Royal Kludge S98 vs Vortex Tab 90M
The Royal Kludge S98 and the Vortex Tab 90M are close alternatives. The main differences: the Royal Kludge S98 is the cheaper of the two at $105 versus $159; the Royal Kludge S98 is hot-swap while the Vortex Tab 90M is soldered; the Royal Kludge S98 runs wireless where the Vortex Tab 90M is wired-only.
- Lower priceRoyal Kludge S98$105 versus $159
- Easier to modRoyal Kludge S98hot-swap sockets
- More ways to connectRoyal Kludge S983 connection modes versus 1
Choose the Royal Kludge S98 if
- you mainly want it for programming.
- you want to spend less ($105).
- you want to swap switches without soldering.
- you need wireless.
Choose the Vortex Tab 90M if
- its overall balance fits you: the vortex tab 90m is a compact 1800-style keyboard in an aluminum case with cherry mx switches, vsa-profile dye-sublimated pbt keycaps, and wired usb-c connectivity, though the switches are soldered and not hot-swappable.
Royal Kludge S98 vs Vortex Tab 90M, spec by spec
| Royal Kludge S98 | Vortex Tab 90M | |
|---|---|---|
| Layout | 96% | 96% |
| Height | Standard | Standard |
| Connectivity | Wired, Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz (stronger spec) | Wired |
| Hot-swap | Yes (stronger spec) | No |
| Keycaps | PBT dye-sub | VSA-profile dye-sublimated PBT keycaps (ANSI) or DSA dye-sub (ISO) |
| Case | aluminum | aluminum |
| Mount | Gasket | n/a |
| Backlight | RGB | White / none |
| QMK / VIA | No | No |
| Battery | 4000 mAh | n/a |
| Typical price | $105 (stronger spec) | $159 |
| Sound (stock) | n/a | Varies by Cherry MX switch choice; the aluminum case adds a denser, slightly higher-pitched tone. |
| Released | 2023 | n/a |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ; a check marks the objectively stronger spec (price, battery, modability). Feel and preference rows never get a check. Fields marked n/a are unpublished by the maker; we list only verifiable numbers.
Where they sit among all 509 boards we track
39% of the 509 boards tracked here cost less than the Royal Kludge S98; 64% of the 509 boards tracked here cost less than the Vortex Tab 90M.
34% of the 172 wireless boards tracked here carry a smaller battery than the Royal Kludge S98.
Where to buy the Royal Kludge S98
No verified retailer link right now. Check the maker or your usual keyboard retailers.
Where to buy the Vortex Tab 90M
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