RTX 5090 price hikes will sting anyone who absolutely needs to jam the GPU into their rig right now, and beating the increases is tough. In fact, it's so tough that even if you manage to snag the graphics card before on-page MSRPs change, you might still end up having to pay over $5,000, especially since Asus is apparently "late" in providing Nvidia with revised figures.

Look, no one should expect to pay dramatically less for an RTX 5090 right now, as it's the best graphics card in terms of performance and is sought after by gaming PC players and the AI scene alike. But one player did technically manage to grab the GPU for $4,982 rather than $5,100, beating fresh Asus price hikes through Nvidia's listing, and while that should have saved the buyer around $553, the order was then cancelled.

Reddit user Independantok1031 says they reached out to Nvidia after their ROG Astral RTX 5090 BTF order was cancelled, which seemingly kickstarted a wave of finger-pointing (via Videocardz). Nvidia apparently says the blame lies with Asus, whereas the board partner claims it has "nothing to do with it." Eventually, the buyer managed to get a more in-depth explanation from Nvidia, but no one is still willing to fulfill the order.

"After checking with ASUS for clarification, we were informed that the price change update was provided a little late," admits Nvidia. "As a result, when you placed the order at the order price, ASUS cancelled the order because they were unable to fulfil it at the previous price rate."

"We understand your frustration, especially since the order was placed before the updated price appeared on our website. We did request ASUS to honor your original order; however, they are unable to fulfil the request at the previous price at this time."

Simply put, neither Nvidia nor Asus is willing to work together to correct their mistake. The fact that Nvidia, a company valued at over 5 trillion, didn't offer to make up the $553 difference is ludicrous, especially since the pricing error was through its site specifically, and Asus seems to be refusing to set a pricing precedent.

The whole situation actually highlights one of the horrifying realities of buying anything online. If you walked into a physical store in the US or the UK and picked up this same RTX 5090 at its old MSRP, no one would legally be able to stop you from leaving. However, in both regions, retailers can cancel and refund your money if you've paid less than they intended, because the transition is technically complete only once an order has shipped.

Ultimately, it's the customer who is losing out while Nvidia and Asus seemingly refuse to work on their communication issues. Either company can pass the blame between themselves perpetually, but ultimately, the instance demonstrates that there are big issues with the third-party storefront partnership, and the RTX 5090 pricing should have been honored since it's an internal mistake.

Should Nvidia have covered the cost of the RTX 5090 despite claiming Asus provided it with pricing updates late? I suspect there's a wider logistical problem behind the scenes here, as I really can't see why neither party would simply come up with a solution in the name of good customer service, especially if it was just the one instance. Instead, the unsuspecting PC player was subjected to a professionally catty back-and-forth blame game that resolved nothing, and that isn't a remotely good look.

Swing by the best CPU for gaming and best RAM if you're trying to build an entire rig.

The decision to investigate the Asus ROG NUC won't be made on value. After all, this compact mini system is never going to compete with the best gaming PCs for cooling, upgradeability, or price-performance ratios. It's playing in a slightly different arena, one that purveyors of gaming laptops are more likely to spectate.

Mini PCs are rapidly growing in popularity, and it's got nothing to do with the Steam Machine. These rigs are seeing upticks everywhere, from productivity to creative workflows, and now gaming. Those who don't want to dedicate a filing cabinet's worth of space to a loud, hot, finnicky tower are turning to something a little more versatile, already configured with everything you need, but ultimately more expensive for the privilege.

While everyday mini PCs can represent excellent value for the more casual productivity user, though, gaming systems are a different beast entirely. Valve's rig runs on its own custom AMD chip, the Asus ROG NUC uses a full set of up-to-date (though, this being the 2025 model, not the latest in the CPU world) mobile AMD, Intel, and Nvidia components. It's a laptop, without the lap. That adds some zeroes to the final price tag, but is that comfortable form factor ultimately worth it? I've ditched my hunt for the best gaming laptops for two weeks to find out.

Asus ROG NUC configurations

The Asus ROG NUC takes an expansive aim across the market, utilizing mobile parts starting from mid-range RTX 5060 / Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX options and moving to the upper heights of the RTX 5080 and AMD Ryzen 9 99HX3D. Will you find pre-builts with desktop pieces for less? Yes, but this rig isn't designed for those choosing between and mini and a full sized PC.

Those numbers climb pretty quickly. An RTX 5080 model will set you back well over $5,000 with all the trimmings, that's top-spec Alienware cash. At its cheapest, you're looking at $2,399 for an RTX 5060, Intel Core Ultra 7, and 16GB RAM. That's not only more than double the price of the Steam Machine, it's double what you'd usually pay for a full prebuilt with similar specs.

You're not paying for component value in these configurations, then, but those intrigued by the Asus ROG NUC's compact form factor are well served by a breadth of options.

Asus ROG NUC performance

In true RTX 5070 fashion, the cheaper configuration I've been testing manages to hit everything thrown at it in both FHD and QHD, only ever wavering below that 60fps threshold in more demanding top-resolution runs like Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered and Cyberpunk 2077.

This is a system designed to accommodate QHD resolutions, so cranking things up to 4K will hurt a little. However, for everyday runs of demanding, modern titles, it's impressive that this little fella can keep up.

This being a mobile RTX 5070, we're a little behind the kinds of results we've seen from full desktop configurations. Still, the Asus ROG NUC manages to keep a decent pace with these larger builds, even if more demanding runs take a hit. While the numbers won't impress anyone coming from a full tower, a solid set of 60fps+ at High settings holds down the fort nicely.

Synthetic benchmarks reveal the sacrifice of that mobile GPU a little more clearly. When comparing the desktop card to AMD's Radeon RX 7900, we found it pulled in 4929 in Steel Nomad tests; here it's sitting at 3280. Just as physical size is erring on the side of the laptop rather than the desktop, our synthetic benchmark scores show performance leaning in the same direction.

Still, comparing those components like-for-like in more portable machines paints a slightly brighter picture. Putting those numbers up alongside the Razer Blade 14 and Acer Predator Triton 14 AI (two similarly premium, compact gaming machines) reveals a slight uptick across Steel Nomad, Time Spy, and Fire Strike. Even if the Asus ROG Strix G16 manages to slide in above it in one run.

On the CPU side of things, the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D scored 2,912 in its single-core tests and 24,371 in its multi-core outings across Geekbench 7. That's about right for the mobile CPU, suggesting there's nothing untoward happening that could limit it in this form factor.

Asus ROG NUC benefits

A far more manageable PC experience

Desktop towers are hot, power hungry, chunky beasts. Anyone without the space to dedicate to a 60 litre tank will be grateful for the Asus ROG NUC's slimline form factor. This thing sits calmly in the corner, not even the size of a PS5 Slim.

That's a compelling use-case, albeit one that very few players will likely be willing to fork out this amount of cash for. Asus doesn't exactly have a captive audience here, most desks will accommodate a PC case underneath and most players are going to side with the less expensive option. There are only a few of us who truly need the kind of space saving alternative Asus has provided.

That said, the ROG NUC does look fantastic, with its clean angular lines, bold RGB side lighting (customizable, of course). Coming from the world of gaming laptops there are more benefits to that design than PC builders may first consider.

More expansive port selection than a laptop

Whenever I'm not testing a laptop directly on the machine itself, it's connected to an external monitor, keyboard, mouse, chair, Stream Deck, speaker, controller and whatever other accessories have made their way onto my desk on any given day. That means I need to rely on the extra USB-A ports on my Razer Laptop Cooling Pad, as well as an external USB-4 dock. Some day (and it will be soon), I'll run out of space.

I didn't expect to find the ports on the Asus ROG NUC to be one of the biggest benefits to swapping laptop life for mini PC life. Two USB-As and a USB-C on the front take care of the gadgets I'm regularly swapping out. Meanwhile, the rear side takes care of all my more permanent USB cables, with an abundance of display connections that would have made my multi-monitor days a lot more enjoyable (and probably last longer).

Boosted performance over Steam Machine

Yes, the Asus ROG NUC costs more than double the Steam Machine, but you're getting performance you just won't find in Valve's rig. They've got different plans, sure. Valve wants its box next to a TV, running in 1080p. Asus is parking its NUC on your desk, pushing 1440p and, in more expensive configurations, 4K resolutions on demanding games.

The Steam Machine won't get near 60fps in RT: Ultra at 1440p, by all accounts you'll be lucky to see 20fps at the end of that benchmark. Without that workhorse architecture, Valve's competitor has to take aim at a more casual 1080p market and that's fair enough - but the Asus ROG NUC still offers a more compelling set of specs for those sourcing a QHD rig rather than picking up a living room console equivalent.

Asus ROG NUC drawbacks

Not as living-room-worthy as Steam Machine

As you'd expect a mini PC to, the Asus ROG NUC runs on Windows... which isn't great news for those hunting down a more powerful Steam Machine alternative. It means no easy waking from a controller, a few more steps before hitting Steam, and fewer automatic driver updates. It's certainly possible to keep this box next to your TV, but you'll need to keep a mouse and keyboard handy as well. It's missing those quality of life features baked into Valve's console replacement, by virtue of the fact it's been designed as a different device entirely.

Component value struggles to stack up

That's not as big a problem as the ultimate value of the cost you're paying here. An RTX 5070 gaming laptop like this would likely run you between $1,800 and $2,400 when the sales align right now. A desktop PC sits at around $1,600 to $2,300. The Asus ROG NUC carries its compact premium to the tune of between $1,000 and $400 more than you'll pay for similar specs in a different form factor.

It's not just the figures either. Those desktop rates are for full-fat desktop components, seated in a chassis that can handle bigger power better with more space and cooling tech. There's no getting around the fact that a tower will likely cost you less while giving more from a performance standpoint.

Should you buy the Asus ROG NUC?

All that boils down to one question, should you actually be buying Asus's baby PC? When I first looked at those costs shortly after unboxing this rig, I thought I knew the answer. $2,800 for a mobile RTX 5070 without the portability of a gaming laptop or the engineering of a tower seemed laughable two weeks ago. After kicking the foldables to the curb, 90% of me still agrees. But that 10% fits a very specific user.

I'd recommend the Asus ROG NUC as an alternative to anyone looking to invest in an 18-inch desktop replacement gaming laptop, specifically because they lack the desk space for a full tower. If you're buying a rig like that you likely have a fair whack of budget behind you and you're not going to be taking your machine on the road with you so much anyway.

In that scenario, the connection, layout, and form factor benefits of the Asus ROG NUC shine their brightest. In any other, there are better options out there.

How I tested the Asus ROG NUC

I swapped out my laptop setup for the Asus ROG NUC for two weeks, running all my daily work and play through the device. During everyday play, the NUC was running Doom: The Dark Ages, Farming Simulator 25, and Planet Coaster 2 with more dedicated benchmarking across Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Total War: Three Kingdoms, Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, and Cyberpunk 2077.

Each test was run at both 1080p and 1440p at each game's high and highest graphical settings, repeated three times with a final average taken as the result. The system was also tested across 3D Mark Time Spy, Fire Strike, and Steel Nomad as well as Geekbench 7, again with three runs per benchmark and a final result taken as an average. All tests were run in the 'Turbo' power setting.

For more information on how we make our recommendations, check out the full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

For an even more compact form factor, check out the best gaming handhelds on the market. Or take a look at the best Asus gaming laptops for more ROG.

RGB is not integral to any gaming setup. Ever. Colourful disco lights won’t make you play better or be more comfortable while you (by you, I mean me) lock in for a long session of WoW.

So why exactly does the new ASUS ROG Courser gaming chair boast six areas of RGB lighting? Is it necessary? Absolutely not. But if we reduced every gaming chair down to the barest of essentials, we’d probably all be sitting in stark grey office chairs. The Courser is a gaming chair with unabashed flair. Sporting four lighting strips that extend down the sides of its backrest, with six colour modes glowing next to its all-black EPU leatherette finish.

The cutout area and rear-side ROG logo also light up, and at this point, you might be asking: if the lights aren't visible when you're using the chair, what's the benefit of having them? For those flashy design flourishes and a pretty reasonable set of conventional chair features, the ROG Courser will set you back $750 / £699. That’s definitely on the more premium end of the gaming chair pricing scale, so is the extra lighting really going to be worth it in a stacked market?

Design & Features

Well, for starters, the in-chair lights create an eye-catching look that’s ideal for streamers and content creators. The RGB looks super sleek contrasted against the dark chair. But for those who prefer to game in private, the Rainbow colour mode on the top level of brightness will add a gorgeous, subtle multicolour hue to your gaming room. This is a chair that will add heaps of atmosphere to your setup.

It includes eight different colour settings, five levels of brightness, and several lighting modes, including wave, static, breathing, and colour cycle. But alas, this isn’t Soft-Furnishings-Radar, and we are not just reviewing an ambient light fixture here.

So while the selling point of the ASUS ROG Courser is how it looks, its strongest quality is actually how it feels.

While the Courser shares much of its overall shape with the brand’s Chariot models, its broader frame makes it noticeably wider. It has a roomy seat base of 55cm, offering plenty of space for a broad range of body types.

The EPU leatherette material is smooth and breathable, perfect for keeping cool during gaming sessions on hot, sticky summer nights. It’s also notable that you get 4D armrests on the ROG Courser, which is standard for a gaming chair of this price. There are separate buttons for elevation and the twist functions, then a pull clicker for distance out from the chair.

These 4D armrests can now swivel the entire 360 degrees, too. All these comfort factors combine to form a chair so accommodating you’ll genuinely forget you’re sitting in it until it’s time to chill and kick back. This is when you will become highly aware that you are sitting in something pretty luxurious.

Assembly

Admittedly, I felt a mild wave of panic when the ASUS ROG Courser arrived on my doorstep. My previous gaming chair was constructed for me by an ex-boyfriend, and the thought of piecing together something so complex alone was daunting. I have lost patience and bawled tears of frustration over many IKEA flat-packed furniture items in the past - was my new gaming chair going to prove similarly difficult to build?

Not at all. The Courser was a breeze to assemble, even for a clumsy person with zero experience at putting a gaming chair together. All the parts slotted neatly into place, making the build experience feel simple and stress-free. It took 30 minutes for me to assemble the chair by myself, following the clear instructions card inside the box

Performance

I thought lower back ache was normal, all part of the fun of hunching in a shrimp shape over my PC while I devote another evening to Azeroth. Turns out: it’s not. I’ve been sitting in the ASUS ROG Courser for 4 weeks now, and my spine feels noticeably more limber.

The in-built lumbar support backrest appears to be the key factor here, with its fully adjustable system that can be tweaked according to depth and height - ensuring my posture stays good while I game. The Courser doesn’t have a lumbar pillow, but it doesn’t need one thanks to its dynamic lumbar support system that works very similarly to the Corsair TC500 Luxe and the Secretlab Titan Evo NanoGen.

Unlike most gaming chairs, which shift your body slightly forward or slide you down the backrest when reclined, the Courser has a Dynamic Synchronised Recline System that keeps your posture more consistent with the backrest while reclining up to 155 degrees. This is something we’re seeing more often in the gaming chair market, especially with the LiberNovo Omni, but more recently with the Secretlab Atlas.

It’s a unique, thoughtful detail that makes finding a comfortable position as you lean back much easier, as you won’t need to make adjustments every time you recline. For PC gamers especially, this is a feature to look out for because when you’ve spent ages finding the exact right height and angle of your armrests to match up with the level of your desk so you can aim precisely with a mouse, the last thing you want to do is mess that up by reclining them out of position.

Should you buy the Asus ROG Courser?

The RGB of the ROG Courser might be alluring to a lot of gamers looking for those perfect unicorn vomit vibes in their chill-out spaces, but the price tag of $750 / £699 could be equally off-putting. For context, Asus has charged similar amounts for its ROG Destrier Ergo chair line, so it’s no stranger to outlandish designs and high price tags. But for the same money, or less, you could get yourself a Secretlab Titan Evo (without RGB lighting) and a colorway that represents your favorite gaming franchise. For less money, you could get the still-expensive Razer Iskur V2 NewGen, which gets you a floating backrest, or you could get an AutoFull G7 with seemingly endless adjustable parts.

Compared to those options, Asus obviously offers RGB lighting which we don’t see elsewhere, but having sat in it for around a month, I think the lights are actually the least valuable thing here. The adjustable lumbar support, spacious seat and dynamic recline system make this chair a pleasure to sit in for hours.

If you’re looking for the best value gaming chair, there are great alternatives from Secretlab and Razer, but if you’re after a premium chair that doesn’t look like anything else on the market and backs up its flashy design with comfort, then the ASUS ROG Courser earns its place.

How I tested the Asus ROG Courser

I tested the ASUS ROG Courser for a month before this review was written. I assembled it myself in 40 minutes using the instructions card that came with the chair. It was very easy to build and to lift by myself. I sat in the chair for around 9 hours per day, either working from home or gaming.

For more on how we test gaming chairs, dive deeper into the GamesRadar+ hardware policy.

Looking for more gaming furniture? Check out the best console gaming chairs, the best gaming desks, and the best standing desk.

Whenever I take a photo of my office and a friend catches a glimpse of the Asus TUF Gaming Hatsune Miku PC accessories spread across my desk, I always get asked about them. That's not surprising as they're absolutely adorable, and the bright turquoise and pink color palette combined with the Hatsune Miku imagery is hard to ignore if you have any semblance of Vocaloid-fandom in your bones.

The set, which includes a mouse, keyboard, wired headset, and a matching mousepad, does suffer from that "style over substance" problem as they typically come at a cost that's more than you'd expect and therefore hard to recommend. However, I have good news for my friends and fellow anime dweebs, as the entire set now starts from just $24.99 at Amazon, and it's all thanks to Prime Day.

The Asus TUF Gaming Hatsune Miku line isn't going to equip your desktop rig with the most high-end accessories, however, it will massively up the cute factor of your setup, especially if you're a Vocaloid fan. I'm literally using these very accessories as I type these very words, and the Hatsune Miku imagery never fails to bring a smile to my face, even during the most grueling of work days.

Every piece here feels like it was designed by fans, for fans, which is exactly what you want from an officially licensed collaboration. Yet if I were to pick a favorite piece from this set of PC gaming accessories, it'd undoubtedly be that wireless mouse.

It's a little small for my hands, but it's 134 hour battery has served me well as someone whose PC is constantly in use for both work and gaming. I often forget to turn it off after a long day, and yet it's still able to carry me through for weeks on end.

When it has ever died on me, it's fortunately equipped with tri-mode connectivity, so I just had to simply grab its accompanying charging cable and hook it up to the PC, and it was back in business. That happens pretty rarely however, as that flashing Hatsune Miku icon is always there to remind me when the mouse needs a little boost.

I'm also a massive fan of the mouse mat. Not just because I like having detailed original Hatsune Miku art sitting on my desk, but because it's really easy to clean and wipe away any spills or debris. I'm pretty clumsy and yet still drink many a cup of coffee at my desk, and yet the mousemat has managed to survive unscathed. To this day, the art looks just as vibrant as it did when I first unrolled it.

If these savings and Miku's adorable face have enticed you enough, do be aware that the Prime Day gaming deals are coming to an end, so the above savings won't be around for much longer. If you're as big a Vocaloid fan as I am, and want to inject your PC gaming setup with something more on-brand as you play through Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA Mega Mix+, I recommend you grab it all while you still can.

Want more last-minute savings? Check out the best Prime Day Nintendo Switch 2 deals, the best Newegg Prime Day deals, and the best Prime Day retro gaming deals before they're gone for good.

This year's Computex marked some milestone birthdays for a number of the biggest brands in the gaming PC world. Zotac celebrated 20 years, MSI celebrated 40, and Asus, perhaps loudest out of all of them, was celebrating 20 years of gaming products from its ROG brand. Having spent a week in Taipei covering the show, the presence of Asus was loud and clear, and it seemed to be received well from exhibitors and visitors alike.

Split across the central intersection of what was maybe the main gaming hall at the event, Asus had two massive booths, one for the wider Asus brand, and another dedicated solely to ROG. From my experience of racing around the show floor on the way to different booth tours and generally rushing around like a headless chicken, the ROG booth was maybe the busiest one I came across every time I passed it.

The outside of the booth was like a modern art exhibition for ROG's new 20th anniversary gear, its black and gold color scheme drawing in seemingly anyone who passed by. As inviting as this shiny (and expensive) gaming hardware was, it was really just a small part of what Asus had to show off at this year's Computex. From motherboards and RAM to its newly bundled and upgraded OLED Ally X, to an entire Esports section with collabs for new mouse pads and keyboards. There was a lot to see at the ROG booth, but here are the bits that really stuck out to me.

The Anniversary ROG Destrier Chair

I reviewed the original Asus ROG Destrier Ergo Chair, and although it was impressive at the time, it didn't stick around as something I wanted to recommend to many gamers. It was pricey, its design was a little too gaudy for my tastes, and honestly, compared to other ergonomic mesh chairs, it was just more of the same.

I had heard the chair had been updated as the years went on, but I hadn't gotten to try it out until I saw the 20th Anniversary edition at Computex. Sure, the black and gold colorway was impressive, maybe suiting the outlandish design of the chair more than the standard black and red theme ever did. The gold spinal column and accents on the backrest in particular look a lot better.

But the refinements Asus has made to the actual chair are legit. The seat cushion is now a proper... well, cushion. It's not a mesh netting that does nothing to protect you from the rigid metal frame of the chair. The armrests on the modernized version were smaller than I remember, but more pliable, with an almost completely rubberized texture that I actually really liked. The acoustic guard around the headrest still seems functionally pointless to me, but it did feel smaller and less bulky around the top of the seat.

The Anniversary version will no doubt set you back more than you really need to spend on a good mesh chair - the standard version will set you back $649-$700, but the birthday model certainly inspires me to want to take it for a spin to see how it compares to more of the best gaming chairs.

ROG certified RAM

Just recently, Asus announced it was starting a ROG-certified program that guarantees strong compatibility for tried and tested DDR5 RAM with its gaming motherboards. The news came along with the announcement that Asus is launching its own DDR5 modules for the first time. The ROG-certified RAM won't gain the additional overclocking speed boost like its homemade kit will, but it will guarantee onward compatibility with an Asus motherboard, which, in times like these, will give you more confidence you're buying the right (very expensive) memory.

I didn't expect to see each of the initial certified batch of RAM to adorn an entire wall of the ROG booth like some kind of trophy case, but there it was. I'm shocked this particular part of the booth didn't need armed security to prevent gamers trying to nick the RAM sticks off the wall, because there it was, taunting anyone who was hoping to build a new PC this year.

In times like these, when DDR5 RAM is so hard to come by, it was a real sight for sore eyes to see some of the biggest and best RAM brands in the industry all in one place.

The Asus ROG Ally X20 and its bundled AR Glasses

As a user of the original Asus ROG Ally X, I've been insanely jealous of folks who waited until the Xbox version dropped. With those additional grips, things are a lot more comfortable, and now, a refreshed 20th Anniversary bundle brings it together with the Asus ROG XReal R1 glasses. Yes, the pricing of this bundle is silly, and no, I don't think you should need to buy the glasses and the handheld together just to get the updated OLED X20. I was prepared to not like either, but it's hard to argue with crystal clear visuals.

I tried both the handheld and the glasses at the ROG booth at Computex, and I was surprisingly impressed with both. The handheld's OLED display was super vivid up close; meanwhile, its comfort and weight felt right up there with the new Acer Predator Atlas 8 handheld.

I'm not the biggest fan of AR glasses because they're usually pretty bulky, uncomfortable, and their use cases always feel a bit surplus to requirements, but with a mini OLED level of clarity and a high refresh rate, the ROG glasses are ones I'm actually really looking forward to testing more thoroughly.

The ROG G1000 desktop and its holographic fans

I initially covered the ROG G1000 gaming PC back when it was shown off at CES at the start of the year, and although its holographic fan displays certainly sounded cool, it was something I wanted to see before properly believing in. This is still pretty new technology, so I figured it'd be pretty weak lighting in reality, or just wouldn't look quite as good as it sounded.

Oh boy, I was wrong. Not only is the G1000 an absolute monster of a PC, but its holofans put it up there with some of the best-looking gaming desktops I saw at this year's Computex. The lighting was extremely vivid, the colors bold, and the motion of the displayed graphics really smooth and clear.

Obviously, I've only seen it working with the standard ROG logos, and I wasn't able to customize it with different GIFs and images to see how that compared, but if it's a sign of what's to come from Asus and its holofan tech, sign me up because this could turn out to be an even bigger trend than LCD displays on AIO coolers.

The 20th Anniversary mouse and keyboard

Two things I had seen before arriving at Computex were the Asus ROG Harpe II Extreme Edition 20 and the Asus ROG Azoth Extreme Edition 20. Both are refreshed takes on the brand's flagship mouse and keyboard, adorned with black and 24K gold metal plating. These two accessories have been making my desk at home look so much more flashy for the last few weeks, but it was another thing entirely to see them in situ with the rest of the 20th anniversary and Esports gear.

I have to admit, I think the entire range looks stunning - even if it's so expensive I have no idea who'd be able to afford it all. The desktop components, for example, can only be bought altogether, and the mouse I reviewed costs $359, and the keyboard $549.

Still, there's a reason this booth was drawing crowds at Computex every single day: the black and gold designs on show are a truly alluring way to mark this milestone in the Asus history book - even if people were crowding to look and never get their hands on it all.

You can see more of Asus by checking out the best Asus gaming laptops, the best Xbox Series X controllers, and the best gaming handheld.

The way Asus handles creativity, curiosity, and experimentation is why it's one of my favorite gaming laptop brands on the market. A dual-screened machine with two OLED panels, an RTX 5090 sandwiched between them, and a kickstand wouldn't have made it past concept-product status if it was in the hands of Razer or Lenovo. Asus has put the Zephyrus Duo on my desk (and on store shelves) for three weeks now.

Listen, I spend my days trying to find the best gaming laptops you should actually buy. A bi-product of that, though, is that every now and then I get sent a machine most of us absolutely shouldn't fork out for - but still leaves me grinning ear to ear.

The Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo is a tower of terror, a rip-roaring beast of over-indulgence and a beautiful machine to behold. But it's only ever going to make sense in the hands of ultra-wealthy power users.

Configurations

This stack of screens comes in two flavors; RTX 5090 and RTX 5070 Ti, ultra-premium and slightly... less... ultra-premium.

The top-shelf configuration I've been testing comes stacked with an Intel Core Ultra 9 386H CPU, 64GB RAM, and a 1TB SSD, running you $5,499.99 - about the same as the 4K MSI Raider A18 HX A9W. Should you shift gears slightly, you'll be paying $4,499.99 to swap out that graphics card for an RTX 5070 Ti.

Performance

The Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo isn't the most powerful RTX 5090 configuration I've tested, coming behind the far slimmer Razer Blade 16 in more demanding tests and understandably faltering behind larger 18-inch rigs like the MSI Raider A18 HX A9W and Asus ROG Strix Scar 18. It also drops back behind the 16-inch MSI Raider 16 Max, when the latter is set to its full 300W power capacity.

It's not exactly weedy, either. You're still covered for 60fps+ in Cyberpunk 2077 RT: Ultra at QHD+, with plenty of headroom in FHD in-game benchmarks as well.

Synthetic benchmarks, taken across 3D Mark Time Spy, Fire Strike, and Steel Nomad, match the same trajectory. In the more demanding (and realistic) Steel Nomad run, the Duo is at the bottom of my RTX 5090 pack, with its 5,285 score coming in lower than some RTX 5080 models (the HP Omen Max 16 and MSI Vector A18 HX A9W).

It's not a performance-first device, it's a true work / play hybrid, but if you're looking for something that's going to push your games as hard as it can I'd take that $5,500 and put it somewhere else.

What I loved about the Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo

Feels fantastic to use

There's not a lot of room for gaming laptops to surprise us anymore, but the Zephyrus Duo managed to liven up my initial set up experience with a massive array of new controls, display widgets, and additional functions. Opening up the Duo for the first time, I'm taken on a tour around the second half of the screen. Underneath a slimline portable keyboard, held in place (and charged) by a set of pogo pins, the Duo yields an entire second panel. This isn't the keyboard-addition seen on the previous Duo 16 in 2023 - it's a full 16-inch OLED.

From creating Discord, YouTube, and system-level control schemes to keeping walkthroughs and streaming controls at eye level, this screen is brimming with potential. It's the potential for overkill, but it's certainly potential.

I didn't find this all-screen clamshell form factor too comfortable to work through. Reaching over the keyboard to hit a slightly raised touchscreen for tertiary widgets and controls never felt truly natural or smooth. However, with both screens propped up (using the attached kickstand), I had a full dual-display work and gaming station at my disposal at all times. Again, that's incredibly cool - and likely incredibly unnecessary.

The hinges and kickstand move with a confident tension, never feeling fragile in the hands (no matter how terrified I was when first unfurling them). There's a glide and pull to every movement that keeps the Zephyrus Duo feeling sturdy and stable, even if my laptop-trained brain was screaming whenever I moved it.

Asus hasn't skimped on that keyboard either. While it's not going to give you the depth of a traditional inbuilt deck from other premium models, the 1.7mm key travel still offers a surprising tactility under the fingertips. I could type on this all day and never know it was actually a 5mm add-on. Its lightly textured, soft-touch material supports the wrists and palms nicely, while an expansive (and buttery smooth) touchpad offers excellent controls during ad-hoc productivity tasks.

Overall, though, it's the sheer luxury of this build quality that's had me in its clutches over the last three weeks. It's clear Asus has poured everything it's got into making the Zephyrus Duo look and feel like a high-end rig with no sacrifices in its chassis, hinges, or inputs.

Still manages to keep things fairly low key

Fully extended into its two-screened behemoth state, it's obvious the Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo is something special. If I walked past it closed on a coffee shop table, though, I wouldn't think anything of it.

Lying dormant, this looks like pretty much any other gaming laptop you'll find on the market. Peering a little closer, it's obvious there's something going on (the side thickness is larger than you'd expect from a modern Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 or ROG Zephyrus G14). You'd also know pretty something was afoot pretty quickly if you picked it up - at 6.2lbs it's double the weight of many mainstream rigs.

It's still thinner than I expected it to be, even with that keyboard sitting in between its two screens, and its softly rounded corners, smooth matte finish, and subtle aesthetic work hard to keep the Duo from looking garish in use.

While its 2023 ancestor was a chunky unit, this is a machine that could look like any other gaming laptop.

All about those displays

As the Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo's shining feature, you can bet the brand has outfitted its rig with two of its best panels. Both 16-inch screens run with Nebula HDR and a sturdy 1,100 nits of peak brightness, sticking with a high-end 2880 x 1800 resolution.

They are limited to 120Hz, which the RTX 5090's benchmark numbers can easily blow past in lighter games - but considering we're already at overkill in other areas, I'll forgive the step away from 240Hz.

What matters most is these screens absolutely sing in-game. I've spent most of my free time running Forza Horizon 6 on this rig and it's been glorious. Everything from the more nuanced cherry blossom trees to the gorgeous reflections on Japanese supercar glamor shots springs from the screen, with natural color handling and a vibrant, punchy tone.

Smart thermals

Popping a screen on the keyboard side of a gaming laptop presents a lot of challenges. Most rigs use extra airflow vents underneath the hinge while expelling heat out the sides - none of that can happen with a 16-inch OLED panel taking up all the space.

And yet, in all my stress tests and longer Forza stints, I never noticed a single skipped beat, or watched any throttled line graphs plunge down the range. The Duo manages to keep its cool when the heat is on (though you'll certainly hear about it), thanks to excellent airflow designs around the underside of the chassis with additional insulation underneath the OLED display itself. Neatly hidden vents and heatsinks around the back are working hard in this respect as well.

Not the battery hog you might think it is

Powering two OLED displays, a light bar on the back, and an RTX 5090 GPU is going to be a tall order for any battery, and while the Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo won't beat any productivity-minded machines in endurance run it performed slightly better than I had expected. I managed to run a few Chrome tabs with Spotify in the background and both screens enabled for around four and a half hours before needing to plug in. Sticking with the one panel for some Forza, I was slogging along for around an hour and a half before my first battery warning.

Perhaps more impressive, though, I didn't even know I was on battery power for that Forza session. My connection between the outlet and the adapter had unknowingly slipped out over the course of the day, but nobody told my performance. While lesser gaming laptops will stutter to a halt as soon as that internal battery is unsupported, the Zephyrus Duo trucked along just fine.

What to consider about the Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo

Lofty price point compared to other similar specs

The Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo is a fantastic machine, there's no denying that. It's just stacked full of expensive features that simply won't be necessary for most players. As a result its price tag is wildly inflated over more traditional RTX 5090 rigs.

A top-end configuration of the MSI Raider 16 Max will set you back $4,299.99, while Lenovo's Legion Pro rigs stick to around $4,500 and Acer's 18-inch Predator Helios comes in at a similar rate. The Duo's outlandish feature set adds a grand to the final figure - and while the extra panel is certainly exciting, that kind of cash just isn't worth it for most players.

Should you buy the Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo?

The Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo made me giddy with excitement in a way gaming laptops rarely do these days. It's a phenomenal device, balancing its conservative (for an RTX 5090) power while running two OLED displays at once and still looking and feeling swish at the same time. It's obnoxiously stacked with features and style and yet it's almost never going to be pushed to its full potential by the majority of everyday users.

Having a dual-screened productivity laptop is a luxury in itself. Having an RTX 5090 gaming laptop is another. Pairing the two is a niche use case that simply won't make sense for $5.5K, especially when it's sitting towards the bottom of the RTX 5090 performance scale.

Don't get me wrong - anyone with the money to spend and a need for a multi-screen setup wherever they are should absolutely feel confident in placing this order. You'll need to really know you'll make the most of it though.

The competition

How I tested the Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo

I used the Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo over a period of three weeks, taking the laptop for all my daily work and play activity. I tested for two weeks with the laptop sitting solo on my desktop, in both dual-screen and single-screen mode, with another week spent connected to an external monitor setup.

I ran in-game benchmarks across both 1080p and 1600p resolutions in each title's high and highest settings, using Shadow of the Tomb Raider for a lighter run, Total War: Three Kingdoms for more on-screen effort, Horizon Zero Dawn: Remastered for a step up in difficulty, and Cyberpunk 2077 as the final boss. I ran each test three times, taking final average framerates as my end result.

I tested synthetic performance across 3D Mark Time Spy, Fire Strike, and Steel Nomad, again running each benchmark three times and taking an average of each as my final score.

For more information on how we test gaming laptops, check out the full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

I'm also testing all the best Razer laptops and the best Alienware laptops. For more ROG, check out the bests Asus gaming laptops on the market.

When it comes to gaming mice, I'm what most brands would call a tricky customer. I have pretty bizarre tastes that don't align with the competitive FPS games I tend to use mice for on PC, and ones that certainly don't align with the Esports design a lot of companies lean into these days. My daily driver is an MMO mouse with numbered buttons along its left side, adjustable weights, and a dedicated groove for your ring finger and pinky, so it pretty much couldn't be further from the ultra-lightweight mice most FPS players are using to glide around their massive deskpads.

• Pre-order | $259.99 at Best Buy

So, trying out the Asus ROG Harpe II Extreme Edition 20, which has just been revealed at Computex, was quite the transition. Compared to the other lightweight mice I've tried, this feels very different. Lightweight rodents for me usually translate to a lacklustre-feeling accessory that, while speedy, don't exactly give me the feedback and comfort I like. This is a different story. This gaming mouse combines a celebratory anniversary look along with really robust-feeling side buttons and a scroll wheel that you just know will last a lifetime. Or at least, I'd hope it would, because it will set you back $259.99.

As much as I missed my 12 extra function keys and dedicated finger grooves on my MMO mouse while testing this, there's no disputing that the customization, glide, and all-around competitive brilliance of this mouse improved my FPS gameplay.

Design

The ROG Harpe II Extreme 20 is a semi-ambidextrous, 82g Esports mouse that builds upon the company's previous Harpe Ace II, Harpe Extreme, and Harpe Mini outings. Being a celebratory release for two decades of the ROG brand, this takes the design language up a few notches, with a 24K gold-plated metal frame that resides under a blackened crystal clear shell. The gold scrolling wheel and side buttons lure your eyes to see the gold hues within the chassis, and the transparent shell gives it a touch of class and an understated feel.

RGB is used within to show a specialized ROG 20 logo, and subtle bits of branding are peppered around the mouse, making it undeniably a ROG product.

Turning it over, things stay just as luxurious. The mouse feet, or skates, as they're often referred to, are made of Corning Gorilla Glass, which provides a stupidly easy glide around pretty much any mouse surface. I tested it with all the speeds of the SteelSeries QcK+ Performance mouse pads, as well as a pretty slick one that came with my Couchmaster CYCON2, and the mouse slid around so easily that they all felt like glass pads.

The Harpe II Extreme Edition 20 utilizes a ROG AimPoint Pro 65K sensor with 65,000-dpi <1% deviation, and for those with those harder surface mouse pads, it features track-on-glass technology.

The shape will be familiar to anyone who has used a Harpe mouse previously. It's 39.7mm high, 126.1mm long, and 63.9mm wide, with a beautifully crafted curve to rest your hand on. It's been designed with finger tip and claw grips in particular, though, so palm-grip players like me aren't necessarily as catered to - I'll say more on that in a little bit.

The black and gold design philosophy is so strong, but you can tell Asus has meant this to be a proper showpiece, or collector's edition peripheral thanks to its packaging. The box it arrived in folds out to reveal it like some sort of exotic flower, and a sturdy, transparent case means you can take it with you without fear of the surfaces being scratched.

Features

Perhaps the only thing more impressive than the packaging is the Harpe II Extreme's expansive list of features and settings options. There's tri-mode connectivity here through wireless USB, wired USB, and Bluetooth pairing. The ROG Optical Micro switches are quoted for a 100 million click lifespan, and with a max polling rate of 8,000Hz, you know there's plenty of futureproofing for such an expensive peripheral.

Using the wireless dongle, you get access to ROG SpeedNova connectivity so that 8K polling rate isn't limited to a wired connection only. There's an impressive (quoted) 195 hours of battery life here too, which I haven't managed to actually find an end to yet in my hands-on time with it. Depending on what polling rate you set it to, your mileage will vary, but the Harpe II Extreme has a clever trick up its sleeve where it will determine interference in the surrounding wireless environment and boost its signal to maintain a steady connection.

If you're not one for spending loads of time in settings menus for your gaming peripherals, Asus has included a Zone mode on this mouse, which simplifies things for competitive players. Alongside 5 stored profiles you can configure, Zone mode will optimize things specifically for competitive play. With it on, you'll see a polling rate boost, increased sensor responsiveness, as well as sensor frame rate and wireless transmission power optimizations.

Performance

I've built more than one gaming PC with an ASUS motherboard, and I've tested its Raikiri controllers in the past, so this isn't my first run-in with a peripheral from the now 20-year-old ROG brand. One thing I have to admit is that dealing with the Armory Crate app is always my least favorite part of the ROG experience. This app always feels clunky; it usually involves subsidiary downloads to actually customize the product you have, and I worried an Asus mouse would involve me needing to download it. To my delight, that wasn't the case.

Upon connecting it to my PC via the wireless USB dongle, I was immediately met with a pop-up notification that invited me to a browser tab where I could fully customize the Herpe II. Everything from its button mappings to its polling rate, to its DPI and wider suite of settings and features was covered without the need for an additional download, and I loved how speedy the process of getting set up with it was.

Having just tested the GameSir G7 Pro 8K, I was curious to see how an 8K polling mouse would compare. Turns out, an 8,000Hz polling rate on any gaming peripheral seems to present itself in the same way. I play with a relatively high DPI of 2,300 compared to a lot of FPS players these days. But bumping the polling rate up to 8K meant that it felt a little more unruly than I was used to. Unbelievably smooth thanks to those Gorilla Glass skates, even with a (somewhat limited by today's standards) 144Hz refresh rate display, but would certainly take a while to get used to, as every twitch, pivot, and slip in any direction is registered.

Thankfully, while the 8K polling rate was a bit too hot to handle for my liking, the settings gave me loads of scope to fine-tune. I could try as low as a 150Hz speed, and ended up settling on a 1,000Hz speed after a few brief tests with 1,400Hz. There's a lot of scope to make this mouse the exact speed and sensitivity for you and your playstyle. If you like putting DPI all the way down and attacking CS2 players with massive swipes across your desk, there's loads of scope for you here.

My main FPS game is the Extraction Shooter GOAT, Hunt: Showdown, and so naturally, the bayou became my testing ground for the Harpe II. When the game's intense sound design has you completely immersed in a 3v1 western shootout, your heart can frequently pound out of your chest, and your palms start getting clammy. The shape and design of the Harpe II Extreme was excellent for keeping my grip, but one thing I will say is that the surface texture doesn't hold up all that well to those sweaty, intense gameplay sessions. There were a few moments where I felt my palm starting to slip in places, and the design of this mouse is so stunning that I worried my sweaty hands were going to stain or mark it and spoil its look. The aesthetics of this mouse are going to be a huge win for any gaming setup, but a little extra thought over actually gripping this peripheral would have been welcome, even if it is an anniversary showpiece.

While I do love the shape and look of the Harpe II Extreme, I do wish it catered to my palm grip a little more. My MMO mouse, and every mouse I've used for the last six years, has had a pinky groove, which I feel is so important in keeping my hand comfortable through long hours of remote work or intense gaming sessions. Yes, this is a niche taste with mice these days, but one I find very hard to go back to not having. One reason I don't gravitate to the ultralightweight mouse market is that I don't feel my whole hand is catered to, and I do wish Asus did a little more. My ring finger and pinky barely manage to hug onto the side of the Harpe II, and while I appreciate it's not exactly designed for a mouse grip like mine, a little more real estate on the right-hand side of it would go a long way.

Additionally, I get that this mouse is never going to compete with my 12 MMO keys, but more than two extra side buttons would have been welcome for the amount of money this rodent costs.

I can't fault the side buttons and scroll wheel that are here, though. They all feel so robust, like they'll last the next 20 years of the ROG brand. In fact, from reviewing the best PC controllers, the closest comparison I can make to the side buttons is that they feel almost as good as the most cushioned microswitch buttons I've come across. Pardon the pun, but this is the gold standard.

For reference, playing solo vs trios in Hunt, I usually average out around three or four kills per round. I may or may not have been having a good day when I did a longer session with the Harpe II Extreme, but I played three matches in a row, scoring four kills, then six, then seven, so I'm entitled to give some of that credit to the high-performance mouse I was using.

Should you buy the Asus ROG Harpe II Extreme 20th Anniversary Edition?

I have a lot of reservations about recommending controllers that cost $200 most of the time, so trying to justify a price of $259 for a mouse gives me a lot of anxiety. For reference, that RedDragon mouse I use cost me under $40, and is frequently on offer down to $25.99, so I'd argue you really don't need to spend this much to get a good clicker. Even for competitive gaming in the ultralightweight market, the SteelSeries Aerox 9 tops out at $189.99, so that should give you an idea of how much most people will likely be budgeting.

On the other hand, compared to those other lightweight mice I've tried, I think the Harpe II Extreme offers a much more premium feel. I don't feel I'm compromising as much on feel or build quality here, and I don't feel like the brand behind it is charging more for less of a product. The exhaustive list of settings and features arms you with so many ways to make this mouse work for you, and with premium parts used to craft it, you can sort of see where the price tag comes from.

Reservations about pricing aside, I think Asus has absolutely knocked it out of the park with the design of this 20th anniversary timepiece. Fans of this brand will not be disappointed by the aesthetic, build quality, lighting, and finer details of this mouse. It's a strong showing of why Asus ROG has been around for 20 years, and might stick around for a few years more.

• Pre-order | $259.99 at Best Buy

How I tested the Asus ROG Harpe II Extreme 20

I put the Harpe II Extreme to work in my gaming setup for a few weeks before writing this review. I tested it on different mouse pad surfaces and in various games, but since it's an Esports peripheral, I mainly used it in FPS games like Hunt Showdown. I drew from my own experience of using other gaming mice to make my feedback, and used the prices of similar mice to assess its value. I used the Gear Link browser app to customize the mouse's settings and get a feel for how its various features can impact its performance.

For more on how we test gaming mice, take a look at our hardware policy.

Want to compare with what else is out there? Take a look at the best wireless gaming mouse, the best TMR controllers, and the best Razer mouse.

If you've ever been served one of those videos that goes up the price range of different gaming keyboards and compares how they sound, you'll likely relate to my first experience with the Asus ROG Azoth Extreme Edition 20. As someone who has only really dabbled with the depth of the keyboard world, I always figured that yes, there'd be a difference in the feel of the more expensive options, but surely not as much as the true keyboard nerds make out.

• Pre-order | $599.99 at Best Buy

I've been typing on a DROP LOTR Elven keyboard for the last year or two, and I love its mechanical feel and faithful design, especially as someone who hammers down pretty hard on his keys; it has an excellent weighty actuation to it. The Azoth Extreme Edition 20 sounds, feels, and actuates about 20x better than what I'm used to, so I finally understand the appeal of the most expensive sounding keyboards in those videos I see in my feed.

That much has been true of pretty much any Azoth board we've tested, but this is no regular Azoth. It's an anniversary timepiece that helps mark 20 years of the ROG brand, and with some seriously premium frills, it costs no less than $599.99. It's no keyboard for the faint of heart (or wallet). Whether you're typing or gaming, it's one of the most premium you'll find. It's certainly the best I've come across, but this keyboard range's price tag is becoming a bigger and bigger pill to swallow.

Design

The original Asus ROG Azoth has been sitting pretty atop our best gaming keyboard lists for a while now, with each iteration wowing us in different ways as their prices increase.

For this version, Asus has donned a black and gold aesthetic along with a "bladed metallic" texture. The chassis is a full aluminium alloy, and the frame is metal, giving it a noticeable weight compared to a lot of other keyboards you'll have tried. It's a fully customizable/hot-swappable 75% keyboard with RGB lighting. In the top right corner, there's a small OLED display with a switch you can use to set different colors and programmes for the color of the lights - a solid continuation from the Asus ROG Azoth 96 HE.

Turning it over is where things get a bit silly. There's room for detachable magnetic feet (of differing heights) to give it more of a raised angle, which is something I never found necessary, even when pairing the board with its companion wrist rest. In the middle, though, is a 24K gold-plated, laser-engraved, polished ROG nameplate, which is as extra as it sounds. It is removable if you want to put it on display somewhere, but it certainly will contribute to the cost of this thing. Lurking underneath it is a USB dongle and a paddle switch for the adjustable gasket mount.

Speaking of, that clever switch will let you adjust the typing feel of the Azoth Extreme to be a tad firmer or softer, which may suit you if you're like me and tend to type pretty hard. What will contribute to that typing feel a lot more is the architectural choices that went into the product as a whole. For starters, the carbon fibre positioning plate has a firmer rigidity to stop vibrations on the top layer of the chassis. Then, underneath is a three-layer dampening system. First up are two PORON layers, then underneath it all is a silicone pad to absorb vibrations and minimize switch pinging and echoes.

Features

Getting to the finer details, the ROG Azoth Extreme Edition 20 features ROG NX Snow mechanical switches that are hot-swappable and come pre-lubed. They have a refined clicky and refined linear feel, depending on how you configure them, which complements the adjustment Asus has made to the inner workings of the switch.

Below the upper housing is a stem material made of composite POM material that adds a bit more smoothness to the keystroke. It has a walled stem design to protect from dust intrusion while also adding some more stability. Then, on the very bottom, you have a POM bottom housing for a deeper keystroke sound.

In terms of connections, the tri-mode connectivity from the previous Azoth boards carries over, and the Azoth Extreme 20 is equipped with a ROG Omni receiver that allows connections to multiple supported devices with a single USB dongle - perfect for if you have an Asus mouse or other peripheral that already supports it. That means fewer USB ports are used up without compromising on high-polling gear.

Speaking of which, the Azoth Extreme sports a maximum polling rate of 8,000Hz, but only if you have a ROG Polling Rate Booster. In wireless mode, the Azoth Extreme can last you a quoted 1600 hours with RGB lighting and the OLED display off, 245 hours with the OLED display on and the lighting off, or a still impressive 96 hours with both on.

You can customize the board using Gear Link, without the use of Armory Crate.

Mystery Keycap Set

Launching alongside both the mouse and keyboard is a fun twist on the ROG anniversary - a new form of collectible called the Mystery Keycap Set. These provide a fun unboxing experience for long-term fans and are excellently crafted tributes to some of the most well-known products in Asus ROG's history.

I have to admit, I'm not one for mysterious collectibles like this because so often they end up being fodder for resellers to make a fortune off of, but the attention to detail here is unreal. The Chariot keycap actually spins as one of the best gaming chairs should, the Claymore deck and Raikiri controller keycaps sport all the right textures.

Each ROG Keycap Mystery Box reveals a random collectible keycap, and the full set includes tributes to the Chariot chair, Raikiri controller, Claymore keyboard, Delta headset, and variations on the ROG 20 logo. In one box you'll find: 6 x Mystery Keycaps, and 6 x nameplates (randomly selected with no duplicates; and it may include a special edition version)

According to the press materials I've been issued, the probability of finding all of them is as follows:

• ROG Claymore: 1/6
• ROG Gladius: 1/6
• ROG Chariot: 1/6
• ROG Delta: 1/6
• ROG Raikri Pro:1/6
• ROG Logo: 7/48
• Special Edition Keycap: 1/48

One box sets you back $24.99, which isn't bad considering the hand-crafted design of the keycaps inside - although it may seem bad to those who have already splashed down $599 on the Azoth Extreme 20.

The mystery keycaps are made with a Cross-based structure (Cherry MX-based stem), which should give them wide compatibility when it comes to switches to put them on. Each keycap is made with Resin material before being hand-finished with intricate paintwork.

Performance

As I've mentioned, I'm pretty hard on my switches when it comes to typing. I don't know what happened in my younger days while I was learning to type that compelled me to hammer down as hard as I do. However, using the Azoth Extreme Edition has felt like a formative experience. Its premium switches, the way their sound is dampened with each keystroke, and the featherweight it takes to actuate them if you aren't using their firmer actuation, is unlike any other keyboard I've used. It feels like it's taking me by the hand and asking who hurt me, encouraging me to be nicer to whatever keyboard I type on next.

There are ups and downs to lots of Azoth's qualities for me, though. Its lighter actuation means it's super easy to translate your reaction time to whatever game you're playing. But there have been so many times when I've been gaming or typing when I thought I was just resting my finger on a key, only to see something happening on screen and realise I was putting too much weight on it. That's awesome for gamers who need the slightest bit of press on their keys to register, but that can also, in my case, cause mis-presses where you don't want them.

Secondly, there's no denying the build quality of this keyboard. Hell, there's 24K gold plating on it and a fully metal body - something so many other keyboards forgo because they're worried about performance. No guess as to why it weighs as much as it does!

That kind of build quality doesn't come around often in any category of gaming hardware, and it absolutely reinforces the experience of using it. With such a hefty deck underneath it, the switches all feel so stable and cushioned. Each press, no matter how hard you tap, is safe; it doesn't feel like I'm damaging anything or that I'll be wearing down the switches the more I use it like that. But with so much weight to it, it does make it feel a bit like an immovable object to keep on your desk, so if you like to shift your accessories around often, this isn't very agile. More, if you've spent a lot on a desk mat, be prepared for it to suffer marks and potentially dents under the sheer heft of this sitting on it.

Even the flashy design has its utility drawbacks. For a celebratory piece like this, there will almost certainly be form-over-function issues, but there are some basic errors I wish were stamped out. The white key symbols on the bottom sides of the keycaps aren't very legible when the RGB is shining through from underneath, and slightly blinding you thanks to transparent edges on the keycaps themselves. This would hardly be a dealbreaker, but for a 75% board where you are likely to search for the Fn functions lurking on some of the keys, it's likely an annoyance you'll run into.

Should you buy the Asus ROG Azoth Extreme Edition 20?

In years of testing all sorts of gaming tech, there have been few with the kind of premium build quality and luxurious feel of the ROG Azoth Extreme Edition.

The Azoth Extreme has been made to mark 20 years of ROG accessories, and its latest flagship keyboard, as well as its mystery keycap set, is easy to recognise as a labor of love. Its lightweight actuation has a calming effect on a hard typer like me, will offer speed to competitive gamers, and a design that will make anyone (gamer or not) see why the maker has lasted this long.

Like with any gaming peripheral of this cost, I'd remind you that you don't need to spend this much to get something good, or even usable. Even with all its 24K gold-plated flourishes, it's going to be very difficult to justify a keyboard this expensive, and there's no way around that. That said, for the Extreme users who want a showpiece, it doesn't come much better than this.

• Pre-order | $599.99 at Best Buy

How I tested the Asus ROG Azoth Extreme 20

This keyboard sat on my desk for around two weeks before I wrote up my thoughts in this review. I used it for typing, video editing, and gaming every day in that time to put it through its paces. I compared it to other keyboards I've used, and I read up on previous Azoth offerings to get a feel for what this line represents.

For more on how we test keyboards, take a look at our hardware policy.

For more on peripherals, check out the best PC controllers, the best gaming mouse, and the best hot-swappable keyboard.

I was pretty hard on the Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo when it first hit the CES showfloor earlier this year. Now I've just spent my first weekend with the dual-screened gaming laptop and... my initial thoughts still stand. While this is certainly an impressive machine, I just can't see its value in the enthusiast market (and its likely price tag means this will be an enthusiast-only device). It's easy to see why.

The original roster of Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo (I've had the 2023 model on my desk) rigs hit the sweet spot. They were technically double-panelled, but that second screen simply sat just underneath the main display, a horizontal companion to your big-screen gameplay. For a long time, they sat among the best gaming laptops on the market.

2026 Duos offer two fully fledged displays, both stunning in their own right. As much as I can hold my own caveats around the usefulness of those two panels, there's no denying the luxury afforded to the peepers.

It does, however, mean that the second screen wants to be used for far more than quick Discord messages, system stats, or a walkthrough. It takes up just as much space in my eyeline, looks gorgeous, and can run steadily while gameplay takes place elsewhere.

It's by no means a bad time, and it still adds to the experience compared to a traditional gaming laptop, but arranging these displays vertically feels like a missed trick. Indeed, Lenovo had its own kind-of-dual-screened gaming laptop at CES this year. Instead of sitting one panel atop the other, though, it unfurls its extra display space from the sides. Granted, this is a concept product that likely won't see the light of day - but it's still trending in a better direction than Asus's vertical approach.

Right now, we're only in the pre-order stages of the 2026 Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo in the UK, while the US has no listings whatsoever. That makes the USD price a little tough to gauge, but we do know it ain't gonna be cheap.

In the UK, an RTX 5090 / Intel Core Ultra 9 386H configuration will set you back £5,799.99 at Asus's Store - when we're talking that kind of price, you need to know you'll be using all its features to the max.

So who fits that bill?

Streamers, content creators, and flush productivity powerhouses who also want top-tier gaming in the same device. This is a dual-screened laptop first and a gaming rig second, and happy customers will be the ones whose priorities also align.

Did I ooh and ahh when I got the Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo out of the box? Absolutely. Was I showing it off to anyone who cared to see? You bet. It looks, feels, and runs like a true next-generation gaming laptop. You've got some real slick features in that second display, always-on monitoring, handy full-screen macros and keybinding options, and of course, your virtual keyboard. Even the stand is a vibe. Plus, with an RTX 5090 at the helm, you know you're not going to get shortchanged in the performance category.

But that luxury isn't going to swing value in its favor. I've run into some quirks around resolution, scaling, and windowed gameplay with a few games so far (which I hope to have ironed out before my review), but I have generally had a good time here. Playing High on Life 2 with a collectibles guide underneath is nice. I was using Spotify to add Mixtape's songs to a playlist while running through its minigames again - again, it was nice. Was it worth £5,000+? Not by a long shot.

After spending my first weekend with the Duo, I can see it being worthwhile for productivity and streaming purposes. That second screen can stand up to all your usual OBS and Discord controls without impacting performance up top, and that certainly has to be commended. If you're outside of the streaming or high-end productivity sphere, though, don't let these shining lights blind your wallet.

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I'm also testing all the best Asus gaming laptops and plenty more of the best Razer laptops and best Alienware laptops as well.

Asus is celebrating 20 years of its ROG gaming brand at the moment, and during an in-person ROG Day event in China, it has unveiled its first-ever ROG-branded DDR5 RAM kit. In usual circumstances, a new brand entering the best RAM for gaming arena would be cause for celebration, but beyond the ROG anniversary, it's hard to ignore the truly awful timing for the brand's latest launch.

To be clear, the new ROG RAM kit isn't being manufactured by Asus in a homemade fab, but it's the first ROG-branded memory kit to bear the company's own design and logos, and be sold directly from Asus. By all accounts, the new memory kit has been developed in partnership with BIWIN and uses SK Hynix memory.

It's unclear in what kind of supply the ROG 20th Anniversary RAM kit will be available in, especially with ongoing RAM shortages at the moment due to never-before-seen manufacturing demands from AI companies. It's also unclear what range of speeds and capacities Asus will make available. From the teaser images shown, it looks like the initial batch will be enthusiast-grade and won't exactly be the most affordable memory on the shelves.

To wit, Asus has shown off a 48GB (2x 24GB) kit that's clocked at 6000MT/s, with timings of CLS26-36-36-76. The sticks sport a black, gold, and red design that appears to have some RGB arrays within. As you can imagine, at a time like this, RAM of this sort of capacity, speed, and likely rarity, will not come cheap. Asus has announced that it will retail for $880.

The Asus ROG RAM will have both Intel overclocking compatibility (XMP and EXPO), but interestingly, a specialized ROG mode will allow users with an Asus ROG motherboard to unlock even greater performance. It'll apparently work like activating an XMP or EXPO profile with a simple one-click overclocking menu in your BIOS, and it'll boost the RAM performance up to DDR5-8000. That's a pretty hefty overclock, but it's most likely possible due to the SK Hynix M-die circuitry used.

The addition of a ROG mode does make me think a slide into the RAM market from Asus is to further expand its hold over the wider gaming PC building market, but also because of the brand's prebuilt gaming PC and laptop offerings. If it can offer a system that's not beholden to second-party memory, it will have better control over its own inventory and spec sheets, not to mention it can offer a gaming PC with almost entirely Asus-made components (minus the CPU and SSD).

That said, Asus has also launched the ROG certified program, which identifies partnerships the company has with other memory sellers. "The ROG Certified Program highlights select high-performance memory modules that ROG engineers have subjected to rigorous testing and validation to confirm compatibility with ROG motherboards", says a statement on the ROG website.

"Through close collaboration with trusted hardware partners, only products that meet ROG's strict standards for quality, performance, and stability earn the ROG Certified designation. This gives gamers and PC builders greater confidence that their components will work together smoothly to deliver a reliable and optimized ROG experience."

The list of 14 RAM makers includes names like Corsair, Klevv, XPG, Kingston Fury, T-Force, Lexar, and G.Skill, and it'll be interesting to see if that list grows in the coming years as all of these companies try to navigate a very tough consumer sector.

For more on PC components, check out the best CPU for gaming, the best graphics card, and the best SSD for gaming.

We always knew this generation of the best gaming laptops was going to be expensive, but some rigs have skirted current supply chain constraints better than others. I had my hopes up after testing the 2026 Asus ROG Zephyrus G14, but the longer those numbers stayed absent from the brand's store the more concerned I became. The wait is over now, and we have a price tag for the RTX 5070 Ti version I was so impressed with during testing. It's... a lot.

The latest iteration of one of my favorite 14-inch rigs comes in at $3,599.99 with that Ti GPU and Intel Core Ultra 9 386H processor. That's $1,100 more than the $2,499.99 rate on the previous generation's AMD model. Perhaps even more damning, though, is last year's RTX 5080 prices.

Alongside a new anti-glare screen, that does actually get the job done by the way, the new G14 bumps up the power heading into that lower-class GPU. In my testing, that meant the RTX 5070 Ti 2026 iteration sometimes out-performed last year's 5080 rig.

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Asus ROG Zephyrus 2025 (RTX 5080) vs 2026 (RTX 5070 Ti)

3D Mark and QHD+ in-game performance

Versus Comparison Data

Attribute	RTX 5080 (2025)	RTX 5070 Ti (2026)
3DMark Steel Nomad	3863	3715
3DMark Time Spy	15133	16365
3DMark Fire Strike	31778	31825
Shadow of the Tomb Raider (1600p, Highest)	155	165
Total War: Three Kingdoms (1600p, Ultra)	84	81
Cyberpunk 2077 (1600p, RT:Ultra)	55	57
Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered (1600p, Highest)	78	83

RTX 5080 (2025)RTX 5070 Ti (2026)

VS

RTX 5080 (2025)RTX 5070 Ti (2026)

3DMark Steel Nomad (Score)

+4% 3,863

3,715

3DMark Time Spy (Score)

15,133

16,365 +8%

3DMark Fire Strike (Score)

31,778

31,825 +0%

Shadow of the Tomb Raider (1600p, Highest) (FPS)

155

165 +6%

Total War: Three Kingdoms (1600p, Ultra) (FPS)

+4% 84

81

Cyberpunk 2077 (1600p, RT:Ultra) (FPS)

55

57 +4%

Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered (1600p, Highest) (FPS)

78

83 +6%

Both rigs are fairly balanced, but the RTX 5070 Ti G14 just about scrapes a few wins in more demanding in-game benchmarks.

Compared to last year's, this is a real power upgrade - especially when you're looking to get closer to 60fps in Cyberpunk 2077. At slightly lower graphical settings you'll be nailing this baseline in a way that wouldn't be possible from a similarly-specced 2025 iteration.

If I was looking at both the 2025 RTX 5080 and 2026 RTX 5070 Ti configurations, though, I'd absolutely be choosing the former. You're dropping some fancy screen features, but the two are pretty evenly matched. There's just a four-figure price difference between the two.

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There's plenty of contention among the best Asus gaming laptops this year, then, but the best Razer laptops and the best Alienware laptops are still shooting their shot as well.

According to the latest reports, some of the biggest motherboard manufacturers that service the gaming PC market are all adjusting their sales projections for the rest of 2026 as the current RAM and storage crisis impacts their year-on-year performance. Asus, Gigabyte, MSI, and ASRock are some of the brands struggling in the current gaming PC market.

This isn't the first knock-on effect that the AI-induced RAMageddon has had on the consumer PC market. Not only have prices been higher for memory and storage, but chip suppliers like Nvidia, Intel, and AMD have purportedly shifted priorities as they service AI infrastructure rather than consumers. Some headlines suggest that PCB, used for all sorts of tech production may be under supply chain issues too, due to the Iran war as well as AI development. For now, though, the main issue facing motherboard makers is fewer people buying.

Reported by Digitimes, it seems four of the biggest gaming motherboard brands are all adjusting their sales targets in response. According to the report, Asus, Gigabyte, and MSI are all seeing a decrease of 25% year-on-year, while ASRock is apparently exceeding a 30% drop in sales.

Asus is said to have shipped 15 million motherboard units in 2025, but in the first half of 2026 has only managed to shift five million. It's unlikely that the brand would be able to match its year-on-year performance from this point, even as bigger sales in the computer market tend to come with the discount season around Black Friday. In response, the brand will supposedly try to meet a target of 10 million motherboard sales by the end of 2026.

Meanwhile, Gigabyte, which sold around 11.5 million motherboard units in 2025, is trying to meet a goal of 9 million by the end of this year. MSI, which sold 11 million in 2025, will shrink to a goal of 8.4 million, and ASRock, which reached 4.3 million sold in 2025, will drop to a 2.7 million target.

These significant drops in sales go hand in hand with ~300% price rises among a lot of the best RAM for gaming, as well as price increases for SSDs. With components as costly as they are, you can understand why fewer people are choosing to build new or upgrade to more advanced gaming PCs right now.

Not only that, but CPU prices are starting to rise too, and even if that weren't true, processing chips are certainly seeing supply chain constraints as more agentic AI models are trained.

This no doubt has an impact on the GPU market too, which is still arguably a long way from recovering from its 2020 crisis. AI/enterprise GPUs are in high demand due to data center production as well, and don't forget that the best graphics cards also require memory in the form of VRAM, which will hamper production. That means a smaller supply of GPUs for consumers as AI proves to be the most important customer.

Of course, while consumer sales have shrunk, all of these brands will likely be pulling in plenty of revenue from deals with AI companies that offset the dropped sales targets. Hopefully, this doesn't result in a similar story to Micron, which shuttered its Crucial consumer brand to fully focus on AI and industry business. Either way, it's not the best time to be thinking about building a PC.

Also take a look at the best CPU for gaming, the best computer speakers, and the best gaming PC in the UK.

I've always thought the best gaming laptops should fade into the distance, not take up my whole desk or backpack. That's why I've championed 14-inch machines for this long. I've been through generations of Razer, Asus, Acer, and HP's slimline rigs, shouting the benefits of compact machines to anyone who would listen. Now I'm putting them all head to head.

The subjects of today's trial are three of the most popular 14-inch gaming laptops on the market; the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14, Razer Blade 14, and Acer Predator Triton 14. Asus has held onto the crown for another year running, but it's last year's model doing that work - not the 2026 version I had on my test bench earlier in the month.

While the Zephyrus G14 is the best 14-inch gaming laptop I've tested so far, the new release is likely going to be significantly more expensive. The RTX 5070 Ti performance I benchmarked offered a real tangible boost in playable framerates (especially in more demanding runs), but we still don't know when these machines will hit the market and with supply chain difficulties, that all-important price tag is looking higher by the day. I've even spotted more budget machines retailing with just 8GB RAM, so there's no telling how high those luxury rates could climb. It may well be one of the best Asus gaming laptops, but if it's out of reach it's all for naught.

That means we're sticking to 2025's entry for the top performance slot, with Razer taking home the design award and the Predator proving best for those after a true hybrid work / play system.

The contenders

Full benchmark results

The best 14-inch gaming laptop performance

The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 does something very few 14-inch gaming laptops can; take you all the way to the RTX 5080. While Razer and Acer tend to halt at the RTX 5070, Asus pushes further with two more GPU classes above its competition.

The RTX 5080 2025 model I tested last year handled QHD gameplay far better than the GPU-capped Razer Blade 14, with Shadow of the Tomb Raider running at 155fps in its highest settings and Cyberpunk 2077 holding its own at 55fps in RT Ultra. There's a new kid on the block, though.

The 2026 Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 is the latest in line, and the RTX 5070 Ti configuration I've had on the test bench managed to beat last year's numbers thanks to a higher overall wattage. With all that under its belt the latest model can handle 60fps Cyberpunk in full whack - something I haven't seen from a 14-incher before.

There's a caveat to that performance, though, and one that brings me back round to last year's release as my primary recommendation. The new Zeph still hasn't hit the shelves in the US, and looking at the eye-watering pricing across the rest of the world it doesn't look like this is going to be an easy upgrade. With the cost of the 2025 offering packing significantly higher value I'd stick with the older model right now.

The best 14-inch gaming laptop design

The latest Razer Blade 14 has been my ride or die for months now, and I previously ran the model before it as my daily driver. It can't quite match the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 for sheer performance (Razer can only get an RTX 5070 in this thing), but if look and feel are your primary concern this is an easy winner.

Razer hasn't changed the rulebook of its gaming laptop designs in some time, because it doesn't need to. Each machine is CNC milled aluminum with a supremely durable finish. That means this thing handles like a solid brick of luxury, but one that doesn't take up your entire backpack (or hurt your shoulders).

It's a super skinny 14-inch gaming laptop but there's no flex or creaking anywhere across the chassis. Not only that, but the premium feel continues inside with a gorgeous OLED panel and a particularly satisfying keyboard underneath.

This is no cheap alternative, though. While the Blade 14 can see its own price drops, that MSRP is pretty firm and an RTX 5060 build often comes in more expensive than RTX 5070 options elsewhere. If you need to balance looks with power, though, it's an excellent option.

The best 14-inch gaming laptop battery

If you're hunting down the best 14-inch gaming laptop for battery, you likely need an all-day workhorse that can run your favorite games later on. That's precisely what the Acer Predator Triton 14 wants to do. The strange Intel Core Ultra 9 288V processor choice means you're not getting the full potential of the RTX 5070 (as tested) under the hood, but it does lend itself to a particularly power-economical device that can run your office for a full day before plugging in for some games.

The Predator Triton is a little confused in its use-case, but for those after a true two-in-one that could be a niche win. With a stylus included in the box, that slightly weedier processor (from a gaming perspective, anyway), and efficiency at its core, this is a real hybrid machine.

It's priced a little high for its benchmark results, I must say. Considering this rig can sometimes sit higher up the price scale than even the Razer Blade 14, its 2,593 Steel Nomad 3D Mark score raises some eyebrows and the fact it's just clinging on to 60fps in Horizon Zero Dawn: Remastered could give some pause for thought.

This isn't a framerate chaser, though, it's a jack of all trades for work and play. If you're happy bumping down to 1080p to get solid High-settings performance in more demanding games, all while benefitting from a slick and streamlined business machine, this is well worth investigating.

How we test 14-inch gaming laptops

I run all 14-inch gaming laptops through the same series of tests as any other machine, with each rig set to its highest preset performance profile. First up comes 3D Mark. This is a testing suite of benchmarks that put GPUs (and, to a lesser extent, CPUs) through their paces across demanding scenarios. I primarily use Steel Nomad, the most recent release, for the best real-world performance indication, but also run older tests Time Spy and Fire Strike to provide context around earlier releases.

Steel Nomad tests a system's graphical stability and speed across a non ray-traced scenario. Rendering techniques and devices like volume illumination, ambient occlusion, and depth of field are all core to this test, pushing a system's ability to maintain a smooth visual experience. Steel Nomad presents a score at the end of each benchmark - like all 3D Mark tests, higher is better.

I run each of these synthetic benchmarks three times, taking the final average score as my main result.

Then we're onto real-world performance. I benchmark in both 1080p and 1600p using each game's 'High' and 'Highest' settings, running each test three times and taking a final average score. Shadow of the Tomb Raider is the easiest test, before moving up to Total War: Three Kingdoms, Horizon Zero Dawn: Remastered, and Cyberpunk 2077.

Outside of pure performance testing, I work, play, travel, and live with each 14-inch gaming laptop for a minimum of two weeks before finalizing my review.

For more information on how we test gaming laptops, check out the full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

Also consider

Should you buy a 14-inch gaming laptop?

I wouldn't recommend a 14-inch gaming laptop to everyone. After all, there are some performance sacrifices inherent in this more compact form factor. However, with SoC machines becoming a real possibility in the next few years, we could see a larger trend towards more portable power.

As it stands today, without the extra chassis space (read cooling space) of a 16-inch or 18-inch device, these rigs typically run hotter, have more trouble with thermal throttling, and cost you slightly more for the privilege. It's not easy to squeeze high-end components into a portable shell, after all.

I personally wouldn't buy anything else, though. I take my gaming laptop with me everywhere I go, working most of the time but also relying on it for gameplay when I'm away from home for a few nights. I don't want a chunky device that's going to take up all my bag space just for the sake of a few hours of gameplay. I don't want to have to lug a giant power adapter across the country. I'm happy to sacrifice a few frames to save my back, shoulders, and inventory space.

If that sounds like you, a 14-incher is absolutely the way to go. They're the best all-in-one gaming laptops for a hybrid work / play approach. If you know you're going to keep your machine at home for most of its life, a larger model is going to give you a more immersive display, generally better performance, and better cooling.

I'm also running through all the best Asus gaming laptops and the best Razer laptops on the market. Or, if you really want something a little chunkier, check out the best Alienware laptops I've tested.

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.

I've just finished up testing the 2026 Asus ROG Zephyrus G14, but it's not quite made its way to my roundup of the best gaming laptops so far. That's because not only is it still waiting for a release date, but we don't even know the price point. With RAM shortages looming over the entire industry, and Asus itself pointing to a 50% increase in its MSRPs as a result, those final numbers could be problematic.

I've been saying it for some time now, but it's never been more true; last year's gaming laptops are going to give us far better value for money in 2026. The previous generation G14, for example, is available for just $1,399.99 at Best Buy today - that's a fraction of what the new release will likely cost.

Now I'm not saying those ready to invest in a high-end system should throw it all away on this deal just because it's there. As a matter of fact, there are plenty of players who would benefit from the boosted brightness of the new model's OLED and the tangible performance increase provided by the higher wattage.

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Not everyone is going to be able to fork out the likely $3,000+ price point of the RTX 5070 Ti version I tested, though, and if you're just looking to run your games on a work / play hybrid machine that still packs a punch in the looks department this is absolutely where I'd be looking.

The 2025 Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 is still a fantastic machine, and that RTX 5060 can handle pretty much anything you throw at it with a few resolution and texture tweaks. Anyone upgrading from an RTX 3050, 3060, or 3070 is going to notice a boost here.

The core G14 proposition is still alive and well on the previous generation as well. Framerates are great, but if you need your laptop to function for both work and play during regular travel sessions you only have a few options open to you. With the Razer Blade 14 still running much higher up the price tag and the Acer Predator Triton 14 AI coming up short in performance, the 2025 G14 lives on to fight another day.

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I'm hunting down plenty more of the best Asus gaming laptops as well as the best Razer laptops and best Alienware laptops on the market.

Every year I get to spend a few weeks with the latest Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 and, personal preferences very much on the table, I look forward to it all spring. This has long been my endgame laptop, a sleek and slimline 14-incher with a gorgeous OLED display and enough power to feel like I'm not missing out on higher-performance devices.

This year's iteration ups that total power to a 130W draw (compared to 2025's 110W), with a shift away from total AMD domination to Intel's new Panther Lake processors. The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 has always been one of the best gaming laptops on the market, and it's still getting its glow-ups in 2026.

Of course, it's not a cheap glow up. The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 only has one price tag associated with it right now, the RTX 5070 Ti version I've tested is up on the Asus store for $3,599.99. That's about $1,000 more than you'll pay for an RTX 5070 Ti version of the previous generation. With current estimates putting the base RTX 5060 model around $2,300-$2,500 (for an RTX 5060), this is likely to be a premium pick.

Performance

With a boost in total power and a move to Intel's Panther Lake processors, I was curious to see what the 2026 Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 could do with the already impressive numbers we saw on the previous generation. This line beat the Razer Blade 14 last year due to its RTX 5080 configuration options (Sneki taps out at an RTX 5070), but it looks like we don't even need to reach those heights in 2026.

The RTX 5070 Ti configuration I've been testing has beaten last year's top-end rig across both FHD and QHD+ in-game benchmarks.

Kicking off with Shadow of the Tomb Raider, the easiest test in my repertoire. The 2026 Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 nearly averages at 200fps in the lightest 1080p / High run, a framerate that would have been reserved for chunky 18-inchers just a few years ago. Things are rock solid in QHD+ land as well, with the most difficult run averaging at 165fps.

Total War: Three Kingdoms represents a slightly tougher test. This is still an older game but relies heavily on dense, highly populated objects on screen. We're still posting solid three-figure framerates in 1080p, though, only dropping to 81fps in Ultra settings at QHD+.

Onto the big'un. Cyberpunk 2077 represents the hardest test in my pool, and this is where we drop below 60fps for the first time. It's only when pushing the system at full QHD+ resolution at QHD+ that we break below that barrier, though, with a 57fps score - everything else is sailing above that threshold.

3D Mark's suite of GPU benchmarks is where the RTX 5070 Ti Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 of today falls slightly behind the RTX 5080 model of yesteryear. Steel Nomad is UL Solutions' most recent release, testing non-raytraced scenes and stressing the system's ability to render across demanding processes. The benchmark is run in 4K, stress-testing everything from surface illumination to particle effects, volumetric cloud rendering, and making the most of asynchronous computing workloads. At the end of it all, a final score is produced; higher is better.

Time Spy and Fire Strike test similar GPU metrics, though without some of these more demanding processes. They're still useful, especially if you're upgrading from a pre-2024 gaming laptop, but with Steel Nomad providing the clearest image of today's gaming laptop demands it's the benchmark I'll be focusing on most.

Synethetically, the 2026 Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 just nudges underneath the RTX 5080 configuration of the previous generation. That's not a knock on this machine - it's seriously impressive the lower-class GPU has managed to beat the flagship in previous entries across in-game benchmarks (and still does in Time Spy and Fire Strike). I'm taking this as a win for the cheaper GPU class.

What I loved

A tangible performance upgrade

There comes a point in many high-end gaming laptops where framerate boosts offer up limited returns. The 6.4% increase in Shadow of the Tomb Raider framerates at QHD+ Highest settings isn't going to make a material difference to your gameplay when we're already at 150+fps. However, that nudge up to 60fps+ in Cyberpunk 2077 certainly will.

It's this kind of bridging that makes the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 feel like a real power upgrade over the previous generation. I tested an RTX 5080 configuration of the 2025 model, so a lot of these comparisons are unfair. The fact that the 2026 G14 can stomp over my old laptop while running a cheaper GPU represents a step above the usual power upgrades I see year to year.

If that's what the RTX 5070 Ti can do, the RTX 5080 is going to be a beast. Considering that's all coming from a slimline 14-incher, there's a real sense of change here.

Last year's model proved that you don't need to sacrifice power for portability (provided you've got the budget to do so), 2026's release removes the need to opt for the topline configuration to do so.

Display goes the extra mile

It's not just those internals seeing a glow up in the 2026 Asus ROG Zephyrus G14. The OLED display up top feels like a cut above the rest.

Side by side with the Razer Blade 14 it feels just a little more elevated overall. Colors are incredibly punchy, and every image is cut with a beautiful sharpness that even makes the Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 boot screen look like an experience in itself.

The ROG Nebula HDR panel has been treated to a brightness boost, measuring in at 1,100 nits at its peak, with an extra Gorilla Glass coating to reduce glare.

Keyboard stays comfortable all day

Do I take umbrage in half-sized arrow buttons and a skinny Enter key? Sure. Is this one of the most satisfying laptop keyboards I've laid my hands on so far? Absolutely.

It's a fairly simple deck by most measures, being 14 inches across, it can't accommodate additional number keys. However, the snap and bounce of these clackers are second only to the Razer Blade 16 and its own scissor switch design. Across a week of working full days on the keyboard alone, I never felt cramped or uncomfortable here.

That's no surprise - this is a premium deck, and I'd be confused if I found the mushier, heavier experience of a cheaper gaming laptop here. However, if you're after a true hybrid work / play device these keys (and the smooth, responsive trackpad underneath them) will easily keep up.

Surprisingly potent speakers

Fan noise is always going to be a distraction across gaming laptops, but the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 manages to pack a set of speakers that are both powerful and clear enough to cut through that sound. While I'm normally reaching for a gaming headset to cut through those whirs, I managed several hours of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 on the machine's drivers alone.

That's a game that relies heavily on well-timed audio cues, a testament to how impactful the speakers on here really are. What's more, there's very little distortion at higher volumes. Everything sounds punchy, bassy, and clean.

What to consider

Not without its throttling moments

The G14 has posted an excellent set of benchmarks, but take it away from a sturdy desk setup and I did notice a little throttling. Temperatures were generally well maintained around the main chassis, low enough to comfortably rest my hand on the palm rest while playing and certainly nowhere near concerning. However, bringing the laptop to the arm of a couch did start to introduce some stutters.

I'd take this with a heavy pinch of salt. After all, it's pretty much sacrilege to run a gaming laptop directly on a soft surface - I'm sure the clamshell gods will be punishing me for my experiment soon. However, if you do tend to play on a softer surface it's worth investing in a riser.

Passable battery life

Many were looking to Intel's Panther Lake processors to improve running efficiency of gaming laptop batteries, but after a few days working and playing without a cable to hand I can pretty confidently say this isn't a revolutionary fix-all.

During a regular work day (Chrome tabs, a little light image editing, and using a 2.4GHz mouse), I managed to run for around three hours on Balanced Mode before hitting power saving settings. That's with brightness and power setting straight out the box. That battery saver took me for another hour and a half before I was getting imminent warnings of shutdown. All in across Balanced Mode I usually averaged about 4-5 hours of use in one charge.

That's pretty standard fare for a gaming laptop, if on the higher side compared to particularly power-hungry monsters. You'll get an extra hour or two out of the Acer Predator Triton 14 AI (though you're taking a performance hit to go with it).

Should you buy the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14?

The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 does feel like a marked step up from the previous generation, in its power potential and display most notably. Are you going to suffer if you're still running a 2025 version? Not enough to warrant the four-figure upgrade. Could this be the move if you're running an RTX 30-Series 14-incher from before 2020? That depends.

On paper, the G14 is going to give you a better experience further down the GPU scale than its predecessor. That much is clear from my benchmarks, albeit they're limited to the top end of the configuration scale. However, we only know the (lofty) price of the RTX 5070 Ti version, and with RAM shortages showing no sign of slowing it's highly likely the new generation will be significantly more expensive than the old.

With 2025 G14s sitting at between $1,500 (on a good day) for an RTX 5060, $2,300 for an RTX 5070 Ti, and $3,100 for an RTX 5080, those hunting a lower-class graphics card aren't going to find enough benefits in the display and higher wattage to warrant the higher price tags.

An RTX 5080 configuration of the previous release comes in at $3,169.99 full price (but is regularly discounted). That's still cheaper than 2026's new release.

How I tested the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14

I used the 2026 Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 as my daily driver for just over two weeks, while also testing directly against the Razer Blade 14 and Acer Predator Triton 14 AI. I spent most of that time with the laptop solo on my desk, while it spent a few days connected to an external monitor setup via a separate dock.

Synthetic benchmark tests were run across 3D Mark's suite of GPU and CPU processes; primarily focusing on Steel Nomad but also incorporating Time Spy and Fire Strike. Each test was run three times, with the final scores reflecting an average.

I carried out in-game benchmarks across Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Total War: Three Kingdoms, Cyberpunk 2077, and Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered at both 1080p and 1600p, in each game's 'high' and 'highest' settings. Again, each test was run three times, with final framerates taken as an average of all three runs.

All benchmarking was completed in the system's Turbo power mode.

For more information on how we test gaming laptops, check out the full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

I'm also hunting down all the best Asus gaming laptops as well as the best Razer laptops and the best Alienware laptops on the market.

If you've been hunting for the fastest Xbox Series X controller on the shelves, the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro has been the clear choice for the last little while. With speedy microswitch buttons all over it, six extra buttons, and a refined use of esports mouse tech, it's an excellent controller to choose for competitive play where every millisecond counts.

It's now got a new rival though, which feels as though it's been produced as a response to Razer's new need for speed. The Asus ROG Raikiri 2 is, in many ways, an excellent rival to the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro. Both controllers are fresh-feeling reworks of an older generation controller that really needed a facelift. Both controllers have those speedy actuating buttons and a similar Xbox-shaped take on ergonomics. And both of them are officially licensed for the Xbox Series X at around the same price.

It's a tricky toss-up then, because you're essentially choosing between near-identical controllers. I'm not even sure there is a clear winner between these two because it's like watching Anakin and Obi-Wan twirl their light sabers at one another. Both will serve you well if you plan to play games on an Xbox or if you're broadening your horizons and you need a PC controller. Having been lucky enough to test and review both of them, I'm here to walk you through the subtle differences and help you choose the one that's going to be exactly right for your hands.

Design

While both of these controllers shoot for a similar speedy functionality, their designs are a bit different. Razer's Wolverine V3 Pro is truer to that brand's gamepad heritage. Its grips are more rounded, they're shorter in length, and overall, it just feels chunkier. The V3 Pro comes in black, with the previous generation of Wolverine controller's RGB highlights noticeably missing. This gives it a more stripped-back look, as though it takes itself more seriously - think Christian Bale's Batman costume removing colorful design frills in favour of matte black textures.

The Raikiri 2 shoots for a bit more style. Its facial elements are framed with tiny ROG and Xbox logo prints; there's a bit more RGB involved that shines out from under your palms when you hold it. But the overall aesthetic is similar to the Wolverine V3 Pro - there's a lot of matte black texture here too, and some of the design work (like the pointless wee screen) from the Raikiri Pro has been removed.

More importantly, the grips on the Raikiri 2 are a bit more elongated, which, for folks like me with slightly larger hands, is a welcome choice.

Winner: It's hard to say who wins out in this round. The Raikiri 2 has a bit more pizazz to its aesthetic, and has longer grips so, personally, I like its design a bit more than the minimalist Wolverine V3 Pro. That said, if you're in the small hand gang and you prefer a shorter, stocky controller with no RGB, the Wolverine is going to be better for you.

Personally though, if I had to choose a winner, it'd be the Raikiri 2.

Features

Thanks to their Xbox licensing, these two controllers pack very similar things in their carrying cases. For one, both have wireless dongles and a 1K polling rate, so you can play without a tether on Xbox or PC. That said, with either, you'll need to play on PC to get the full speed out of them since the Microsoft console can only get a max of 400Hz.

The Raikiri may have an edge by offering a slightly more practical case, which can charge the controller within while it rests inside. The Asus pad has a wireless charging stand too - the Wolverine V3 arrived a bit before this became the norm for this league of Xbox controller. Further, the Raikiri 2 sports TMR thumbsticks while the V3 Pro has Hall effect ones. That loss isn't too great since Razer adopted Hall effect modules. Both controllers come with swappable thumbstick tops in their cases.

The Wolverine V3 Pro does have the edge with feedback, however, since it has Razer's Sensa HD Haptics, which provide a bit more detail.

Winner: Besides a few technicalities, thanks to the Raikiri 2 being newer, it maybe has the edge on features. Then again, the average gamer who hasn't tried Hall effect or TMR thumbsticks isn't going to notice a massive difference between the two. Either gives you a full suite of features for your gaming setup, so I'd really argue this round is a draw, short of preferences for a charging stand being included.

Comfort

This is another close round in a so far split-decision fight. Again, it's going to be subjective for you, but there are two points I'd take on board if you're trying to decide between these gamepads.

The Raikiri 2 has very similar microswitch buttons to the Wolverine V3 Pro - both of them have very short actuations, but the ones on the Raikiri 2 feel as though they have less cushioning under them. I'm not sure whether it's a result of the faceplate being harder, the actuation being shorter, or just different types of microswitch, but Razer's ever-so-slight sponginess means the Wolverine V3 Pro's buttons are more forgiving.

This is important because, while both can offer really speedy button presses, I found the Raikiri 2 to be a little more uncomfortable due to its buttons hurting my finger joints during longer sessions when I was in more intense games. This could lead to injury, and even if not, pain is never what you want in a gaming accessory.

On a slightly different end of the comfort scale, I personally find the grips of the Raikiri 2 to be more comfortable because they're longer. Then again, this is more up to you and your preferences. I was raised on PlayStation controllers, so I'm a bit more prone to longer grips that support my pinkies a bit more than Razer is willing to.

Winner: The winner of this round is too tough to call for me. Razer may edge it out because the V3 Pro doesn't cause pain when button-mashing, but I'd much rather have the grips of the Raikiri 2 to wrap my hands around.

First-person shooters

Either of these pads will give you an excellent weapon to use in your favorite FPS games. The Raikiri Pro's back buttons are placed really well, thanks to those longer grips though, which personally makes it a favorite for me. Out of the box, the Wolverine V3 Pro has an advantage because the deadzones and stick settings overall are a bit more usable.

The Raikiri 2 uses the most advanced and up-to-date module, TMR tech. As a TMR controller, it's set up for success in the competitive FPS genre - even more so than the Hall effect sensors inside the Wolverine V3 Pro.

If this is ultimately what it's coming down to, I'd urge you to think about what platform you're using. The Wolverine V3 Pro does have an 8K version that drops the Xbox licensing and has a faster polling rate than the 1K limit of the Raikiri 2, adopting TMR sticks in the process. Be warned though, the 8K version of the Wolverine removes any vibration, which makes it feel lighter and not as premium as the original Xbox variant.

Both controllers give you swappable thumbstick options, so that's a win for whichever you choose.

Winner: Although its deadzones aren't the best out of the box, the Raikiri 2 does have the better specs for FPS gaming thanks to those TMR thumbsticks.

Price

This is a tricky one. In the US, the Raikiri 2 has a full price of $189.99, which is $10 cheaper than the Wolverine V3 Pro at $200. But in the UK, both share the same £200 price tag.

But hold on, the Wolverine V3 Pro is older, and is now seeing discounts a lot more frequently - to the $149 mark and under. Razer also has a secret weapon for this round, the Razer Wolverine V3 TE, which comes in white. It drops the wireless play, swappable accessories, and carrying case, and costs just $99.99. While it loses some bells and whistles, you do get the same controller and features - the question will come down to whether you need to go cord-free and and want to drop a few extras.

Technically, you can get the Wolverine V3 Pro for cheaper than the Raikiri 2 these days, so is it the winner? The Raikiri 2 has just taken its first price drop at the time of writing, dropping to $169.99 at Amazon. That makes it excellent value for money versus the other Xbox controllers that cost $200, but it's not cheaper than the Wolverine V3 Pro is willing to drop.

Winner: This one, as far as I can see, is too close to call. Depending on the week, time of year, or where you're shopping from, one could be cheaper than the other. For me, this is a draw, even if I admire the fact that Asus has managed to pull together a more reasonable full price in the US.

The winner is...

In many ways, this one is too close to call. Both controllers match up so well that tiny preferential things are going to decide it for you as an individual. Is one really "better" than the other? The Raikiri is certainly more modernized since it has the benefit of being brand new in 2026, while the V3 Pro is showing its futureproofing after a launch at the end of 2024.

In all honesty, both controllers will give you very similar experiences. I would really recommend watching prices and going with whatever one is cheaper.

Thanks to those face buttons being ever so slightly comfier, I'm inclined to say I lean toward the Wolverine V3 Pro as an overall winner. But TMR thumbsticks make a huge difference in the games I like to play, and the longer grips mean the Raikiri's back button placement feels that little bit better.

For more on controllers, check out the best Switch 2 controllers, the best PS5 controllers, and the best Xbox accessories.

I've been saying it for years, Asus knows how to sound dampen a keyboard - probably more so than any other mainstream gaming brand putting out "enthusiast-grade" devices. The Asus ROG Strix Morph 96 Wireless is no exception.

This cheaper entry (coming in at $139.99 / £134.99) is a sight for a set of sore eyes that have spent a little too long poring over $250+ decks to find the best gaming keyboards. You're still getting the wireless connection, solid battery life, and functional 96% layout of more premium options, though. The dampening, foaming, and gasket mounting make for one of the most tactile-feeling linear experiences I've had so far, energetic, bouncy, but with a nice sense of texture to every press.

Where it steps slightly outside of the mainstream is its modding potential. The Strix Morph features a fully removable top plate held in position by five screws. Removing this allows for in-depth personalization underneath the PCB, as well as on top of it with hot-swappable switches.

Wireless mechanical keyboards aren't as expensive as they used to be, and you'll find plenty of two-figure options out there from budget brands. If you're going for a slightly more refined typing feel, though, the Asus ROG Morph 96 is a solid option - especially if you want to crack open that case.

What I love

A bouncier linear experience

There's something about these Asus ROG NX switches, in a chassis this well mounted they simply spring off the board. I've been testing a set of ROG NX Snow V2 clickers, but the Morph is also available with the brand's Storm V2 switches as well.

Asus itself classes Snow as thocky, and if that's the case I'd be interested to see how 'clacky' the Storms really are.

This isn't a simple linear experience like the majority of the market, but rather one that has a little more texture to it. The best way I can describe it is somewhere between a very light brown and a heavy red, with something of the sound of a well-dampened blue. That's to say smooth and streamlined, but with more of a clack sound than a thock.

The clackers themselves use a walled stem design to keep dust out before each switch gets a good factory lubing to keep things smooth and steady. With a 1.8mm actuation point and 40gf initial force, they're pretty light under the hand, but I rarely mis-pressed adjacent keys.

Straight out the box I was surprised to find ABS toppers on here. Aside from the slightly below average price for a wireless Asus gaming keyboard, there's nothing else in here to suggest this is a budget offering. While some will take umbrage in the lower quality cap build, though, I take some solace in the fact that they're particularly well textured and feel sturdy under the fingertips.

Far more room for customization

Very few mainstream decks will let you break into the main chassis without clocking your warranty. Even the best hot-swappable keyboards from gaming brands like Razer, Corsair, and SteelSeries make their cases almost impossible to break into, but the Asus ROG Strix Morph 96 Wireless can be fully disassembled from the top down.

It's a shame a screwdriver isn't included in the box. If you're used to tearing down tech you'll likely have a torx driver to hand, but without one you'll be stripped these screws in an instant. Still, as a companion to the hot-swappable design and south-facing LEDs, it's a nice touch that opens the door to even heavier dampening mods.

Compact but functional design

The 96% form factor is picking up across the industry, after spending a few too many years in the shadows. It's by no means new, but with the Corsair Vanguard Pro 96 and Asus ROG Azoth HE 96 both opting for the compact layout in the last few months it feels like a resurgence is heading our way.

Unlike the former, there's a good amount of spacing between the main keys and the 'num-pad zone,' which keeps things nice and accurate in every day usage. I did find myself accidentally hitting the slightly squished arrow buttons, but it's easy enough to get used to.

With no need to drop your num-pad for extra mouse room the Asus ROG Strix Morph 96 Wireless keeps all your main controls front and center, with a row of nav keys maintained above the main numerical pad as well. All that sits in a chassis only slightly longer than a larger 75% keyboard.

Dropping the OLED display of devices like the Azoth means you've got more space for keys (though Asus does do a lot more with these panels than its competitors), while dedicated media controls are housed on the left hand side of the deck. A volume dial and multi-function button sit on the edge of the left lip, with their own RGB flair, in a similar to design to that of the Asus ROG Falcata. It's functional without taking up too much space, and that's exactly the balance I like to see.

What to consider

No magnetic functionality

You'd be hard pressed to find one of the best Hall effect keyboards at under $140 these days, so I'm not knocking the Asus ROG Strix Morph 96 Wireless too hard for sticking to mechanical clackers. However, models like the Logitech G Pro X TKL Rapid will net you the extra features of a magnetic board at only a little further up the price scale. That particular model comes in $50 more expensive at MSRP, but is often on sale at Amazon for between $140 and $160.

What specifically are you sacrificing? Adjustable switch actuations can come in pretty handy for fast-paced FPS and other competitive genres. Setting certain keys to a feather-sensitivity while making sure the keys around them are at their dullest settings improves speed while reducing accidental presses. On top of that, you're getting rapid trigger (to make repeat presses register faster) and multiple actuations per key (a more advanced feature that can trigger different inputs based on how far down a keypress you are).

You'd be looking at the cheaper end of the Hall effect scale to pick up a keyboard close to this MSRP, though, and typing experience can take a hit when the numbers are this low. I find magnetic decks have a propensity to feel a little woolly under the hands with too much tension in their actuation compared to mechanical clickers. If you're typing for longer periods of time, I'd steer clear of sub-$200 models.

Budget brands can go cheaper

The Asus ROG Strix Morph 96 Wireless manages to hold its position against slightly more expensive Hall effect decks based on its typing feel, but it's still got to justify itself against the low end of the market.

As I found in my Newmen GM326 review, budget mechanical keyboards have come a long way in a few short years. While super cheap options won't net you the same kind of sound dampening and gasket mounting prestige as this Asus model, you'll still find largely the same features, feel, and overall functionality for far less.

Brands like Redragon, RK Royal Kludge, and Womier specialize in producing low-budget decks that still look and feel great - and they're often half the price of Asus's entry. Only some of these options (and largely the more expensive ones coming in only slightly below $139.99) offer the same 2.4GHz / Bluetooth wireless connections, though, and few use a CNC milled aluminum main chassis.

If you just want to get the job done and don't mind dropping some fancy high-speed connection features, a sturdier build quality, and (generally speaking) dedicated media controls, you can still get a solid deck for between $50 and $80. Of course, buying from these smaller 'Amazon' brands doesn't net you the same kind of warranty guarantee.

Azoth still wins on battery life

It's a small point, but it bears reminding as I've been testing the Morph directly against the Asus ROG Azoth over the past couple of weeks. This is certainly a sturdy battery, running for up to 100 hours with RGB on and 590 hours in its most power-economical state.

It can't hold a candle to the 100+ hours I regularly manage to squeeze out of the Azoth with both the RGB and OLED screen on. Whether or not the old girl can still hit that 2,000 hour max charge three years later, I'm still surprised by just how much juice is in this keyboard whenever I get it back on the desk. Considering the Azoth is the best wireless gaming keyboard (thanks in no small part to this endurance), it's pertinent to mention.

Should you buy the Asus ROG Strix Morph 96 Wireless?

Compared to the rest of the mainstream gaming market, the Asus ROG Strix Morph 96 has a remarkably fair proposition. Its $139.99 price tag isn't outrageous by any means, coming in much cheaper than I would have expected a wireless mechanical keyboard to have done just a year or so ago. Hell, even the 2023 Asus ROG Azoth is still regularly going for $199.99 these days.

In a time when the shelves seem to be filling with $200+ Hall effect powerhouses, it's nice to see a deck that focuses on high-end customization, typing feel, and build quality. I'd be comfortable recommending the Morph to anyone for whom personalization and a wireless connection are must-haves, especially if you don't like to leave your media controls out of the equation.

In fact, the only reason it doesn't quite topple the Azoth in the wireless category is its battery life. Without that superior charge, the similar typing feel, excellent design, and connection versatility (not to mention the much lower price point) would have seriously threatened pole position. At $139.99, the Asus ROG Strix Morph is certainly up there, it just depends on how much you hate plugging in.

How I tested the Asus ROG Strix Morph 96 Wireless

I ran the Asus ROG Strix Morph 96 Wireless as my main keyboard for a period of two weeks before completing this review, comparing it directly against the Asus ROG Azoth, Corsair Vanguard Pro 96, and Newmen GM326 in that time. More dedicated testing time was spent in Apex Legends and CS:2, with additional play in Planet Coaster and Doom: The Dark Ages. For more information on how we test gaming keyboards, check out the full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

I'm also rounding up all the best membrane keyboards for something a little cheaper, or check out the best gaming mouse models and best gaming headsets for more setup ideas.

To skirt around the inflated costs of configuring DDR5 gaming PCs at the moment, a lot of brands that make prebuilt machines are selling you short. If you shop around for an RTX 5060 gaming PC at Newegg, which is typically the best pound-for-pound e-tailer when it comes to deal prices, you'll find machines that cost $200-300 more than they would have six months ago. Not only that, but they'll house DDR4 RAM inside them. Not what you want if you're shopping for the best gaming PC possible for your budget.

I'm so impressed with Asus though, because the brand is bucking that trend and offering gamers some actual value in a time of crisis. Thanks to Best Buy's Tech Fest sale, an Asus ROG G700 Gaming Desktop is seeing a saving of $200, which brings a machine with 16GB of DDR5 down to a "normal" discount price of $999.99 at Best Buy. It's almost like the RAMpocalypse isn't even happening.

If you're finding yourself asking, "What's the RAMpocalypse?", let me fill you in. AI data centers are being built all over the world right now, and in order for them to work, they need a whole lot of computing memory. That means we consumers have no supply of DDR5 to build our own computers with, and prices on all sorts of technology are going through the roof.

In terms of shopping around for a prebuilt gaming PC, that basically means you've picked the worst possible time. Prices have shot up, and as I've said, a lot of brands are resorting to selling you what they can, rather than what you should expect for your money these days.

Asus, for whatever reason, isn't joining in on that. Before the RAM shortages started, I was seeing all sorts of gaming PCs that are a 1:1 match with the G700 above on specs, going for $999.99 after getting a discount. In fact, if you bought from a budget brand, or one of the store-owned configurators like Newegg's ABS machines, you could probably get an entry-level machine for even cheaper, around $899.

But as for the well-known brands like HP, Acer, Lenovo, and Asus, their rigs would only ever tend to reach this kind of price. So yes, while you might pay for a better-known logo on the front of your PC case here, you're still getting a genuine deal over a lot of those budget brands that are now offering DDR4 systems with up-to-date graphics cards for the same money.

In all likelihood, this deal from Asus is due to the fact that its stock of these machines was already pulled together before prices skyrocketed, and we're still seeing the tail end of its supply being sold off at an appropriate cost. Either that, or it really is a treat to celebrate Best Buy's Tech Fest sale. Whatever the reason, this is a really good price to pay for a properly futureproofed machine at the moment, and I wouldn't expect to see many PC building brands offer "normal" costs like this all too often in the coming years.

The reason this is a good deal is that you actually get DDR5 RAM in your PC, but not only that, if you opt for a DDR4 system right now, you'll be locked into DDR4 memory for the rest of that PC's life. DDR4 memory isn't compatible with DDR5 motherboards, and vice versa. Grabbing a PC that has DDR5 in it, even if it's only 16GB for now, means you'll be set up for the future. This particular G700 from Asus also has an Intel Core Ultra 5 processor in it, meaning you'll have room to upgrade it later with another Intel Core Ultra processor from that generation, or one from the incoming Intel Core Ultra 200 Plus range.

See also the best gaming PCs in the UK, the best CPU for gaming, and the best computer speakers.

I have a history with the Asus ROG Azoth line. When I reviewed the first model back in 2023, I instantly fell in love with its excellent sound dampening, hot-swappable PCB, and incredibly energetic typing feel.

That was back when the best gaming keyboards were only just learning what gasket mounting was and where to put the foam sheets. Things have moved on, though. With magnetic switches taking over the high-end market and Asus's own ROG HFX clackers representing the best I've used so far, I jumped at the chance to get the Asus ROG Azoth 96 HE on my desk.

After a string of, frankly, unnecessary releases in this range, this is the keyboard that's bringing me back to the Azoth - but goodness is it an expensive journey. Asus provided the review sample I've been testing at no cost, but when a device proves itself as the 'best' I've tested, I'm often a little more lenient around a higher price tag. After all, if something is objectively ticking more boxes and providing a better experience than something else, it is 'better'.

In this case, the Asus ROG Azoth 96 HE's $359.99 MSRP is a full $130 more than the keyboard I'd recommend after it, the Corsair Vanguard Pro 96 ($229.99). That's a serious leap in pricing.

This isn't out of the blue, though. The Asus ROG Falcata launched earlier last year at a ludicrous $429.99 starting price. That's a more niche split deck that's working a little harder for a specific set of users, but it's still a set of numbers that would have been unthinkable a few years ago.

The Asus ROG Azoth 96 HE has so much going for it. It is the best Hall effect gaming keyboard I've tested so far. Whether or not it's easy to recommend as a top-choice gaming keyboard is a slightly different matter.

What I love

The best feeling magnetic switches I've used

I've been struggling with the Asus ROG Falcata of late. It's got the best magnetic switches I've used so far, but the split design and $400+ price point make it difficult to fully recommend. Thankfully, the Asus ROG Azoth 96 HE uses the same clackers, and the experience is just as smooth this time around.

Magnetic keyboards are great for extra gaming features, but the extra tension under each key makes for a slightly lethargic typing feel. Considering I loved the original Asus ROG Azoth's bouncy switches, the Hall effect version has filled some big boots in 2026. Every keypress is as smooth and rich as you'd expect from a well-tuned mechanical keyboard, no more woolly pressure under each cap.

That makes a world of difference in everyday typing, but it also makes for a more spritely gaming experience as well. There's a distinct snap to each keypress here and, combined with that speedy rapid trigger and the ability to set actuation points a little higher than a typical mechanical deck, I've been propelled across the deck with particular ease.

Not many mainstream gaming keyboard brands know how to get a keyboard sounding and feeling this good, but Asus has some kind of secret sauce in its factory. These folks know how to dampen a deck, and they've poured that sacred wisdom into the ROG Azoth 96 HE.

That means it's a more pleasant experience than that of the Corsair Vanguard Pro 96. Its competitor is still impressively smooth and far better than most Hall effect options, but the Azoth brings extra energy to the experience as a whole.

If you're coming to the Asus ROG Azoth 96 HE from one of the previous mechanical options, those switches are going to be the biggest change by far. You can read more about the benefits of magnetic clackers in my guide to what is a Hall effect gaming keyboard, but essentially, they're free from the on/off moving parts of a mechanical option.

Instead, the Azoth 96 HE allows you to set per-key customizable actuation points (the moment a keypress is registered) from 0.1mm to 3.5mm in depth. It's a little shorter than others on the market - Corsair's Vanguard Pro, for example, takes you all the way down to 4mm, as does the Glorious GMMK 3 Pro HE). That means higher sensitivities on keys you need to hit faster, and more force is required on the buttons you don't want to accidentally hit.

It also opens the door to faster, rapid trigger inputs. When a mechanical switch is pressed, it needs to fully 'reset' its position before it can register a new input (physically, a pin needs to slot back into place). With magnets, you can set where that reset point is, and the deck can even dynamically alter it while you're spamming. It essentially means much faster repeat presses.

Finally, now that your keyboard knows how far down you want to press to actuate, it can assign multiple functions to different levels of pressure. The Asus ROG Azoth 96 HE allows for four individual inputs per press (two on the way down and one on the way up). You're less likely to live and die by this feature, but it is helpful for keeping walk / run separate on the W key, for example, and Asus's implementation doubles the usual two-step inputs offered elsewhere (like the Vanguard).

Battery life keeps up with that wireless connection

The magnetic switches inside the Asus ROG Azoth 96 HE offer far greater versatility and control for gamers, but you don't see too many of the best wireless gaming keyboards moving away from mechanical clackers. There's good reason for that, and it goes a long way to explaining the Azoth's particularly high price tag.

Not only does the Asus ROG Azoth 96 HE manage to get away with a wireless connection (via both Bluetooth and 2.4GHz), but it's also got a battery that can keep it juiced up at the same time. That's rare - these switches are hungry for charge and can often eat up a full battery in just over a day.

The Ducky One X, for example, will barely last 15 hours on my desk before needing to be plugged in. I've been running the Azoth 96 HE for about a week of work and play on a single charge, equating to roughly 45 to 50 hours.

It's nowhere near the seemingly immortal battery life of the original model, which I can often forget needs charging at all, but it's certainly above the average of all the Hall effect keyboards I've tested over the last couple of years.

Well designed key spacing

The Asus ROG Azoth 96 HE makes another major change compared to previous iterations. The 96% form factor means it's closer to a full-sized keyboard in functionality while still keeping a more compact design on the desk. A few decks (most notably the Corsair Vanguard) are adopting similar practices these days, which means you get access to all those right-hand numbers and a few nav keys (minus home, insert, and end) while still keeping space for mouse swipes to the side.

Asus gets its spacing right, though. There's a small line of separation between the main deck and the arrow keys, with a little extra buffer to the number pad. It's an extra piece of top plate that might not seem like much, but compared with the Corsair Vanguard that simply squishes everything into a more homogenous cluster, it makes for a far more relaxed experience.

Just that bit of extra spacing delineates the different key zones enough to make sure I always know where I am on the deck, and can hit arrow keys more reliably. Sure, it still takes a second to get used to, but it's far easier to re-learn than Corsair's implementation. It also makes for a more visually appealing keyboard overall.

OLED display feels more useful than others

Top gaming keyboards have been adding OLED displays to their spec sheets for years now, and the Asus ROG Azoth nailed its iteration back in 2023. Nobody seems to have caught up, though, and Asus has simply doubled down on what made its original panel so great.

While Corsair limits its screen to a few images and animations, and the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 adds more functionality without the luxury of colour and far fewer pixels, the Asus ROG Azoth 96 HE takes everything a step further.

Onboard switch sensitivity and actuation settings can be accessed and controlled via the button and rocker switch to the right of the display, with everything from hardware vitals to keystrokes per second on the screen itself. That's far more useful than the rest of the market, which seems content to keep the display as a neat extra rather than a core piece of the puzzle.

What to consider

We're in another price bracket now

The Asus ROG Azoth 96 HE packs a rare wireless connection with the battery to support it, offers the best magnetic switches I've used so far, and makes its extra features work a little harder for it than the competition. It's also priced well above the rest of the market.

The Logitech G Pro X TKL Rapid and Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Mini can offer you adjustable switches for less than $200, albeit while dropping that premium typing feel and wireless connection.

I was beginning to think the top end of the market sat with the Keychron Q1 HE 8K and Corsair's $229.99 MSRPs, but Asus is looking to push those prices a little higher than the rest of the gang. At $349.99, the Azoth isn't as expensive as the Falcata, but it's still the third most premium deck I've tested so far. That's taking the fully-configured Glorious GMMK 3 Pro HE with all bells and whistles and a launch day price tag into account - that deck can be found for between $200 and $300 these days.

Yes, the Asus ROG Azoth 96 HE offers a better experience than these alternatives, but are those benefits worth $130? That's largely down to you. I love this typing feel, keyboards are a real passion of mine, and I'm happy to invest in something that ticks all my boxes. I would still wait for a sale on this one.

The problem is this. The Asus ROG Azoth 96 HE is in a different price league to the rest of the market, but its benefits don't quite justify that jump.

Should you buy the Asus ROG Azoth 96 HE?

The Asus ROG Azoth 96 HE is an expensive gaming keyboard, and it's only going to make sense for those who prioritize a high-end typing feel more than anything else. Every other combination of features is already served by cheaper decks.

How I tested the Asus ROG Azoth 96 HE

I used the Asus ROG Azoth 96 HE as my main daily keyboard for a period of two weeks, with a day's worth of side-by-side testing against the Corsair Vanguard Pro 96, Cherry XTRFY MX 8.2 TKL TMR, Asus ROG Azoth, and Asus ROG Falcata. That's eight hours of typing per day, with a couple hours of gaming in the evening and more involved play over the weekend. In that time, I tested in CS2 and Doom: The Dark Ages, with additional time spent in Planet Coaster. For more information on how we test gaming keyboards, check out the full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

For more switch options, check out the best hot-swappable keyboards or the best membrane gaming keyboards for something a little cheaper. We're also rounding up all the best gaming mouse models on the market for a full refresh.

You've all likely heard of Mario Day, but today (March 9, 2026) happens to be Miku Day. Instead of celebrating Nintendo's iconic plumber, this day is for celebrating anything and everything to do with everyone's favorite virtual vocaloid, Hatsune Miku.

In Japanese, the numbers 3 and 9 can be read as "mi" and "ku" respectively, which is why fans have chosen today to celebrate the adorable pig-tailed diva. Sadly, there isn't much in the way of new Hatsune Miku-flavoured gaming tech announcements this Miku Day, yet I've decided to use this perfect occasion to harp on about my favorite set of PC gaming accessories, the Asus TUF Hatsune Miku Collection. The set is not only still readily available starting from $24.99 (Amazon), but contains some of the best-looking gaming goodies I've seen.

As a member of the GamesRadar+ hardware team, I'm in a very fortunate position to test and try out a huge range of the best gaming keyboards, mice and headsets. Yet, each time I'm in between samples and vigorously gaming away on my PC, I always default to this collection as a Miku fan. It's not the only set of special edition accessories out there, and not even the only one Asus is involved with, but it is the best one to make full use of the Vocaloid license and set my fandom heart aflutter.

Take the K3 Gen II Hatsune Miku Edition gaming keyboard, for example. No corner of this board is free from Miku iconography, which is exactly what you'd want from an officially licensed bit of tech, especially one priced at $99.99 (Amazon). There are Miku references everywhere, from the famous '01' tattoo marking on the escape key, heat-shaped music notation on the function keys, to Miku herself popping up across the spacebar. As a pièce de résistance, the entire top cover (which can be removed by the way) features that same iconic turquoise shade as her pigtails.

I've been using the keyboard for almost a year, and it's a dream to type with. Each key press feels nice and creamy, and it's integrated with a silicone gasket mount and dampening foam to prevent loud, unwanted clicky noises. I'm pretty heavy-handed with my key presses, yet each key feels just as responsive as it did the first day I took it out of the box. The printing on the keys has remained intact too, which I was worried about when I originally looked at the Hatsune Miku Asus set back in July 2025.

The keyboard remains my current favorite piece, even if I wish it were wireless to avoid having an ugly white wire to deal with. Besides the board, my favorite part of this set is the Hatsune Miku Edition Mini Wireless Mouse, which goes all out to include a glowing silhouette on the palm rest. I prefer the best gaming mice, which are a bit larger for my hands, but the LEDs look stunning when illuminating on any desk surface that I easily become dazzled and forget about its tiny stature every time I use it.

The mouse includes 100% PTFE mouse feet, which alongside its lightweight 65g form factor, make it easily glide across the matching mouse mat. Better yet, it features tri-mode connectivity, so you can switch it up between a wired, Bluetooth, or 2.4Ghz wireless connection, and it has a mega 134-hour battery life. I can typically use it for a month and a half of work and gaming before it needs a charge, which is why it never budges from my desk. That, and it's too cute to swap for anything else.

Talking of cute, the H1 Gen II Hatsune Miku Edition wired headset takes after the mouse with its design choices. The left ear cup is equipped with a glowing LED silhouette of Miku, with the other sporting the TUF Gaming logo. This is a wired pair of cups, so it's not one of the best gaming headsets out there, and it's limited by a wired connection too. Yet, I've continued to use it as my day-to-day work headset as it's cute, comfortable, and the microphone isn't too shabby either.

I do wish that Asus had taken after Miku's own headset when it comes to design, as she's a singer and does actually have a unique pair of her own. Yet, this model still blends well with the rest of the collection, especially as it utilizes that same turquoise, pink, and white color palette. To account for the licensing costs, the headset is far pricier than my usually recommended budget pair, like the Turtle Beach Airlite fit, which is just $27.99 (Amazon), so if you want that Miku look, you have to account for that Miku cost.

If you wanted to save a bit of cash, you'd be best sticking with the P1 Hatsune Miku Edition Portable Gaming Mouse Pad. It's just $24.99 and features a gorgeously printed bit of Miku artwork, which is the same one found on the keyboard's spacebar. It's pretty small, coming at just 10 x 8 inches in size, but if your desk is low on space, it gets the job done.

I actually prefer its size as my desk is typically cluttered with figures and merch of Miku herself, so there's rarely enough space for a full-sized mat. Again, you could find a similarly sized mat for far less than its $25 price, but much like the entire Asus x TUF Gaming Hatsune Miku Collection, it's more about capturing that cute design aesthetic.

However, if you are a Miku fan, I fully believe now, just as I did when I first took a look at this set last July, that there's plenty of value here. You'll just have to be a huge fan of the Vocaloid to fully appreciate this gorgeous set in all its full, spectacular splendor. A splendor that can be appreciated on Miku Day and every day of the year.

• View all Asus TUF Gaming Hatsune Miku accessories at Amazon
• View all Hatsune Miku gaming accessories at Amazon

Check out our guides to the best gaming chairs, the best SSDs for gaming, and the best PC controllers for gaming if your PC setup could use a boost.

CES 2026 was a few months ago now, but we're finally seeing its shiny tech reveals hit the online shelves, including the Asus ROG Cetra Open Wireless earbuds.

These contenders for the best gaming earbuds are the brand's first ever delve into open-back design, a style typically reserved for high-end headsets and headphones. In the case of these $229.99 (Amazon) buds, it means that they sit outside your ear canal and direct sound towards your ears, rather than entirely sealing them off from the rest of the world. It's mainly for comfort and, if earbuds have put you off in the past due to the worry of ear aches and pains, you can grab these from today.

Asus states that having the buds rest outside your ear canals helps "eliminate pressure points" common to in-ear designs. That alone has intrigued me enough to give these a whirl as soon as possible as I still prefer the best gaming headsets for day to day play.

The buds have also been developed using "skin-friendly" materials and feature an ergonomic ear hook to ensure a comfortable and secure fit. With that in mind, a lot of the official marketing imagery of these buds is centred around sports and fitness activities. However, there are plenty of features keep up that gaming ethos, such as their 14.2mm Diamond-like carbon diaphragm audio drivers and dual-mode connectivity.

The ROG Cetra open earbuds are equipped with dual Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless, making them compatible with everything from the brand's own Asus ROG Xbox Ally X handheld, the PS5, PC and other consoles and your smartphone at the same time. That means you don't have to pop down Pokemon Pokopia if you have an incoming call, and you can carry on playing with your with Pokemon pals interrupted.

The 2.4GHz dongle also marks the brand's first stab at one-way passthrough charging. A USB-C port on the buds provides up to 16 hours of playback while you're actively using them to play games at the same time. Out of all these gaming earbuds have to offer, this is the feature I'm most excited about testing once my sample arrives.

At the moment, the SteelSeries Arctis Game Buds are my day-to-day buds, but I have to remove them and pop them into their wireless case whenever they need more juice. The buds, which currently sit at the top of my recommendation list, remain fantastic, but it'd be a dream to not have to unplug them from my ears each time they need a recharge - especially as I've been blazing through their battery life while building habitats in Pokopia this past weekend.

It'll still be a while until my review is ready to go, but if you're eager to make them yours, the Asus ROG Cetra Open Wireless gaming earbuds are now available directly from the Asus eStore, and other notable US retailers from Amazon, Best Buy, Micro Center, and Newegg.

• View all Asus ROG earbuds at Amazon
• View all Asus ROG gaming headsets at Amazon

If you prefer a traditional pair of cups instead, I've rounded up all the best PS5 headsets, the best PC headsets for gaming, and the best Nintendo Switch headsets worth your time and attention.

I really wanted to like Asus's last pro controller for Xbox. The Raikiri Pro had a lot of promise, which ended up amounting to a lot of style over substance. After not-so-favorable reviews all over, a full rework has now happened, and the Raikiri II has arrived seeking redemption. It's a tough old market to step into right now, though, because some of the best Xbox Series X controllers are offering a pretty conclusive package.

Thankfully, the folks at Asus seem to be on the ball, and their new officially licensed Xbox Series X controller is matching that. The charging case, the swappable parts, the wireless play on PC and Xbox; it's all here, and in fact, you can even get TMR thumbsticks in the Raikiri II, which not many other brands have offered yet. Weighing in at $189.99 / £199.99, there's a clever undercut happening here (at least in the US), which dodges the standard $200 price of the competition.

Not only has Asus managed to redeem itself from a lacklustre Raikri Pro a few years ago, but it's taken on one of the most popular controllers of the last few years, the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro, toe-to-toe. That's a mammoth task, but I have to admit that Asus has done an amazing job, and it's going to be very tricky to pick between these two pads going forward.

Design

My main take on the Asus ROG Raikiri Pro was that it was too much style over very little substance. While Asus hasn't completely abandoned the unique aesthetic its controller had, you can tell that a big focus with the Raikiri II has been refining the functionality of the device. Gone is that (fairly pointless) onboard display. Those edgy back buttons that were facing the wrong direction to actually be pressed are gone too. But the face of the controller still has finer details with "ROG" lettering framing the thumbsticks, D-pad, and facial buttons.

RGB is present along the borders of the grips and in the central logo, but none of it feels too overt. When you're holding the controller, it's actually pretty hard to notice the grips shining from under your palms.

Regardless, there are practical design elements that go hand-in-hand, showing that Asus has really gone back to the drawing board. The tiny USB wireless dongle has its own wee tray in the back of the controller - perfect so that no one loses it, but even better for people who are pairing this controller with the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X and need to take their pad on the go.

The thumbstick tops are swappable, but they have really defined rims, which means that it's easy to keep your thumbs on them. There's also a handy charging stand and carrying case, and the former fits in the latter. In fact, you can charge your controller in the case thanks to a handy passthrough USB-slot in its back.

Features

The best way I can describe the features of the Raikiri II is by talking about the design philosophy of the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro. That gamepad saw Razer taking microswitches from its Esports mice and putting them all over the controller. Face buttons, back buttons, bumpers, you name it, it all clicked in with the speediest of actuations, resulting in a gaming peripheral that feels bred for competitive play.

The Raikiri II emulates that feel to a tee, and overall, this controller feels very similar to play with. That said, the shape of the grips isn't so short and stubby - Asus has blessed us with longer, more cylindrical grips that accommodate your pinkies. There are four back buttons integrated onto the grips, but because there's more real estate, I'd argue these are actually placed more intuitively than on the Wolverine V3 Pro. Asus hasn't been afraid to put the bottom set further down the grips, which is actually ideal for using your ring fingers to press them.

I do have hesitations about how forgiving these clicky buttons are to use, which I'll come to shortly. Overall, the Raikiri Pro II is a very fast controller, and even its triggers can turn into microswitches if you use the trigger stop switches.

The other big thorn in Razer's paw is that the Raikiri Pro II has TMR thumbsticks. Both of Razer's Xbox Wolverine controllers are limited to Hall effect sticks, and even if its 8K polling PC-tilted version has TMR sticks, it substitutes rumbly feedback for them, leaving the controller feeling very stripped back. Asus hasn't compromised here, and even if its Raikiri II has a max polling rate of 1K, it's cheaper than the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro in the US, which makes for a very interesting match-up indeed. Yes, the V3 Pro has an additional set of bumpers, but if you're a bigger fan of back buttons, you probably won't get much use out of those anyway.

On top of the charging stand and case I mentioned in the design section, Asus also gives you two swappable thumbstick tops in the box, a USB cable, and some feet for the charging stand.

Performance

As you might expect, if I'm comparing the Raikiri II to the Wolverine V3 Pro, this is a pad that's going to work wonders for anyone who plays games competitively. Speedy microswitches mean quick and crisp button presses that register faster than a traditional membrane button. The downside of them, then, is feel.

A lot of the best PC controllers in the last few years have adopted microswitches, but they've tried to find workarounds for the lack of feel. None has done it better than the Nacon Revolution X Unlimited, which has face buttons with lightning-quick actuation, but they feel so light and cushioned that you'd be forgiven for thinking they were some kind of lovechild-hybrid. But even GameSir, with its budget-friendly microswitch buttons, like the ones on the GameSir G7 Pro, has added some cushioning to the switch to counter the unforgiving blow to your finger joints from using them for a while. Go too far, and they turn out spongy, but I haven't come across many instances of that in recent years.

Asus, for all their brilliance in undercutting Razer's microswitch buttons, has not provided what feels like any cushioning at all. To be completely fair, if it were trying to emulate Razer, I understand why there hasn't been an attempt for that. Razer's microswitch buttons don't feel very cushioned either, but I think that because Asus has combined tiny actuations with a really rigid plastic surface on the Raikiri II, playing longer sessions with it feels totally unforgiving on your hands.

On one hand, you want the speed this kind of controller can give you. Fighting games like Dragon Ball Sparking Zero never feel better than with one of these because it's dying for you to hammer in button-mashed combos, but on the other hand, if you plan to play longer sessions, please be careful for carpal tunnel and repetitive strain injuries. Even if the Raikiri II has a comfortable shape, those button actuations are anything but comfortable.

I definitely recommend playing around in the ArmoryCrate software if you invest in this controller. As annoying as that application can be on PC because it tries to run everything in your gaming PC, it'll allow you to customize the thumbsticks and deadzones of this device, which I found necessary. For a TMR controller, there were some unruly feeling deadzones and stick sensitivities out of the box, which infected my playtest of Hunt: Showdown and the six or so hours of Cairn I tried. TMR sticks should be the ultimate go-to for tiny corrections, but in either game, it was as though I was getting inconsistent results with the smallest of moves of the sticks.

Towerfall Acension gameplay was solid, and I was zipping around each level with ease, but I didn't feel quite as connected to the game as I did with something like the Flydigi Apex 5, which cuts down the line between responsiveness and feel. On a similar note, I'm an RGB fan, but it did feel like a bit of pointless battery wastage having lighting on the grips of this controller, where no user will see it. Thankfully, the central logo flashes red when wireless battery life is getting low, which is actually useful.

While I loved this controller for those speedier presses in multiplayer games, I'd caution against buying this controller if you predominantly plan to use it for single-player titles. It does add some light rumble to the mix, but this is pretty understated, and I'd recommend something else if you're mainly looking for an immersive feel.

One last gripe to get out of the way before I sum up is that I can't understand what Asus was thinking with the placement of its four menu buttons. There's a standard options and in-game menu button here, but also an Asus ROG button and a library button - neither of which are going to be the first port of call for the majority of players. For some reason, these Asus buttons are put in prime position, on top of the pause buttons? It does not feel natural or intuitive to reach for the pause buttons underneath these, and that's a continual bit of friction I've had in testing.

Should you buy the Asus ROG Raikiri 2?

The Asus ROG Raikiri II is a marked improvement over the Raikiri Pro, and it has a lot going for it. For its $189.99 price, it offers a lot of what Nacon, Razer, and other big names are offering for less money. It has TMR thumbsticks and a level of responsiveness that any competitive player will no doubt have an appetite for. There are also some lovely bits of practicality baked into the design, which really shows Asus has been willing to take a more user-friendly approach this time around.

But how far are you willing to go in pursuit of a speedy gamepad? While I love a controller that can keep up with mouse and keyboard configurations on PC, I do think a peripheral like this that costs over $150 should really have some singleplayer potential too, and I'm not sure this is one I'd grab out of my collection to play singleplayer or cozy games with.

How I tested the Asus ROG Raikiri II

I adopted the Asus ROG Raikiri II controller into my setup for over a week before this review was written. Like with all the controllers I review, I used it for all of my playtime during that time, living with the controller as though it were my own. I compared it closely with the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro and its variants, as well as other Xbox Series X controllers on the shelves right now.

For more on how we test controllers, check out the full GamesRadar+ hardware policy.

You can take a deeper dive into controllers by looking at the best PS5 controllers, best PS5 steering wheel, and best Xbox steering wheel.

Three years ago I sat in front of the Asus ROG Azoth and knew it was going to be a winner. That mechanical 75%-er so perfectly fused the worlds of custom decks and the best gaming keyboards it seemed like nothing would ever top it. And, for a long time, nothing did.

In the years since, Asus has released new versions with ever-increasing price tags, adding white colorways, new switches, wrist rests, and strange space-themed designs. None of them truly captured that hazy summer of love with the original... until I sat across from the latest release this weekend. The Asus ROG Azoth 96 HE takes the best parts of its ancestor, adds extra keys, and throws in some of the best magnetic switches I've used so far.

It's also one of the more expensive gaming keyboards on the market today. Amazon has dropped that $359.99 MSRP down to $305.99 (a record-low price) this week, but we're still talking about a good chunk of change here. Still, with Resident Evil Requiem thrown in for free and wireless magnetic keyboards representing the very top end of the market, this is a deck worth investigating.

Let's look at that $305.99 sales price under the microscope a little.

The Asus ROG Azoth 96 HE's closest competition is the Corsair Vanguard Pro 96. That's currently got pole position on my gaming keyboard recommendation list. It's a wired-only, plastic chassis device that doesn't push its OLED display quite as far as the Azoth, but it's also $76 cheaper right now, at its usual $229.99 MSRP (Amazon).

Is the extra investment worth it? It depends.

In short, you'll reap the benefits if you need three things from your new keyboard; a hardworking onboard display, a wireless connection, and a more premium chassis.

I've only had the Asus ROG Azoth 96 HE on the desk for a few days now, whereas I've spent weeks with the Vanguard in prime position. Side by side, the Azoth does feel a little tighter under the fingertips. It uses the same ROG HFX V2 switches that I celebrated in my Asus ROG Falcata review (an even more expensive deck), aka the best magnetic clickers I've personally tested so far.

They're smooth, snappy, incredibly energetic and offer a satisfying level of resistance without ever feeling mushy or woolly. If you told me they were mechanical, I'd probably believe you, and considering the original Azoth shone for its typing experienc,e that's saying something.

The now-full-color OLED display in the top right corner is also far more versatile than Corsair's. Real system specs, magnetic switch adjustment controls, and a plethora of media and RGB controls make this a far more sophisticated tool overall.

If you don't need a wireless connection (and very few players actually do), don't mind a still-durable plastic shell, and won't be using that OLED display too much, it makes sense to take the saving and opt for the Vanguard. Its MGX V2 switches are still incredibly impressive (second only to Asus's) with a truly satisfying thock to each keypress. Plus, you'll get the added benefit of five extra macro buttons down the side as well.

• See all gaming keyboards at Amazon

Want more cord-free options? I'm also rounding more of the best wireless gaming keyboards, or take a look at the best hot-swappable keyboards for more versatility and the best membrane gaming keyboards for lower prices.

Good news, Asus ROG Ally owners: a Ryzen Z1 Extreme driver update just dropped. That means the former best gaming handheld contender hasn't been cut off from AMD patches quite yet, but I'm worried about the portable PC's future with the chipset within.

Concerns over AMD cutting off Ryzen Z1 Extreme handhelds from driver updates last week were originally tied to the Lenovo Legion Go S. According to a Korean customer rep, there are no plans to push graphics driver updates to that particular portable, and discussions among players eventually led me to check the last ROG Ally patch date.

On Monday, the last Ryzen Z1 Extreme update listed for the ROG Ally was August 6, 2025. However, Asus is now rolling patches out to handhelds as of February 24, so it's anything but officially cut off from chipset updates. That said, Videocardz notes that it still isn't receiving the same public branch as other Radeon devices, as it's using a 22.0.29 package rather than the Windows 11 32.0.23 build.

The whole situation is largely tied to how device makers are treating their Ryzen Z1 Extreme handhelds in 2026. This is the reason I suggested taking the original reports and online speculation with a grain of salt, as AMD hadn't officially announced any plans to end support for the 2023 chip. Instead, we're in a situation where players might have to rely on other update methods like generic builds or Windows updates (ew).

It's not ideal to see Ryzen Z1 Extreme updates slow down in any case, but it doesn't mean you should avoid portables with the chipset. In fact, if you can find a 2023 ROG Ally for the right price, I'd snatch it up, considering the Steam Deck is AWOL and the Xbox Ally is the only handheld I can find for under $600. I can't speak for the OG Legion Go yet since we don't know if the messaging from Lenovo Korea applies to other regions, but as mentioned above, there are still ways to technically update your drivers if worst comes to worst.

As a handheld reviewer, I'm bracing for a pretty rough 2026 thanks to RAMageddon and other price-hindering factors. I wouldn't say we were even in a good place before that, considering all the top options like the ROG Xbox Ally X come in at around $1,000, and the closest rivals we have to the Steam Deck OLED on price, like the Lenovo Legion Go S, cost more than their excellent Ryzen Z1 Extreme predecessors while packing less of a punch. I do remain hopeful we'll see some proper competition in the space eventually, but seeing shaky support for two-year-old models doesn't help the situation.

• More gaming handhelds at Amazon
• Steam Deck accessories at Amazon

Already got Valve's portable? Swing by the best Steam Deck accessories and best Steam Deck docks to enhance your hybrid ensemble. Alternatively, check out the best retro handhelds for ways to play the classics on the go.

As both someone who tests the best gaming handhelds and an unapologetic Steam Deck OLED lover, I have nothing against the white Xbox Ally. It's true, as while I do think it piggybacks off the performance expectations set by its beefy ROG Xbox Ally X sibling and its Ryzen Z2 Extreme chip, the budget model is actually the only portable PC standing for $600 amid RAMageddon.

Normally, I'd grumble that the ROG Xbox Ally is $567.81 at Amazon right now, especially since it just jumped up from its December $499 price cut. My typical dance involves namedropping the original Asus ROG Ally before pointing out that the seemingly now supportless Ryzen Z1 Extreme is far punchier for around the same money. But, unless you're willing to wait out the RAM shortage storm sparked by the AI industry, this Microsoft-flavored portable is your only option at this price range.

I should stress I've also been banging the "we need more sub $500 handheld options" for years at this stage to avoid this exact situation. If there were more lower-priced bastions than the Steam Deck out there, or even if Ryzen Z2 devices like the Lenovo Legion Go S could stick to the same price point as Valve, picking up a portable PC would be a much more pleasant experience.

As things currently stand, though, the Legion Go S is allergic to dropping under $500. That's despite the existence of a SteamOS version and models with the same 16GB/1TB combo specs as the Deck, as despite being geared up to challenge Valve on price, I've only spotted Lenovo's portable for under $500 once in the past. That was, ironically, the 32GB/1TB Windows version, and I suspect we won't see a similar discount for quite a while, given the current manufacturing circumstances.

All of this might sound like I'm telling you to buy a ROG Xbox Ally with gritted teeth. I guess that's sort of true when it comes to the not-so-impressive price right now and the performance gap between the white model and the Ryzen Z2E flagship. However, Asus and Microsoft's collab handheld is actually a solid option if you want fully Windows 11 compatibility, comfortable controller-like grips, and enough of a punch to run indies and your backlog.

The Xbox Ally also retains mostly everything that made the OG Asus handheld so great, like its 1080p 120Hz screen and solid controls. The real kicker with this specific option is that it's being used to forcefully replace a device that can boost fps higher while typically costing more on average, and the fact that we didn't get an APU that's more powerful than the Ryzen Z1 Extreme for under $600 is a hard pill to swallow.

• More gaming handhelds at Best Buy
• Steam Deck accessories at Amazon

Already got Valve's portable? Take a peek at the best Steam Deck docks and best Steam Deck accessories to enhance your hybrid setup. If you'd rather stick with the classics, you'll want to swing by the best retro handhelds for emulation systems and more.

Asus ROG has launched the brand-new ROG Kithara, the first open-back planar magnetic gaming headset for the brand.

Originally unveiled at CES 2026 earlier this year, the pair of cups was developed alongside HiFIMAN, a Chinese audiophile company known for the use of planar magnetic audio products. Unlike the dynamic drives found in plenty of the best gaming headsets in the market today, the Asus ROG Kithara is equipped with 100mm planar magnetic drivers with an 8Hz - 55 kHz frequency response. It's this, combined with its open-back design, which helps the Kithara deliver an "uncompromising audiophile-grade sound" for gamers in a $299.99 pair of cups.

If you aren't that much of an audiophile and have no idea what the benefit of a planar magnetic gaming headset is, don't worry about it too much. A planar magnetic gaming headset refers to the planar audio drivers packed in each earcup. Unlike traditional dynamic speakers, planar drivers are designed differently, utilizing conductor wire that spreads out across the diaphragm of the speaker.

This wire and diaphragm are situated between magnets, which, when pushed or pulled, produce vibrations and sound waves. This setup allows for less interference from other vibrations, which creates a less distorted sound, which audiophiles eat up, and is found in this very Asus ROG Kithara headset.

Asus ROG specifically states that it creates "exceptionally low distortion" and a soundstage that makes everything from footsteps, reloads, and distant movements sound more subtle, but I'll have to see that for myself if I can get ahold of a pair to review as soon as possible. To pair with this audiophile-grade sound, the Kithara is also equipped with an on-cable full-band MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) boom microphone.

The microphone features a wide 20 Hz - 20 kHZ response, high signal-to-noise ratio, and "minimal distortion" according to Asus ROG themselves. As an open-back headset, where audio is purposely designed to emanate from the exterior of the cups to help produce a more natural sound, I was a little concerned to see it packed with a microphone.

However, Asus ROG also states that it features separate paths for audio and microphone inputs to ensure "clear, uninterrupted communication," so hopefully the high-end microphone won't pick up any unwanted noises.

Like a lot of audiophile headsets (not permitting the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite, which is unique in its audiophile wireless form factor), the Asus ROG Kithara is a wired pair of cups, and comes packaged with support for 4.4mm balanced, 3.5mm, and 6.3mm connectivity if you need it. It's also compatible with gaming PCs, consoles like the PS5, laptops, and DACs and amplifiers if you're looking for a headset for gaming and music production on the side.

If that's your plan, then you can grab it right this very moment at Amazon, Best Buy, and Newegg in the US. However, Asus ROG has yet to share when those in the UK can expect to get their hands on a pair.

• Asus ROG Kithara gaming headset $299.99 at Amazon
• View all Asus ROG gaming headsets at Amazon

RTX 5070 Ti gaming laptop deals have been a little difficult to come by in recent months. Not only are there fewer of these rigs out on the market compared to RTX 5070 configurations, but their in-between pricing can sometimes butt up against RTX 5080 configurations. Best Buy has your back this weekend, though, with a $400 saving on one of the more affordable RTX 5070 Ti models on the market.

The Asus ROG Strix G16 is down to $1,599.99 on these yellow-label shelves right now, down from its original $1,999.99 MSRP. Considering even the best gaming laptops will still happily charge you over $2,000 for an RTX 5070 Ti GPU, that's a fantastic offer. It's more in line with where I'd expect to see an RTX 5070 version these days, and even beats current sale prices on the weaker GPU.

Who else is about this weekend? The next best RTX 5070 Ti gaming laptop deal I've found this weekend sits on the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI. It's dropped all the way from $1,899.99 to $1,879 at Best Buy.

This is an upgrade to a QHD OLED display running at 240Hz, so you've got a little more room to push that GPU. Plus, that 32GB RAM is going to be a sigh of relief compared to the Strix. Still, we're only saving a little over $20 here and Best Buy has done better than that in the past.

After that, you're mostly looking at RTX 5070 options, with a significant drop down to 8GB VRAM compared to the Ti's 12GB. Even then, most of this weekend's gaming laptop deals have these weaker systems at higher prices than the ROG Strix. The Asus TUF A16, for example, does double your RAM again, but offers similar specs for $1,649 (was $1,699.99) at Best Buy. Meanwhile, the HP Omen Transcend 14 shrinks your screen size (though does come with an OLED panel and an Intel Core 9 285H processor) for $1,949.99 (was $2,039.99).

Should you buy the Asus ROG Strix G16?

I completed my Asus ROG Strix G16 review back in June and it went straight into my roster of the best Asus gaming laptops. I tested a vanilla RTX 5070 version of the system, with an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor, 32GB RAM, and a QHD display. That rig will set you back $2,399, though, nearly $1,000 more than today's offer.

Still, I was impressed with the generational jump in performance I noted from that RTX 5070 GPU, and your experience with the Ti will be even better. Not only that, but with a clean design and a satisfying keyboard it's been built to last.

I'd recommend this particular offer to anyone looking to play at high settings in QHD. My test rig struggled to hit 60fps under these conditions in more demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Horizon: Zero Dawn Remastered, but with the extra VRAM headroom this configuration is far more likely to make it.

• See all gaming laptop deals at Best Buy

I'm also rounding up all the best Alienware laptops and the best Razer laptops on the market. For something a little more portable, though, check out the best gaming handhelds available.

January isn't typically the season for heavy gaming laptop deals, but Newegg's Winter Sale rages on regardless. I certainly wasn't expecting to see an RTX 5080 machine under $2,000 this early in the year (that's usually a Black Friday play), but there's no rest for Gigabyte fans.

The RTX 5080 A16 Pro is now sitting at $1,999.99 on Newegg's shelves, thanks to a hefty $500 discount. This isn't a high-end graphics card on the shoulders of a weedy system, though, you're still getting 32GB RAM and an Intel Core Ultra 7 240H processor under the hood. The only thing you might miss? The OLED screens of the best gaming laptops.

It's rare to find an RTX 5080 gaming laptop under $2,000. In fact, I can only picture one other offer that came close to this value. Back in November, an Acer Predator Helios Neo dropped its price tag below that threshold during the year's biggest sale. That one certainly didn't last, running off the shelves before Black Friday came to an end.

Should you buy the Gigabyte A16 Pro?

Gigabyte is known for providing excellent component value, often headlining these larger discounts. I track gaming laptop deals year-round and usually it's this brand offering the biggest bang for your buck.

How does it do it? Well, like the Acer Nitro and Asus TUF series' Gigabyte gaming laptops make smart sacrifices in other areas. There's no OLED panel up top here, and you're only picking up a 165Hz refresh rate overall. That's a step down from the high-end screens you'll find on the best Asus gaming laptops or best Razer laptops, but if you're going for framerates over immersion it's a solid trade-off.

Similarly, you won't find too many fancy chassis features here. Gigabyte cases are pretty simple, a few logos stamped here and there and a barebones keyboard underneath.

If you're after the best GPU value for your money right now, this is absolutely it. However, if luxury and style is more important it's worth noting that the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 is also on sale at Best Buy.

You won't get the same kind of performance out of this more compact RTX 5070 Ti model, but if you regularly take your laptop out and about and would appreciate a more immersive display it's well worth considering. The 2025 G14 is currently down to $1,999.99 (was $2,399.99).

• See all gaming laptop deals at Newegg

I'm also hunting down all the best Alienware laptops, or if you're after a different form factor check out the best gaming PCs and best gaming handhelds on the market.

The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 was sitting proudly among the rest of this year's best gaming laptop contenders at CES last week. If you were early to the show, however, you might have snuck a peek at a very special model at the Intel booth. Teased late last year, a configuration of the 2026 G14 running (and only running) Intel Panther Lake processors was doing the rounds in the first few hours of the show, only to be shuffled away later on.

Asus was running its new G14 simply on the Intel Arc B390 integrated graphics system, rather than adding a separate Nvidia discrete card for full power. However, this looks to be a project cancelled at the last minute.

As first reported by Les Numeriques, the integrated graphics laptop was being proudly shown off at Intel's CES booth after Asus had already removed it from its own roster. The rig disappeared entirely shortly after. This was a machine first spotted on Geekbench halfway through last year, and then press-tested in December, so it definitely existed and certainly doesn't anymore.

It's not the first time Asus has experimented with integrated graphics. AMD's Ryzen AI Max 390, with Radeon 8050S graphics, sits front and center in the brand's Asus ROG Flow Z13 device. It's the best gaming tablet on the market because of this sheer power, and impressed with its punch and stability in testing.

Integrated graphics are coming our way, but the cancellation of the Intel Arc B390 Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (however bungled it was at CES) shows we're not quite ready to say goodbye to discrete cards. Last year's Flow Z13 was the first time I had properly sat down with a modern integrated system and it took me by surprise.

This tablet was running everything from Indiana Jones and the Great Circle to Avowed without breaking a sweat, though while costing up to $2,799.99. The tablet form factor certainly benefits from the move to integrated graphics, and the best gaming handhelds are showing us how far these chips can run.

Gaming laptops are going to take a little more time to catch on, though. While it's unclear why the Intel-only Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 was abandoned, it's easy to see a future where more affordable gaming laptops become a reality again.

I track all the latest gaming laptop deals week to week, and one thing has become clear from the last year; it's a lot harder to find a decent RTX 50-Series machine around the $1,000 price tag than it was the RTX 40-Series. If integrated graphics can keep up with weaker discrete GPUs for a lot less cash, I'm in.

• See all gaming laptop deals at Best Buy

I'm running through all the other Asus gaming laptops on the market right now, and finding the best Razer laptops and best Alienware laptops for some different flavorings.

ASUS ROG has teamed up with Kojima Productions to create a line of limited-edition gaming accessories, which includes everything from a uniquely designed gaming mouse, a wireless headset, and an exclusive version of the Asus ROG Flow Z13 gaming tablet, all inspired by Kojima's Ludens mascot.

The Flow Z13-KJP, as this version has been aptly named, is the shining star of the collection, which was announced at CES 2026. It's designed in partnership with the legendary game artist Yoji Shinkawa and features slender CNC-aluminum cutouts and intricate gold and white details.

The 2-in-1 gaming tablet doesn't just look the part, but it's also decked out with a 13.4-inch ROG Nebula Display and powered by the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 processor. On its own, it's a dazzling sight to behold, but it looks even more on-point when paired with the rest of the Ludens logo-inspired collection.

Yoji Shinkawa states on the official Asus ROG Flow Z13-KJP product page that he "wanted to create a gadget that belongs to Ludens and I integrated that into this PC design“ and that's apparent from every inch of this tablet. Its angular edges and customized carrying case look on par with the robotic, skeleton mascot, and look like something you'd expect to see Sam be hauling up the mountains in Death Stranding, thanks to its sci-fi aesthetic.

That's definitely the case with the ROG Delta II-KJP gaming headset, too, which is also part of this limited edition collection. As the gaming headset nerd of the GamesRadar+ hardware team, this is the product that's caught my eye the most. It features an RGB-lit up Ludens logo on one side of the cups, and it's equipped with tri-mode connectivity (Bluetooth, 2.4GHz wireless, and wired), the brand's 50 mm Titanium-Plated Diaphragm audio drivers, a massive 110-hour battery life, and a 10 mm Super-Wideband microphone.

Talking of light-up features, it wouldn't be a licensed collab without a matching gaming mouse in the picture. For the ROG x Kojima Productions line, there's a ROG Keris II Origin-KJP Edition gaming mouse, which matches the headset with its own golden-glowing Ludens logo on the palm rest. Under the hood, the white and dark gray mouse is equipped with a 42,000dpi optical sensor, 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth, and wired connectivity, and the brand's ROG Micro Switch II switches.

To tie the whole collection together, ROG and Kojima Productions have also designed a matching ROG Scabbard II XXL-KJP mouse mat, which proudly features the Ludens logo drawn by Yoji Shinkawa himself. I hate to admit it, but I much prefer the golden, finely illustrated version of Ludens over the version I see each time I boot up Death Stranding Director's Cut on my PS5.

If this set has reignited your love of Kojima games as much as it has for me, you'll be disappointed to know that there are no pricing or availability details on the ROG x Kojima Productions collection quite yet. The Asus ROG Flow Z13 configuration that our team's Tabitha Baker reviewed late last year had an $1,999.99 MSRP, so I'd expected to pay a pretty penny plus a little extra to account for the licensing fee at least.

You could always grab the non-Kojima Productions versions of the tablet, headset, and mouse in the meantime to save some pennies. However, that won't make you the envy of all your Death Stranding-obsessed friends. Nor will it grant you the exclusive Armoury Crate theme that comes with each part of this collab.

• View all ASUS ROG gaming accessories at Amazon
• Asus ROG Flow Z13 gaming tablet | $2,653.99 at Amazon

We're also rounding up the best gaming chairs, the best gaming mice, and the best gaming keyboards if you want to give your PC setup an out-of-this-world upgrade.

Asus has unveiled its roster of Zephyrus G14 gaming laptops at CES this week, and this year's spec looks a little different. Previously firmly in the AMD camp, the brand is shifting in the Intel direction with its best gaming laptops this year, with only one AMD option and a weaker one at that.

Both AMD and Intel have their banners around the G14 this year, whereas previous generations have stuck close to Team Red. Interestingly, though, it looks like the Panther's clinched this one. On show for the first time at CES 2026, the new Intel Panther Lake Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 offers far greater power than its AMD sibling.

That's because it's configurable with either an RTX 5080 or RTX 5070 Ti, running the brand's latest CPU up to an Ultra 9 model with 64GB of RAM behind it. By contrast, the AMD configuration does away with the Strix Point Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 option from 2025, instead subbing in a cheaper Gorgon Point AI 400 model. That's paired with an RTX 5060 GPU and up to 32GB RAM, a considerable step down from Intel's army.

While AMD held the crowning glory of one of the best Asus gaming laptops over the last few years, it's now been relegated to the affordable option. It's an odd choice.

After all, there are no major changes to the design of this year's device, aside from a boosted OLED display (running a little brighter with that Nebula HDR system at play), a new hinge, and finer control over its Slash Lighting zones. Things look similar to the 2025 Asus ROG Zephyrus G14.

That's a machine that happily played nicely with Strix Point and an RTX 5080 last year, but seems to have been kneecapped in 2026.

Of course, that's excellent news for Intel fans. It's the first time we've seen the Blues take the reins in one of Asus' more compact form factors, and I'm excited to see where Panther Lake takes us. It's even good news for AMD folk as well. With minor upgrades to the brand's mobile chips, last year's Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 models could well offer the best value on Asus's shelves as age pushes those price tags down even further.

Asus hasn't announced a pricing structure or release date for any of its 2026 configurations just yet.

• See all Asus gaming laptop deals at Best Buy

You'll also find all the best Alienware laptops and the best Razer laptops I've tested so far. Or, check out the best gaming handhelds for more Asus goodies.

Asus has shown off its new ROG G100 prebuilt gaming PC at CES 2026, and there are a lot of impressive things to like about it. It has three dedicated cooling zones, it has a massive AIO cooler in it, and it can house up to an RTX 5090 and AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D. But nevermind any of that, because this best gaming PC contender has holographic fans.

Asus claims this is the world's first prebuilt gaming PC to have a holographic fan system. We first started seeing holographic fans around a year ago, with options like the Coolify HoloFan showing the world that RGB doesn't have to be your only aesthetic choice for your PC's airflow. But to my knowledge, no prebuilt PC has thrown fans like these in one of its systems before. Let's face it, if any brand was going to, it'd be the one that's previously put decorative screens on laptop lids and controller faces.

For those who aren't sure what a holographic fan actually is, it's essentially a fan that creates a hologram using clever lights and projections while the fan is running. Using software, you could then program it to display images, videos, GIFs, logos, or whatever your heart desires. It's kind of the same idea as an AIO cooler that has an LCD display on the pump head, but this could mean big things for the front of your PC.

Asus calls this Holographic system the AniMe: Holo, and to my knowledge, the tech doesn't appear in any of the brand's other cooling components, unless it's been shown at CES to be coming in the next year's worth of separately sold fans. Either way, it looks as though you get two larger fans on the front of the PC, with one larger one on the transparent window that'll let you adorn the side of your PC with whatever design you like too.

Elsewhere in innovative cooling, Asus has also squeezed what it's again calling the "world's first" 420mm ROG AIO cooler inside this prebuilt machine. There appears to be plenty of RGB logo work up at the top of the build as well, so on the whole the rig is taking a customizable and busy aesthetic approach to cooling.

Similar to the Corsair Air 5400 which was announced back in October, the new Asus ROG G1000 has three dedicated cooling zones within its chassis. One for cooling the CPU, one for the GPU and other motherboard components, and one for the PSU. Despite my reservations about this type of case from a building perspective, I do think it would suit a prebuilt machine that isn't intended to be tinkered with as often. These cases are slightly unconventional, and while upgradability is important in a prebuilt machine, a tri-zone chassis isn't going to be half as confusing to work with as if you were to start from scratch in one. Quirky designs can work well in prebuilt PCs, like with the Acer Predator Orion X.

It feels slightly silly to be talking about such novel design points in a PC that can be powered by up to an overclocked RTX 5090. No doubt, configurations of the G1000 with that GPU will cost a pretty penny, but it's worth noting that this PC does seem to be tilted toward the most power-hungry users.

For more, seek out the best gaming PCs in the UK, the best RAM for gaming, and the best computer speakers.

The Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo is always one of my favorite machines to test. The last version I had on my desk made excellent use of its additional panel, running everything from Discord notifications to system stats while keeping the big-screen clear for immersive gaming. These are often some of the best gaming laptops on the market, especially for those looking to spend big and combine their work and play.

Asus has taken that philosophy and run with it at CES 2026, but I'm worried gamers won't get the same kind of value out of the new Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 16.

Adding a whole second screen underneath the main panel is very different to including an extra display on top of the keyboard. Extending it sideways? That's a big win for gamers, but the two-screen design of the new Zephyrus feels like a move that creators will love, and gamers may use occasionally.

The 2023 Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 I reviewed felt perfectly balanced for additional information, notifications, and the odd walkthrough, but a whole second screen is going to add a lot more to that final price and gamers could struggle to see a real value benefit over the original design.

Sure, you can tent the machine outwards for a two-player setup but let's be real, when was the last time you wished you had a 16-inch screen you could share with a buddy sitting opposite?

The 2026 Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo features Intel's new Core Ultra 9 386H processor with RTX 5070 Ti, RTX 5080, or RTX 5090 graphics. That's under the hood, up top we've got two 3K ROG Nebula HDR OLED touchscreens, alongside a wireless chiclet-style keyboard and trackpad.

The whole rig is CNC-machined aluminum, measuring in at just 2.8kg with 1.9cm thick. That's a little chunkier than the likes of the Razer Blade 14, but with two screens, plenty of power under the hood, and a three-pronged cooling system to contend with I'm not surprised.

I can absolutely see the benefit for content creators. Suddenly your input can be whatever you need it to be, while still keeping a high-end display at your fingertips. It remains to be seen just how much that dual-screened design is going to hammer battery life, and how well more demanding programs perform with both displays at full pelt. But as a video editing luxury it's on track to be up there with the best.

The included wireless keyboard can slot on top of the second panel to offer a more traditional gaming setup (thank God, because I can't imagine anything worse than gaming on a touchscreen keyboard), but you can absolutely bet you'll be paying more than you would a classic gaming rig.

The brand has also adapted the cooling system included in many of the best Asus gaming laptops to accommodate the new design, including a completely new motherboard design fitted with a custom vapor chamber as well as new dual fans. That's all topped off with a graphite sheet completely covering both the CPU and GPU. That means your actual performance hopefully won't be too hampered by the additional strain of the design itself.

Don't get me wrong, I love Asus for its experimentation. There's no other brand out there looking to push the way we use gaming laptops quite like the ROG gang. I just think content creators will get vastly better value for money than gamers in the new release, and it wasn't always skewed this way. The original design lent itself towards gamers' needs far better, the new model feels like a workhorse with a gaming label.

This is going to be a dream for media editing power users also looking for a high-end gaming system, but for everyday players investing in a luxury framerate-first experience I'd look elsewhere in 2026. I'm happy to be proven wrong, but this looks to be a niche system for a very limited cross-section of users, not the must-see gaming laptop for big spenders this year.

The Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo is due to land in Q2 2026, with pricing information to follow closer to the time.

• See all Asus gaming laptop deals at Best Buy

I'm also hunting down the best Alienware laptops and the best Razer laptops. Or, check out the best gaming handhelds for more Asus goodies.

Since its reveal at Gamescom, my most anticipated Xbox controller has been the Asus ROG Raikiri II. For context, I really wasn't that big a fan of the original Raikiri Pro controller. It had such a cool design, and even helped coin the current trend of Xbox Series X controllers that have small displays on them.

But its flashy design got in the way of it being a good gamepad first and foremost. Its back button placement was all over the place, and it didn't do much to justify its price. Ever since, I've been waiting for a version of this controller that would live up to its potential, and now it's available for $189.99 at Best Buy.

Asus seems to have gone back to the drawing board with this new version. It included features that pit it against the current lineup of gamepad leaders, and it seems to have genuinely improved things compared to the Asus ROG Raikiri Pro.

Like a lot of officially licensed Xbox controllers launching in 2025, the Raikiri II is a wireless Xbox and PC controller that comes with a charging stand. For your $189, which undercuts the $200 controllers that are becoming more commonplace in the Xbox ecosystem, you'll also get a carry case, swappable thumbstick tops, and, like the DualSense Edge, you can even charge it while it's in its case.

Joining the GameSir G7 Pro, it's going to be just the second Xbox controller with TMR thumbsticks, which will give you greater accuracy and speed. Its four back buttons have been reintegrated onto the grips of the controller, instead of high up on its spine at awkward angles.

The Raikiri II abandons the onboard display of its predecessor, which, honestly, might not be a bad thing. I've reviewed a few controllers with these small displays now, and only one has really stood out as more than a pointless gimmick. Even the Nacon Revolution X Unlimited, which is probably my favorite gamepad of 2025, doesn't really make much use of its display menu. If anything, the decision to remove this display from the Raikiri II tells me that Asus is more committed to functionality this time around.

That said, Asus hasn't completely abandoned its aesthetics. The Raikiri line has always had a pretty distinctive look, and now that the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X is out and about, those tiny ROG symbols and RGB highlights make it feel like a part of a family of gaming devices.

I haven't had a chance to test the new Raikiri II out yet, but this is one I'm really looking forward to reviewing. With the Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded abandoning its undercutting price against all the other $200 controllers, I'm happy there's another option out there that offers a (slightly) more affordable but feature-packed controller for Xbox and PC.

• Asus ROG Raikiri II: $189.99 at Best Buy
• GameSir G7 Pro: $79.99 at Amazon
• Nacon Revolution X Unlimited: $199.99 at Amazon

For more on gamepads, check out the best PS5 controllers, the best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers, and the best Nintendo Switch controllers.

Licensed gaming accessories are typically pricier than most everyday tech. This is to account for the fee to use famous characters and their iconic imagery, like the turquoise twin pigtail stylings of everyone's favorite virtual diva, Hatsune Miku, who is featured throughout this fabulous gaming tech lineup.

The pricier nature of these collections puts an extra importance on any discounts, and that's why I want to tell the world that the entirety of the Hatsune Miku Asus TUF gaming set is down to a record-low. This includes the K3 Gen II keyboard, which has dropped down to $89.99 at Amazon, and the matching wireless mini gaming mouse is just $99.99 (Amazon) today too. They aren't the best gaming keyboard and best mouse on the market, but their stunning Miku-matching color schemes and details, like the RGB glowing silhouette on the mouse's palm rest, are bound to make any Vocaloid fan swoon.

If you want to dedicate your setup to the one and only Miku, I'd grab these fabulous accessories while you have the chance. This is the first time I've seen the entire set of Asus TUF gaming Hatsune Miku accessories discounted, and as a rare collection of savings, I suspect these won't be at these record low prices for long.

Should you buy the ASUS TUF Gaming Hatsune Miku Edition accessories?

If you're after the best gaming mouse as you need the most optimal precision and accuracy for online games like Counter-Strike 2 or Fortnite, this set is not for you. Instead, this is for anyone who wants to theme their setup around their favorite Vocaloid, or make it look as cute as humanely possible.

There are a lot of adorable details in each of these discounted accessories that any fan would adore, from the love heart-shaped music notes across the function keys of the K3 Gen II Hatsune Miku Edition wired keyboard, to the '01' printed on the right mouse click, a design that harkens back to Miku's own tattoo. As a Vocaloid nerd myself, my favorite detail has to be the RGB silhouettes of Miku found on the wired headset and the wireless mouse. By default, they glow the same color as her hair, and look incredible when sat on a desk that's already covered in Hatsune Miku figures and merch. (Aka, this is basically my desk at all times.)

Today's discount involves $10 off each item in this set, which isn't a lot. However, in the past, only the headset has seen any notable savings, so seeing the entire set reach a record low is a rarity. Not to mention, the alternative to this set, the Asus ROG x Hatsune Miku set, includes items that reach into the $1,000 price mark, so this collection is one of the best low-cost ways to give your PC a Miku makeover without breaking the bank.

• View all Hatsune Miku Asus TUF Gaming accessories at Amazon
• View all Asus TUF PC gaming accessories at Amazon
• ROG Astral GeForce RTX 5080 Hatsune Miku GPU | $1,899.99 at Amazon

Check out our guides for the best gaming desk, the best gaming headset, and the best gear for streaming if you want to upgrade your PC gaming setup in time for the holidays.

It's been just under a year since I first got my hands on the latest Asus ROG Flow Z13, and we're only just hitting sale prices under $2,000. I've been watching those numbers all year round, and it's finally paid off. I'm not surprised, this is a pretty special device. A full Windows tablet with integrated graphics that can take on blockbuster releases without breaking a sweat? Anyone who wants a new way to play should be taking a look at this discount on the best gaming tablet on the market.

Best Buy has the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 configuration of the ROG Flow Z13 down at $1,999.99 this week, for $400 off its original $2,399.99 MSRP. That's a new record low price that beats the previous $2,169 position by an additional $170.

Of course, if you just want a tablet you can also play games on, you'd do better checking out early Black Friday iPad deals. If you're going for the full Windows experience in a unique form factor, though, this is the one to watch.

Should you buy the Asus ROG Flow Z13?

The 2025 Asus ROG Flow Z13 won't be for everyone. In fact, I'm speaking to a fairly niche buyer right now. It just so happens that I bear a striking resemblance to that buyer.

Put simply, if you know you want portable play in a new form factor, but don't want to be hemmed in by the smaller screens on the best gaming handhelds, this is the device you should be weighing up.

I've run everything from Indiana Jones to Avowed on this tablet and it's never disappointed. The ROG Flow Z13 comes with a keyboard to look and run more like one of the best gaming laptops on the market, but the full touchscreen display means it's best placed on a couch corner.

We've come a long way from the RTX 3050 inside the previous generation. The system now uses a fully integrated graphics chip, but this isn't your mother's SoC.

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 comes with Radeon 8050S graphics, and I was blown away by the efficiency and power on offer. Everything runs impressively well, with only a few touchscreen-related Windows hiccups to report. I tested a slightly weaker configuration, but still managed to stay firmly above 60fps in Black Myth Wukong and Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered.

Yes, the actual proportions aren't going to suit those who want a tablet first and a gaming device second. This is a gaming machine set in the shape of a tablet, not the other way around. If you're after an easily portable screen with all-day battery life and easily accessible apps, an iPad is still going to suit you better.

• See all tablet deals at Amazon
• See all gaming laptop deals at Best Buy
• Asus ROG Flow Z13 | $2,399.99 $1,999.99 at Best Buy

We're also getting you prepped for all this year's Black Friday gaming laptop deals and Black Friday gaming PC deals. Or, take a look at the best Black Friday Alienware deals for a different flavor.

If you've long hoped that you could ditch your diffuser or air freshener for a computer mouse, then your bizarre wish has finally been granted. Asus is finally releasing its Fragrance Mouse in the US, eight months after unveiling the thing on its website.

The Asus Fragrance Mouse MD101 might seem like your standard PC mouse on the surface, connecting via 2.4GHz or Bluetooth to your PC or desktop. The 'Fragrance' comes in through a small compartment that you can fill with aromatic oils. Presumably, it releases these sniffs slowly as you use the mouse; I must confess that the more I write about it, the more I am curious to try it. Just maybe not instead of the best gaming mouse. You can buy the mouse for $59.99 in white or rose, and it's on sale at Asus' website right now.

Judging by Asus' promotion, you're not just paying for a smelly mouse. The company promises that it was designed with a smooth gliding feel, super-fast connectivity and a robust design that'll withstand up to 10 million clicks. For context, you could click 250 times every day for 100 years, and still not hit that figure.

The Fragrance Mouse isn't the only product Asus is introducing to the US market. You can buy a new keyboard to accompany it (though not one that'll smell). Meet the Marshmallow Keyboard KW100, a wireless and compact keyboard that's also on sale now.

The keyboard costs $59.99 as well and you can buy it in Iridescent White, Rose Clay, Oat Milk or Green Tea Latte. I hope whoever came up with those latter names is staying hydrated.

The Marshmallow is a compact wireless keyboard which works with a range of operating systems. Its keycaps are arched, the body has foam to reduce typing noise and it has small kickstands. More, you can pair the keyboard to multiple devices and quickly switch between them.

When buying either the mouse or keyboard at Asus' store, you can choose to bundle them both together and save $14.99. In addition you can save $5 off just one if you don't want to get both, as long as you buy before November 11.

Sadly, these come a bit too late in the year for there to be a good chance of Black Friday gaming deals on them, but perhaps you can pick up scented oils in bulk for your mouse at the very least.

• See all gaming mice at Amazon
• Asus Fragrance Mouse | $59.99 at ASUS website
• Asus Marshmallow Keyboard | $59.99 at Asus

We're also rounding up all the best gaming keyboards we've tested, as well as the best wireless gaming mice (though they might not smell as good). Or, take a look at the best gaming headsets available.

Everyone's fawning over the new kid on the block today. The Xbox ROG Ally X is here and, by all accounts, it's ushering in a new future for handheld PC gaming. That's an expensive future, though, with the new model coming in a lofty $999 MSRP.

I've been running the OG Asus ROG Ally since launch and it's still booted up every night for some cozy gaming. It's also down as low as $376.99 open box at Best Buy right now (was $649.99), though I'd probably upgrade to an 'Excellent' condition model for $399.99 instead. That's a record-low price on one of the best gaming handhelds of the last few years, I've only seen it at $449 at its very lowest in the past.

I say cozy games because I have, I'll be honest, been left behind by blockbuster recent releases. Indiana Jones was a struggle, Doom: The Dark Ages is only just playable (and far less enjoyable), and even Avowed gave it something to think about. Spiritfarer? Tiny Bookshop? This is your bread and butter.

Stop reading now if you want to play large-scale releases with intense graphical requirements. Those kinds of games are reserved for the more expensive devices. If, however, you just want to snuggle down with some relaxing adventures at the end of the day, I couldn't recommend the Asus ROG Ally Z1E enough.

But Tabs, I hear you say, the Nintendo Switch 2 is only a little more expensive and has a massive catalog of cozy titles to choose from. I know, I'm in the lucky position to have both devices in my roster, and I'll tell you why I default to Asus's device.

Games are much, much cheaper. In fact, over the last two years there have only been one or two times when a game has been the same price on Nintendo Switch as it was on either Steam, Epic, or Xbox, let alone cheaper.

I keep receipts. The only game I picked up on Switch because it was cheaper was Potion Craft Alchemist Simulator. That's out of the 39 titles I've completed on the ROG Ally since release.

Aha, so what about Steam Deck?

Absolutely, go for a Steam Deck if you know you're only going to rely on Valve's storefront for your lighter titles. We have this argument almost constantly on the GamesRadar+ hardware team and I'm firmly in Asus's camp.

Admittedly, Xbox has nerfed my previously rock-solid Game Pass argument with its recent price increases, but there are still benefits to maintaining your freedom to shop wherever you want. Being tied into a single marketplace is why console gaming is so much more expensive compared to PC. Yes, you can sideload other storefronts onto your handheld, but if you're not particularly tech savvy you'll want to stick to Asus's more open approach.

Ultimately, the handheld you choose is going to depend on what you want to play and how much you want to pay.

Today's Asus ROG Ally deal certainly isn't good value if you want to push the latest releases to solid 60fps rates in decent settings - your $400 is much better put towards a more substantial device. If you're looking to catch up on older blockbusters (I completed Assassin's Creed Odyssey and Fallout 4 on this machine with no hitches) or whittle down an indie backlog, with the freedom to dabble in Epic and Game Pass, this is the deal you need to see.

• See all gaming handhelds at Best Buy
• Asus ROG Ally Z1E (open box) | $649.99 $376.99 at Best Buy
• Xbox ROG Ally X | $999.99 at Best Buy

After more gadgets? We're also rounding up all the best Steam Deck accessories and best Steam Deck docks, many of which will work with a range of handhelds. Or, take a look at the best gaming laptops on the market.

I'll get right to it. The Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro sports a higher refresh rate display, more RAM, and a larger display than the iPhone 17 and it did all that on release two years ago. That means it's ripe for discounts, and Amazon hasn't disappointed this week.

You're spoilt for choice if you've got $799.99 to spend on a new phone this weekend. Amazon has dropped the $1,199.99 ROG Phone down to $799.99 for $400 off and the iPhone 17 is ready to order at Apple for the same price. Steer clear of Apple and you'll net one of the best gaming phones of the last couple of years for its lowest ever price, but the numbers aren't the only thing to consider here.

I'm not bashing the iPhone 17. In fact, it's the only release that has made me second-guess my current iPhone 13 Pro. However, with both options sitting at the exact same price right now, the question of overall value takes over.

After all, the iPhone 17 is a neat device - but it's not a gaming-first powerhouse, and that's exactly where Asus sets its sights. Anyone looking for an everyday device with a pretty OS and a backlog of Apple-ecosystem tech in the cupboard should be taking a wide step away from the ROG Phone 8 Pro, but if you're looking to push more demanding games further Asus could be your best bet.

These are the topline specs.

The iPhone 17 does pack a more powerful punch in its 4.26GHz chipset, a large enough increase in sustained speeds to have the older Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 on the back foot. Individual chip speeds are far from the full story, though.

The ROG Phone 8 Pro has heaps of cooling tech dedicated to avoid throttling and 16GB RAM to its name as well. Apple's device is leaner in its offerings, but its operating system doesn't require as much grunt to stay slick. You're weighing up brute force vs efficiency in terms of sheer performance and Asus has the battery and raw power to see you through.

It may be the screen that sways you towards the ROG Phone as well.

A 165Hz refresh rate is more than enough to see you through lighter and more demanding games without visible stuttering. Asus was well ahead of its time with this panel, and Apple is only just catching up with 120Hz. You're also getting more screen real estate with the ROG Phone, bumping up to 6.78-inches compared to the iPhone's 6.3-inch panel.

But then we look at the rest of those specs. The iPhone 17 offers a higher resolution display with a heavier pixel density compared to Asus's device. That means crisper visuals overall. Considering only a few games will push past 120Hz these days, that sharpness could be more valuable than unnecessary speed.

There are other factors that you won't find in a spec list, though.

The leap over to Android is a lot smaller these days, but it's still a completely new operating system and Asus adds its own layer on top that will need some relearning as well. The iPhone 17 also comes with a longer-term stability plan - my iPhone 13 Pro is still receiving updates to this day. Android models come with less of a support guarantee and this model is already nearly two years old.

Oh, but the ROG Phone 8 Pro has touch triggers.

This is a feature specific to dedicated gaming phones - you won't find it on any mainstream flagship devices. In practice, these little capacitive panels at the top of the device leave room for your fingers to stay on the screen in a variety of different game genres.

They're essentially built-in shoulder buttons for your phone, and are indispensable for some gamers. There's also a cute little customizable dot matrix display on the back, just saying.

iPhone 17 vs Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro: which should you buy

Ultimately, it comes down to how demanding your games are and how far you want to push them. The iPhone 17 has the stronger chip, but hasn't been built with the burst performance needs and cooling tech required for heavy-load gaming. Instead, it's a more casual everyday device with a more resolution-focused display that just so happens to be able to handle App Store heavy hitters.

It's Apple's best contender for an actual 'gaming phone' so far, but it's not as flashy as the older ROG Phone.

On the flip side, that extra RAM, screen space, and storage isn't going to buy you better efficiency overall or a slick operating system. Apple's OS is renowned for a reason, it's simple, mostly intuitive (RIP Photos App), and fits an entire luxury ecosystem.

If you're buying a phone for competitive, demanding games, take the ROG Phone 8 Pro for a spin. If you just want a new everyday phone and you often dive into longer gameplay sessions, Apple's clinched it this generation.

• See all gaming phones at Amazon
• Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | $1,199.99 $799.99 at Amazon
• iPhone 17 | $799 at Apple

I'm also rounding up all the best gaming tablets if you're after something with a bigger screen, as well as the best gaming handhelds for a fully purpose-built device. In any case, you might also want to check out the best gaming earbuds if you're playing on the go.

The Asus ROG Falcata is expensive. It's also niche. That's a combination that often leaves gadgets on the back benches when it comes to recommendations, and yet I so want to be able to sing its praises.

It's not Asus's first Hall effect keyboard, but it is its first split-design deck. The entire board has been sliced in half in a form factor more recognizable amongst custom ergonomic models. Only, this isn't a particularly comfort-focused release.

Instead, the Asus ROG Falcata wants to be the best gaming keyboard for esports FPS players, allowing for a WASD-only desktop while still providing all the high-end features you'd expect from a luxury buy. That's great for those at the top of the ranks, but falls short in value for the rest of us. Which is heartbreaking to type, because this really is one of my absolute favorite boards.

Design

With both halves interlocked, the Asus ROG Falcata looks like just about any other gaming keyboard out there. This is Asus, so we have a slightly larger left panel with a multifunction roller and RGB LED panel, but at first glance it's a standard black 75% deck.

Then you pull it apart. That's when you notice the USB-C cable circling above the top, connecting two halves of the keyboard together. It means the Falcata can be used at a slightly more natural angle, rather than hunching over a smaller deck, but it also allows the left flank to be used in complete isolation. That leaves plenty of mouse-swipin' space for the ultimate FPS setup.

The actual build quality is incredibly solid. A super rigid top plate keeps keypresses snappy but the deck still achieves a comfortable amount of bounce thanks to the position of particularly tall feet at the top of the underside.

These feet are completely configurable according to your own specifications, with a variety of sizes and six available slots that can be used to angle and tilt the keyboard as you prefer. It should be said, though, a lot of the ergonomic gains from other split keyboards come from the curves and angles of the keys themselves. This is still a horizontal deck at the end of the day, so it's not going to alleviate quite so much of the wrist strain as a dedicated device.

Alongside those feet, you've also got a set of wrist rests to screw in before you can get up and running with the Falcata. It's a bit of a process to get the deck fully set up, but it's worth it. The cooling rubber pads match the main deck's elevation well, with a gradual slope up to the bottom lip of the chassis. There's a good amount of give to this rubber as well, so while it's not as cushioning as the plush rest included with the Razer BlackWidow V4 75% there's still support.

Keycaps

The Asus ROG Falcata uses a set of PBT keycaps (as would be expected as this price point), but they're nowhere near as grippy as those of the Asus ROG Azoth. I naturally prefer more texture to my caps, but if you want that smooth ABS feel without the shine you'll be at home here.

This is an all-black affair, with per-key RGB lighting shining through those doubleshot legends particularly well. There's only a little fading at the edge of longer legends, but we really are nitpicking there - everything is impressively uniform on the whole.

Main legends are stamped in that classic Asus font, which is subtle enough to fly under the radar but gives the deck a subtle gamer edge in itself. Side legends keep your Bluetooth pairing options, lighting controls, dual-function playback and volume buttons, and Mode switchers easily navigable as well.

Switches

This is where we get to the gold.

The Asus ROG Falcata employs my absolute favorite Hall effect switches. I've had my hands on quite a few magnetic keyboards by now, and none have felt this satisfying. Whether it's the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 or the Logitech G Pro X TKL Rapid, every single HE keyboard I've tested has always felt a little woolly under the key press.

It's easy to see why, there's additional resistance all the way down the keypress when magnets are involved. The Asus ROG HFX V2 magnetic switches manage to feel smooth, snappy, and free inside the Falcata - they could almost, almost, pass as mechanical clickers.

I said it when I first reviewed the Azoth, then I doubled down when the Asus ROG Azoth X passed my desk. Asus knows how to make a switch.

They don't just feel good, they're more functional than a lot of the Hall effect switches in mainstream gaming keyboards. The vast majority allow for dual function keypresses, with one input registered halfway down the stem and another at a full bottom-out. Here we've got four inputs per press. The Falcata can trigger halfway down, at the bottom, halfway up, and at the full release of a keypress.

You'd need some seriously complex gameplay to truly make the most of that kind of functionality, but if you're assigning it to just a couple of keys it's going to make the world of difference in faster gameplay. The only other deck I've used with this feature is the Glorious GMMK 3 Pro HE.

Of course, you're also getting the rapid trigger and SOCD features shared by these HE decks, as well as the ability to configure your actuation point from 0.1mm to 3.5mm of actuation. This is a deck built for speed, so the heaviest keypress is a little higher than others you'll find on the market, which typically bottom-out at 4mm.

Software

Asus is going light on software this time around, which is going to be music to the ears of anyone who's wrestled with Armory Crate in the past. Gear Link is the brand's web-based answer to our anguished cries.

I'll start by saying it's obvious this software isn't quite ready for market. It's true, I was using it before the Asus ROG Falcata officially made its way to US shelves, but it's still got its fair share of bugs after release as well. When menu text is appearing as expected and features are functioning correctly, it's a comprehensive studio.

The process of configuring multi-input keypresses is particularly easy. Whereas other brands have fairly convoluted interfaces for creating different multi-actuation triggers, Asus keeps things simple with a visual representation of a press and stop points for your actions.

Everything is easy to use and intuitively laid out, though some more updates are required before it's fully reliable.

Controls

This is a 75% keyboard, so you're still keeping your function row, arrow keys, and navigational buttons - it's all just a little more squished than on a TKL deck. However, Asus has also added an extra multi-function row and an RGB-lit panel to the left of the main deck area.

I'm a big fan of this side positioning. Asus and SteelSeries love an OLED panel in the top right corner of a keyboard, but it's often hidden behind the top row of keys in actual use. I often find myself having to reach too far over the top of my deck to access it, losing speed in the process.

Here, everything is within a moment's reach. Tapping a ROG-laden button at the top of the deck cycles between the functions you can control with this roller (with a handy icon indication at the top of the lighting panel). Scroll action on the wheel itself is a little heavy to start, but it moves smoothly once in motion.

That's a little disappointing. It means I have to really concentrate on how much force I'm applying in the first instance, to avoid sliding too far in either direction. I was never able to comfortably tweak my volume without having to readjust afterwards.

I was also surprised to find that the RGB stripes running along the display don't correlate to actual volume levels or lighting brightness. They simply glide in the direction you're already moving the wheel. It would have been far more helpful to be able to quickly check levels at a glance.

Connection

It's rare to find a wireless gaming keyboard with Hall effect switches. They pull a lot of power from the main deck, so you're far more likely to find wired options with magnets under the hood. They're also, as we've seen, vastly more expensive.

The Asus ROG Falcata wants to throw everything at the wall, though, offering 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connections as well as your standard USB-C wire. That's not all, though.

This is an esports-focused deck, so 8,000Hz wireless polling is available straight out of the box.

There is still a cable in play. The two halves of the Falcata need to be looped up to each other via a proprietary USB-C cord (no a random one won't work). I can see why. This is a magnetic Hall effect deck - that uses a lot of power in itself - and it's fully wireless. Having to split the battery across two halves and have each run separately (with that magnetic actuation in play) is a tricky problem to solve.

I'm happy with the solution. I know other split keyboards can run without it, but this isn't any split keyboard. I'd rather have the HE switches.

Battery

I was expecting the Asus ROG Falcata to drain in a couple of days based on my experience with other wireless Hall effect decks, but this thing kept trotting on for just under a week at a time with RGB switched on. That's far from the top of the battery market, but it's certainly impressive for a magnetic keyboard.

Asus claims a 200 hour battery life without RGB enabled and with the deck running in its most efficient power setting.

Typing

There are four layers of sound and impact dampening foam layered in this chassis, making for a beautifully cushioned landing and a clean clack to each press. That, plus the super sensitive switches, makes for an incredibly comfortable typing experience with very little force required and therefore less strain overall.

I've been writing all day on this deck for two weeks, and the only time I've felt a strain has been when I've angled the two halves in an awkward manner.

Gaming

Even set at its base sensitivity, the Asus ROG Falcata is one of the most responsive gaming keyboards I've had on my desk. Even resting my hand lightly on the keys would sometimes trigger inputs, and yet I still managed to maintain precision and accuracy with very few accidental inputs. It's some kind of magic that felt like it was giving me a real tangible edge in more competitive pursuits.

That's not something I say all that often. For all a gaming keyboard's marketing, they rarely actually make you a better player. They may be more comfortable, offer more features to make more complex maneuvers simpler, or rev sensitivity up to make keypresses slightly faster. They rarely offer a real noticeable change in-game without practice and effort on your side.

Using just the left side to lock in for some serious FPS gameplay (while also keeping the arrow and enter keys mapped using some dual-functions) only ramped that speed up. The additional space allowed me to wind my DPI right down for precision, while still maintaining the runway for wider mouse movements to accommodate. Even in faster gameplay moments, being able to wind DPI down a little and stretch mouse sweeps a little wider made for a far more controlled playstyle overall.

Should you buy the Asus ROG Falcata?

This is where my praise grinds to a sharp halt. I love the Asus ROG Falcata, it's easily the best Hall effect deck I've used so far and it's got its own set of unique features that more traditional designs can't keep up with.

I can't recommend it to most players, though. $419.99 is a steep price to pay for a set of keys, you have to really know this is the perfect deck for you. Unfortunately, I think it's only the perfect deck for competitively-focused esports players and, within that, only FPS leaderboard hunters are going to get the full value out of that price tag. If that's you, go nuts - you won't regret it.

I, however, certainly wouldn't get my money's worth out of this deck had I picked it up for my more casual gameplay. Without that split form factor, there's far better value in a $150 - $200 Hall effect keyboard like the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 or Logitech G Pro TKL Rapid. If you still want that competitive edge but don't want to invest $400, the Corsair K70 Pro TKL even throws in 8,000Hz polling (though in a wired connection).

If it's the wireless connection drawing you in, the Glorious GMMK 3 Pro HE offers a better value proposition overall. You can still choose your Hall effect switches here, and even upgrade pretty much every aspect of the deck over time. It's still premium, at $369.99 for the full whack, but it's more generalist in its approach.

How I tested the Asus ROG Falcata

I've been using the Asus ROG Falcata for over two weeks, running the keyboard across all my daily work and play. Aside from dedicated competitive testing in CS2 and Apex Legends, I also used the Falcata in Doom: The Dark Ages, Fallout 4, and a slightly more relaxing run of Tiny Bookshop.

I completed typing speed tests in TypingTest.com to compare speed and precision compared to similarly priced / specced keyboards as well. For more information on how we test gaming keyboards, check out the full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

I'm also rounding up all the best hot-swappable keyboards as well as the best Razer keyboards and the best membrane gaming keyboards available now.

Asus has just launched its hyper-premium Hall effect gaming keyboard in the US, for a whopping $419.99. That's console territory, for a keyboard. Granted, it's a wireless Hall effect deck well in with a shot at becoming one of the best gaming keyboards on the market, but we're still talking about a desk piece.

The split keyboard might be the most expensive gaming-specific model that's ever crossed my desk, but it also sports the best Hall effect switches I've used so far. The Asus ROG HFX V2 clickers have done something Glorious, Logitech, Corsair, and even Razer couldn't - snap.

I've had my paws all over the best Hall effect keyboards ever since they started spreading onto mainstream shelves. I've always griped, in some way, about the same thing.

Magnetic switches just don't feel as nice as mechanical ones. There's an extra level of tension in here that feels stuffy and woolly, like there's a layer of cotton between my keycap and the top plate. I'd be yearning for the lighter tap of a mechanical monster within a couple of weeks of testing.

Asus has sorted that right out. These almost feel like mechanical switches. They glide without any upward pressure, snap with a satisfying bounce, and come with a satisfying clack sound far crisper than the HE options I've used in the past. I even prefer them to the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3, and that's my number one gaming deck of the moment.

Not only that, but they're more functional than cheaper alternatives as well. Loading up Asus Gear Link, the new web-based configurator that sees Armoury Crate firmly out the door, I was pleasantly surprised to find not two but four different input options available to map to a single key. That's something I haven't seen outside of the Glorious GMMK 3 Pro HE and essentially means you can trigger different commands all the way down the keystroke, and then all the way up again.

The process of setting this up is far easier in Asus's software than Glorious's. A visualization of the key press and release, with stops for your assignments, makes setting distances and keybindings a lot easier than with other brands.

Hall effect switches in wireless gaming keyboards are never cheap. The GMMK 3 Pro HE comes in at $369.99 for a full cord-free setup, so the $419.99 Asus ROG Falcata price is a little more justified. It's still a considerable investment, though, and that split design doesn't do enough to draw in wider uses.

Sure, you can angle the two halves for (what appears to be) a more comfortable seating position, but ergonomic keyboards are generally curved for a reason. At the appropriate gradient, I'm still reaching a little too far to hit certain keys and the wrist rest only alleviates the strain a little.

Instead, the main draw here is the ability to disconnect one half completely to make more space for wider mouse movements.

Ultimately, the Asus ROG Falcata is an incredible expensive gaming keyboard, and while its immediate draw might be a little gimmicky, its switches are certainly onto something. If you've been hunting for the perfect HE deck for some time those savings could well be put to good use here. The vast majority of us will be watching for discounts, though.

• See all Hall effect keyboards at Amazon
• Asus ROG Falcata | $419.99 at Best Buy
• Glorious GMMK 3 Pro HE | $369.99 at Amazon

I'm also rounding up all the best hotswappable keyboards and the best membrane gaming keyboards for something cheaper. Or, take a look at the best gaming mouse models for more setup inspiration.

When I think about the worst controllers I've reviewed, the Asus ROG Raikiri is one that springs to mind, and that isn't exactly fair. It's really not that bad a pro controller. I still awarded it with 3-stars, and I think it's just really average overall. The problem is that its awful back button placement, gimmicky screen, and failure to live up to its stylish potential left a really sour taste in my mouth as time has gone on. It may not have appeared on our list of the best PC controllers, but two years later, I think its upcoming sequel just might.

At Gamescom, Asus has lifted the lid on a slew of new gaming gear, including the Asus ROG Raikiri 2, a total rework of its flagship pro controller that will bring TMR thumbsticks, a 1,000Hz polling rate (on PC), and official Xbox licensing to the table. Annoyingly, we don't know the price or release date for this new controller yet, but that isn't stopping me from getting rather excited about it.

Asus has really impressed me with the rework of the Raikiri's design. Don't just take it from me, the resounding consensus when people tried the Asus ROG Raikiri Pro was that it looked great, but its lack of ergonomic focus meant it was supremely outmatched in a growingly competitive controller market. Its four back buttons were placed high up on the controller's spine, with inward-facing angles that made them really hard to press. As a result, the Raikiri Pro was really uncomfortable to use and lacked the element of speed that you'd expect from a pricey Xbox Series X controller.

Improving that back button placement seems to be at the heart of the Raikiri 2's design. Asus even showed a mock-up of an early-in-development version, which moved the back buttons down onto the grips, but the final model has taken things even further and planted them nearer where your fingers will naturally lie.

To combat the clunky lack of speed, Asus has added clicky microswitch buttons, which have a 50% shorter actuation distance and a 50% lighter press force, as well as adjustable triggers. Perhaps the biggest feature is the Raikiri 2's TMR thumbsticks, making it only the second controller with this technology to secure Xbox licensing. If you're asking yourself, "what are TMR thumbsticks?", you may want to check out the handy guide I've linked to.

Back when I reviewed the Raikiri Pro, I said that it was "the epitome of style over substance", and while the new Raikiri 2 seems to be refocusing on practicality, it isn't losing all of its flair. The tiny screen, which ended up being more of a gimmick than a standout feature of the Pro, has disappeared when looking at the 2025 model. However, a ROG Xbox lettering panel adorns the gamepad's face, which is a shared design element taken from the upcoming Asus ROG Xbox Ally.

In terms of value for money, it's hard to make an argument for or against until we have the price. Still, you'll get an all-in-one carrying case and a charging stand along with your purchase. It doesn't seem as though you'll get swappable parts since this controller doesn't have a modular design, besides some swappable thumbsticks. Although, a quoted 30-hour battery life doesn't seem like too bad a trade-off. Let's hope that Asus prices this below the $200 price point that's become all too familiar in the Xbox controller market. Either way, I'm looking forward to testing it out for myself to see how these reworks improve things.

• View all Xbox controllers at Amazon
• My favorite TMR controller so far: $79.99 at Amazon
• For those who like symmetrical sticks: $69.99 at Amazon

Also take a look at the best PC racing wheels, the best Xbox steering wheels, and the best PS5 steering wheels.

Asus ROG is showing off its official Hatsune Miku PC gear at Gamescom 2025, and my bank account is shaking at the thought.

While I can't be there in person and have to admire the wealth of adorable gaming PC goodies from afar, that hasn't stopped me from imagining it positioned between my countless Vocaloid prize figures.

I was happy living in a world with just the Asus TUF Gaming Hatsune Miku PC accessories, but Asus ROG has truly upped the ante with the introduction of this fully-fledged Hatsune Miku gaming setup.

The new collection includes everything from a Hatsune Miku Edition motherboard, graphics card, PC case, power supply, cooler, monitor, to an SSD enclosure featuring imagery of everyone's favorite virtual diva. There's been no word yet on when we can expect to grab these components, and for how much, but judging from the past Asus ROG collaborations, it likely won't come cheap.

Asus ROG states that this new collection "exudes the vibrant Miku aesthetic," and judging from the imagery alone, I can entirely get behind those sentiments.

The iconic green and pink colors that I heavily associate now with my favorite virtual singer (besides PaRappa the Rapper, if he counts) are on full display, especially when it comes to the biggest piece of the collection, the ROG Strix Helios II Hatsune Miku Edition PC case.

This official mid-tower Miku PC case is equipped with dual tempered glass side panels and a diamond grille front panel that's heavily reminiscent of the ASUS ROG Eva 02 case I adore from its previous Evangelion anime collab. The stunning new Miku art that's prevalent throughout the entire collection is printed on the front of the tower, and there are even pink and green ergonomic elastic straps across the top, draped in Miku imagery.

Naturally, the case is ideal for housing a Hatsune Miku-themed rig inside, and Asus also has you covered for that.

Like I briefly touched on earlier, the set includes the ROG Strix X870E-H Gaming WiFi7 Hatsune Miku Edition motherboard, ROG Ryuo IV 360 ARGB AIO cooler, ROG Thor 1200W Platinum III Hatsune Miku Edition PSU, and a ROG Strix Arion SSD enclosure, and most importantly, an ROG Astral GeForce RTX 5080 OC Hatsune Miku Edition graphics card so every inch of your setup can scream that you're a Miku fan.

An RTX 5080 might be a tad overkill for any games on Steam featuring the virtual diva herself. For example, Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA Mega Mix+ only requires 4 GB of RAM and at least a power equivalent to a Nvidia GeForce GTX 550 Ti to run, but I can't help but admire the stunning Miku coat of paint that's been given to an otherwise boring all-black GPU.

The graphics card is made up of a four-fan design, two of which feature pink versions of the ROG logo in their centers, while the others unmistakably feature Miku's 01 tattoo. This is an important piece of Miku lore, as it also calls back to her official CV01 Vocaloid codename, so I love how it's been incorporated on the GPU.

The piece de resistance of the entire set for me, however, has got to be the gaming monitor. The 27-inch QHD display is decked out with a 260Hz refresh rate and 0.3ms (GTG) response time. If you're here to learn about the design, and less on the specs, you'll be happy to learn its entire stand is painted in that vivid green Miku color. Meanwhile, the stand, which comes with a place to hold your phone, and the back is sprinkled with Miku iconicography and details, from her 01 marking, to a giant pink Asus ROG logo for good measure.

Again, there's no pricing info available yet for the monitor or the rest of this stunning new Hatsune Miku collab. However, if you're lucky enough to be roaming the halls of Gamescom, you can check out the Asus ROG Hatsune Miku collection yourself in Hall 8.1.

• View all ASUS ROG gaming deals at Amazon
• ASUS ROG Swift 32” 4K OLED Gaming Monitor: $1,299.00 $999.99 at Amazon
• ASUS ROG Delta II Wireless Gaming Headset: $259.99 $207.99 at Amazon

If your rig could use a makeover, our guides to the best gaming chairs, the best SSDs for gaming, and our guide to the best PC headsets for gaming are full to the brim with accessories that can help give your desktop a boost.

I've been reviewing generations of Asus ROG Zephyrus G14s for years now, and they consistently impress with their productivity prowess and gaming grunt. 2025's iteration is one of the best gaming laptops money can buy at the moment, but it's also perfectly positioned for college students. It's small enough to comfortably carry in a backpack, but still offers a satisfying Triple-A experience with gorgeous displays and plenty of power. Best Buy is helping you get there a little easier this week, with $400 off the RTX 5060 configuration.

That means you grab the 14-inch device for just $1,399.99 this week, down from its original $1,799.99 MSRP. That's already a strong price for an RTX 5060 machine, especially considering this generation has shot up in price compared to previous RTX 40-Series rigs. Not only that, but there's a healthy OLED display up top as well.

Should you buy the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14?

The latest Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 hit my desk back in April, complete with a beefy RTX 5080 graphics card and AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU. That's a $3,169.99 configuration, though. The model included in today's gaming laptop deals comes in at a fraction of the price.

That doesn't mean you won't benefit from the features that make this one of the best Asus gaming laptops available, though. That OLED display still packs a punch, with a super tight 2880 x 1800 resolution scaled beautifully on the smaller 14-inch face. Everything runs super vibrantly, with HDR keeping finer details popping at high brightness. That makes it perfect for streaming and gaming once that school work's done with.

When it comes to work, though, you're spoilt. A good spread of ports, USB-C charging from both sides, and an impressively spaced (and super clacky) keyboard boost those longer study sessions. If you do have the cash, the 2025 Razer Blade 16 offers a better typing experience overall - but you're looking at $1,999.99 for that rig in Razer's current sale.

The RTX 5060 isn't going to post the same kind of numbers I saw while benchmarking an RTX 5080 model. However, with performance gains between 30% and 42% compared to the RTX 4070 inside the previous generation you're looking at a good step up from RTX 30-Series and even RTX 4050 and RTX 4060 rigs. That's based on native rendering, if you want to pull out all the stops Nvidia's new frame generation tech is there for the heavier lifting.

The most luxurious feather in the G14's cap is its form factor, though. I lug all kinds of gaming laptops around town, and my back and shoulders breathe a sigh of relief when a new Zephyrus comes around. They're among the most portable rigs available right now, without compromising too much on power.

• See all gaming laptop deals at Best Buy
• Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 | $1,799.99 $1,399.99 at Best Buy
• Razer Blade 16 | $2,399.99 $1,999.99 at Razer

I'm also rounding up all the best Razer laptops and best Alienware laptops I've tested so far, or check out the best gaming PCs for more tower options.

I've read (and subsequently watched) a ton of Demon Slayer in my time, but it's just not for me, and that's okay. All that means is I'm likely never going to pick up some figures of Tanjiro, Nezuko, Zenitsu, or anyone else in the Demon Slayer Corps, and can save on the last remaining bits of precious IKEA display cabinet space I have left.

I might still have to save some desk space, however, as the Asus TUF GAMING GT301 Demon Slayer Edition case, which is $269.27 at Newegg, is so stunning that it's hard not to be a fan. Instead of just plastering UV-printed decals of Nezuko's face all over one of the best gaming PCs, Asus has instead used Nezuko's iconic kimono and transformed it into a GT301 case - bamboo muzzle and all.

The brand is pretty well known for its licensed bits of anime tech, but the case is easily a contender for one of the best PC cases out there when it comes to theming and looks alone - even if its price is a little loftier than some of the more basic chassis options out there. Suddenly, I have the urge to give Demon Slayer a second chance, and this PC case is entirely to blame.

Anime-themed gaming tech is not new by any means, especially where Asus is concerned. The brand has been behind some of the most stunning collaborations in the space. Still to this day, I wonder if my pink-themed gaming room should be re-decorated in its entirety as an excuse to get and match with the Asus ROG Evangelion-02 Asuka PC and all its many accessories.

This Demon Slayer version of the Asus TUF Gaming GT301 case and its theming are just as on point as the Asuka line. Nezuko Kamado, one of the lead characters from the Demon Slayer series, looks like she's essentially been bitten by a PC-demon and transformed into the case.

The GT301 is an ATX mid-tower pink case with 120mm Aura Sync RGB-illuminated fans, up to six fan-mounting points, space for 280/360mm integrated water-cooling radiators, a 6-port Aura Sync addressable-RGB controller hub, mounting space for up to 2 HDDs and 6 SDDs, and a customizable headphone hook. The latter of which is a nice extra touch, considering Asus also released a Nezuko-themed gaming headset.

Of course, where this PC case shines the most is down to how it takes Nezuko's iconic outfit and transforms it into a piece of gaming hardware. It's not just the black and pink colorscheme of her kimono that's been represented, but even its iconic asanoha patterning has been cleverly re-purposed as the front panel to allow for better airflow.

Some anime licensing can be pretty lazy, but I can't get enough of how Asus and its TUF Gaming division were able to make something stylish and practical out of the Demon Slayer branding.

I'm not a fan of the grill at the top, which plasters Nezuko's name and her silhouette, as if fans don't know who the case is based upon. Luckily, it's the laziest thing about the design, with otherwise takes the cake as one of the best-looking bits of anime tech I've ever seen.

This case was released back in 2022, so it and the rest of its lineup, which includes a Nezuko Kamada mouse pad and a L.E. Nezuko Kamado Gaming Headset, which even uses her bamboo muzzle as the mic, aren't as readily in stock as other Asus collabs. Fortunately, you can at least still grab the case at sites like Newegg in both the US and the UK and build your rig in time for Demon Slayer Infinity Castle, and this case may have convinced me to do the same.

More Asus Demon Slayer PC gaming parts...

• ASUS TUF Gaming Nezuko H1 Wired Headset: Check stock at Newegg
• ASUS TUF Gaming Demon Slayer Limited Edition Cooler: $186.03 at Newegg
• ASUS TUF Gaming P1 Demon Slayer mouse pad: $18.38 at Newegg
• ASUS TUF Gaming Wired Tanjiro Gaming Mouse: $43.69 at Newegg

Building a new stylish rig? Check out our guides to the best gaming chairs, the best PC controller for gaming, or some of the best RAM for gaming to create the gaming PC and setup of your dreams.

It's been over 15 years since I first donned the turquoise pigtails and cosplayed Hatsune Miku alongside my Vocaloid-obsessed friend. Multiple photoshoots, Vocaloid games, and too many figures later, I'm deep in the Miku rabbit hole, which is why the second I bore witness to the Asus TUF Gaming Hatsune Miku collab, I knew I had to see it in person.

Miku is the perfect character to serve as the basis for a gaming tech collab. Created by Crypton Future Media, she originated in 2007 as a mascot for one of the many synthetic voices that could be used alongside the Japanese Vocaloid music software Vocaloid, so tech is in the diva's DNA.

Where to order the Asus TUF Gaming Hatsune Miku collection

• Mini Wireless Mouse Hatsune Miku Edition: $109.99 at Best Buy
• P1 Hatsune Miku Edition mouse pad: $24.99 at Best Buy
• H1 GEN II Hatsune Miku Edition, Wired Gaming Headset: $99.99 at Best Buy
• K3 Gen II Hatsune Miku Edition keyboard: $99.99 at Best Buy

This brand-new collab features her adorable self represented across an Asus TUF gaming Mini Wireless Mouse, TUF Gaming P1 mouse pad, TUF gaming K3 Gen II gaming keyboard, and most suitably, a TUF Gaming H1 GEN II wired gaming headset. The headset isn't a 1:1 copy of any she's worn throughout her long singing career, but it still perfectly encapsulates her iconic turquoise, pink and white colorscheme, as does the rest of this utterly charming PC accessory line.

Mini Wireless Mouse and P1 Mouse Pad Hatsune Miku Edition

The ASUS TUF Gaming Mini Wireless Mouse (Hatsune Miku Edition) remains one of my favorite parts of the entire collab. It's not going to give the best gaming mice a run for their money, as the TUF Gaming line as a whole is all about producing more budget-friendly peripherals. But it's still packed with a 12,000 DPI optical sensor, mechanical switches, Bluetooth, 2.4GHz, and wired connectivity, and up to 134 hours worth of battery life.

Asus could have very easily gone down the cheap route, but the compact accessory is full of little design elements that any big Vocaloid fan would get a big kick out of. Most noticeably, Miku's silhouette is featured on the dome and glows the same turquoise color as her pigtails. I do wish the silhouette were a bit bigger, but at least it's bright and luminous and pairs nicely with a half ring of matching light, which sits just below the edge of the mouse.

Other charming details include the "01 Miku" design printed on the right button, which is the perfect homage not just to her CV01 official Vocaloid codename, but also the 01 tattoo often round on her left arm. If you want to display your Miku fandom more proudly, Asus also supplies a set of stickers for both the left and right buttons, too.

Throughout my testing, the mouse was a little smaller than I personally prefer. I'm also a palm grip kind of gal, so I felt I was constantly having to move around my hand and wrist to find a more comfortable hand position. I'm definitely a huge fan of its 65g weight, however, as it was very easy to slide it across the matching P1 mousepad, whether I was selecting songs in Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA Mega Mix, or just using it day-to-day to write up hardware news and reviews.

The 260 x 360 mm mouse pad is made up of a non-slip rubber base, and never moved an inch when I didn't want it to. The mousepad itself is a prime example of why Asus is the king of licensed PC tech in my eyes, as it displays a stunning piece of official Hatsune Miku artwork and a series of little details that truly make it feel like fellow Vocaloid fans were behind its design.

Naturally, the TUF Gaming and Vocaloid logos are there, but so are little pink music notes and, of course, the stunning Hasana artwork of Miku too. The whole line has opted for a unique Hatsune Miku outfit, which still encompasses a lot of her original iconic look, which I absolutely adore. The art is so lovely, I honestly felt bad that it was usually hidden under the mouse and my big, chonky hand during testing.

K3 Gen II Hatsune Miku Edition keyboard

The K3 Gen II Hatsune Miku Edition keyboard is another one of my favorite parts of this entire collection, as it goes ham with the license and oozes her adorable charm throughout the entire board. The 97-key board features optical-mechanical RGB switches, a Silicone-gasket mount with dampening foam, a detachable top plate, and RGB lighting with Aura Sync support.

Like the headset, this is a wired-only keyboard, and the wire is awkwardly placed in the middle of the board, which is a bit of a pain for cable management. Fortunately for me, my Hatsune Miku-loving eyes were almost always distracted away from the annoying cable and fixated on the adorable custom-printed keycaps instead.

The escape key is all pink, featuring that '01' graphic as seen on the gaming mouse, and the spacebar features the same Hasana art created for the collection, with "born to the different" printed to the side. In amongst the charming turquoise-colored keys, Hatsune Miku's name can be found plastered over one of the enters, and her silhouette appears on the other. Those little heart-shaped music notes also make a re-appearance on some of the function keys, creating what is one of the most gorgeous keyboards I've had the pleasure of placing on my desk.

The keys are super comfortable to press too, whether you're using it for work, or to catch up with the latest Disney Dreamlight Valley updates on Steam. During the multiple weeks I had with the gorgeous collection, I played the Steam version of Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA Mega Mix, as what else to test gaming Miku tech than one of her very own games.

Annoyingly, it's not designed with keyboards in mind, and a lot of the Project Diva games originated on Sony hardware. Playing through Magnet using an IJKL layout over the PS Vita controls was not a fun experience, and I could barely get through songs on easy, which was annoying as someone who normally dominates music rhythm games. That's not the keyboard's fault, and at least browsing through the massive song list purely using Hatsune Miku peripherals felt like a nerdy dream come true.

Gen II Hatsune Miku Edition Headset

The Gen II Hatsune Miku Edition Headset is a wired pair of cups sporting 40 mm ASUS Essence audio drivers and a TeamSpeak-certified unidirectional mic. It's designed with PS5 support in mind, but it's definitely not going to give the best PS5 headsets a run for their money anytime soon, as Asus made the decision to opt for a USB-A connection or a 3.5mm jack. Sure, I could and did pop it in one of the USB ports on my Sony console, but as my sofa is on the other side of the room, it wasn't the most ideal way to play the new season of Marvel Rivals, or any game for that matter.

At least, the headset itself looks really snazzy, if I do say so myself as the resident GamesRadar+ hardware team Miku fan. Like the rest of the collection, the cups feature the same turquoise, white, and pink colorway, but to me, it's the nicest-looking accessory out of the bunch. The turquoise headband and matching leather-coated cushioned earcups are so nice, I could easily see the headset being one Miku would actually wear on stage.

To mirror the gaming mouse, the left cup features a Miku silhouette that lights up the second you hook the headset up to your PC, and the right has the TUF Gaming logo. Each light is bright and looks super flashy if you're on a Discord video call to your friends, but not bright enough that it catches the glare of your PC monitor, which I fully appreciated.

When it comes to the sound, the wired headset wasn't enough to make me put away the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, which shouldn't be too surprising given its limited features. Its 40mm ASUS Essence audio drivers don't sound bad, but the lower bass frequencies in my favorite Vocaloid tracks, from Just Be Friends to Magnet, felt a bit hollow. Without that gut-punching bass, even Anamanaguchi's Miku sounded a bit lifeless, too.

Should you buy the ASUS TUF Gaming Hatsune Miku collection?

If you're a Hatsune Miku fan who has been dreaming of putting together one of the best gaming PC setups that's dedicated to the virtual singing sensation, then by all means, the Asus TUF Gaming collection would make a perfect addition to your desk.

With the Mini Wireless Mouse just $109.99, the P1 mouse pad just $24.99, the K3 Gen II keyboard just $99.99 and the H1 GEN II gaming headset just $99.99, this is a reasonably inexpensive way to inject your setup with as much Miku-goodness as possible - if you can find it in stock. As it sometimes goes with licensed tech, you aren't getting the very best in gaming peripherals Asus has to offer here, so if performance is your biggest concern, this is not the collection for you.

The collection feels more like it was created with Miku fans in mind who want a cute and cozy setup, while showing off their favorite virtual singer. As someone who has not only cosplayed a ridiculous number of versions of Miku, and owns a fair share of Miku figures and merch, I feel the perfect intended audience for a collection like this, and it's definitely won me over with its stunning artwork and unique use of her default outfit colorscheme.

This collection isn't it as far as Asus Hatsune Miku hardware goes, as there's also a ROG Astral GeForce RTX 5080 graphics card on its way, featuring the same art and color combinations. That's good news for those of you who like all of your PC tech to be perfectly synchronized, but I can't help but wish a soundbar and a wireless controller were also on the cards.

Playing Vocaloid games, like Project DIVA Mega Mix on Steam, are more suited for a controller, especially as the original arcade games feature massive PlayStation-branded buttons. Not only would having a controller available feel more fitting, but as Vocaloid is all about music, an officially licensed Hatsune Miku soundbar would also feel like a perfect addition to the line.

Even with my little quibbles with the set, I hope this is the start of more Asus collabs to come. If they can use their ROG division to create multiple collections for characters from the anime Evangelion, having another TUF Gaming lineup styled around Megurine Luka, or even one for Kagamine Rin & Len, would give myself, and fellow fans, more options and more ways to show off their love of all things Vocaloid.

The limited edition Asus TUF Gaming Hatsune Miku collection is available from today (July 14) in Microcenter and Best Buy stores in the US, and there's plans to make some of it available on Amazon later this month.

If this Asus TUF Gaming Hatsune Collab isn't for you, check out our guides to the best gaming chair, best PC controller for gaming, and our guide for the best RAM for gaming so you can find the best add-ons for your PC rig.

It's become a little difficult to lather the Asus ROG Azoth keyboard line with as much praise as I did when it first launched in 2023. The original deck was the best gaming keyboard on the market for a long time, and quickly became my favorite to use as well. It's looking a little tired these days, largely discontinued and rarely found in a fresh box.

Now we have the Asus ROG Azoth X. Where the original stuck to a slick black and gray aesthetic the new model goes all out with a crisp white chassis and super fun space-themed keycaps. It's the opposite of its cool, calm, and collected predecessor - this deck screams its power as loud as possible.

Underneath all that bravado, though, this is still the same core Azoth experience many know and love. It's had a few touch-ups, with Asus's second-generation ROG NX switches, a wrist rest now included in the box, and a new web-based configurator tool. Will that be enough to justify the price jump to a whopping $299.99 when Hall effect switches are taking over the market? I've spent the last few weeks finding out.

Design

It feels like the Asus ROG Azoth X is all about its design. It's impossible to ignore the glow up here, though it might not seem like an improvement if you prefer a more understated desk setup. While the original Azoth was one of the first wireless gaming keyboards to truly adopt the aesthetic of traditional custom builds, Asus seems to have gone in a far more fun direction this time.

Instead of those black and gray hues, we've got a bright white chassis with pops of color from all directions. And I mean all directions. The caps themselves feature bursts of purple and red, while the pudding-style undersides allow a super vibrant set of LEDs to blaze throughout the deck itself. I'm not a massive fan of this RGB implementation, I prefer a more reserved light show personally. If you're looking for an all-out display, though, this is a particularly impressive effect.

The colors themselves are bold and vibrant, with a range of different presets to choose from as well. Brightness is exceptional here, offering one of the strongest lighting setups I've seen so far.

Underneath all that you've got a trustworthy case holding it all together. Asus knows how to build a keyboard that feels solid and sounds fantastic, and the aluminum top and FR4 switch plate offer an excellent bounce. The underside is plastic, but it's rock solid and offers additional rubber grips to keep everything in place.

You'll need to shove it particularly hard to see any movement here, though. The ROG Azoth X isn't quite as heavy as its predecessor, but at 2.17lbs it's still above average. This isn't a gaming keyboard designed to travel too far with you, though, so I see that as a win for stability.

Two foldable feet extend from the top of the back plate to provide a nice degree of elevation. The original Azoth sat particularly high off the desk, which is one of the things I always appreciated when returning to it over the years, and the X feels similarly upright in its design.

Unlike the classic model, the Asus ROG Azoth X also now comes with a wrist rest (which means you don't have to shell out for the Extreme version if you want a little extra support). The rest itself feels reliable and sturdy, slotting neatly along the underside though with no attachment system in place. Its slick white silicon matches the deck itself, but is a little harder than alternatives you'll find from Razer.

Keycaps

This is what truly sets the Asus ROG Azoth X apart from the original model on the shelves. These caps look great from the top (I'll leave the pudding design to personal preference), with a range of space-themed icons, futuristic legend font, and fun accents in bold colors. The majority match the keyboard's white chassis, though (in true custom-fashion) those on the outer edges sit mostly in black.

They look far more interesting than the original Azoth, but they don't feel as satisfying. Everything is still made of PBT (though with a dye sublimated printing process), but there's a softer texture compared to the grainy feel of the originals. I prefer a little grit under my fingertips when positioning myself over the deck, and they felt a little too smooth to truly be comfortable for longer sessions.

Switches

Asus has upgraded their fantastic ROG NX Snow switches for the release of the Asus ROG Azoth X, and there are some smaller changes to notice. I loved the lighter feel of the originals, with their snappy debounce and soft bottom-out. Much of that is the same here, but there's less of a snap to this actuation and more of a creamy smoothness.

Combine that with factory lubrication and you've got yourself a super slick linear switch with fantastic glide and an almost effortless actuation.

This is a fully mechanical affair, though. There's no magnetic Hall effect action going on here. That means you're still getting that smooth clack, with no heavier interference from newer alternatives - but it does mean you miss out on a few key gaming features (which we'll get to below).

Software

Armoury Crate is back in action, offering all your usual keybinding and OLED display adjustments. This is where you'll spend most of your time if you want to get into the nitty gritty of that display, with its range of system information functions, and the small control knob on the side.

However, if you just want to remap some keys and switch up your RGB lighting, Asus has a lighter alternative this time around. Gear Link is the brand's new web-based software that allows for a quick and easy tune-up whenever you need it, no downloads required.

I'm a big fan. By virtue of constantly testing different gaming keyboards and mice, I already have a laptop stacked with launchers. I also test gaming laptops every week, so every time I'm moving my setup over I have to go through the whole process again. By and large, these dedicated programs are bulky, CPU-intensive, and fill my tray with unnecessary background tasks. Armoury Crate is no different, and is worse than alternatives from Logitech and Razer in its often-unintuitive menus and now-outdated look and feel.

Using the web-based software is quick, easy, and doesn't clog up my machine.

Controls

This is a 75% gaming keyboard, so you're already getting a good amount of keys on board. The Asus ROG Azoth X maintains a full function row, arrow buttons, and a few nav-key options down the right side. Realistically, the only thing you might miss from a full-sized device is the number pad.

That already means you've got more controls at your fingertips than you would with a more compact 65% or 60% model, but there's more.

Like in the original, the Azoth features a particularly smooth toggle in the top right corner. Located next to the OLED display, it can perform a variety of functions, from controlling media playback to volume to mic settings. This is a three-way dial, moving up and down and featuring an addition button on the side, so there's plenty of versatility in different functions.

Connection

The Asus ROG Azoth X is expensive, so you'd expect it to pack some serious connectivity features. It pulls through with 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, and a wired connection, all toggled with a small switch on the top of the device. Setting up Bluetooth and swapping between wireless connections is painless as well. Both options provided sturdy, drop-free experiences in my testing.

While many gaming keyboards are packing 4,000Hz and even 8,000Hz polling rates, the ROG Azoth X keeps things simple at 1,000Hz. That can be bumped up with the use of the ROG Polling Rate Booster, an additional purchase that will send you to the top end of that speed range. Those kinds of rates are largely unnecessary, though, so I'm glad Asus kept things more casual for its base MSRP rather than loading up on extra features less than 1% of players will actually benefit from.

It's also worth noting that the Asus ROG Azoth X is also fully Mac compatible now, and after a quick test on my friend's MacBook Pro I can confirm everything runs smoothly and as expected.

Battery

Battery life was one of the original model's most impressive features, and while the Asus ROG Azoth X does drop that 2,000-hour rating down to 1,600 hours it's still mighty impressive.

That's a number plucked out by Asus, assuming you're not using those RGB or LED display features. I ran both at 50% brightness and managed to keep the deck alive for just under three weeks without needing to charge (at an average of 53 hours use per week). All in all, I'd put the overall battery life under these conditions to be at around 135 - 140 hours. That's still mighty impressive.

Typing

Those creamy switches, combined with a five-layer sound dampening system, gasket mounted design, and FR4 switch plate makes for a fantastic typing experience. Moving between keys feels a little less accurate than other decks due to those softer keycaps, but my overall precision didn't seem to be effected too much in the numbers from my typing tests. With a quick actuation and soft bounce this is a particularly comfortable typing experience that sounds amazing.

Gaming

If you're after a mechanical keyboard for gaming, this is one of the most pleasant experiences I've had so far. I was worried that those slightly more sensitive keys would leave me with accidental inputs when it came to faster titles, but there's a natural curve to the top that makes it easy to keep WASD centered. I did find the surface to be a little more slippery than grittier keycaps, though.

That 1,000Hz polling rate also served me fine in both casual and competitive gameplay. I'm nowhere near worrying about milliseconds when it comes to my reaction times, though, so those chasing esports dreams may need to upgrade to something a little faster. The Corsair K70 Pro TKL offers an 8,000Hz polling rate straight out of the box via its wired connection, all for a significantly lower $179.99 MSRP.

There's an elephant in the room, though. If you've been hunting down your next gaming keyboard for a few months you'll have noticed that a lot of mainstream brands are prioritizing Hall effect switches in their newer models. These are magnetic, rather than mechanical, clickers that offer a number of gaming advantages. Actuation points can be customized all the way up the stem, and often across different keys. Some decks allow for multiple inputs to be set to an individual key press (with one function half way down and another at the bottom of the actuation). Many also offer Rapid Trigger functionality that allows for much faster repeat presses.

These Hall effect decks are slightly more expensive than mechanical offerings on average - but they're rarely more expensive than the Asus ROG Azoth X's $299.99 MSRP.

Should you buy the Asus ROG Azoth X?

Now this is a tough question. Ultimately, it comes down to whether you're set on picking up mechanical switches for your next gaming keyboard.

You may well be. They're much more comfortable for typing (and the Asus ROG Azoth X is at the top of this field when it comes to gaming-specific models), and the hot-swappable nature means you have more freedom to experiment with different switch feels. The Asus ROG Azoth X is a fantastic mechanical gaming keyboard, building on the already top-of-the-line foundations of its predecessor with a slick design, improved software versatility, and additional features.

It's just difficult to wholeheartedly recommend in the same way I did its predecessor two years ago.

The SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 is a cheaper deck at $219.99, but it comes outfitted with newer Hall effect switches that open far more doors in terms of actual gameplay. Yes, it cuts your hot-swappability, wireless connection, and that super clean auditory profile, but it's functionally superior.

Corsair, Razer, Logitech, Keychron, and Ducky are all incorporating either magnetic or analog switches into their lineups these days, and these options are often cheaper than Asus's mechanical clackers.

There are some drawbacks. Magnetic switches do feel very different. They're often woollier than the crisp clack of a mechanical option, with more force required to actuate and a less snappy feel overall. The additional power these switches draw also tends to require a wired connection, so you lose a little versatility as well. You also dramatically reduce your choice when it comes to hot-swappable keyboards.

Ultimately, if you spend more time typing than you do gaming, prioritize a wireless connection, or want to swap your switches every now and then, the Asus ROG Azoth X is the best keyboard you can buy. It's got the chops for your Steam library while also offering a best-in-class typing experience and plenty of functional extras. If you want more from your games, though, it's worth investigating some cheaper magnetic options.

How I tested the Asus ROG Azoth X

I used the Asus ROG Azoth X for all daily work and play over a two week period, testing it for an additional few days leading up to the writing of this review alongside the Corsair MAKR 75. In that time I completed my usual roster of typing tests, while also playing across Apex Legends, CS2, Doom: The Dark Ages, and Fallout 4. For more information on how we test gaming keyboards, check out the full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

I'm also tracking down all the best membrane gaming keyboards for some cheaper options, or take a look at the best gaming mouse and best gaming headset models for more setup inspiration.

I've nearly finished my review of the Asus ROG Azoth X, the brand's latest deck and a successor to one of the best gaming keyboards I've used in my entire life. Overall, I've been impressed with this new generation device - but there's one design feature I swapped as soon as I could.

The main deck features pudding keycaps.

I love RGB as much as the next keyboard enthusiast, but I've always found these translucent toppers a bit... much. They cheapen the look of a seriously expensive device, adding a blocky, loud vibe to the aesthetic as a whole. It's doubly heartbreaking because I love the actual space-age design. If I could keep these legends, stamps, and doodles, just without that garish glow underneath I'd be set.

Of course, those pudding caps haven't stopped me from enjoying the Asus ROG Azoth X overall. The original was one of my favorite decks for a long time - it had to be physically discontinued before I started looking elsewhere.

Much of what made the classic Asus ROG Azoth so impressive is still here. Say what you want about this gaming brand, it knows how to sound dampen a keyboard. Every tap is gorgeously absorbed, allowing those super smooth ROG NX switches to thunk with a crisp clarity and super satisfying feel overall. That battery life is still turbo-charged - I've very rarely had to reach for the cable of shame in my setup so far.

You've got the speed of those switches, the functionality of a 75% keyboard with an additional OLED display and control toggle, and the comfort of a particularly well built chassis. What more could you need? For $300, you might be thinking about Hall effect switches.

This is a fully mechanical deck and, while it is hot-swappable, you'll get far more customization options from a set of magnetic clickers. Of course, they're not for everyone - you certainly won't get this kind of premium typing feel from something like the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3, for example.

The Asus ROG Azoth X certainly stands out from the crowd, and I'm a big fan of its futuristic sensibilities, but that extra glare of RGB does let it down. Maybe it's time to get the Tipp-Ex out.

I'm also rounding up all the best wireless gaming keyboards and more of the best hot-swappable keyboards on the market. Or, take a look at the best membrane gaming keyboards for something a lot cheaper.

It pains me to say it, but the upcoming ROG Xbox Ally could end up finding itself upstaged by the Lenovo Legion Go. Its beefier 'X' counterpart is a different kettle of fish entirely, but if we're talking solely about the cheapest version of the Asus and Microsoft collab, it could struggle to fight the 2023 portable on price and performance.

Keep in mind that I'll need to benchmark the Asus ROG Xbox Ally and see an MSRP before knowing how it ranks against the best gaming handhelds. However, based on what I already know about its specs, grabbing the Lenovo Legion Go for $499 at Amazon could result in you obtaining a more powerful device for potentially less.

Before you reach for your digital pitchfork, let me dive into some specs comparisons. The ROG Xbox Ally is set to feature 16GB RAM and 512GB storage paired with an AMD Ryzen Z2 A chipset. On paper, that specific APU is less punchy than the Legion Go's Ryzen Z1 Extreme since it's armed with 4 cores, 8 threads, and 8 RDNA 2 graphics cores.

Keep in mind that the Ryzen Z1 Extreme boasts 8 cores and 16 threads, accompanied by 12 GPU RDNA 3 units. Not only are we looking at a higher core count compared to the Z2 A, but there's also a generation difference here that puts it in a different ring. It's actually closer in specs to the custom RDNA 2 chip within the Steam Deck OLED, and that should result in a similar frame rate gap.

Testing the newer Lenovo Legion Go S has already set my expectations for the low end of the Ryzen Z2 performance scale. While you'd maybe expect newer APUs to outpace the Ryzen Z1 Extreme, the 'A' and 'Go' chipsets are really designed to keep costs down and provide efficiency. Simply put, these are APUs that are designed to target players who'd normally buy the cheapest Steam Deck.

Of course, raw specs only tell half a story, and higher frame rates shouldn't solely sell you on a Legion Go over the upcoming ROG Xbox Ally. Despite its higher frame rates, larger 8.8-inch 144Hz QHD display, and detachable controllers, I'd rather use the Steam Deck to play games on the go. That's largely because Lenovo's TrueStrike pads are a bit clunky compared to Valve's, and this is something that's been remedied with the Legion Go S.

If the ROG Xbox Ally ends up being a cheaper alternative to the Asus ROG Ally that boasts nicer controls for the same price as a base Steam Deck, that's going to help it keep beefier handhelds like the Lenovo Legion Go at bay. Plus, these fresh chipsets could end up stretching the portable's 60Whr battery much further than previous-gen devices.

That said, the benefits sort of end with the physical side of things, as both the ROG Xbox Ally and the Lenovo Legion Go are going to end up with the same console-flavored UI. Microsoft's answer to SteamOS and Big Picture Mode is actually going to come to all Windows 11 devices, meaning there will technically be more than two "Xbox handhelds" out there later this year.

Ultimately, it's going to be the ROG Xbox Ally's price that decides whether the Legion Go is worth grabbing instead for under $500. If the Microsoft-flavored handheld ends up costing more, it's going to be a hard sell compared to Lenovo's contender, even if it scores points for nicer controllers and longer battery life.

Considering the OG Ally still goes for $649.99 outside of discounts, it's hard to envision the new Xbox version coming in at much less. There's also a chance that the flagship Xbox Ally X will end up using the same MSRP as its vanilla Asus ROG Ally X counterpart, and that sort of structure could make the Legion Go a better value option.

Already got Valve's portable? Swing by the best Steam Deck dock and best Steam Deck accessories for handy add-ons. Alternatively, take a peek at where to buy the Nintendo Switch 2 for something console-flavored.