Head-to-head · Best Mechanical Keyboards Under $100

HyperX Alloy Origins Core vs Royal Kludge RK61

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Royal Kludge RK61 comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.1 vs 4.2). The gap is mostly about Budget-conscious users needing a compact, multi-device wireless keyboard — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #3 in Best Mechanical Keyboards Under $100

HyperX Alloy Origins Core

★★★★★4.1

$89as of Apr 21

The HyperX Alloy Origins Core is a robust tenkeyless mechanical keyboard praised for its solid aluminum build and smooth HyperX Red switches. While it offers excellent typing performance and a space-saving design, it is held back by the lack of dedicated software for macros and a non-detachable cable.

Strengths

— Compact tenkeyless (TKL) design saves significant desk space
— HyperX Red linear switches provide smooth, consistent keystrokes
— Solid aircraft-grade aluminum frame ensures durability and stability

Watch-outs

— Lacks dedicated software for advanced macro programming
— Non-detachable USB-C cable limits portability and cable management options

$89 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Mechanical Keyboards Under $100

Royal Kludge RK61

★★★★★4.2

$45as of Apr 21

The Royal Kludge RK61 is a compelling budget 60% mechanical keyboard that offers impressive features like multi-device Bluetooth and double-shot keycaps for a very low price. However, potential buyers must accept significant risks regarding quality control consistency and the lack of software for layer customization. It is an excellent entry-level choice for those willing to gamble on a good unit, but less ideal for users requiring reliability or advanced programmability.

Strengths

— Supports multi-device Bluetooth connectivity to pair with up to three devices simultaneously
— Includes double-shot ABS keycaps that prevent legend fading despite being lower-cost plastic
— Features a centered USB-C port for convenient wired connection and charging

Watch-outs

— Quality control is inconsistent with reports of units failing or battery issues after some time
— Lacks software support for customizing the secondary function layer on the 60% layout
— Single-color backlight versions do not support software customization or RGB effects

$45 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

HyperX Alloy Origins Core

The HyperX Alloy Origins Core provides a solid aircraft-grade aluminum frame and smooth linear switches, offering better structural rigidity than the Keychron V1 and Royal Kludge RK61. While it matches the Logitech G413 in build quality, it surpasses it with customizable per-key RGB lighting, though it still lacks the wireless connectivity and deep software customization of the Keychron V1.

Royal Kludge RK61

Unlike the full-sized Logitech G413 or the tenkeyless HyperX Alloy Origins Core, the Royal Kludge RK61 offers a compact 60% layout with multi-device Bluetooth connectivity. However, it lacks the robust software ecosystem found in the Keychron V1 and the consistent build quality of the Logitech G413, making it a riskier choice for users prioritizing reliability.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	HyperX Alloy Origins Core	Royal Kludge RK61
Form Factor	Tenkeyless (TKL)	—
Switch Type	HyperX Red Linear	—
Frame Material	Aircraft-grade Aluminum	—
Backlighting	RGB with 16.8M colors	—
Cable	Detachable USB-C (Non-detachable in some versions)	—
Layout	—	60% Compact
Connectivity	—	Bluetooth 5.0 (3 devices) + Wired USB-C
Switch Options	—	RK Red, Blue, Brown
Keycaps	—	Double-shot ABS Plastic
Backlight	—	Single Color (Blue/White) or RGB (depending on variant)

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