Tom’s Guide Verdict
What can $99 buy?
One of the best mechanical keyboards.
What makes a mechanical keyboard great?
I think Ive just struck gold with the Royal Kludge S98 as it ticks all those boxes.
This 96%-layout keyboard is a thing of beauty.
Is this one of thebest mechanical keyboards?
For all the deets, read my full Royal Kludge S98 review.
The design is practical too.
And above it, theres a switch which can be flipped to toggle the wired and dongle connectivity modes.
You also get both USB-A and USB-C ports, so both macOS and Windows users will feel included.
This brings me to my next point: the Royal Kludge S98s customizable screen.
The screen doubles as controls for the keyboard.
I really value this feature as I work across both systems.
Its compatible with 3- and 5-pin switches, giving you lots of flexibility with switch choices.
I tested the pale green tactile switches which have a nicethockto them.
Theyre highly responsive and, to me, they sound excellent but this will be down to personal preference.
The double-shot ABS keycaps make for a comfortable typing experience too.
Gaming performance
This is a productivity-first keyboard.
These switches also have a travel distance of 3.4mm.
I didnt experience any latency issues while playing Counter-Strike 2.
This keyboard is best suited to those who play casually.
you might continue using the keyboard while this process takes place in the background, though.
In a bright room, I found it difficult to see the readout.
Its not a dealbreaker but its definitely worth noting.
This issue persists with the Gamakay LK75 too.
Value for money?
Is it worth paying$99 at Amazon U.S./103 at Amazon U.K.for the Royal Kludge S98?
The S98 has ABS keycaps which arent as durable as PBT ones and a small 3,750mAh battery.
The S85 offers Cherry profile PBT keycaps and a larger 7,000mAh battery for a similar price.
Royal Kludge S98 review: Verdict
The Royal Kludge S98 really is royal.
It looks fantastic and will fit right into your existing setup.
It comes in four color options to suit everyone.
The typing experience is excellent, with responsive tactile or linear switches and four layers of sound-absorbing foam.
There are a few things holding it back from being one of the best, though.
The software is compatible with Windows only, so macOS users will need to consider other options.
Also, the screen is a little dim.
