I can admit when I’m wrong — this 75% wireless gaming keyboard is way better than I thought it would be

by

Over the past couple of years, I’ve developed a sincere affection for ASUS laptops. However, it’s important to be open about my feelings regarding their accessories – they haven’t particularly impressed me thus far. In my evaluations, such as the ASUS ROG Delta II gaming headset, the company hasn’t made a significant impact.

Initially, I wasn’t very optimistic about the ASUS ROG Azoth X, a high-end wireless gaming keyboard, as it was competing with established brands such as Razer. However, after using it for some time, I must confess that ASUS exceeded my expectations.

Personally speaking, while I appreciate the ROG Azoth X, it’s not a keyboard I’d recommend to everyone just yet, given its $300 price tag and some noticeable flaws. However, I must admit that I find myself intrigued by this device and eagerly looking forward to seeing more accessory offerings from ASUS in the future.

A divisive design backed by actually good hardware

On this occasion, I consented to evaluate the ASUS ROG Azoth X primarily due to its unique yet contentious design. At its foundation lies a sleek, white keyboard. The standard keycap set from ASUS, with its black, vibrant reds, and soft blue shades, creates an intriguing blend that’s somewhat chaotic yet beautiful, adorned with familiar ROG symbols.

It’s understandable if someone finds this design unappealing, just as it’s understandable if someone likes it. Notably, ASUS continues to maintain a distinctive “gamer” look, and in the Azoth X, I believe this style is quite fitting.

The Azoth X absolutely looks the part, but it doesn’t feel quite as premium as it should.

This keyboard primarily uses plastic for its construction, but it’s assembled quite solidly. However, it doesn’t quite give the premium feel you’d expect from a $300 device. Despite this, ASUS hasn’t skimped on internal quality. You’ll find a gasket-mounted design with five sound-absorbing layers, an FR4 positioning plate, a south-facing PCB, translucent dye-sublimated keycaps that extend over three sides, an integrated OLED display and control dial, and the smooth, responsive ROG NX V2 Mechanical Switches from ASUS.

The ROG Azoth X offers a USB-C port for charging and data transfer, a designated space for your 2.4GHz wireless receiver, a toggle switch to manage various connection modes including Bluetooth, adjustable stands in two stages, and a color-coordinated silicone wrist rest. As an added bonus, the package includes keys compatible with both Windows and macOS, as well as a dual-function tool for changing keycaps and switches.

In essence, I appreciate both the aesthetics and the hardware, but could you tell me about your experience when using this keyboard? To put it simply, I’m quite fond of it too.

Using the ROG Azoth X for typing and gaming is delightful. The design is intuitive and well-marked, the switches offer a consistent, responsive feel, the keycaps boast a tactile texture that resists fingerprints and smudges, and the sound of typing is excellent (though the spacebar is significantly louder than the other keys, which can be slightly bothersome).

Using this keyboard, particularly with that spacebar, may not be my absolute preferred typing experience, but the Azoth X still ranks quite high for me.

The performance is outstanding, and notably, the ROG Azoth X includes a feature known as “Speed Tap” – this is essentially a recently popularized priority-based keystroke function that is commonly found in top-tier gaming keyboards today.

Through the robust Armoury Crate software from ASUS, you can customize everything you require. If your possession is limited to just one ASUS product, there’s also a lightweight web-based version available for convenience. On the other hand, if you own multiple ASUS products, you have the option to connect an additional supported ASUS accessory to the Azoth X’s wireless dongle, thereby freeing up an extra port.

Honestly, I’ve really enjoyed this keyboard… so, what’s the catch?

You don’t need to spend $300 on a keyboard, and there’s a better option if you do

It’s quite apparent that the high price tag of around $300 attached to the ASUS ROG Azoth X immediately reveals its main disadvantage. Few individuals are ready to invest such an amount solely in a keyboard, particularly when there are numerous fantastic alternatives available at significantly lower prices.

To give you a single illustration, I recently evaluated the Keychron K8 HE, an 80% keyboard priced at around $130. It comes equipped with hot-swappable magnetic switches and keycaps, per-key RGB illumination, multiple connectivity modes, and software that can be accessed online. However, I’m not convinced the Azoth X is worth an additional $170 in terms of improved quality, at least based on my current assessment.

The Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% is this keyboard at this price, but better.

If you’re aiming for top quality and are prepared to invest in it, there’s another keyboard I prefer over the ASUS ROG Azoth X that I’ve reviewed, and that’s the Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%.

Or simply:

Despite the ASUS ROG Azoth X being a top-tier choice, I personally recommend the Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% more.

The keyboard you’re referring to retails at around $300, and while that might seem steep, it offers a number of advantages over the Azoth X. For starters, its design is sleeker, and the build quality is significantly higher. Typing and gaming experiences are noticeably superior on this model. The RGB lighting is brighter and more vibrant, adding a touch of style to your setup. Additionally, the software for this keyboard packs in more features than what you’d find with the Azoth X. Despite its high price tag, I believe it justifies the cost more effectively than the Azoth X does.

This keyboard truly excels in durability compared to other choices, leaving me impressed by its longevity on a single charge, especially with the RGB lighting activated. Kudos to ASUS for focusing on that aspect.

ROG Azoth X review: My final thoughts

✅You should buy this if …

  • You love the distinct multi-tone design and keycap set.
  • You other ASUS products and want everything under the same roof.
  • You don’t mind dropping $300 just for that little extra something.

❌You should not buy this if …

  • You want a keyboard that offers great bang for your buck.
  • You can get the Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% for the same price.

Upon learning the actual price of the ASUS ROG Azoth X and considering some past experiences with ASUS accessories, my expectations were significantly reduced. However, after using this keyboard extensively, I must admit I’ve been won over – though the $300 price tag remains a bit painful.

The construction could be improved, the usefulness of the OLED display remains questionable (it’s a common issue with keyboards featuring an OLED display), the spacebar feels significantly distinct from other keys, the RGB illumination lacks intensity, and the design is polarizing. While these minor flaws may not seem significant individually, they become more noticeable when considering the high price tag.

The Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% may have some notable flaws, but it’s generally a superior keyboard. If you’re willing to spend $300, I’d recommend opting for this one. However, if you’re not ready to shell out that much, perhaps you should reconsider your priorities here. If you’re in the middle ground and find the ROG Azoth X on sale, it’s a great keyboard indeed.

Currently, you have two options to purchase the ASUS ROG Azoth X wireless gaming keyboard. You can buy it for $299.99 on BestBuy.com, or alternatively, you can also find it available for the same price at Amazon.com.

Read More

2025-08-02 16:11