The ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless and ROG Falchion RX Low Profile have taken Asus from a third-player in the gaming keyboard biz to one of its leading lights. What’s more, they’re currently going a little cheaper for October Prime Day.
I’ve had a look around and found the ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless going cheapest over at Amazon. It’s $142 for Prime members, or $150 for anyone brave enough to stick it to the man without a subscription (me).
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That $150 price tag isn’t too uncommon, though. It comes around every so often. If you don’t find this $8 discount convincing then maybe the Falchion will do it for you.
The bigger discount of the two is on the ROG Falchion RX Low Profile. One of my biggest concerns with this 60% size keyboard was its original price, a lofty $170, which is high considering how few keys it offers. Thankfully, I’ve found it going for a lot less. Newegg has it discounted down to $130, a $40 saving. Plus, no Prime membership required—take that, Amazon, you absolute sponge.
To be honest, I’d recommend these two keyboards even without a sale—I do, actually, as they’re both in our guide to the best gaming keyboards, the Strix Scope II 96 in the number one spot and the Falchion as the best low profile.
I’ve used both a bunch and come away seriously impressed. I handed the Strix Scope II 96 a 93% score—I had to cull a couple points for the Armoury Crate app—and the Falchion earned a respectable 88%. The secret to both keyboards’ success are 1) lubed mechanical switches, and 2) quality construction.
They appeal to very different types of gamer, though.
If you’re after an all-round gaming keyboard that absolutely nails the fundamentals, the Strix Scope is the one to go for. It has broad appeal and I’d suggest is a safe pick for a gift for any PC gamer. The compact 96% layout keeps all the important keys around, including a numpad, which means it’s a dab hand for gaming or tirelessly entering digits on a spreadsheet—sadly my job actually means I do more of the latter than the former 🙁
Meanwhile, the Falchion is a better pick if you’ve only limited space, you prefer low profile for its easy ergonomics, or you tend to gesticulate wildly with your mouse while gaming. All good reasons to grab a compact 60% keyboard. The Falchion also offers clever media controls through a slider hidden on the rear. I thought I’d dislike this the first time I pulled the keyboard out of its box, but it really grew on me.
That said, if this feels like too much cash to spend on such a teeny board, I don’t blame you. In that case, could I recommend our favorite budget keyboard right now, the Mountain 60, which also earned a healthy 96% score in our review?
The Mountain 60 has recently dropped down to around $50. That’s a pretty steady price, too, not just for Prime Day. It’s mechanical, offers RGB lighting, hot-swappable switches—the lot. Just great value.
