is my first mechanical keyboard, and I finally understand what all the hype is about. The sound is incredibly satisfying. It has that nice mechanical sound without being overly loud or obnoxious, but it also isn't so quiet that you lose the satisfying typing experience. The typing feel is probably my favorite part—the keys feel incredibly smooth and satisfying, and so far everything has felt flawless. The build quality is also really impressive for the price. It has some nice weight to it and doesn't feel cheap or flimsy at all. The smart display is a fun addition. Is it necessary? Absolutely not. 😂 But it's definitely nice to have. You can use it for things like Bluetooth connection and volume settings, and you can also customize it with your own photo or GIF. The one area that could definitely be improved is the software. It's not particularly user-friendly, and finding the correct software to customize the keyboard took me longer than it should have. Once I actually found it, though, it wasn't too difficult to figure out with a little patience. The software itself also feels a little chunky and dated. That said, this has zero effect on the actual performance of the keyboard, so it's a very minor complaint. I've had absolutely no issues with wireless connectivity. I've used both Bluetooth and the included cable and haven't experienced any disconnections, lag, or other problems. One thing to note is that you'll need to use the included cable when connecting the keyboard to the software for customization. The battery life has also been surprisingly good so far. I haven't actually had to charge it yet, so I can't speak to the full battery life, but I work from home about 9 hours a day and also casually game in the evenings. After two days of that, the battery has only dropped about 5%. Overall, I have very little negative to say about this keyboard. The software could definitely use some improvement, and there could be better information provided about where to find and how to use it. But that's a very small complaint compared to everything else this keyboard does well. For my first mechanical keyboard, I'm extremely happy with it. Everything about it has exceeded my expectations. 5/5 and definitely recommend!

My first mechanical keyboard and sounds exactly how I imagined! It’s nice solid , creamy click noise! So satisfying!!! I loved the key color combo! The RGB lights are customizable, down to each key! Super cool. I am overall impressed with my purchase, as I was hesitant to buy something I wouldn’t like the sound of. I was also hesitant because there are so many options but I am glad I picked this! Good value for your money. The keyboard is heavy and feel super sturdy, doesn’t feel cheap. The keys were very responsive to touch and the Bluetooth was easy to setup with my windows laptop. The only thing I don’t like is the look of the keys, they do have a sheen/texture to them I don’t like but honestly, overall, I don’t mind it at all! Great buy!

tl;dr: I am EXTREMELY happy with this keyboard. Build? Beautiful. Sound? Amazing. Functionality? PERFECT. Price? FANTASTIC. If this keyboard fits your specifications for your desk and you happen to work with two different computers at the same time, get it ASAP. More details: Previously I had a significantly smaller RK 68 which was great for me. It was perfect for what I wanted, a small profile and clacky keyboard. Unfortunately, I spilled soda all over it and it died so I had to get a new one. Fortunately, it was this keyboard. In my search for a new keyboard I had a couple things I was looking for: - A green color way to match my set up - A nice clack to it. - A numpad attached. Clearly it's not something very specific. But during my search I came across other features that I had no idea I wanted. But this one hit pretty much what I was looking for so I decided to give it a try and boy did it blow my expectations out of the water. == Design == Pros: This keyboard looks sleek. Before, to build something like this I had considered paying my friend to build it from scratch but the colorway and the key placements are just so clean. With multifunctional keycaps, they've added the second function on the side of the keycap so you can easily see the primary and the secondary without it feeling too cluttered. The back lighting options really make it fun to customize. They give you default options you can run with and each of those options you can tweak to your liking in terms of color. The digital display seems more like a part of the design the way it links to the volume knob, rather than an after thought like some other keyboards. This provides another option for you to make the keyboard your own by letting you upload a gif to just loop by default. Cons: No complaints really, except the digital display occasionally pops off slightly, requiring you to press it back in but it hasn't become too much of an issue for me yet. Also, uploading the gif to the keyboard takes a good amount of time (something like 5 minutes) , so if they could fix that speed that would be amazing. Oh one more complaint is that it's too tall. I had to get a wrist mount just to feel comfortable typing on it. == Functionality == Pros: MAN, this keyboard is PACKED with features I never thought I would need. Aside from the aforementioned backlight customization, something that has made my life so much better is hidden behind the digital display. It's base functionality of controlling the volume of your computer works like a charm but it's when you get into the submenus that you can really see where it shines. You see, I am someone who bounces between a macbook pro for work and a windows PC for play and so I'm constantly bouncing between the two. Before, I had a mac specific keyboard and a windows specific keyboard, both occupying space on my desk. This keyboard has eliminated that need in a sleek and elegant way by allowing me to hardwire into my desktop and bluetooth to my macbook. From there, I can easily use the digital display + volume knob to switch my connection between the two. Heck, if I needed to add another couple I could. It seems like I can have up to 5 different devices connected (3 bluetooth, 1 wired, 1 wireless dongle). So if for some reason I had another device, I could easily switch between the two. You might ask yourself, but what about the difference in layout between macs and windows machines? Oh my friend, you see... THEY THOUGHT OF EVERYTHING. Through the same digital display, you can swap the layouts between the two types. I was totally fine with that until I read the manual a bit more and found you could even use a hotkey JUST for that. Remember the secondary functions of the various keys? If you look on the side of the 'A' and 'S' keys, you can see that they read 'WIN' and 'MAC' respectively. So to switch formats, all you have to do is hit 'Fn' + 'A' or 'S' to switch between the two. This really pushed my like for this keyboard to love. Cons: The only thing I can really think of is a nitpick and is possibly even already a function, I'd just have to read through the manual a bit more. It would be nice to be able to use a shortcut to bounce between the different keyboard connections like you can switch formats. == Sound and Feel == Pros: I am having a BLAST typing this review. Every keypress feels so satisfying as the switches engage and disengage making you really feel connected to the keyboard. The sound is more thocky than clacky which is extremely pleasing to my ears, especially after coming from a clackier keyboard. Cons: While this keyboard is probably 50 percent quieter than my last keyboard, it's still definitely louder than a membrane keyboard, so if you're looking for silent, this isn't what you want. But if you're looking at mechanical keyboards, then this most likely isn't you. == Price == I feel like this keyboard is well worth the 89 dollar price tag for what you get. I feel like even a couple years ago, you'd have to pay 300 bucks to someone to custom make something like this with the design options. Sure, it's not as bespoke as the true customs, but I feel like it holds up just as well. Overall, I'd give this keyboard a 'have no fear, buy away' if your needs are similar to what I've mentioned above!

I recently got into keyboard building and I chose this keyboard for my first build. I love that it’s basically full size but has a compact feel. I choose the sky blue option that came with the pale green tactile switches. I enjoy the feel of a tactile switch, but the switches that came stock were a little too high pitch for me. I swapped out the switches for some hand lubed Leobog Greywood v3s (sound test in video). The keyboard has a surprising amount of weight to it, and the knob and screen are very useful. Pros: South facing RGB Sounds amazing (imo) after I swapped the switches and put new keycaps on The LED screen and the knob are extremely handy and a really cool feature Battery works REALLY well - when the RGB is off Tri-mode feature - I personally have some issues with the Bluetooth with one specific computer of mine (they won’t connect unless the keyboard is on and in the right mode before I turn my computer on) but I don’t have this issue with any of my other devices and believe it’s likely due to an old Bluetooth adapter. Cons: Battery - I did a full test of this and the battery with RGB on is honestly terrible in my opinion. I started my workday with a fully charged battery, and it had drained to 28 percent after 10 hours Software - Can’t seem to be able to change the clock from 24hr format to 12hr format Software for the keyboard itself is definitely lacking, and there were little resources I could find on how to use it All that being said I don’t regret buying this keyboard at all. It’s a major upgrade from what I had before, and I’m extremely proud of my first build.

I can't say much about this - you really need to just commit and find out. The keys are clacky and let you know you pushed them. They are responsive but also have a nice feel. It has definitely improved my typing speed and accuracy. I do not have fatigue after typing several thousand words - which is new. I've been in IT for 35+ years and this is the nicest keyboard I've ever used, let alone owned. I'll be buying this as a standard - there just isn't a way to go back. Battery life is impressive, but I would expect it to be. If there is a place to ding this [ONLY FOR PERSONAL REASONS] it's the weight. I have fallen in love, you see, and it's adding quite a bit of extra padding to my daily carry. The weight is listed, it's not a surprise - but it does matter if you fall in love. B/c you're gonna need that extra seat on an airplane. On the positive note - and why it doesn't lose a start at all - this is a great keyboard for gaming. Here the weight makes it shine as it doesn't wonder around the desk while you're giving it the what-not. Oh, I don't care much about lights - i like it to be backlit, and it does a great job of that. That being said, I entertained my daughter for quite a long time going over the lighting options. Some of them are pretty cool. I can't rank much of the effects other than to say y'all may have too much time on your hands, b/c there was a LOT of options. ;) Solid product. She's a bit heavy, but never wanders. Battery lasts, so she doesn't stop. Keys are a dream and your RYB options are endless.

First mechanical keyboard I’ve owned, can’t imagine I’d need anything different. Bought two of these, one for my workspace and one for my wife. We both needed accurate and responsive keys for frequent data and password entry, the lights and display are just bonus points. I change out my display for random gifs and RGB weekly using the web portal, easy enough once you get the hang of it, takes 5-10 minutes to upload a gif. Can confirm battery lasts about a week with moderate workday use. Keys are on the quieter end of clacky, not as obnoxious as some mechanical keyboards I’ve used in the past. Key travel registers about 75% from fully depressed which took me a tiny bit of time to adapt to. More often now, I’ll think I missed a letter because I didn’t press quite hard enough, but look back to find it registered after all. Comes with a few replacement switches, key puller, and usb-c cable which is nice. I’m sure there is better quality for more money out there but I’m not the demographic for it, this is all the keyboard I think I’ll ever need.

When I first got a gaming PC, I figured I didn't really need a super expensive keyboard and that a cheap one that sounded "clicky" and had lights was fine enough. I also didn't want to bother with charging a wireless keyboard. However, I started to hear from YouTube videos and TikToks about "creamy" and "thocky" keyboards. I immediately started to do research, because I was obsessed with the sound. This is one of those rare purchases that I cannot stop thinking about how happy it makes me. I have absolutely no qualms with it. Here's what I love: The sound is excellent. Videos that I watched were a good indicator, but as other reviews have said, they really do not do the keyboard justice for how it actually sounds. The letters themselves are very creamy, while the function buttons (spacebar, shift, enter, backspace, etc.) have a much deeper "thocky" sound to them. If you're on the fence, at least try it and return if it's not for you. The functionality is incredible. There are a ton of lighting options that you can play with. You can mess around with them in the software on your PC. But because this keyboard has a small LCD screen, you can also change them directly on the keyboard itself. I have mine set to light up the entire keyboard cyan from whichever key I press, expanding out. Speaking of the LCD screen, you're able to upload GIFS or images to the screen, which is a really cool feature. As far as connectivity, you have every imaginable option available to you. I have my gaming rig connected via the 2.4USB wireless adapter. You can also connect up to three devices via bluetooth. And of course you can opt to hardware in. I love the the keyboard has both a USB-A and USB-C port. I am a huge advocate for technology having USB-C as an option, as it is much more convenient, provide faster transfer times, and faster charging times. Speaking of charging, the battery life on this keyboard is excellent. I seem to get about a week's worth of charge with extreme use daily. I know that the keyboard is hot swappable, meaning you can swap out the switches, which ultimately determine the sound of the keyboard, but personally, I haven't messed with that, as I love the way it sounds now. Overall, this is an excellent keyboard. If you're in the market for a wireless keyboard that sounds great, this is the best option out there! I typically don't like spending a ton of money on stuff unless I am absolutely sure of its value, and let me put your mind at ease that this keyboard is worth so much more than what the price tag shows.

I have bought and used heavily 7 mechanical keyboards so far. This one is extremely affordable and worth the price. The layout is handy for small desks or for resting it on top of my laptop keyboard. The color scheme is nice and dialed down. The backlighting is pretty standard, but the customization options are immense. The typing experience is wonderful. A loud, but thocky typing feel, not clacky. With perfect stabilizers on the larger keys. The keys have great texture. The display is handy. However, the customizable GIF software only functions on Windows. I use a Mac so I had to pull out a tablet to customize the GIF. I was surprised that only one GIF can be uploaded at a time. Unless you addjust the single gif frame by frame. That is tedious, so I keep it to one GIF. It displays nicely. I wish I could load more than one GIF. This would've been easy for them to add. Changing settings is easy with the scroll button and display screen. Changing key maps are easy using the software online. Overall this is a disturbingly good keyboard. A few years ago I got a Niz keyboard for around 3X the price of this one. This RK feels better, functions better, and is more customizable. I would rank this much higher in terms of typing enjoyment and ease of use. It's almost a perfect keyboard. An all-aluminum case would've made it even better. Such options are coming out by Akko now. They were my backup option.

The keyboard works flawlessly and has a really great mechanical feel and sound. The keyboard delivery was very prompt and thank you to the team for providing a hassle free online purchasing equipment

This is a great and reasonably priced keyboard. The key sound/feel is super pleasing, and the quick switch between devices/volume/effects with the dial and screen is awesome.

Good keyboard, with nice click sounds and fun to type! The build is sturdy and the keyboard is heavy. I am expecting it to last long. I liked the small screen for configuration. There is a time display on the keyboard, which I don't find useful. Once charge last about two weeks with bluetooth connectivity.

This is my 2nd Royal Kludge keyboard and I am very impressed. I've had mechanical keyboards from Logitech, Keychron, Corsair, Drevo and Redragon and I like my RK ones more. This one in particular is just super satisfying to type on. I love the creamy sound from the keys, it's unlike anything else I've owned so far. The green and clay-red color scheme also looks awesome. Keycaps are soft touch but not shine-through which is a bit of a disappointment but not a deal breaker. The little screen and knob is easy to use and actually useful. It's nice to change settings in a menu vs using function keys, and being able to check the time when enjoying full screen entertainment is also handy to me. My audio setup is also able to use the knob as a volume control which is an added bonus. All three connectivity modes work well for me - Bluetooth is reliable, 2.4Ghz is fast and reliable, and wired mode is also fast and reliable. Range on BT/2.4Ghz is average, but since this isnt really an HTPC keyboard I don't think it matters much. My only complaint is the battery life. RK claims they have a gigantic battery in this keyboard but I only get 2-3 days of use between charges, and it takes a loooooong time to charge so it ends up being plugged in a little more than I'd like. If I keep the RGB lighting on the 2nd lowest setting, I can get another day or two of usage but I wish I didn't have to charge this keyboard once a week. I really like this keyboard overall and I'd definitely recommend it! It's a good keyboard for full price but RK has sales all the time so I'd wait for a 20-25% discount, where it becomes a killer deal in my opinion. Edit: 3 months in and still very fun to type on and 100% reliable. I just keep the backlighting off most of the time now to conserve battery and it lasts a while without the backlight on 2.4Ghz link (2-3 weeks light use). Only thing I don't like after a few months of use is having to press fn + PgDn for the End key.

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ [5.0 / 5] Overview This was the first buy for this model (an later the exact same keyboard model but purple) because it is genuinely that good. If you are looking for a full-featured mechanical keyboard that delivers a premium typing experience, rich acoustics, and modern customization options without breaking the bank, this is the absolute best value you can find. 👍 Pros: 💚 "Creamy" Acoustic Profile: Out of the box, the sound profile is deep, smooth, and satisfying without being uncomfortably loud or high-pitched. Very low case reverberation/hollowness, and hot-swappable switches mean you can easily swap them if you want an even quieter setup. 💚 Durable Keycaps: Excellent key legend printing that won't fade or smudge over time, even with heavy daily typing. 💚 Smart Display & Dedicated Volume Knob: The built-in screen lets you display custom GIFs or keep track of the date, time, and battery percentage. The dedicated mechanical metallic knob makes volume adjustments quick and satisfying. 💚 Vibrant RGB Customization: Wide array of lighting modes and colors, effect speed settings, and bright illumination, all customizable via RK's software. 💚 Versatile Connectivity + USB Passthrough: Features tri-mode connectivity (Bluetooth for up to 3 devices, 2.4GHz wireless dongle, and USB-C wired mode). As a major bonus, it includes an integrated USB-A Passthrough Hub to plug in a flash drive or wireless mouse dongle directly. 💚 Windows & Mac Compatibility 💚 Solid Construction: Sturdy, heavy-duty hard plastic frame with multi-stage kickstands for height adjustment. 👎 Cons ❌ Average Battery Life: Expect roughly 4 to 5 days of continuous daily heavy use on 2,4G or BT mode depending on your RGB brightness settings. ❌ Glow-Around (Non-Shine-Through) Keycaps: The RGB lighting creates an outline glow around the keycaps rather than shining directly through the printed letters/characters. ❌ Heavy & Tall Profile: It is a substantial, heavy board. Due to its naturally tall front lip height, buying a wrist rest is highly recommended for optimal ergonomic comfort. 🎯 Final Verdict Worth buying? definitely. The combination of creamy switches, multi-device connectivity, built-in USB hub, and customizable screen makes it almost unbeatable in its price bracket. Tip: Make sure to download the official RK Software to unlock its full power!