RK ROYAL KLUDGE
RK ROYAL KLUDGE S98 Mechanical Keyboard w/Smart Display & Knob
Bottom line: The RK ROYAL KLUDGE S98 Mechanical Keyboard w/Smart Display & Knob ($67.66 on Amazon as of 2026-10-06): Smart display shows custom GIFs, date, battery, connection mode and WIN/MAC layout; main trade-off: 98 keys crowd the arrow and navigation cluster compared with a full-size board.
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ Smart display shows custom GIFs, date, battery, connection mode and WIN/MAC layout
- ✓ Knob controls volume, backlight brightness/speed, RGB mode and color by twist or click
- ✓ Triple connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4GHz dongle and USB-C wired
- ✓ Hot-swap PCB accepts both 3-pin and 5-pin switches with no soldering
- ✓ 96% layout keeps the numpad and arrows in a smaller footprint than full-size
Cons
- ✗ 98 keys crowd the arrow and navigation cluster compared with a full-size board
- ✗ Smart display and RGB lighting draw from the battery faster than a plain wireless board
- ✗ The 40% noise and 80% hollow-sound reduction figures are the brand's own, not independent tests
- ✗ Software support means Windows-first configuration; deeper remapping needs the RK app
Manufacturer description
The RK ROYAL KLUDGE S98 puts a smart display and a control knob on a 96% layout, so you keep a full number pad, arrow cluster and function row while losing the dead space of a full-size board. The display shows custom GIFs, the date, connection mode, WIN/MAC layout and battery status at a glance, and the knob handles volume, backlight brightness and speed, RGB mode and color with a twist or a click. Connectivity covers Bluetooth 5.0, a 2.4GHz dongle and USB-C wired, so you can move the same keyboard between a desktop, a laptop and a tablet. The top-mount plate design gives firmer, more…
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored RK ROYAL KLUDGE S98 Mechanical Keyboard w/Smart Display & Knob using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the gaming peripherals category. RK ROYAL KLUDGE's gaming peripherals lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.
Common buyer scenarios for gaming peripherals of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can the smart display on the RK S98 actually show?
It displays a custom GIF or image plus the date, current connection mode, WIN/MAC layout indicator and battery status.
Can I use the S98 with a Mac?
Yes. The keyboard has a WIN/MAC layout mode and the display shows which layout is active. Bluetooth 5.0 and USB-C both work with Mac hardware.
Does the RK S98 need soldering to change switches?
No. The hot-swap PCB accepts 3-pin and 5-pin mechanical switches, so you pull and press-fit switches by hand.
How does the S98 connect to multiple devices?
Three ways: Bluetooth 5.0, the included 2.4GHz USB dongle, and USB-C wired. You switch modes with the knob and confirm on the display.
Is the RK S98 quiet enough for an office or shared room?
RK builds in an IXPE switch pad, two sound-absorbing foam layers and a silicone dampener, which the brand rates at 40% less noise. Actual volume depends on the switches you install.
Key Features
- Big Features on a Small Screen - Is there anything it can't display? Custom gif image, date. connection mode, WIN/MAC layout, battery status, etc.
- Knob Design- Adjust volume, connection mode, backlit brightness/speed, RGB mode/color, all it takes is just a twist or a click.
- BT5.0/2.4G/USB-C - Wireless keyboard with stable BT 5.0, hassle-free 2.4Ghz dongle plus USB-C wired mode set no limits about your keyboard connection.
- Gaming Friendly Top-Mount Design - Offers a superior tactile consistency, firm feeling, and better noice reducing creamy keyboard.
- Sound Absorbing Foams - Equipped with IXPE switch dampener pad, 2 layers of thicker sound-absorbing foams, silicone dampener pad, which reduces 40% noise and removes 80% hallow sound. Bringing creamy or thocky sounding, natural and clear feedback, no more cavities noise.
- Hot swapable mechanical keyboard - Hot-swap PCB allows you to replace 3 pins/5 pins switches freely without soldering issue. Enjoy the fun of making your own unique keyboard.
Full Specifications
| Brand | RK ROYAL KLUDGE |
|---|---|
| Color | Lavender Purple |
| Style | Classic |
| Theme | Gaming |
| Weight | 2.4g |
| Language | English |
| Generation | 3rd Generation |
| Model Name | S98 |
| Style Name | Classic |
| Unit Count | 1.0 Count |
| Is Electric | No |
| Switch Type | Tactile |
| Connectivity | Wireless, USB-C, 2.4GHz |
| Model Number | RK S98 |
| Power Source | Corded Electric |
| Compatibility | Switch, Mac |
| Series Number | 68131012 |
| Built-In Media | 2 in 1 Keycap & Switch Puller, 2.4GHz Receiver, USB Cable, 4 x Replace Switch, Dust Cover |
| Number of Keys | 98 |
| Button Quantity | 98 |
| Full listing title | RK ROYAL KLUDGE S98 Mechanical Keyboard w/Smart Display & Knob, Top Mount 96% Wireless Mechanical Keyboard BT/2.4G/USB-C, Hot Swappable, Software Support, Massive Battery, 98 Keys |
Ready to buy?
RK ROYAL KLUDGE S98 Mechanical Keyboard w/Smart Display & Knob, Top Mount 96% Wireless Mechanical Keyboard BT/2.4G/USB-C, Hot Swappable, Software Support, Massive Battery, 98 Keys is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.
*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.
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