Head-to-head · Best Mechanical Keyboards Under $100

HyperX Alloy Origins Core vs Royal Kludge RK61

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Royal Kludge RK61 comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.1 vs 4.2). The gap is mostly about Budget-conscious users needing a compact, multi-device wireless keyboard — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #3 in Best Mechanical Keyboards Under $100

HyperX Alloy Origins Core

4.1

6 sources$79.99as of Aug 1

A solid aluminum body and smooth HyperX Red switches are what reviewers like about the Alloy Origins Core, a tenkeyless board that types well and saves desk space. Holding it back: no dedicated software for macros, and a cable you can't detach.

Strengths

— Compact tenkeyless (TKL) design saves significant desk space
— HyperX Red linear switches provide smooth, consistent keystrokes
— Solid aircraft-grade aluminum frame ensures durability and stability

Watch-outs

— Software's macro interface is limited for advanced programming
— Non-detachable USB-C cable limits portability and cable management options

$79.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Mechanical Keyboards Under $100

Royal Kludge RK61

4.2

4 sources3 derived$44.99as of Aug 1

Multi-device Bluetooth and double-shot keycaps for very little money make the Royal Kludge RK61 a compelling budget 60%. What buyers accept in return is inconsistent quality control and no software for layer customization. A good entry-level choice if you are willing to gamble on getting a good unit, less so if you need reliability or advanced programmability.

Strengths

— Supports multi-device Bluetooth connectivity to pair with up to three devices simultaneously
— Includes double-shot ABS keycaps that prevent legend fading despite being lower-cost plastic
— Features a centered USB-C port for convenient wired connection and charging

Watch-outs

— Quality control is inconsistent with reports of units failing or battery issues after some time
— Lacks software support for customizing the secondary function layer on the 60% layout
— Single-color backlight versions do not support software customization or RGB effects

$44.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

HyperX Alloy Origins Core

The HyperX Alloy Origins Core provides a solid aircraft-grade aluminum frame and smooth linear switches, offering better structural rigidity than the Keychron V1 and Royal Kludge RK61. While it matches the Logitech G413 in build quality, it surpasses it with customizable per-key RGB lighting, though it still lacks the wireless connectivity and deep software customization of the Keychron V1.

Royal Kludge RK61

Unlike the full-sized Logitech G413 or the tenkeyless HyperX Alloy Origins Core, the Royal Kludge RK61 offers a compact 60% layout with multi-device Bluetooth connectivity. However, it lacks the robust software ecosystem found in the Keychron V1 and the consistent build quality of the Logitech G413, making it a riskier choice for users prioritizing reliability.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	HyperX Alloy Origins Core	Royal Kludge RK61
Form Factor	Tenkeyless (TKL)	60% Compact
Switch Type	HyperX Red Linear	RK Red, Blue, Brown
Connectivity	Wired USB-C	Bluetooth 5.0 (3 devices) + Wired USB-C
Backlighting	RGB with 16.8M colors	Single Color (Blue/White) or RGB (depending on variant)
Keycap Material	ABS	Double-shot ABS Plastic
Battery Life	None	—
Keys	61	61
Keycaps	ABS doubleshot	ABS doubleshot
Polling Rate	1000 Hz	1000 Hz
Weight	1.98 lb	1.24 lb
Dimensions	15.4"L x 6.8"W x 1.8"H	—

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