There’s something undeniably satisfying about finding a product that feels like it was made just for you. That’s exactly how I felt when I got my hands on the RK Royal Kludge M70, a keyboard that blends retro charm with modern functionality in a way that just clicks—literally and figuratively. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill keyboard; it’s a statement piece. With its creamy brown tones, sturdy build, and thoughtful design quirks, the M70 stands out in a sea of boring black-and-gray mechanical keyboards. And at $69.99, it doesn’t break the bank either.
So yeah, this keyboard hits different. It’s stylish without being pretentious, functional without being overhyped, and affordable without feeling cheap. If you’ve been searching for something that adds personality to your desk setup without compromising on performance, the RK Royal Kludge M70 might just be the answer.
Key Features
First off, let’s talk about how this thing looks. The M70 has this creamy brown color scheme that screams late ’70s or early ’80s. Think earthy tones, warm vibes, and a natural wedge shape that gives it an old-school console feel. For anyone who digs the retro aesthetic—like fans of vintage Nintendo consoles or classic typewriters—it’s hard not to fall for this design. The colors are rich without being loud, and there’s even some multicolor accents on the bottom that add a playful touch. The whole thing feels premium but understated, which is a tricky balance to strike. You can tell RK put thought into every detail, right down to the little metal badge on the back that adds a dash of class.
Now, onto what really matters—the typing experience. The M70 uses linear switches that aren’t too light or overly heavy, hitting that sweet spot for people who prefer a solid keypress. Personally, I’m not a fan of feather-light switches because they lack substance, but these? These feel confident under your fingers. Each press feels deliberate, almost like the keyboard is giving you feedback before you even hear the click.
And speaking of feedback, the sound profile here is excellent. There’s no rattle or hollow noise when you type, thanks to the incredibly sturdy construction. This isn’t some flimsy plastic board—it’s built like a brick, with zero flex in the frame. When you’re hammering away at keys, it feels structured and reliable, which makes typing long documents or coding sessions way less fatiguing.
One feature that caught my eye (and thumb) was the split space bar. Instead of having one big space bar stabilized by tiny bars underneath, RK decided to split it into two separate keys. At first, I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about this since most of us are used to slamming the center of the space bar. But after testing it out, I realized something surprising—I never actually used the left side of the space bar until now. Turns out, I’m a full-on right-space-bar person. Who knew? Having dedicated switches for each half means no wobble, no weird tilting, and a more stable typing experience overall. It’s such a small change, but it makes a huge difference.
Another standout aspect of the M70 is its versatility. You’ve got options galore: connect via Bluetooth, or go wired if you want zero lag during intense gaming sessions. There’s also a handy mode indicator that tells you whether you’re running Windows or Mac compatibility, along with battery percentage info so you won’t get caught off guard.
Speaking of batteries, the inclusion of RGB lighting might seem odd for a retro-themed keyboard, but RK nailed it. The backlighting is vibrant yet tasteful, and unlike other dark-colored boards where RGB gets lost, the M70 lets the lights shine through beautifully. From static colors to dynamic effects, there’s plenty to play around with, though personally, I stuck with a simple amber glow that matched the keyboard’s earthy vibe.
Let’s not forget the media controls either. A scroll wheel sits front and center above the arrow keys, perfect for adjusting volume or skipping tracks. Pressing down mutes audio instantly, which is clutch when you’re watching videos and don’t want to fumble through function keys. Dedicated arrow keys, delete, home, page up, and page down buttons round out the layout, making it ideal for productivity junkies. Sure, there’s no numpad, but honestly, who needs one when external pads exist?
Final Thoughts
At $69.99, the RK Royal Kludge M70 punches way above its weight. Most keyboards in this price range skimp on materials or rely heavily on flashy gimmicks to stand out. Not this one. Every part of the M70 feels intentional, from the satisfyingly chunky switches to the clever split space bar and the smooth-as-butter scroll wheel. Even the packaging reflects care and attention to detail, reinforcing the idea that RK isn’t just slapping together parts—they’re crafting an experience.
If you’re tired of boring black-and-gray keyboards flooding the market, the RK Royal Kludge M70 offers a refreshing alternative. It manages to be both functional and stylish, practical and fun, affordable and premium. For anyone wanting to inject some personality into their workspace without sacrificing performance, this keyboard deserves serious consideration.
