The market for entry-level mechanical keyboards has been extremely competitive in the past couple of years. Many names, such as Epomaker, Akko, and AJAZZ have all attempted to bring the best bang for the buck mechanical keyboard. However, Royal Kludge has arguably been the most popular and the most affordable out of all these brands.
Royal Kludge is a mechanical keyboard manufacturer that primarily focuses on budget-priced keyboards. They offer great value products and have paved the way for newer enthusiasts to try out mechanical keyboards. Most of their products also have enthusiast-grade features such as hot-swappable switches.
There are many reasons why Royal Kludge became the go-to brand for many enthusiasts on a budget. But the biggest reason is that they offer some of the lowest prices while still maintaining key enthusiast features such as hot-swap switches. And while they have their fair share of limitations, they are easy to overlook because of their price tag.
In this article, we will be further investigating the Royal Kludge brand. We will be having a look at their history and product lineup. And ultimately, we will be helping consumers decide if Royal Kludge keyboards are a good fit for them.
Royal Kludge Brand History
Royal Kludge is a Chinese gaming peripherals manufacturer that was founded in 2014. Their main goal was to offer high-quality products at a very competitive price point. The company brought the RK61 to the market sometime in 2019.
Since then, the company has refined the original RK61 formula and expanded it into several other form factors. The company now currently has a mechanical keyboard offering for nearly every size. And while Royal Kludge isn’t deviating too much from their budget-oriented formula, their strategy has proven to be effective since they are still one of the go-to brands for budget-priced mechanical keyboards.
Royal Kludge Keyboard Lineup
Royal Kludge RK61
Royal Kludge RK61 Highlights
- 60% Form Factor
- Hot-swappable switches
- RK Branded Switches
- Detachable Type-C cable
- RGB/Single Color Backlighting
- Wireless Bluetooth Capability
- Software for Key Remapping
The Royal Kludge RK61 is one of the first products that the company manufactured. It sports a 60% form factor and has features such as hot-swap and Bluetooth wireless connectivity.
The RK61 has undergone several revisions during its time in the market. It initially started out as a non-hot-swappable keyboard, but eventually, Royal Kludge implemented this feature due to its popularity in the market. In addition, there are older RK61 models that did not feature RGB backlighting. And lastly, the RK61 now comes with a variety of different case colors and keycap designs.
In terms of its switches, the RK61 features RK branded mechanical keyboard switches. Users can choose between red, brown, and blue switches.
But thanks to its 5-pin hot-swappable PCB, users are able to put in almost any switch they want. In terms of its Bluetooth capability, the RK61 is able to connect to up to three devices.
The RK61 does have its limitations. It does not have the widest compatibility with aftermarket parts such as cases and plates. Overall, customizability is also limited. But overall, with its good set of features and very competitive price, the RK61 is one of the best keyboards for beginners or enthusiasts on a tight budget.
Royal Kludge RK68
Royal Kludge RK68 Highlights
- 65% Form Factor
- Hot-swappable switches
- RK Branded Switches
- Detachable Type-C cable
- RGB/Single Color Backlighting
- Wireless Bluetooth Capability
- Software for Key Remapping
The Royal Kludge RK68 is a 65% version of the RK61. It mostly supports the same set of features as the RK61. Its only real defining feature is the inclusion of the additional keys.
For those who are unaware of the various keyboard sizes, 65% keyboards basically add dedicated arrow keys and four additional keys usually assigned to the home row by default. We highly recommend checking out our in-depth article comparing 60% and 65% keyboards. Overall, the RK68 is perfect for users who still want a compact keyboard but are not happy with the limitations that the RK61 has.
Royal Kludge RK71
Royal Kludge RK71 Highlights
- 70% Form Factor
- Hot-swappable switches
- RK Branded Switches
- Detachable Type-C cable
- RGB/Single Color Backlighting
- Wireless Bluetooth Capability
- Software for Key Remapping
- Comes With Magnetic Feet
The Royal Kludge RK71 takes a departure from RK’s usual keyboard design. It has a more aggressive look, similar to most mainstream gaming keyboards.
And unlike the RK61 and RK68, the body is more angled, and there are grills for side LEDs. The RK71 also has magnetic feet, which is a unique way of adding additional adjustments to the height of the keyboard.
In addition, the RK71 has a unique 70% form factor that isn’t usually seen on mechanical keyboards. It is very similar to a 65% layout. However, there are even more keys added to the right side of the keyboard. The RK71 is perfect for those who want a more visually striking keyboard and want additional programmable keys without sacrificing the compact size of the keyboard.
Royal Kludge RK84
Royal Kludge RK84 Highlights
- 84 Key Design (70% Form Factor)
- Hot-swappable switches
- RK Branded Switches
- Detachable Type-C cable
- RGB/Single Color Backlighting
- Wireless Capability (2.4 GHz)
- Software for Key Remapping
The Royal Kludge RK84 is another variation of the company’s original RK61 design. The main difference is that this model has an 84-key design (70% form factor) and uses 2.4 GHz wireless instead of Bluetooth.
The RK84 is very similar to the RK68 in terms of its layout. However, this keyboard brings back the F-keys, which are not physically present in smaller form factor keyboards.
As for its wireless capability, the RK84 offers a more reliable and lag-free solution compared to the more budget-priced RK keyboards. It will inevitably not have the same versatility as Bluetooth, meaning its use case is strictly for desktop setups. Overall, the RK84 is perfect for those who want a large keyboard with F-keys and want to have a more reliable wireless connection for general use and for gaming.
Royal Kludge Sink87
Royal Kludge Sink87G Highlights
- 87 Key Design
- RK Branded Brown Switches
- Detachable Type-C cable
- RGB/Single Color Backlighting
- Wireless Capability (2.4 GHz)
- Software for Key Remapping
The Royal Kludge Sink87G is the company’s Tenkeyless (TKL) offering. It has the same number of keys as most 70% keyboards (including the RK84) but has a more standard layout that is closer to full-size keyboards.
With its standard TKL layout, the Sink97G is perfect for users who are not fans of the smaller form factors that Royal Kludge offers. In addition, the Sink87G inherits the 2.4GHz wireless capability of the RK84, making it a good companion for gamers. The only catch here is that the Sink87G only comes with RK Brown switches and is non-hot-swappable.
Royal Kludge RK920
Royal Kludge RK920 Highlights
- Full-Sized Design
- Comes With Different RK Branded Switches
- Detachable Type-C cable
- RGB/Single Color Backlighting
- Software for Key Remapping
The Royal Kludge Rk920 is the company’s full-size offering. Unfortunately, it does not inherit many of Royal Kludge’s essential features.
The RK920 does not come with hot-swappable switches and does not have any wireless capability. It is pretty much just a basic mechanical keyboard with no additional special features. But overall, it is a perfect upgrade for anyone who wants to try out mechanical keyboards for the first time without having to relearn typing in a smaller form factor.
RK Royal Kludge RK925
RK Royal Kludge RK925 Highlights
- White backlight
- Built-in stand holder
- Double shot ABS keycaps
- 600 mAh Big Mac
- Low profile mechanical switches
- Foldable and portable
The Royal Kludge RK925 is arguably the company’s most innovative product. It features a unique foldable design as well as low-profile mechanical keys. It is a keyboard that is designed to be paired with mobile devices and is meant to be carried around.
The RK925 has its limitations. Its switches are not specified and are not hot-swappable with other mechanical keyboard switches. Its keycaps are also non-standard and are not compatible with regular MX-style keycaps. But overall, the RK925 is a unique product that has virtually no competition, even in the high-end keyboard market.
Why Buy Royal Kludge Keyboards?
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Royal Kludge keyboards offer plenty of value to the consumer. Most of their keyboards offer hot-swap switches, giving users the chance to explore other mechanical keyboard switches without having to buy an entirely new keyboard. In addition, most RK keyboards are customizable to a certain degree, making them great entry-level keyboards for first-time mechanical keyboard builders.
In addition, Royal Kludge is one of the only brands that offer a mechanical keyboard model in a variety of different form factors. This means that users will not be limited to smaller form factor keyboards, especially if they prefer having a TKL or a full-sized keyboard.
And lastly, almost all RK keyboards have wireless functionality. Some are limited to Bluetooth, while others feature a more powerful 2.4 GHz wireless connection. Buyers get all of these features without spending a lot of money.
Why Should You Look for Alternatives?
At the end of the day, Royal Kludge keyboards are entry-level keyboards. They will have their fair share of limitations, and they cannot satisfy consumers looking for a more premium keyboard experience.
All RK keyboards will inevitably lack higher-end keyboard features such as an aluminum case, different mounting styles and plate materials, south-facing switches, etc. Mods will also surely be limited with RK keyboards.
And, of course, the typing experience and sound profile of RK keyboards won’t be as good as higher-end keyboards. For those who are looking to up their game with higher-end mechanical keyboards, there are plenty of brands such as KBDFans that fit the bill.
Which Royal Kludge Keyboard To Buy?
The RK61, RK68, and RK84 are all very similar keyboards. The only difference is that the RK84 features 2.4 GHz wireless instead of Bluetooth. We highly recommend checking out these three models and deciding based on which size best fits the user’s needs.
Where to Buy Royal Kludge Keyboards?
Royal Kludge’s keyboards can be bought directly from the Royal Kludge’s website. Their products are also available in most mainstream online stores such as Amazon. You can also find them in most physical retail stores.
Royal Kludge Keyboard Warranty
Royal Kludge does not have an official warranty policy stated on their website. Most e-commerce websites state that RK products have a 1-year warranty. However, this means that the warranty will likely depend on your local retailer. Make sure to contact your local retailer to learn more about the warranty of a specific Royal Kludge product.
The KBE team is dedicated to sharing our knowledge and creating useful resources about computer keyboards. This article was written as a team collaboration, combining our knowledge and years of experience using, building and modding keyboards. Meet the team here.
