Enos Tech Verdict
Purchase the Royal Kludge RK84 – £56 on RKGamingStore.com / £63.99 on Amazon.co.uk for the standard version
The RK84 is a great mechanical keyboard that has one major drawback. The wireless connectivity mode doesn’t have a lot of range and seems to be affected by things interfering with its signal. However, the Bluetooth and wired modes more than makeup for this, and for the price, it’s hard to beat.
Pros
- Price
- Hot-swappable switches in different flavors
- USB passthrough
- Solid build quality
- Three connectivity options
Cons
- Have to use FN+Enter to see the battery percentage
- Wireless 2.4G connection isn’t great
The Royal Kludge RK84 is a 75% keyboard with hot-swappable switches. It has 3 connectivity modes which are wired, 2.4G wireless, and Bluetooth. It comes with a massive 3750mAh battery that will surely see you through those longer work sessions or a weekend of gaming.
As this is a 75% Keyboard, the “84” in the name comes from its number of keys. As mentioned, the switches are hot-swappable and you can also replace/change the keycaps should you want to. The RK84 comes in different colors and layouts, so make sure you are aware of this when looking to purchase.
RK84 Specifications
Closer Look
Getting everything out of the box we can see the RK85 keyboard itself, the user manual, keycap and switch puller, USB cable, spare switches, and a pair of mechanical feet so you can raise the keyboard at the back for a more enjoyable typing experience.
We have the yellow switches and they are of RK’s branding which is nice to see. Yellow switches are linear and have a 45±10G actuation force in most cases. If these are not for you, worry not as other switch types are available.
As with most 75% keyboards, the keys are nice and close together. Royal Kludge has done a nice job with the keycap colors on this version of the RK84 and while the colors may not be to everyone’s liking, it’s nice to have something that isn’t just plane and boring.
The RK84 still comes with a full row of “F” keys and is only missing the number pad. Some of the keys also have a secondary function which we will look at shortly.
The keycaps are quite durable and should last for a decent amount of time. The lettering is not laser etched which means that the RGB backlighting won’t shine through the letters themselves. This can make it much easier to see the letters when using the keyboard in low-light environments.
It’s hard to notice when you first get the keyboard out but as mentioned, a lot of the keys have a secondary function. When you are sitting down and using the keyboard, you can see these much easier and they will make using the keyboard much more efficient. You simply just hold the “FN” key and hit any one of these keys with a secondary function to use it. You can open emails, or change the volume with ease thanks to these secondary functions.
The RK yellow switches are great for those just getting into mechanical keyboards or users who have been using one for years. They are not loud at all and their linear nature makes them enjoyable to type on. The fact that they are hot-swappable is a bonus and just adds further value to what the RK84 has to offer.
The underside of the keyboard is completely black. This is also where you will find the 2.4G Wireless dongle and the “mode” switches.
The magnetic feet are easy to connect and the magnets are strong enough that you won’t have to worry about them falling off when in use. During my testing, I tried to push the keyboard a bit here and there and they did not fall off, they simply just moved with the keyboard.
One of my favorite features is the USB passthrough. This is a great way to get a couple of additional USB-A ports to use with either your mouse and other peripherals, or you can use it to charge your phone or tablet.
Connectivity and Battery
The 3 connectivity modes are easy enough to use. Of course, if you just want to use the wired USB connection, leave the off/on switch to off and plug the cable in. To use the 2.4G or Bluetooth connection, simply flip the switch to on and select B or G depending on your needs. If using it with the 2.4G connection, you will need to use the dongle as well.
During my testing, the wireless 2.4G connection didn’t seem amazing. If your keyboard isn’t far away from your laptop or PC and there is nothing in the way, it will be fine. However, when using it in a room with other electronics and wireless devices, the distance where the keyboard is usable becomes much shorter.
The saving grace is the Bluetooth connection that can connect to multiple devices and be switched between them on the fly. Pressing “FN” + Q/W/E will allow you to switch between Bluetooth devices. Long pressing these keys will enter pairing mode so you can pair your Bluetooth device with the RK84.
Final Thoughts
The RK84 has some pretty impressive features for a mechanical keyboard in this price range. Previously having reviewed the RK61, I am starting to see a pattern with the RK keyboards. They tend to offer a decent amount of features, with a sturdy build quality at an affordable price.
The RK84 comes in multiple colors and with various hot-swappable switch types available. It offers impressive Bluetooth connectivity with support for up to 3 devices. It has a solid frame with two layers of silencer foam to help keep things quiet when in use and even has some RGB backlighting thrown in for good measure. All in all, it is a solid keyboard for almost any user.
When you consider the price, it makes you start to wonder why some keyboards cost so much, and yet they don’t quite have as many features. For under £60 here in the UK, the RK84 even gives you a USB passthrough so you can connect 2 devices directly to the keyboard itself, whether it be other peripherals or a phone/tablet to charge.
Royal Kludge is surely making a name for itself and is certainly becoming known for offering some impressive keyboards all at prices that people can actually afford!
