Asus ROG Azoth 96 HE Review: Is This the Ultimate Gaming Keyboard?

Finding the perfect keyboard that bridges high-performance gaming with enthusiast-grade customization is a challenge, but the Asus ROG Azoth 96 HE makes a compelling case for itself with a unique set of advanced features. This model represents a significant shift from earlier Azoth keyboards, moving away from traditional mechanical switches to incorporate Asus’s own ROG HFX V2 Hall effect switches. This change focuses squarely on precision and speed, prioritizing gaming performance over the pronounced tactile feedback some users prefer.

These upgraded switches feature a shorter 3.5mm travel distance and a lighter 32-gram actuation force compared to previous versions. The result is an exceptionally fast and responsive feel, almost like a hair trigger. A major advantage is the unprecedented level of customization; through software, you can adjust the actuation or reset point in incredibly fine 0.01mm increments. The switches use POM stems and a new block design to minimize wobble, contributing to a smooth and satisfying keystroke. Asus has also packed the interior with ample dampening material and gaskets, effectively eliminating case ping and creating a pleasantly bouncy typing sensation.

While built for gamers, the Azoth 96 HE retains enthusiast-friendly elements. It features a hot-swappable PCB, though Asus primarily designs it for compatibility with its own switches rather than universal three or five-pin mechanical ones. This places it in a niche category alongside only a few other keyboards that can handle both Hall effect and standard switches.

In practical gaming tests, the keyboard’s potential is clear. The combination of rapid triggers and customizable actuation points can translate to tangible improvements in reaction times for competitive titles. All this customization is managed through Asus’s web-based Gear Link software, accessed via Armoury Crate. This platform is more responsive than older software and offers deep control, allowing for per-key adjustments, rapid trigger settings, and advanced functions like dynamic keystroke mapping. It also includes SOCD cleaning for rapid strafing, labeled as Speed Tap, though such features risk violating online game policies.

Wireless connectivity is robust, offering both 2.4GHz via a USB-A dongle stored in the keyboard’s base and Bluetooth 5.0. A physical toggle on the rear makes switching simple. Using the 2.4GHz connection enables a remarkable 8000 Hz polling rate for ultra-low latency, a boon for professional gamers despite its impact on battery life. Speaking of battery, expect around 40 hours of use with default settings. Helpful power-saving modes, like a Zone mode that maintains a high polling rate only on WASD keys, can extend this further.

Externally, the keyboard adopts a 96% (or 1800) layout, incorporating a number pad and navigation cluster into a more compact form than a full-sized board. The build quality is solid, with a metal top plate, a plastic base, and durable doubleshot PBT keycaps. A signature OLED screen and control knob on the top right provide convenient at-a-glance information and allow for on-the-fly adjustments to settings like actuation points, which save directly to the board’s onboard memory.

All these capabilities come at a steep cost. The Asus ROG Azoth 96 HE carries a premium price tag of €399, which positions it significantly above many competitors. You can find other high-quality 96% Hall effect keyboards or similarly specced models in smaller form factors for considerably less money. While this is undeniably a fantastic and powerful gaming keyboard, its exceptionally high price is its most substantial drawback, making it a harder sell against more affordable alternatives that offer comparable core performance.

(Source: PC Gamer)