I normally don’t make a big deal about keyboards — not unless they’re particularly spectacular, like the Logitech MX Keys, which I’ve raved about before. But the Royal Kludge RK100 truly awed me. It’s not just another budget mechanical keyboard — it delivers a typing experience and feature set that honestly surprised me.
What immediately stood out was how superbly comfortable this keyboard is to type on. The full-travel mechanical keys provide a tactile and responsive feel that’s immensely satisfying. Whether I was writing, coding, or doing any other work, I found myself enjoying every keystroke.
In fact, I managed to achieve near my top WPM typing speed almost instantly — there was no awkward adjustment phase. That’s rare, and it speaks to how well the RK100 is designed for serious typists.
One of the most thoughtful aspects of the RK100 is its 96% layout. It retains a full number pad and inverted-T arrow keys, which many compact boards sacrifice, yet it still maintains a fairly compact footprint. This is a big win if you want a cleaner desk without compromising productivity features.
It strikes a great balance between space-saving and usability, a tough feat that it pulls off well.
This keyboard supports tri-mode connectivity: wired via USB Type-C, Bluetooth 5.0, and 2.4GHz wireless. Switching between devices is effortless, and the 3750mAh battery gives you days of uninterrupted use, even longer if you disable the RGB backlighting.
In wired mode, it even includes USB passthrough with two USB-A ports. This is very convenient for plugging in a mouse or other accessories.
For the more adventurous keyboard enthusiast, the RK100 is hot-swappable, supporting both 3-pin and 5-pin switches. Whether you’re new to switch-swapping or a veteran modder, this opens up a lot of possibilities for personalizing the typing feel without soldering.
It comes pre-installed with decent switches like Gateron Reds, Browns, or Blues, but the real fun begins when you start customizing. I got the Brown switches as I like a little tactile bump and without any significant noise.
The keyboard features per-key RGB lighting and programmable macros through Royal Kludge’s software. The software is probably the worst thing about this keyboard. It needs to be improved. The good news, though, you don’t need the software if you don’t care for RGB customisation or any macro programming. The software is needed only for setup anyway, with settings saved on the keyboard so you don’t really need it anymore unless you want to change things.
To be honest, I didn’t expect to be this impressed. But the Royal Kludge RK100 is a keyboard that punches well above its weight. It’s comfortable, compact, highly customizable, and it just feels great to use.
If you’re looking for a new keyboard, this one is worth your attention. It might not replace my MX Keys, but it is definitely something that I would be happy to recommend.
The Royal Kludge RK100 is available on Shopee and Lazada for approximately $89.90.
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