RK ROYAL KLUDGE RK98 Wireless Mechanical Keyboard, Triple Mode 2.4G/BT5.1/USB-C Hot Swappable Mechanical Keyboard with Number Pad, Pre-lubed Switches RGB Backlit Gaming Keyboard, Software Support

When on sale for $64, this keyboard is a great value. I've never spent more than a hundred dollars on a keyboard nor plan to. The most I've spent in the past was $99 on a GMMK TKL and an AKKO 5108S. I also have a Skyloong SK96 Lite (Epomaker GK96) 96% layout with 100 keys total (no spacing between keys). This RK98 is an 1800 layout keyboard (with slight spacing around the arrow keys, numpad, and F row) but with 100 keys, which is not so common. Most 1800 layout boards have either 96, 98, or 99 keys. For me, the more keys the merrier as I need the numpad for work and the other keys for simulators like MSFS. The slight extra spacing of the 1800 layout makes a difference for me (less mistakes) compared to my SK96.Since the white model only came with RK brown tactile switches, I switched them out for my favorite budget linears, the Gateron G Pro Yellow 2.0, and they sound and feel great on this keyboard. Stabs may need a bit of work but they didn't bother me out of the box.While the stock PBT keycaps are good overall, I switched them out for shine through PBTs (I basically do this for all my boards as I don't see much point in RGB if the keycaps aren't backlit). After this switch, I noticed just how bright the lighting is on this board, probably more than twice as bright as my SK96 (the design of the Gateron pros also helps in this regard). Out of the 5 brightness levels (not including OFF), I keep it at 2 most of the time. As for RGB color accuracy, it will depend on the color of the switches and keycaps installed. While the static white color seemed on the cool (bluish) side temp-wise when the stock brown RK tactiles were installed, with the yellow linear switches it is pretty much close to a white that I like. And the RK software easily allows you to tweak the exact RGB values too. Per key lighting is possible, and this keyboard has 3 custom lighting slots on its onboard memory which can be accessed via FN+1, 2, or 3. And once the custom lighting presets are saved onto the board, no need at all to have the Royal Kludge software open to access them.Another thing to note is that there is a pad layer between the plate and PCB, as well as (thin) case foam underneath. I'm satisfied with how this keyboard sounds and feels with the yellow linears, so I don't feel the need to mod this thing any further (not even a tape mod), but perhaps the stabs sometime in the future.It's nice to spend only $64 on a hot-swappable (5-pin compatible) RGB mech keyboard with a nice 100-key 1800 layout and wireless functionality. With the leftover money, you can buy switches or keycaps of your choice. Yes, budget boards like this do not have QMK or VIA firmware compatibility, but if the software can do the basic things like edit keymapping, FN shortcuts, macros, and RGB lighting, that's good enough for me. I do wish that the case bezels of the RK98 were slightly slimmer, but the overall dimensions are still quite compact especially compared to a full size. Overall, highly recommend this at the sale price.

For the last several years I've been using a Corsair keyboard I bought when I had a different desk and there was much more room for the keyboard and mouse. During the pandemic I upgraded to a larger desk but the keyboard tray is smaller and I sacrificed space to move my mouse. It was a minor inconvenience until recently. During the recent Xmas in July sale I was in Best Buy and decided to play with some of the keyboards that were on sale. Another Corsair caught my attention with the action of the keys and it was $50 off. I decided I didn't really need it and left. Recently I had rotator cuff surgery so I'm stuck at home with nothing to do and I've been testing my setup for working with weak hand. The limited space for the mouse became much more significant. I looked around and discovered a whole new world of custom mechanical keyboards and was blown away. I can't tell you how glad I was that I didn't purchase the other keyboard a month ago. I was looking for a keyboard with a num pad because I do a decent amount of numbers and I never really learned to use the top row number keys very well. I saw good reviews for The Royal Kudge keyboards and then found this one on sale. It was less than the Corsair I bought 4 years ago.It arrived in the mail today. I've watched a lot of YouTube videos the last few days about the qualities of keyboards like these but nothing compares to getting one in hand. The weight of the box was the initial wow moment. Then taking the keyboard out was the second. Then pressing the keys to feel the action. This keyboard is 4 inches narrower then the old one which freed up all the space I need to use my mouse and move the keyboard close the edge. Now I'm 5 days out from my surgery and I'm able to type comfortably with my arm in the sling. I'm blown away. Some things truly do work out for the best.I bought the black with silver switches. It's a bit soft but I'll adjust. I would recommend one of these to anyone. Do it for yourself and for the people that make these wonderful keyboards. Once you try one you'll never want to use anything else.The only thing that might be a negative for some people is the noise of the keys. I think it's great. It's not too loud for me. I think it kind of reminds of the old days hearing the clack of a typewriter. From what I've seen they make models that perform great but make much less noise.<8/22/24> Update: After using the keyboard more, with silver switches, I have found that the springs in the switches are too light and the distance to actuation is too short for my fat fingers. I have errors regularly because I'll graze another switch or sometimes actuate one while I'm just pausing to look at something or think. If you have a light touch these will probably be fine for you but I ordered a set of black switches which I'm hoping will be better suited to my style.