Royal Kludge RK61 Review 2021 - Is it worth it??

Edit: The giveaway is now over. Thank you to all the participants who entered!
Buy the different versions here (affiliate links):
RK61 wired RGB: amzn.to/3Pq8ctp
RK61 wired RGB w/ coiled cable: amzn.to/3Ps0xe5
RK61 Wireless w/ blue LEDs: amzn.to/3PucC2c
RK61 Plus: amzn.to/45Y2gNv
A custom keyboard enthusiast tries out the popular budget board, the Royal Kludge RK61, in 2021. How does it hold up? Is it worth your $50? Check out the review and find out!
My favorite 60% keyboard: • Here's My New Favorite...
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Get 5% off keyboard accessories from Prevail Key Co. (affiliate link): prevailkeyco.com/?ref=9ky_qaD...
Custom keyboards, parts, and accessories at KBDfans (affiliate link): kbdfans.com/r?id=37mumr
Mechanicalkeyboards.com (use creator code "portly" at checkout to help support the channel! mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/
Budget coiled aviator cables available from Tez Cables! (affiliate link): tezcables.com/?ref=619
Amazon (affiliate link): amzn.to/2U87E1b
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Glorious PC Gaming Race keyboards: shrsl.com/2n40e
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[@SloaneSlaughter]

You have got to have the ugliest hands on earth. Damn.

[@Portly]

your dad likes them

[@Jukebox707]

@@PortlyLay it on thick!

[@reconnation6557]

The pin of shame!

[@Jukebox707]

@@reconnation6557 indeed

[@Jukebox707]

@@pinauna227 man just be nice

[@Rie-pn6or]

Recently been searching for good keyboards and I bumped into this video. Thanks for your insightful, thorough, and honest review of this specific keyboard. It helps me on weighing what to look at when choosing a keyboard.

[@rikkubeans]

Royal Kludge is a pretty decent brand out of the box for the price, but to me it just serves as a good base for modding.

[@tyleridek9282]

Ikr

[@rikkubeans]

@Bzake I swapped out the switches to kailh box red, did the tape mod on the PCB and holee mod for stabs. Switched to Akko PBT keycaps too.

[@0xBULLgogi]

@Bzake kzbin.info/www/bejne/pKiukJygqNWFpdE heres my modded rk61

[@RStraight]

but the softare is dogshit and most of the time the keys 50% don't work just like my w I had to press that shit 50 times for it to send smh

[@redheadscotty360]

My setup is portable since I don't have a huge space and I really love how portable rk61 is! The bluetooth feature will surely help when I go out and about.

[@yuzzi8861]

I’m getting a steam deck and will need a keyboard, preferably a 60% too. Going to get a white leather steam deck skin to match the board. So excited

[@CodeXCDM]

Minimalist and wireless seems nice. That arrow set is actually a good idea too.

[@matthewgamr4546]

I finally understand now, the different versions were confusing me quite a bit. Nice video!

[@neva3732]

I’m still confused because some says it comes with 3 different mode connectivity and some shows 2

[@jenniferkhuu145]

Thanks for this review!

[@ryebarnes2970]

Honestly love 60% boards never owned one. I only own my first full sized board, that, once i get a 60%, I'm going to donate to my brother. He's a new PC gamer who needs to feel the power of mechanical switches.

[@BlasterJunos]

So how's it going?

[@N1Nover]

I personally like 75% way more because I don’t like having to use fn for everything

[@crazysandals]

WwWWW

[@THATNIGGAT.]

65% is better

[@idocare6538]

Thank you. On the trigger of buying a RK84 and this is close enough to say yes to me for the other version.

[@deepblue2]

I got my RK61 (Non RGB) just a few days ago. I figured out how to use all of its features in a day, including the software. All together, it's pretty decent. But for anyone new coming around here and see this comment: From Default: Press FN + Left CTRL once = Multimedia Mode for Windows. Press FN + Left CTRL again (or twice from default) = Multimedia Mode for Mac OS. Press FN + Left CTRL again (or three times from default) = Default Mode. You should be able to use the number row again.

[@GeoPanama]

how bad would you say is the "mushiness" of the keyboard?

[@deepblue2]

@@GeoPanama I've added O-rings to my Keycaps, so they naturally feel mushy to me. Without the O-rings and with the stock red switches, it's a loud and and clacky keyboard and bottoms out nicely. I've switched my switches to Gateron yellows.

[@Nexy9]

Don’t give up on the channel it will take a while to get those views, keep working hard!

[@suepurton755]

I brought an rk61 keyboard with brown switches and it is phenomenal. I love it!

[@WhistlinRc]

So the same thing for red switches and I’m all good

[@atticus.-.]

I’m modding an rk61 to be what most keyboard enthusiasts would hate but I love

[@splofu]

I'm using this keyboard right now and oh boy have I got to say, this keyboard is amazing. Mainly because of the clicks of the keyboard. It just sounds so nice, and is very good for gaming. Good keyboard. Would reccomend. 👍

[@RTPGAMING10]

Man so many cool keyboards makes me sad how limited the amount of instore good keyboards there are here might need to scan through more vids for a new one Great work dude

[@qwinn9963]

It looks realy nice, I might finaly try to make my own custom keybaord and this RK61 would be perfect for it^^

[@ShirOwOkun]

Same, the board already came and just waitin for solder and switch films UwU

[@rommeladriano752]

Love rk61 specially the red switch.

[@yoman3150]

I like the value for money it offers

[@EliPlaysFortnite11]

Nice video! I am looking for a gaming keyboard for Fortnite and this video helped me out a bunch. Thanks!

[@halfeatenwatermelon5039]

I just got it it'll be here tomorrow

[@jaredventura5266]

I really recommend this Keyboard! I got it about 3 weeks ago and I am satisfied with it! I used Akko matcha (unlubed switches) and matcha switches and I think they sound pretty good!

[@ronin120]

I just order two of then today...a black and a white one. I have a white and black setup on my desk so going to swap some of the keys and take turns using each keyboard. For the price I figured why not. This is my first 60% keyboard. If I do not like, back to Amazon it goes.

[@rainqueens1731]

@@ronin120 sooo how did it go?

[@ronin120]

@@rainqueens1731 i like them both actually. I have not swapped out the keys yet but do like the keyboards a lot. I ended up getting the red switches. I tried the blue but didn’t like them as much as the red. I never had a 61% keyboard before so took me some time to get use to but I do love it!

[@rainqueens1731]

@@ronin120 ohh awesome!i ordered mine yesterday, hoping to get it by tomorrow. So glad i ordered the red switches. Thanks for you reply btw

[@ronin120]

@@rainqueens1731 no problem!

[@JohnJones-ff9sj]

What love about this keyboard it's gives us good budget but then its better than most expensive keyboards

[@virave]

How's it working now?

[@december1920]

i bought the black one and didnt realise it was only one color rgb i wanted to make a red/black setup but still brown looks pretty cool

[@tinolapancit6030]

Rk61 is suprisingly good for its price

[@itzkoala9364]

I got this keyboard for Christmas nice keyboard I’ve always had membrane keyboards so this keyboard is something new to me I like it!

[@virave]

How's it working now dude?

[@shawnquitay]

i like how compact and hot swap

[@Bestgamer-ek9ug]

i love the keyboard i got it because they made it so much better

[@computerhoofd]

Seems like good quality for the price

[@smaugsportfolio8199]

Hello sir, I had a question about the cable, I believe I got a version that doesn’t come with the usb-c cable and it seems to be connecting to my PlayStation but not working/responding , do you know how I could get a cable that works? Also does the keyboard have latency ?

[@kk.3850]

If anything, It would be the price. It's definitely is a bang for the buck kind of deal.

[@seanr.8859]

I have a question, can you use a phone/laptop power brick for charging? Will it not affect the battery health?

[@erickhor7546]

Yesss finnaly a giveaway for rk61!! Done the entries hope i win!

[@amonynous9041]

I love rk61, I have a problem ever since I upgraded to win 11, bluetooth doesn't see it. I can still connect to my android phone, it's weird. Does anyone have a solution?

[@jansen570]

Do you know how long the battery lasts with backlighting off?

[@Cenlaw]

Is it weird that when I press my A + S keys, it activates caps lock? Or is it just me? I decided to disable my caps lock key because of that.

[@user-xy7le4nb1p]

Are the arrows the main default key for that or do I have to use fn just to use the arrows

[@what-the-eff-jeff]

how do I get to use the question mark or anything shift feature on this board. For the life of me I cant get it to work

[@user-ve6mj8il5l]

My dream keyboard.

[@supremeknowing7896]

I've got exactly the same keyboard. (Found it as scrap on a trailer.) First day it dit not work.. than I found a playstation USB-C cable and it turned on. RGB function and all.... For free... this keyboard is the best as a gift.

[@ghislanachristi7201]

I've been looking into this keyboard but the hotswapp rgb :D

[@m1ggi3]

How well will these work on a Mac. Cant find a video of the RK61 video for Mac

[@iambutter1492]

ok do you have any suggestions on a white keyboard 60% that i can also change the keys to blue fot that clicking sound any suggestions anyone im open for gaming

[@jeremiahcervantes8316]

should i go from the Kraken Bred 60% to the RK61 keyboard? i like the RK61 rgb a lot more

[@geckojack7147]

If you could answer this, What is the best switch for this keybord

[@annasoH323]

I've been looking for a small, wireless, mechanical keyboard. This is a compelling option.

[@EternalZeyu]

Guys! I wanna buy the led rk61 but I also want the led rk61 (rainbow led) to have the ice blue too can someone tell me how pls

[@_sleezii]

I'd love to mod this keyboard!

[@seofilipino]

How do we switch from BT to WIRED? I tried the switch at the back, didn't work

[@GLoK-OG]

I've had mine for about a month now, I like it however I did get the hot-swappable models and I put cherry mx reds in place of the rk red switches it came with because they were sticking or not registering

[@Jazzy_Official1]

I got Cherry Mx browns

[@clippedbyaiden9421]

Nice fingers bro

[@arkh5622]

it is strange mine is black solid color but it has two switches in the back one for on and off and another for changing between bluetooth and 2.4gh

[@shridhan6688]

Is the backlit blue or cyan? Looking for cyan backlit keyboard

[@awokenday8045]

Does royal kludge ship to Canada?

[@bishopdredd5349]

I never really trust reviews where the manufacturer is supplying the keyboard free of charge to the reviewer; also offering a give away.

[@aivah7204]

if you only have the one color of backlight its not hot swappable only the rgb is hot swappable

[@Outwest65m]

Which one should i get, rk61 black edition or white edition?

[@theultimateckfan4243]

Why do the switches M,N,K,J basically the ones with letters under them like End, Del, they don’t work so if I try typing something with M it won’t pop up it’s binder as something else how do I change it?

[@vickmichel5770]

try with Fn

[@O6i]

I got sick of smashing my mouse on my keyboard and switched to an rk61. Now i don't break my mice on my keyboard xD

[@47_-]

I love the rk61 it so good if you mod it

[@vasbyt_official]

Nice review! Has anybody told you your hands look great! 😉

[@Portly]

It has been awhile haha

[@lucianohentenaar3594]

i have these with mulible colors i get it for crismass how is that possible

[@globalmovieman]

rk 61 is sweet so i like it

[@ARVIthereyet]

I have the same board, but my brackets are in the wrong place. Is it possible to change them. Left bracket is where the number 8 is and right is where number 9 is...

[@Portly]

Do you mean the keycaps are in the wrong spot or is it when you press the keys?

[@eddusii]

Saying “ I wouldn’t buy it cause I have better” isn’t really a argument in a review. It’s a 1/10 of the price of the ones you use so yes it’s probably worse. But under 50 do you find anything better? That is the question that should be answered because who ever is seeing this probably DOES NOT HAVE 500$ on their pockets for keyboards :)

[@Portly]

very true! and probably poor wording on my part tbh. its an old video but i believe what I meant was literally I myself, as an owner of better keyboards, would not buy it as a replacement. Looking back I don't really know why I even added that point. These videos were mostly unscripted so I would ramble a lot lol

[@jaskarnnehil4193]

Why is there one that says 2.4ghz and one that is the “ultra compact” one

[@i-ahmed3495]

I have many questions so no1: do u have to plug the keyboard into the PC in order to connect or u connect it through Bluetooth? no2: does the wired version have software like the wired less one? no3: can u make the arrows always activate or u need to click on the fn button in order to use them? please reply cuz I'm going to buy it.

[@Portly]

You can use it wired or wireless, doesn’t have to be one or the other. Software is the same for either version. You can make the arrows always activate without holding Fn. Mine was already set up like that out of the box.

[@i-ahmed3495]

@@Portly thx so much for your response♥

[@buzzsaweverything2502]

does it work with ubuntu 20, 22, and 24?

[@librameraki1518]

I love the sound and how minimalist the keyboard is. I've been planning to buy this Rk61 keyboard for a long time but due to limited budget, I can't even afford one. 🥲 Hopefully, I'll have one on my birthday on the 30th of September. It will surely help me to be more productive at work.

[@jussosa]

I got one on ebay for $39 with free shipping and tax total $42 you just gotta look for open box and good deals

[@videosaintloadingbutiswearif]

is it true this keyboard has high wired latency?

[@brunopires9]

Hi, hey I've seen some people complaing that red switches can cause missclick/doubleclick while resting the hands on it or typping, is it true? Does that happen to you?

[@Portly]

I haven’t used this keyboard since I reviewed it but if it ms Gateron red switches, I’ve never heard of or had that issue

[@Bhaus1]

I heard that this 2.4ghz has a terrible Input lag. Anybody knows more about?

[@J7T800]

The stock stabs honestly surprised me when I got it. They sound so poppy.

[@virave]

How's the keyboard now?

[@animator4103]

2:48 keyboard sound test

[@butsukete1806]

I just want a small wireless keyboard that I can use in the dark for my synthesizer PC. Seems to be cheaper than a lot of other options.

[@Portly]

It’s definitely a solid option for the price!

[@butsukete1806]

Got it today, and this thing is almost too nice just to punch in a couple numbers on my synth. Now I'm thinking about upgrading my main, though I'd go wired on that. On my second Perixx at the moment, it's cheap and it lights up (also I tend to spill drinks).

[@cookiew9552]

@@butsukete1806 did you like the keyboard? im thinking of buying it but im not so sure yet

[@vintosanv7109]

Uh how do I use the Numbers on the keyboard 😧

[@apol4]

Does win 11 work on it?

[@Its_saif_tbh]

Is it hotswap?

[@reborndll]

is it only blue or can it go rainbow

[@fjodormuyllaert]

Can you trust banggood?

[@mikhailbabushkinum]

Yes

[@noface7286]

The RGB versions are the ones that are hotswappable.

[@RealDevilDragon04]

Wait, Really?

[@noface7286]

@@RealDevilDragon04 yeah bro

[@RealDevilDragon04]

@@noface7286 oh nice thx I was bouta buy the non rgb one lol

[@noface7286]

@@RealDevilDragon04 you're welcome bro. enjoy your new keyboard

[@RealDevilDragon04]

Just a quick qt, do you have the rgb version with hot swap and can u put the hot swap version link in ur reply?

[@Patelivision]

Have one of these myself. Only wish that I could easily switch back from bluetooth to the plugged in device. OI have to physically turn off the bluetooth otherwise the keyboard will stay connected to the bluetooth device.

[@clean4253]

Just forget it on whatever you bluetoothed it to

[@briggs5569]

bro those hands

[@beatrice7859]

i’m a student who’s not into keyboards and i’d only need this for typing and possibly programming, is it worth it for me to buy this or should i settle for something cheaper?

[@Portly]

It really depends. With a keyboard like this you’re getting some durability and longevity that comes with mechanical keyboards plus the ability to swap out switches later if something breaks. BUT if that’s not a concern for you, you could totally get but with a cheap membrane keyboard. Mechanical keyboards tend to have a better typing experience but they’re not for everyone

[@beatrice7778]

@@Portly thanks for your response! i ended up getting a dierya dk63 bc it’s cheaper :)

[@hundjsiegfried]

persona - beneath the mask

[@Jefflme_YT]

Cool

[@BoncFan]

I bought one from amazon and returned it because there was no on/off switch on thr back 😢😢

[@Pieteros21]

Version with middle usb is not hot swapp ... usb on left = hot swap :D

[@Portly]

Ahhh good to know!

[@bailey1143]

Where can I find the hot swappable version?

[@teque6029]

If I use it while being wired is it recommended for gaming?? I was also told it works on ps5

[@drippin5762]

yes

[@xyr.2k]

I see that it says US only, can I get it delivered to Canada if I pay for shipping?

[@Portly]

RK is actually hosting the giveaway and they asked me to allow US participants only. Sorry bud

[@hd_gaming1325]

does the rk61 act as a wired keyboard if you just have the usb-c plugged in??

[@Portly]

Yes it does

[@hd_gaming1325]

@@Portly so even if i buy the "wireless" one it acts as wired?? thas sick, does that mean it reduces latency too?

[@vic1640]

do you know how to activate the fn keys? like f4 and f3 all that stuff

[@Portly]

Hold Fn and press the number key you want

[@vic1640]

@@Portly it won’t work 🤧

[@damonke178]

i thought the rk61 has rgb? (or like different lighting colours)

[@Br33ze93]

Yeah it does 😇just have to pay even more for that one haha

[@sean9469]

i got mine today

[@at0mik789]

do u still have it? does it work fine?

[@Gr8FriknApe]

W o O w ! I call BS! This IS totally worth it. With the RK61 I can game wired, bluetooth or dongled 2.4 (oh what a year does for upgraded tech) with pop out tabs for height and a key puller. Why would anyone buy a keyboard with removable switches without a puller in your tool kit. With red switch compatability they can be swapped out to Gateron if your fetish for lubed switches takes you there. Personally, I've found that the Gateron switches do not provide any noticeable advantages while FPSing with the posse using Gateron keys. The stabilizers are near perfect and provide the instant touch the red switches allow while gaming. Quiet and responsive for the speed you need in FPS while not being annoyed by keystrokes. If you're into RGB it's got every mode you need (upgraded for gamers that like pretty, illuminated things). High price is not a necessity for a great 60 percent keyboard. Again, the RK61 (right now, 2023) is the way to go.

[@FS_Asianharel]

whats the best Switchs for gaming on this kyebored?

[@Portly]

Linear switches are popular for gaming. There are a lot of versions of the RK61 but usually Red switches would be the better common switch, but speed silvers are better for gaming if available

[@quoop7106]

does anyone know if you can take of the key caps

[@Portly]

Yes you can

[@ShinreiiTheCat]

does this have a supported software?

[@ZoroRoblox1]

Yes.

[@Anime_goats]

Do u reckon that this is better than the magegee

[@Portly]

It could be but I’m not sure. Never tried the Magegee but honestly a lot of these lower priced keyboards are just OEM rebrands of the same board so it might even be the same lol

[@xNiv]

Does it have a usb dongle… i need it for my ps5

[@Portly]

I think it depends on which version you get. I have different kinds linked in the description. I don’t remember how this one worked lol