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If you're on the hunt for a cheap and cheerful gaming keyboard that will see you through the next few years of play without a hefty up front price tag, you might as well stop reading right now.
If you're looking to invest in a high-end magnetic deck that offers a better typing experience than any I've tested so far, while still packing premium features like wireless play, an actually usable OLED display, and super slick customization features, there's something I need you to see.
I finished testing the Asus ROG Azoth 96 HE earlier this year, and it's stuck around in my setup. Those super smooth switches, the clean and easy 2.4GHz connection, even the comfortable 96% key spacing (not to be taken for granted) make it not just the best Hall effect keyboard I've tested, but one of the best gaming keyboards on the market right now.
There's just one problem, this thing will run you a whopping $359.99 at MSRP. I'd avoid that. Instead, Amazon has just dropped the magnetic clacker back down to its lowest price yet, hitting $295.99 for only the second time in its life. You're still paying a premium, but with just over $60 off it's a little easier to grab my endgame keeb.
Let me get one thing straight. This is a gaming keyboard for those who already know they're going all in on magnetic switches. Even at $300, it's in a different pricing league to 99% of the rest of the market - the Corsair Vanguard Pro 96, my top gaming keyboard overall, makes some smart sacrifices to keep its MSRP at $230 (and it's even currently on sale for $189.99 at Amazon).
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All of that to say, this is the Hall effect keyboard for those who don't want to make sacrifices. The wireless connection (both 2.4GHz and Bluetooth) isn't necessary by any stretch of the imagination, but it is rare to find and the battery holds up better than the Ducky One X.
You'll find a neat little OLED display window on a lot of gaming keyboards, but the ROG Azoth 96 HE's incorporates far more control features, from music playback to onboard switch actuation customization. Corsair's is essentially a digital photo frame.
And the typing experience. If you've used a cheaper HE deck, you'll know the woolly, stuffy feeling that's plagued these boards since they first went mainstream a couple of years ago. Paying $100 to $200 for a magnetic deck from this time last year will see you fighting through high-tension keys and battling fatigue in the meantime. Asus's ROG HFX V2 switches (the same ones used on the even more expensive Asus ROG Falcata) are silky by comparison, feeling almost mechanical in their snap.
The only thing holding the Asus ROG Azoth 96 HE back is its price point. It's just too expensive for the majority of the market, but if you're interested in the Lambo of magnetic decks, this is a must-see discount.
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I'm also hunting down all the best wireless gaming keyboards and the best hot-swappable keyboards for more options.
