ASUS ROG Azoth Keyboard Review

Introduction

Welcome, fellow gamers and keyboard enthusiasts! Today, I’m thrilled to share my personal experience with the ASUS ROG Azoth Keyboard, a shining gem in the realm of gaming peripherals. If you’re like me, you know that a good keyboard can make or break your gaming experience. From the sound of the keystrokes to the feel of the keys, every detail matters. So, let’s embark on this detailed journey through the ASUS ROG Azoth Keyboard Review, and see what this compact marvel has to offer.

Unboxing: First Impressions Matter

The excitement began right when the package arrived. ASUS has done a fantastic job with the packaging, giving it a premium feel right from the start. Inside the box, you’ll find the ASUS ROG Azoth keyboard itself, along with an impressive DIY lubing kit. This includes a switch opener, keycap puller, switch puller, lube station, brush, and a bottle of Krytox GPL-205-GD0 lubricant. ASUS clearly wants you to dive into the DIY aspect of this keyboard right away.

Design and Build Quality: Solid as a Rock

The first thing that struck me about the ASUS ROG Azoth was its robust build. The keyboard has a compact 75% form factor, which means it retains all the essential keys without the bulk of a full-sized keyboard. Perfect for someone like me who appreciates a tidy desk setup. The build quality is top-notch, with a solid feel that promises durability. The textured PBT keycaps add a premium touch, ensuring that they won’t shine or wear out over time.

The gasket-mounted design and layers of sound-dampening materials are the real stars here. ASUS has incorporated poron foam and silicone layers inside the keyboard, which not only enhance the typing feel but also significantly reduce noise. Typing on the ASUS ROG Azoth is a joy, with a satisfying thock sound that is music to any mechanical keyboard enthusiast’s ears.

Customization: Make It Yours

Customization is where the ASUS ROG Azoth truly shines. The keyboard comes with hot-swappable ROG NX Red switches, which are pre-lubed for smoother clicks and reduced noise. If you’re a fan of tinkering, you’ll love the ease with which you can swap out the switches. The included DIY lubing kit is a game-changer, allowing you to maintain and customize your switches to your heart’s content. Just remember, don’t swap switches with the keyboard turned on – we don’t want any short circuits!

The programmable OLED display is another fantastic feature. This 2-inch panel can show a variety of settings, media visualizations, and even system monitoring stats. The three-way control knob makes it easy to adjust RGB settings, media controls, and more on the fly. It’s a small but mighty addition that adds a touch of personalization to your setup.

Performance: Game On!

When it comes to performance, the ASUS ROG Azoth doesn’t disappoint. The keyboard offers ROG SpeedNova wireless technology, which provides up to 2,000+ hours of stable, near-zero-latency gameplay in 2.4 GHz RF mode. This means you can enjoy uninterrupted gaming sessions without worrying about lag or connectivity issues.

The low latency performance is exceptional, making it ideal for fast-paced gaming where every millisecond counts. The keyboard also features N-Key Rollover (NKRO), ensuring that every keystroke is registered accurately, no matter how fast you type. This is crucial for gaming, where missed inputs can mean the difference between victory and defeat.

Typing Experience: A Typist’s Delight

While the ASUS ROG Azoth is designed with gamers in mind, it’s also a fantastic keyboard for typing. The pre-lubed ROG NX Red switches provide a smooth and consistent keystroke feel, making typing a pleasure. The sound-dampening layers further enhance the experience by reducing the noise, so you won’t disturb your housemates or coworkers.

However, the high-profile design can be a bit tiring for extended typing sessions if you’re not using a wrist rest. I found that adding a wrist rest significantly improved comfort during long typing marathons. So, if you’re planning to use this keyboard for both gaming and typing, I highly recommend investing in a good wrist rest.

RGB Lighting: Let There Be Light

No gaming keyboard review would be complete without discussing the RGB lighting, and the ASUS ROG Azoth doesn’t disappoint here either. The keyboard features full RGB backlighting with shine-through legends, providing a vibrant and customizable lighting experience. The ASUS Aura Sync software allows you to customize the lighting to match your setup or mood, with a variety of effects and colors to choose from.

Whether you prefer a subtle glow or a full-on light show, the ASUS ROG Azoth has you covered. The RGB lighting is bright and even, with no noticeable hotspots or dim areas. It’s a great way to add a touch of flair to your gaming setup and immerse yourself in the gaming experience.

Connectivity: Versatile and Reliable

The ASUS ROG Azoth offers versatile connectivity options, making it suitable for a variety of setups. You can connect it via Bluetooth, USB 2.0, or 2.4 GHz RF mode. The ability to pair with up to three devices simultaneously via Bluetooth is a handy feature, allowing you to switch between devices with ease. This is particularly useful if you’re using the keyboard with a gaming console, PC, and a mobile device.

However, it’s worth noting that the keyboard’s high-profile design and considerable weight make it less suited for on-the-go use. It’s best enjoyed as a stationary keyboard for your gaming or work setup. The wireless performance is stable and reliable, ensuring that you won’t experience any connectivity issues during intense gaming sessions.

Office Use: A Mixed Bag

While the ASUS ROG Azoth is primarily designed for gaming, it’s also a capable keyboard for office use. The excellent build quality and sound-dampening features make it a joy to type on, even in a quiet office environment. However, the compact design lacks a Numpad, which can be a drawback if you do a lot of data entry.

The high-profile design can also be tiring for long typing sessions without a wrist rest. If you’re planning to use this keyboard for office work, I recommend getting a wrist rest to improve comfort. Despite these minor drawbacks, the ASUS ROG Azoth is a solid choice for office use, thanks to its excellent build quality and customizable features.

Programming: Code with Confidence

For programmers, the ASUS ROG Azoth offers a fantastic typing experience. The pre-lubed switches and sound-dampening layers provide a smooth and quiet typing experience, allowing you to focus on your code. The programmable OLED display is a handy feature, allowing you to monitor system stats or display custom messages.

While the keyboard lacks dedicated macro keys, you can record macros directly on the keyboard or with the customization software. This makes it easy to automate repetitive tasks and streamline your workflow. The compact design is also a plus, freeing up desk space for other essentials.

Price: You Get What You Pay For

Let’s address the elephant in the room – the price. The ASUS ROG Azoth is a premium keyboard, and it comes with a premium price tag to match. However, considering the build quality, features, and customization options, I believe it’s worth the investment. This is not just a keyboard; it’s a customizable tool that can be tailored to your preferences, providing an unparalleled gaming and typing experience.

Pros and Cons: A Quick Recap

Before we wrap up, let’s quickly recap the pros and cons of the ASUS ROG Azoth.

Pros:

  • Excellent build quality
  • Exceptionally low latency
  • Pre-lubed switches and stabilizers
  • Programmable OLED display
  • Full RGB backlighting
  • Hot-swappable switches
  • DIY lubing kit included

Cons:

  • High-profile design can be tiring without a wrist rest
  • Lacks a Numpad
  • Premium price tag

Final Thoughts: The Verdict

So, after spending quality time with the ASUS ROG Azoth, what’s the final verdict? In my opinion, the ASUS ROG Azoth is a fantastic choice for gamers and keyboard enthusiasts alike. Its excellent build quality, low latency performance, and customization options make it a standout in the crowded market of gaming keyboards.

While the high-profile design and lack of a Numpad might be drawbacks for some, the overall experience more than makes up for these minor issues. If you’re looking for a keyboard that offers a premium typing and gaming experience, the ASUS ROG Azoth is definitely worth considering.

Recommendation

If you’re in the market for a high-quality, customizable gaming keyboard, I highly recommend giving the ASUS ROG Azoth a try. Its combination of build quality, performance, and customization options make it a worthy addition to any gaming setup. Just don’t forget to grab a wrist rest for those extended gaming or typing sessions!

And there you have it – my detailed ASUS ROG Azoth Keyboard Review. I hope this article has helped you get a better understanding of what this keyboard has to offer. Happy gaming, and may your keystrokes always be swift and precise!