RK ROYAL KLUDGE
RK ROYAL KLUDGE S98 Wireless Mechanical Keyboard w/Smart Display & Knob
Bottom line: The RK ROYAL KLUDGE S98 Wireless Mechanical Keyboard w/Smart Display &: Smart display shows battery, connection mode, WIN/MAC layout, date, and custom GIFs; main trade-off: 96% layout crowds arrow and nav keys against the numpad edge.
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Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ Smart display shows battery, connection mode, WIN/MAC layout, date, and custom GIFs
- ✓ Knob controls volume, RGB mode/color, and backlight brightness with a twist or click
- ✓ Three connection modes: BT 5.0, 2.4GHz dongle, and USB-C wired
- ✓ 5-layer dampening (IXPE pad, 2 foams, silicone) cuts about 40% of noise
- ✓ Hot-swap PCB accepts 3-pin and 5-pin switches with no soldering
Cons
- ✗ 96% layout crowds arrow and nav keys against the numpad edge
- ✗ Smart display and RGB together drain the battery faster than a plain wireless board
- ✗ Top-mount plate means a firmer, less flexy typing feel than gasket builds
- ✗ Custom GIF and display setup requires learning RK's software
Manufacturer description
The RK ROYAL KLUDGE S98 packs a 96% layout into a board that tells you what it's doing: a smart display shows battery status, connection mode, WIN/MAC layout, the date, and even a custom GIF, while the multifunction knob twists through volume, RGB mode and color, backlight brightness and speed, or clicks to swap connection modes. Those modes cover BT 5.0, a 2.4GHz dongle, and USB-C wired, so one keyboard follows you from a work laptop to a gaming desktop. Sound is where this 98-key board earns its keep: a top-mount plate plus five layers of dampening — an IXPE switch pad, two thicker…
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored RK ROYAL KLUDGE S98 Wireless Mechanical Keyboard w/Smart Display &… 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 S98 actually show?
It displays a custom GIF image, the date, current connection mode, WIN/MAC layout, and battery status, so you can check charge and pairing without leaving your game or document.
How does the RK S98 connect to my devices?
Three ways: Bluetooth 5.0, a 2.4GHz USB dongle, and USB-C wired. The knob can be clicked to switch connection modes, and the display confirms which one is active.
Is this keyboard quiet enough for an office or shared room?
RK ROYAL KLUDGE lists an IXPE switch dampener pad, two layers of thicker sound-absorbing foam, and a silicone dampener pad that together reduce noise by about 40% and remove roughly 80% of hollow sound.
Can I change the switches without soldering?
Yes. The hot-swap PCB accepts both 3-pin and 5-pin mechanical switches, so you can pull the pre-lubed stock switches and drop in a different feel with no soldering.
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 swappable 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 | Eclipse Black |
| Theme | Rainbow |
| Weight | 2.4g |
| Unit Count | 1 Count |
| Switch Type | Linear |
| Connectivity | Wireless, USB-C, 2.4GHz |
| Model Number | RK S98 |
| Power Source | Battery Powered |
| Compatibility | Switch, Mac |
| Built-In Media | 1 x Dust Cover, 4 x Backup switches, Keycap Puller, USB Cable, User Manual |
| Number of Keys | 98 |
| Connection Type | Wired |
| Keyboard Layout | QWERTY |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Special Feature | Backlit, Hot-Swappable, Hotkeys and Media Keys, Rechargeable, Volume Roller |
| Antenna Location | Everyday Use, Gaming, Multimedia, Photo Editing, Programming, Student, Video Editing |
| Hand Orientation | Ambidextrous |
| Compatible Devices | Gaming Console, Laptop, PC, Smartphone |
| Additional Features | Backlit, Hot-Swappable, Hotkeys and Media Keys, Rechargeable, Volume Roller |
| Full listing title | RK ROYAL KLUDGE S98 Wireless Mechanical Keyboard w/Smart Display & Knob | 96% Top Mount RGB Gaming Keyboard BT/2.4G/USB-C, 5-Layer Noise Dampening, Creamy Sound Pre-lubed Switch,Hot Swap, 98 Keys |
Ready to buy?
RK ROYAL KLUDGE S98 Wireless Mechanical Keyboard w/Smart Display & Knob | 96% Top Mount RGB Gaming Keyboard BT/2.4G/USB-C, 5-Layer Noise Dampening, Creamy Sound Pre-lubed Switch,Hot Swap, 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.
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