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Head-to-head · Best Mechanical Keyboards Under 100

RK Royal Kludge RK71 vs Royal Kludge RK84

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

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The short answer

RK Royal Kludge RK71 comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.2 vs 3.9). The gap is mostly about compact keyboard users wanting navigation keys — read the strengths below before deciding.

RK Royal Kludge RK71
Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Mechanical Keyboards Under 100
RK Royal Kludge RK71
3 sourcesall derived$49.99as of Aug 23

The Royal Kludge RK71 offers a well-thought-out compact layout with dedicated arrow keys and navigation cluster, making it suitable for both productivity and gaming. TechBroll praised its space-efficient design and solid build quality, while a YouTube reviewer highlighted its value proposition as a budget-friendly wireless mechanical keyboard with good connectivity and battery life. The keyboard supports multiple switch types including RK Blue, and comes with a magnetic stand and Bluetooth dongle slot. However, reviewers noted the keycaps feel cheap and the color options are limited. This keyboard is best for users seeking a compact mechanical keyboard with wireless capabilities at an affordable price point.

Strengths
  • — Dedicated arrow keys and nav cluster in a compact 71-key layout
  • — Works properly in both wired and wireless modes with multi-device Bluetooth connectivity
  • — Good build quality with solid plastic construction and ergonomic design
Watch-outs
  • — Cheap keycaps that may not withstand long-term use
  • — Limiting color scheme with only white and black options available
$49.99 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
Royal Kludge RK84
Ranked #4 in Best Mechanical Keyboards Under 100
Royal Kludge RK84
7 sources2 derived$56.99as of Aug 23

The Royal Kludge RK84 is a budget-friendly 75% mechanical keyboard featuring hot-swappable switches and multiple connectivity options. TechPowerUp praised its solid build quality and USB passthrough capabilities, while YouTube reviewer Consumer Tech Review highlighted the tactile brown switches and dual USB ports. However, both sources noted issues with the 2.4G wireless range and signal interference. The keyboard comes with a 3750mAh battery that supports extended use, making it suitable for users seeking an affordable mechanical keyboard with versatile connectivity.

Strengths
  • — Hot-swappable switches in different flavors
  • — USB passthrough with dual USB ports (USB-C and two USB-A)
  • — Solid build quality with magnetic feet included
Watch-outs
  • — Wireless 2.4G connection has limited range and signal interference issues
  • — Battery percentage requires pressing FN+Enter to display
$56.99 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

RK Royal Kludge RK71

The RK71's dedicated arrow keys and nav cluster distinguish it from the compact Royal Kludge RK61, which lacks these keys. While it shares the RK61's wireless capabilities, the RK71 offers better build quality than the cheaper RK84 and more functionality than the Redragon K552 Kumara, which has no software support for customization.

Royal Kludge RK84

The Royal Kludge RK84's hot-swappable switches and dual USB ports distinguish it from the Redragon K552 Kumara, which lacks these features. Compared to the Epomaker TH80 Pro, it doesn't offer a color LCD screen or integrated battery, but it provides more connectivity options than the Ajazz AK820, which lacks USB passthrough.

Specs side-by-side

SpecRK Royal Kludge RK71Royal Kludge RK84
Layout71 Keys with Dedicated Arrow Keys and Nav Cluster75% mechanical
Switch TypeRK Blue /RK BrownHot-swappable (various types including brown and yellow)
ConnectivityMulti-Device Bluetooth Connectivity and Wired ModeWired, 2.4G wireless, Bluetooth
KeycapsABS Double Shot KeycapsABS Double Shot
LightingICE Blue LED BacklightRGB backlighting
Battery1000mAh3750mAh
Weight0.64 kg1.77lbs (803.5g)
Dimensions11.4"L x 4"W x 1.6"H12.4"L x 4.9"W x 1.6"H
Hotswap—hot-swappable switches
← See the full ranking of best mechanical keyboards under 100