RK ROYAL KLUDGE
Aldrin
Since their first wireless keyboard (G87) that came with a Chinese Pinyin manual, I have been impressed by RK keyboard build quality. Solid, responsive, click feedback, and with a slight heft but not too heavy. The kind of feel that makes your fingers happy. I will keep buying RK keyboards for as long as they keep making the best keyboards for a good price.
James
Overall, I like this keyboard a lot due to the quality you get for the price. It has definitely got a good weight to it, and the housing is, for the most part, sturdy. However, the sound coming from each key press isn't as premium as some others with dampening layers. The speed silver switches are a joy to type with and having a number pad fit in this small form factor is great. Wired, 2.4GHz, and Bluetooth options for whatever your needs are.
A couple of cons:
Due to the smaller form factor, the number 0 on the number pad is a standard keycap size, not a double-width key, as in a standard full-size keyboard.
Even while using this keyboard as wired, the RGB lighting times out and shuts off.
Camila
Estoy muy satisfecha con este teclado.Es un poco pesado, esto le da una sensación de robustez y calidad. Lo que realmente me encanta es que cuenta con tres slots de Bluetooth que se pueden configurar para conectar fácilmente con diferentes dispositivos, lo cual es extremadamente útil para multitarea. La iluminación del teclado es impresionante, con 8 opciones de colores que se pueden ajustar según el gusto, lo que añade un toque personal y dinámico a mi espacio de trabajo.
La batería tiene una duración impresionante, lo que significa que no tengo que preocuparme por cargarlo constantemente. Además, el teclado es suave al tacto y su diseño es realmente bonito. Las teclas de función están bien ubicadas y son muy prácticas, facilitando el acceso a funciones importantes sin complicaciones.
Este teclado fue un regalo para mí esposo y el quedó súper satisfecho con este detalle, a todos les presume su gadget. Y es que no solo cumple con sus funciones básicas de manera sobresaliente, sino que también ofrece características adicionales que mejoran la experiencia de uso. Es una excelente compra para quienes buscan un teclado duradero, versátil y visualmente atractivo.
awesome guy
I had to double check to make sure I hadn’t accidentally purchased a used for parts product before I wrote this review. Upon unboxing, I noticed the E key wasn’t functional, and spent a bit of time troubleshooting it to find it was in fact a broken switch.
This evening, I decided to inspect it further, and have discovered at least 5 more broken switches. Out of the box. Unused. typically, I tend to buy cars expecting the tires to be inflated, or clothes with the seams stitched. I genuinely want to know what the purpose of this keyboard is? Was this a training model for elementary students to trial typing on? Perhaps it’s an energy conservation effort, in hopes that my keystrokes don’t obliterate the O-zone layer?
As of now, I strongly recommend you find the nearest Morse code box as an alternative to the RK keyboard until they can find the capability to push 2 prongs into a slot consistently.
Jesse
This is a very good quality keyboard. The keys are pronounced and have a very satisfying click to them. The light settings are awesome, and the functionality is perfect for me. I am using this for my work, and I am loving it. It was so worth the purchase.
Pfostttt
I ordered this keyboard as a replacement to a RedThunder keyboard that had quit working after 4 days. I received this keyboard in the mail around the second week of April and have used it almost daily. If you don’t feel like reading everything, here is the short. Buy it, it’s worth it, but if you want more details, please see below.
First Impressions:
The first thing I noticed was the weight. It is pretty hefty and feels rock solid. It feels like a quality product. The clicking sounds is very satisfying (I turned off the sound in the video, since there was music playing). I really like the fact that you can change the color modes, and what the keyboard itself does. I chose this effect, which I thought was really cool.
Set Up:
I decided to use it with the USB dongle, since I use docking station, and constantly swap between my personal laptop and my work laptop. It was as simple as plug and play. The fact that it worked out of the box, with both Mac (my personal laptop) and PC (my company laptop) without any additional drivers is/was a huge win for me.
Battery Life:
The battery life on it is incredible, I maybe charge it once every other week. I work from home for most of the week, so this thing sees a lot of use, I would say at minimum it see’s 24 hours of continuous use (8 hours a day, over 3 days) along with however long i’m on it for my personal projects. Checking the battery level is as simple as holding down two keys, and is easily done on the fly. *The battery life may vary based on which color mode you select, so be mindful of that, but with the one I have selected, it seems to last a very long time on a charge, which is another win. The brightness is also perfect, it isn’t too overpowering but also not too dim.
Downside(s):
My only gripe about it is that for me, having the keys so close together can be a bit of a headache. I am constantly having to retype things from accidentally hitting the wrong key, as the keys are very sensitive (which makes sense, since it is made for gaming). This is more of user error and not a fault of the keyboard/manufacturing though, so I don’t hold that against it.
Final Thoughts:
All in all, for the price point, functionality, and the quality, you can’t beat this. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a gaming keyboard, or someone who just wants that mechanical feel. It is a great product, and does exactly what you want it to do. I know that gaming/mechanical keyboards come in all shapes/sizes/features/price points, but for me, this checks every box. I actually plan on purchasing a second keyboard from RK Royal Kludge, but the quieter version while i’m in the office. Whenever I get around to that, be on the lookout for another review.
Great work, RK Royal Kludge, this is an amazing product.
Olivia
Stock… eh. It’s okay. The switches are silent and if that’s your thing, great. But I swapped those for jade boxes and then swapped the keys for crystal jellies. Board itself is a great amplifier for the crispy, icy sound that those switches and caps make. Love the RGB options.
Andrea Ritchie
Love the size and all the colored backlight effects
Sounds amazing - red switch keys
Works perfect!
RTEK
Was skeptical for the price. However, this keyboard is awesome. I love it. It's no where near as loud as my old Corsair mechanical keyboard. I plan to get custom keys made for this new board eventually but for now it matches perfectly with my theme. I just plugged and it was up and working great. Few presses of FN+PrtSc to cycle through the RGB settings till I found the static option in blue and I'm happy. The LEDs are much brighter than my old Corsair RGB. So far, I absolutely love this new board.
Deijah Gissendanner
Comes with cord, dust cover and key remover.
CristianKai
El teclado es de una notable calidad, los componentes que esta armado tiene un buen peso. Los interruptores son silenciosos pero altamente precisos durante las sesiones de juego. Después de utilizarlo durante 15 días, no he identificado ningún inconveniente. Su desempeño es consistente tanto cuando está conectado mediante cable como cuando se utiliza de forma inalámbrica a través de Bluetooth. Además, ofrece una excelente compatibilidad, y el software descargado desde la página oficial de RK funciona de manera óptima. Otra ventaja es su tamaño del 96%, el cual no presenta desventajas en cuanto a la cantidad de teclas y tamaño del teclado es perfecto .
Ashley R.
My job requires lots and LOTS of typing. So a nice keyboard with good sound is important to me, as sometimes I need to obtain things for my job that make it more satisfying. It’s the little things that get us through the work day right?
Here is what I like about it:
1. It seems to be very sturdy and well made. I was very surprised at how much this keyboard weighs. I consider it to be very heavy and solid.
2. It makes nice clicky and typing noises. The keys seem to be heavy duty, so you can angry type if needed. They are also very responsive to touch. I was worried about having to deep press each key, but that doesn’t seem to be an issue. The space bar is responsive as well, which can be an issue with a mechanical keyboard, but not this one.
3. Setting up was plug and play for me. I just plugged in the dongle and turned it on, it worked instantly. I prefer a Bluetooth set up. I also like that you can hard plug it in to your computer and keep it wired, I’d that is your style. It comes with a switchable USB and USB-C cord, too. The keyboard is chargeable if you like to keep it wireless.
4. It’s pretty. The lights are mesmerizing and have a nice glow. They definitely put some thought into the RGB and didn’t cheap out. There are different settings for the lights or you can turn them off altogether.
Overall, it’s good bang for your buck and probably my favorite keyboard.
kmc66866
This keyboard sounds and works amazing. If you like back glow there's plenty of colours and patterns to choose from. They keys themselves don't glow but I mainly got it cuz it's customizable. Might check back after I get more usage.
W. Cheng
This is a really impressive mechanical keyboard that's intended for gaming, but would also be great for productivity. The keyboard action is excellent, with good travel and precise tactile feedback (without an annoying loud click). I find that I can type really quickly and accurately. The mode can be set to Windows or Mac compatibility (and although there's no specific ChromeOS compatibility, it still works fine with my Chromebooks, with many of the function keys working like the corresponding top-row keys on a Chromebook).
Having both Bluetooth and 2.4 Ghz wireless connectivity increases the versatility. I'm not sure if there's any significant lag with Bluetooth while gaming, but the connection for typing was flawless, without any skips or double-presses. 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity is also problem-free. The wireless dongle can be stored in a little niche on the underside of the keyboard if not in use. The keyboard can also connect for wired usage via USB-C (which is also how it's charged). There are two additional USB-A 2.0 ports on the back of the keyboard that can be used for connectivity or charging other devices.
Build quality is awesome. The keyboard feels super-solid, with a good amount of heft. The adjustable feet can give two different angles of elevation (apart from being completely flat).
RGB backlighting looks great, and there are many pattern options. The backlight is only underneath/around the keys -- the keycaps aren't translucent. I also like how the general design of the keyboard isn't excessively "gamer" -- it wouldn't look completely out of place in an office.
Overall, this is a great mechanical keyboard, especially for the price.
Pickles
Compact yet powerful keyboard that offers a range of impressive features. Here's what makes it stand out:
With 100 keys and a numeric keypad, this keyboard manages to be compact without sacrificing functionality, making it perfect for those with limited desk space. It also includes a separate direction area to prevent accidental presses.
Connectivity options are plentiful with USB, 2.4G wireless, and Bluetooth modes. Whether you prefer a wired connection for real-time performance, wireless convenience with low latency, or Bluetooth connectivity for multiple devices, this keyboard has got you covered. In wired mode, it even features a built-in USB hub, allowing you to conveniently connect and charge other devices.
The RK Speed Silver Switches provide a fast and responsive typing experience, perfect for gaming. With a light operating force, quick trigger response, and smooth keystrokes, it delivers outstanding typing performance for both home and office use and overall an enjoyable experience.
For heavy typers, it's worth noting that the keys tend to bottom out with keystrokes, this may lead to slightly more audible keystrokes. So, if you have a heavier typing style, keep in mind that it might be on the louder side if bottoming out though would say better than most at this price point.
One aspect that truly stands out is the keyboard's build quality. It exudes durability and reliability, no flex ensuring it can withstand heavy use and provide a consistent typing experience over time.
The keyboard's ergonomic design includes anti-slip and adjustable tilt outriggers, offering comfort for long typing sessions. Love the attractive keycap color pattern adds a cool touch, especially when paired with customizable RGB lighting.
Battery life is impressive, with a high-capacity 3750mAh battery that outlasts many other models. The keyboard's durability and outstanding build quality make it a reliable choice for prolonged use.
In conclusion, the RK ROYAL KLUDGE RK98 mechanical keyboard offers a compact design, versatile connectivity options, fast switches, ergonomic features, an attractive keycap color pattern, and a built-in USB hub in wired mode. Whether you're a gamer or an office user, this keyboard provides an exceptional typing and gaming experience. The outstanding build quality ensures a reliable and durable keyboard that will last for a long time. Feels premium and very satisfying layout with a great typing experience.
Premium build, appearance, functionality and experience at great value. Highly recommend.
Ovaltine Jenkins
Overall, this thing is awesome at a budget, with the only weakness being that the key legends aren't transparent, so the backlight actually becomes not that effective if you're using this keyboard at a completely dark environment.
Similar to some of other Royal Kludge keyboards, this thing allows a cable, 2.4ghz, and 3x bluetooth connections, the 2.4ghz receiver even has its own silo on the back of the keyboard. The backside is plastic, but the build quality is still rather solid. The backlit is RGB, with some controls on the keyboard for customization (there's also a Windows application, but I couldn't get it working for this keyboard)
The one I have is silver keys, which feels similar to brown switches with more actuation force. I'm perfectly fine with using these, and the switches are swappable. There's 2 USB-A ports for USB passthrough if you're using this keyboard with the cable. This is a nice touch and isn't unique only to this keyboard, some of the other Royal Kludge keyboards also have this feature.
Overall, the price feels quite competitive (at the time of this review, it's $90 w/ a $20 discount coupon) compared to a Keychron K4. It doesn't look too tacky, although I wouldn't say the color choices are "subtle" either. The functionality Royal Kludge includes is excellent, and even though $70 is still a lot of money, it's still a decent keyboard that supports macOS. As mentioned before, the only thing holds this back is the lack of a transparent key legend for the keycaps; this means the backlight doesn't shine through the keys and actually makes the backlight not that helpful in a really dark room. However if this isn't an issue, then this keyboard is pretty decent.
Clean Setupz
I like keyboards and I cannot lie. You other typers can't deny. When a quality board shows up you get pumped.
We'll start with the heft of the board. It's nice. I haven't opened it up, but I could probably add some silicone to the interior of the case and make it a little heavier and sound a little better.
The keycaps are also great. PBT, so they don't show oils from your fingers like ABS. It's got all the typical RGB features you want.
This is my first experience with Speed Silver switches. I like them! I'm usually a brown switch guy, but speed silver is fun to type on. They even through in some extra switches. It's *just* enougn so that you could switch out the WASD keys on another keyboard with speed silvers.... Just keep that in mind.
I was surprised by the USB ports on the top of the board. I missed that in the description somehow. Now you have an easily accessible set of 2 USB A ports (USB 2.0) available to plug in a wireless mouse to charge or a USB stick (just don't expect super fast transfer speeds).
The cable was also a nice litle surprise. It has a combo USB A/USB C end so you're covered!
In all, this board packs in a lot of features. The USB hub really isn't something you see very often, and especially not at this price point.
Liltrouble
RK Royal Kludge is fast becoming one of my favorite keyboard manufacturers, and it is because of making keyboards like this one!
This keyboard is perfect for gamers who want something close to a full size keyboard, with a full size layout, but just smaller enough to give you a bit extra room for your gaming mouse.
It uses regular size key caps which are easily changed to whatever you want. It is hot swappable so you can change the key switches too. You have multiple ways to connect the keyboard to your computer, with my preferred being wired. The speed silver switches it comes with are very fast and without lag. Playing games and typing on this keyboard, all I can say is it feels great and I just love it!
RK Royal Kludge also has some of the best RGB keyboard lighting I have ever seen on a gaming keyboard! I prefer the lighting on this keyboard over my Razer Black Widow Elite.
It has nice rubber feet, it does not slide and you can raise and lower the height. It has a very solid "built like a tank" feel, and pretty sure it has an indefinite lifespan. It comes with a USB cable, extra switches, and a switch/ key cap puller.
I can't find any cons, because in my case there are none. Everything works as it should and it is just a pleasure to use the keyboard. It amazes me that it costs less than 100 dollars.
Pro esport gamers would use this keyboard, I think its that good!
Generic Guy
I tested a handful of cheap "gaming" keyboards alongside this ROYAL KLUDGE RK98, which is substantially more expensive. However, the quality is noticeably. I can recommend this keyboard without any caveats. I think it's great for the price.
As far as the look of this keyboard, it features 3 different colored keycaps (grey, black, and red). I appreciate that this keyboard doesn't have a *gamer* aesthetic with edgy fonts like some of the other keyboards that I've tested. It has a more subdued look that I prefer. The keyboard has multiple different backlight colors and modes that can be activated with some function key combinations. I do wish that the backlight would shine through the function buttons so that I could easily see the function controls (especially the media control, which I like to use).
I found the keyboard itself to be a real pleasure to use. The RK speed silver switches are similar to red switches that I've had in other keyboards. They have a satisfying weighty thonk, but they aren't super noisy like some of the blue switch keyboards that I've use. So far my wife hasn't said that she's bothered by the rhythmic clack of my typing from the other room. This isn't quite a full-size keyboard, but it's close. It has the number pad, which I need for work.
It connects via USB-C, and it comes with a regular straight cable. However, you can use one of the fancy coiled cables without any problem.
Up until this point, I've never used a mechanical keyboard as my daily driver. But I like this enough that it will replace my Corsair K55 which has rubber dome switches. I'm really impressed.
The question with budget gear almost always ends up being the longevity of the tech. As always, I'll update this review if the keyboard fails over time.
Fiveprime
I like this keyboard a lot. I have been using it exclusively for a few days. It is a couple of inches smaller than a full 104 key keyboard, but it has a number pad and cursor keys - which are must-haves for me. It's kind of compact-ish and full-size at the same time. I have larger hands, so I need a full-sized layout and keys.
In the box is the keyboard, a user manual, a key cap puller, 4 spare switches, and a USB-C cable with a USB-C to USB-A adapter on one end.
The case is plasticky, but it has a nice weight and feel to it. It has 2 levels of feet to raise the back of the keyboard up. It can be used as a wired keyboard with a USB-C cable. There are 2 USB-A ports next to the USB-C cable port. The same USB-C cable/port is used to charge the keyboard for wireless use.
The keyboard can be used wirelessly with Bluetooth or 2.4GHz wireless. There is a slot on the bottom of the keyboard to store a 2.4GHz wireless dongle so you don't lose the dongle when you're not using it. There are switches on the bottom of the keyboard to choose between wired, Bluetooth, or 2.4GHz wireless use.
The keyboard is RGB backlit and there are tons of options for backlighting and other settings using function key combinations. I didn't try the RK software with this keyboard because, at the time of writing this review, the RK98 was not listed on the RK website and I was unsure of what to download. But not having the software doesn't matter to me because I was able to get the backlighting I wanted using the function key combinations.
The keys are hot swappable, so you're not stuck having to solder or needing to throw the keyboard away when switches go bad. I write a lot of documentation for work and I'm used to Cherry MX Brown switches. The RK Speed Silver switches on this keyboard are nice to type with.
I'm going to keep using this keyboard for a while.
Papa Shawn
The lights, change colors nonstop. All you have to do is plug in the mini dongle into your computer and it downloads all the software you need to find it or turn on Bluetooth on your laptop and I’ll find it. So I kiss you ever loose that little dongle you can always connect via Bluetooth. There is no lag when you type the keys feel great like a keyboard. It is a bit heavy but you get used to it really fast.
Isabella Taylor
I’m a gamer, and I love this keyboard! The colors alone are amazing, and the rgb color and modes! The sound of the keys are great too! I love that this is wireless and so easy to charge also! It’s battery life is very long and I haven’t had it die on me yet! Don’t hesitate buying this keyboard!
Debra
I love typing on this keyboard. The light tactile response and gentle click make for a great typing experience. I appreciate that you can choose from two levels of lift for the keyboard. The manufacturer did include four extra keys and a key puller for when needed.
Setting the backlight is challenging. It seems you need to step through all the options and select one. Then you can select the backlight color with another option. There are further options to send the speed and brightness. This seems like it would all be easier to do through software. I then went to the manufacturer web site but they don't show this model as one of the download options. I ended up just playing with the options from the keyboard itself and get a backlight that works for me. Thankfully, I really don't need my keyboard to breathe at me in RGB colors.
The keyboard feels very solid and well-constructed. I have not run into any issues with key responsiveness or sticking. I have only connected to BT so far but that was easy peasy. I turned on the keyboard, my PC noticed, loaded it and I was typing away. I like the keyboard and if the manufacturer made it a bit easier to access the software I would add the fifth star.
WG
I love the look and feel of this keyboard. Having used a few other mechanical keyboards, I was pleasantly surprised at how this was quieter (and smoother) than some of them. The included instructions and accessories were easy to follow/understand, so I think this would be a good keyboard for a variety of users. One of the only knocks I could give this is the slightly "strange" arrow keys position (see photo) - I wish they followed the same line as the rest of the keyboard, but I think they were trying to condense the size of the layout.
Jon
Let me start by saying this is my first mechanical keyboard and so far I'm super impressed!! The keyboard itself is pretty heavy, and feels like it is solidly built. The keys feel great when typing on them! I also really like the compact design and the fact that it still has a number pad, which is a must for me in a keyboard.
Typing is a bit load which I knew would be switching from a standard keyboard. This isn't a big problem for me as I am using it at home, but depending on the video conference application I'm using, people on the other side of calls can sometimes hear it, which isn't ideal.
The fact that it works with a dongle, Bluetooth, or via USB-C was a huge selling point for me and all 3 methods work with no issues from my end. There is a button to switch from Mac to PC. There is also 3 Bluetooth preset options which is nice when using it for my tablet or Steam Deck.
The RGB is very customizable! I got a bit overwhelmed just going through all the options. From what I can tell, you can even set fully customized presets for the RGB as well with specific keys. I haven't dug into that much as it's way more then I need, but there is some Windows software to help customize it if that's your thing.
I'm amazed by the quality and features packed into this perfectly sized keyboard! Would highly recommend it if looking for a smaller layout mechanical keyboard with a number pad!
Robert
This keyboard is awesome!! I love the colors. The different shades of blue go beautifully together. They're colors I would choose if building out a custom keyboard. I chose the red switches, which have a smooth press from top to bottom that's a bit quieter than the brown. The noise level on the key presses is quiet enough that my co-workers in a shared office space don't mind/notice.
The LED's are crazy and completely customizable when you download the software. See the video for a demo of some of the LED patterns. Since I'm using this keyboard at work I'll probably leave those turned off to save on battery life. The keyboard is wireless (dongle) and bluetooth capable and the battery life seems to be plenty so far.. Time will tell!
What I love most about this, working in IT, is the ability to customize each specific key and program in macros. So far, I've swapped the PgDn button to be End and the PgUp button to be a "Ctrl Alt Delete" press. There's tons more you can do with the macros, but so far those two changes have made this keyboard superior over my generic wireless one my job provided.
I haven't used this keyboard for gaming, and probably won't, but the key presses are very precise and can be quick, so I'd imagine it's work perfectly as a gaming keyboard as well.
Great job RK! Knocked this one out of the park!
Brian
UPDATE: After a couple weeks of use, I've become very frustrated with this board. The red keys are softer than the brown keys. I was expecting this. What I am having a very difficult time with is the sensitivity of the keys. When typing, even a slight brush against another key often counts as a stroke. The result is a high degree of errors in accuracy. I have medium to large width fingers and it's become a pain to do any sort of lengthy typing with this board. I would imagine the brown keys might be a better fit for me.
Context:
I'm always on the lookout for new mechanical keyboards. Ever since I got one, I really enjoy their feel. When I saw this one, I thought I'd try it out. The price was a little less than competitors, like my Logitech Pro Tenkeyless, so I gave it a shot. It came packaged nicely. I went into this understanding that it was a lower quality board designed and built in China.
Pros:
- Heavy; for me, this a pro. The keyboard feels very solid when on a flat surface and shows no sign of moving or giving way.
- It was very easy to set up Bluetooth on my PC for work. I literally turned the keyboard on via the switch on the back, switched to Bluetooth, and it showed up on my options on my PC.
- It is a full keyboard with the number pad in a compact form; there are some pros and cons to this, but it's still smaller than a full sized board. The arrows keys are sort of in a hybrid spot (shorter right shift key - see photo)
- Included are the necessary tools to change out keys for complete customization. Accepts 3 or 5 pin.
- Claims to have 168 hours of battery life with LED's off. I can believe this as it does have a 3750mAh Lithium-Ion battery.
- 2.4GHz USB adapter has a slot in the bottom for storage.
Cons:
- I guess this is a mechanical keyboard, but some keys do not "bounce back" well. Some keys, like the backspace key, do not spring back as quickly as I'd like. They feel soft. I think they wanted to keep the key strokes on the quiet side, but who buys a mechanical keyboard expecting silent typing?
- The Bluetooth does ok, but I do find it lagging here or there. Not a deal breaker, but it is sometimes noticeable that my typing cursor doesn't move to the next letter instantly. The 2.4 GHz USB fob seems to do a much better job of keeping up with my typing.
- RGB Color customization WITHOUT software is a pain in the rear. It is NOT user friendly. You'll spend a fair amount of time, maybe 20 or 30 minutes, really figuring out how to set up colors if you don't download their software, which they recommend to use only wired mode when programming the colors.
- Comes with solid keys; backlight will NOT show through the letters.
Overall:
The Logitech Pro Tenkeyless that I have can be found for the same price as this board (retails normally for $129). I would say that if you do not wish to fork out extra money for a $100+ keyboard, I think the RK Board will get the job done. The software isn't as great, the keys are softer, the programmable lighting isn't as variable, the Bluetooth is a bit laggy at times, and there are a lot of shortcuts to remember when adjusting settings.
