Keyboards are getting ridiculously costly, and gaming keyboards doubly so. Roccat desires $230 for its greatest keyboard as a result of it’s actually, actually shiny. Corsair’s is $280, as a result of it’s skinny.  Razer’s costliest mannequin is $250, as a result of it’s Razer. Asus desires the identical for the ROG Azoth…however would possibly truly have the ability to justify it. 

See, the Azoth is certainly a gaming keyboard, however it’s additionally a mechanical fanatic keyboard. It’s packing all of the high-end options like a rotary wheel, pre-lubed switches, PBT keycaps, built-in case foam. And on prime of that it additionally has some critical gaming chops, together with a considerably bodacious built-in OLED display screen. I haven’t seen a type of since earlier than mechanical keyboards turned the norm. 

Price When Reviewed

249.99

Best Prices Today: Asus ROG Azoth keyboard

$249.99

$249.99

Is it price it? Well, sure…should you’re within the very particular area of interest of wanting each an enthusiast-grade mechanical keyboard and a high-end wi-fi gaming keyboard. It’s additionally a fairly nice place to begin if you wish to dive into the deep finish of the mechanical keyboard customizing scene. But a few of its signature options—the display screen and three-way knob specifically—are let-downs. And the horrible software program truly manages to make in any other case good {hardware} materially worse. 

Further studying: See our roundup of the best gaming keyboards to study competing merchandise.

Asus Azoth options

For the sake of brevity, I’m going to listing out the options of the Azoth as a substitute of describing them in prose. Because I ain’t received all day, and neither do you. 

• USB, 2.4GHz wi-fi, and triple-device Bluetooth connection
• Popular 75% structure (solely the correct Shift secret’s non-standard) 
• High-quality PBT keycaps 
• Pre-lubed ROG NX switches and stabilizers 
• Hot-swap change sockets 
• RGB lighting 
• OLED display screen for controls, animations, and system information 
• Three-way management knob 
• Gasket mounting 
• Triple-layer inside case foam 
• Aluminum-polycarbonate physique with dual-stage keyboard ft 
• Onboard reminiscence and on-the-fly macro recording 
• Switch lubing equipment included 

That is a lot of keyboard options, even for the excessive $250 price ticket. It covers roughly all the pieces you may ever need out of each a high-end gaming keyboard and a high-end, pre-made mechanical keyboard, with the potential exception of oddballs like optical switches. “Azoth,” an historical alchemical time period for an end-all, be-all remedy, an “endgame” medication if you’ll, is acceptable. 

I actually can’t resolve what’s the extra outlandish characteristic: an OLED display screen (beforehand seen years in the past on gadgets just like the Logitech G19, or in a newer modular kind in Corsair’s iCue Nexus) or a built-in station that helps you disassemble and lube your switches. And sure, the equipment consists of lube and a brush. 

What is the display screen on the Asus Azoth for?

Let’s concentrate on that display screen, because it’s the obvious standout characteristic. It’s about two inches diagonal, black and white solely—as a result of coloration would simply be ridiculous, proper?—and paired with what Asus calls a “control knob” sitting on the correct aspect of the board. This features a little toggle that may additionally click on in, along with a giant, spherical aspect button. It is NOT a wheel, although it’s the place you’d anticipate a wheel to be on a keyboard like this. 

Michael Crider/Foundry

The display screen switches between pre-programmed features with a press of the large aspect button, at which level the toggle does various things. Pressing the button will cycle via quantity adjustment, multimedia controls, lighting brightness, OLED display screen brightness, and the keyboard’s RGB lighting impact. 

You is likely to be considering, “Hey, there’s nothing in there that I can’t control with standard function keys.” In which case, you’re proper! But on prime of a brand new and extra visible solution to management all these features, when not in energetic use the OLED display screen can show system information like your CPU and GPU temperatures, present a music equalizer, a little bit of {custom} scrolling textual content, or in its most superfluous mode, a pre-made or {custom} animation. These are, principally, display screen savers. 

Frankly, I discovered the display screen an especially superfluous addition to the keyboard. The solely actual profit is a continuing readout of system info, which may simply as simply be proven in-game overlays on the monitor—you already know, that factor your eyes are already . 

Michael Crider/Foundry

But I’d have the ability to ignore this, if it weren’t for the knob. See, in going with a toggle with a click-in perform (type of like a thumbstick on a contemporary recreation controller), Asus has nearly actually re-invented the rotary wheel. That click-in perform—which defaults to a mute button in my most well-liked quantity setting—is extraordinarily finicky, and I usually discovered myself urgent it whereas attempting to boost or decrease the amount. Ergonomically, it’s a step backwards from the extra widespread wheel design. 

Towards the top of my testing interval, I discovered myself going to my custom-bound mouse controls, holding down a thumb button and utilizing the mouse scroll wheel, to vary my quantity. Let me repeat that: I went to a sub-function of mouse controls slightly than the devoted knob that’s purported to make this perform simpler. That’s a giant L when it comes to usability. So probably the most distinctive facets of this keyboard’s bodily design, the display screen and the knob, are superfluous at greatest and actively detrimental at worst.

How is the Asus Azoth as a mechanical board? 

As talked about above, the Azoth ticks just about each single field within the premium boutique mechanical keyboard guidelines. Our evaluation unit got here with Asus’ {custom} NX Brown switches, that are certainly a good bit smoother than abnormal tactile Browns, presumably owing to being lubed from the manufacturing unit. 

Michael Crider/Foundry

The triple-layered inside foam is spectacular—much more than you often get with premium designs—although considerably wasted with tactile switches. If you need a “silent” construct this can be a great spot to start out, simply swap out the switches for something with some sound damping and also you’ll have it about as quiet as it may get. The stabilizers are pre-lubed as effectively for some good, easy journey, and even the area beneath the area bar has some extra-generous foam. 

Michael Crider/Foundry

Stylistically, I’m not in love with the board. The PBT keycaps really feel good, a really tough texture that’s nice for typing. But the legends are very arduous to identify when the backlight isn’t on, and the white printing on the numerical and performance keys clashes with the all-black gamer look. The case has plenty of extraneous geometry, very in step with the ROG theme, however I just like the easy-to-find energy mode change and useful USB dongle each on the highest aspect. Both are nice selections for a board that makes an excellent touring companion. It’s positively chunky and heavy, however lower than it may need been because of a plastic backside. 

Michael Crider/Foundry

In phrases of typing, I discovered no faults. The custom-made switches and gasket mounting give it a premium really feel with medium give. And should you didn’t perceive that sentence, that’s positive, please indulge me in my keyboard nerddom: It’s good. But you’ll should forgive me once more, as a result of Asus embody a complete additional set of instruments on prime of the standard keycap and change puller—a bona fide change lubing station. 

Asus Azoth change lubing equipment

For the uninitiated, it’s potential to (very fastidiously and slowly) disassemble all of the plastic components in a keyboard change and lube them as much as make them really feel much more easy, optionally changing bits just like the stem or the spring from different switches. For these with the time, cash, and saintly endurance, this creates an extremely {custom} expertise. It’s the keyboard equal of custom-tuning your automotive. And whilst a self-avowed mechanical keyboard nut who’s constructed a number of of his personal by hand, I admit I’ve by no means gone this far. 

Michael Crider/Foundry

The lubing station consists of a plastic brace to carry your change, a grabber instrument that can assist you pull it aside and put it again collectively, a tray on which to relaxation your disassembled switches, a brush, and a small little bit of lube in a tube. It must be famous once more right here that every one the switches that include the board and even the stabilizers (these additional bits beneath the lengthy keycaps) are pre-lubed, so should you persist with the Asus switches, you gained’t must mess with any of this for six months to a yr. 

Michael Crider/Foundry

And you gained’t want to take action after that both, as a result of lubing switches is one thing that solely probably the most obsessive keyboard nerds do. But seen as an inclusion for a set that’s meant as an entry level for final customization, it’s a pleasant bonus. Perhaps not so good that I might have paid additional for it, however I actually doubt that’s the case right here—if something’s pushing the worth up it’s that display screen. 

How is the Asus Azoth software program?

So we’ve established that the Azoth is spectacular as a boutique-grade mechanical board. How is it for gaming? Again, fairly darn good. The tactile switches that got here with our evaluation unit aren’t ultimate for fast-paced gameplay, however they’re so easy that I actually didn’t thoughts. The 2.4GHz connection and 1,000Hz polling charge are perfect for a wi-fi board, the battery lasts per week with the lights on and a few U.S. election cycle with the lights off. All fairly nice. 

There is one large draw back for the Azoth, and it applies to each typing lovers and players. It’s Asus Armoury Crate, the administration and driver program. Normally I discover even the worst of those are not less than straightforward to disregard when you’ve arrange your settings the primary time, however that OLED display screen required a bit extra testing and tweaking. And by the way, it’s in all probability why it was unimaginable to make use of one thing common like VIA or QMK, as much less gamer-focused boards do. 

Michael Crider/Foundry

And Armoury Crate is, in no unsure phrases, crap. I by no means managed to open the rattling program with out not less than a minute of ready. Whenever I did, it wished to replace my motherboard (additionally from Asus, and also you marvel why I haven’t put in its Windows driver program?). 

Just discovering the a part of this system that really manages the keyboard is a ache, as a result of this factor can also be attempting to serve up adverts for various Asus {hardware}, create system-wide app-based efficiency profiles, set Asus-brand desktop wallpaper, launch video games from totally different PC recreation shops (in a number of tabs, for some cause), and promote me video games in these shops! 

Asus, what absolutely the hell? You know you’re making gadgets for PC players, proper? PC players who hate software program bloat that slows down their techniques? Who do you assume goes to a driver program trying to purchase new PC video games?! 

Michael Crider/Foundry

Once I managed to truly get into the a part of this program that’s designed to handle the keyboard itself, it’s serviceable. Extremely sluggish and annoying, however serviceable, and it’s the one method you’re going to customise that display screen and management knob. But good grief, that is the worst software program I’ve ever needed to take care of for a PC peripheral, and it’s actively discouraging me from attempting different Asus {hardware}. 

Michael Crider/Foundry

Asus, strip all of the pointless crap out of Armoury Crate on the earliest alternative. Failing that, launch a model that solely manages your {hardware}, and doesn’t attempt to do anything to Windows. Or promote me stuff. Good freakin’ grief. 

Is the Asus Azoth price it?

Asus positions the ROG Azoth as each an entry level for individuals who wish to get into the premium, customizable mechanical keyboard world, and an “endgame” for a similar individuals, an end-all, be-all of mechanical keyboards. 

Michael Crider/Foundry

It isn’t that. Frankly, anybody who’s that obsessive about keyboards goes to go to a gaggle purchase or construct their very own. And should you’re simply interested by this market, you’re not able to drop triple digits on a keyboard anyway—take a look at the excellent and frugal G.Skill KM250, and use the distinction to purchase some enjoyable video games. Or maybe a lubing station and a few additional switches, should you’re actually all-in on the customization.

But as a $250 different to different super-premium keyboards that provide so much much less performance, like Corsair’s K100 Air, the Azoth is fairly good. Premium supplies, an excellent structure, and good extras just like the lubing equipment make this an honest center floor between a premium keyboard for players and for obsessive tweakers. I may take or depart the flamboyant display screen, and I’d a lot slightly have an everyday dial — perhaps a less expensive “Azoth Lite” mannequin with out the OLED and a extra typical dial could be a good suggestion. 

Michael Crider/Foundry

It’s only a disgrace that an in any other case respectable expertise is ruined by such horrible software program. And due to the character of the display screen and knob, you’ll haven’t any selection however to interact with them not less than a number of the time. Asus wants to repair Armoury Crate, or eliminate it completely and exchange it with one thing smaller and fewer scatterbrained. It’s actively hurting the {hardware} it’s purported to be enhancing.