RK96 96% Wireless Mechanical Keyboard

Really great keyboard, very practical connectivity and impeccable sound on linears.

I'm a bit of a keyboard snob. I picked up four of these RK96 keyboards with the brown switches to use in my den/computer room for the four spare PCs I'm setting up so the whole family can game together.

I chose the RK96 because I wanted a more or less full size keyboard layout, as some games we play do use the full size numpad. The RK96 was one of the best priced options available, at well under $100. Any other similar units in the price range were from companies I have never heard of before. And though I've never owned a Royal Kludge unit before, I've at least seen them in the marketplace for at least a decade, so I figured they probably make a solid product.

It is true. This keyboard is as well built as several much more expensive boards I own. It is not made out of any exotic materials, nor does it have full RGB, but I was not looking for those things. What it does have is a solid build quality, with keys that have a very satisfying "THOCK" sound. I have not taken a board apart yet to look at it, but I imagine there is a lot of sound dampening material in there.

The Brown switches they use feel like ultra-lubed Gateron Browns to me, with slightly lower actuation force than average. Even though there is a definite tactile bump, I'm used to typing on much heavier ALPS type switches, so to my heavy fingers, it almost feels like it is a linear switch. Almost. I get a bit more accidentally hit keys on it since the actuation force is lower than I'm used to with my primary white alps keyboard, but I can still do well over 100wpm with minimal errors.

Having 3 ways to connect to a computer or phone or tablet is nice too. The USB cable that is included is C to C with a captive adapter to USB-A for older devices. There is a dongle for 2.4ghz wireless, and 3 bluetooth options you can quickly select from. There is also a passthrough for 2 USB 2.0 devices, however the passthrough only works when the keyboard is being used in wired mode. (I would have loved if it worked while on either wireless setting, so I could use my wired mouse pseudo-wirelessly.)

The backlighting is also simple to use, without even reading the manual. Just use the FN and arrow keys to control the brightness. A neat feature is if you hold FN and Enter, the alphanumeric number row is used to represent battery life. Super convenient.

If I had a complain about this keyboard, it would probably only be that the mute button is not a typical mechanical switch like the rest of the keyboard, and the space it sits in, could easily fit two regular sized keycaps if the volume roller was moved slightly over. This could facilitate not just a mechanical mute button, but also an additional programmable key. (Say, Insert, perhaps, as its one of the few keys removed on this 96% layout from 100%, without using a modifier key.)

But overall, I love this keyboard, and Royal Kludge is now my go-to mechanical keyboard brand.

Great customer service.

It's a great wireless mechanical keyboard for it's price but the QC is not quite enough.
I've owned the keyboard for almost two weeks and on the second day I got it, one hot swap socket broke off the PCB and I had to resolder it back on.

I purchased your product for my best friend. He loved the keyboard and raved about tactical feel and back lighting.

Your product was a huge hit with a picky person. I'm so thankful!