Asus ROG Falchion RX Low Profile review: "the first of its kind to actually win me over"

2024-03-06

GamesRadar+ VerdictThe Asus ROG Falchion RX Low Profile is a fantastic deck that may just be the first of its kind to truly sell me on shorter keycap designs. Smooth but still satisfying switches, a comfortable form factor, slick media controls, and a crisp design all make for an elite experience.TODAY’S BEST DEALS$127.06at Amazon$139.99at Best Buy$201.55at WalmartPros+Speedy, satisfying typing experience+Particularly smooth switches+Dedicated media controls+Slick design+Mac OS compatibleCons-Short shift key-Slightly more expensive than other 65% options

GamesRadar+ Verdict

The Asus ROG Falchion RX Low Profile is a fantastic deck that may just be the first of its kind to truly sell me on shorter keycap designs. Smooth but still satisfying switches, a comfortable form factor, slick media controls, and a crisp design all make for an elite experience.TODAY’S BEST DEALS$127.06at Amazon$139.99at Best Buy$201.55at Walmart

TODAY’S BEST DEALS$127.06at Amazon$139.99at Best Buy$201.55at Walmart

TODAY’S BEST DEALS

$127.06at Amazon$139.99at Best Buy$201.55at Walmart

$127.06at Amazon

$139.99at Best Buy

$201.55at Walmart

Pros+Speedy, satisfying typing experience+Particularly smooth switches+Dedicated media controls+Slick design+Mac OS compatible

Speedy, satisfying typing experience

Particularly smooth switches

Dedicated media controls

Slick design

Mac OS compatible

Cons-Short shift key-Slightly more expensive than other 65% options

Short shift key

Slightly more expensive than other 65% options

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Launching at $169.99 / £169.99, the ROG Falchion RX Low Profile does hit at a slightly higher cost than most of its 65% contemporaries. It backs those numbers up with a slick typing feel, compact chassis, and fantastic design to stand as one of thebest gaming keyboardson the market right now.

Swipe to scroll horizontallyKey SpecsPrice$169.99 / £169.99TypeMechanical low profileConnection2.4GHz / Bluetooth / WiredSize65%SwitchesROG RX Low Profile OpticalKeycapsABSMedia keysDedicated SliderWrist restNoUSB passthroughNo

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Key SpecsPrice$169.99 / £169.99TypeMechanical low profileConnection2.4GHz / Bluetooth / WiredSize65%SwitchesROG RX Low Profile OpticalKeycapsABSMedia keysDedicated SliderWrist restNoUSB passthroughNo

Design

(Image credit: Future)

The Asus ROG Falchion RX Low Profile is a super slimline gaming keyboard with plenty of hidden features baked right into the design. All-white keycaps and a silver base make for a refreshing departure from the standard black and gray we tend to see on the shelves.

Prior to the Falchion RX, one of my biggest grips with low profile keyboards was - funnily enough - their height. I like a good base to work off, with an elevated set of keys easily reachable no matter how horrifically slumped I am in my chair. If I can still reach the number row while a chiropractor is preparing to make their millions off me, I’m happy.

With the larger of the two flippable feet extended, the ROG Falchion RX isn’t quite as high as theRoccat Vulcan II Mini Air, but it’s certainly a more comfortable elevation level than your standard low profile deck. Compared to the relatively flatCherry MX LP 2.1, this is a dream.

(Image credit: Future)

The top of the deck features an RGB LED display with ‘Republic of Gamers’ stamped across the middle and a series of RGB stripes running most of the top bezel’s length. These stripes respond to the gestures made on the slide bar (located on the top of the deck itself) for a visual representation of your scroll actions. I haven’t come across a control feature like this, but the slightly indented panel is easily reachable from the main deck and has a series of tactile bumps to help you find your way as well.

(Image credit: Future)

Features

The ROG Falchion RX Low Profile ships with the brand’s low profile optical switches in either Red or Blue flavor. My device sports a set of red linear clickers, with a 1mm actuation point, 40gf actuation force, and 55gf total force. That’s a particularly lightweight switch with a relatively sensitive actuation point. Each switch features centralized RGB lighting to keep bleed to a minimum as well.

One of the biggest features for those after awireless gaming keyboardfor travel is going to be the ample connection options. You’re getting Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless connections here - perfect for use with a range of devices - as well as full Mac compatibility (and corresponding legends) as well. That’s a rarity in the world of gaming keyboards, though I have noticed more and more decks playing nicely with Apple’s tech in the last few months. Of my comparison pool, the Asus wins in the connectivity department. Cherry offers both Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless, but drops Mac compatibility, while Roccat relies solely on its USB dongle. Asus even goes one further, using its Omni receiver, which can connect multiple compatible accessories via the same port.

(Image credit: Future)

It’s also rare to find dedicated media controls on a 65% gaming laptop, but the Falchion has us covered here as well. As mentioned above, the slide bar featured along the top of the deck allows for a range of different inputs (customized through Armory Crate) as well as media playback, volume control, and brightness settings. Each mode is toggled via a small button at the left of the deck, and adjusted via the slide bar itself (sweep left to right to play the next track or dial up volume and brightness, and right to left for the opposite). I was initially skeptical of this bar - it’s covered in the same gray plastic as the rest of the deck and doesn’t look like it should be as responsive as it actually is. There’s some kind of magic going on here, though, it was able to pick up commands instantly no matter how lightly I was sweeping.

Under the hood, the ROG Falchion RX Low Profile features two layers of sound dampening foam; one under the main plate and another below the PCB. While I’ve used gaming keyboards with far more mods applied, the sound profile here is still comfortably muted with a soft landing to boot.

On top of all that you’re getting full programmability and on the fly macro recording (something the Cherry model drops from its feature list). Asus has even made space for up to six profiles, just nudging ahead of the average five count I tend to see.

Performance

(Image credit: Future)

Typing on the Asus ROG Falchion RX Low Profile feels more like gliding across fresh snow. The super lightweight switches, soft keycaps, and gentle sound profile make for a particularly pleasant experience. Not only that, but the switches themselves are sensitive enough to maintain some serious speed while also providing a super speedy debounce for repeat presses as well. Even in these linear switches there’s a tactile snap that makes flying across the deck feel satisfying and controlled, while offering a smooth glide to each keypress.

Should you buy the Asus ROG Falchion RX Low Profile?

(Image credit: Future)

If you’re in the market for a low profile 65% gaming keyboard, I’d recommend the Asus ROG Falchion RX over everything else I’ve tested thus far. It’s a super portable, super flexible device with up to 430 hours of battery life, a fantastic typing experience, and rare extra features like dedicated media controls.

For $40 / £30 less you can drop down to the Cherry MX-LP 2.1, but with a harsher typing feel, scratchier switches, and flatter elevation those looking for the best experience under the fingertips might not want to. You’re also losing MacOS functionality and those media controls in that sacrifice as well.

If you’re not fussed about those low profile keycaps, theEndgame Gear KB65HEis currently in the running for my favorite 65% gaming keyboard on the market. It sports a more traditional keycap design, but throws in hall effect switches for customizable actuation points, as well as luxurious Ducky PBT caps. If you’re after ahot-swappable keyboard, Endgame also ticks that box. I’d still recommend opting for Asus if you’re going to be travelling a lot, though, the 1kg weight of Endgame’s deck (and the wired only connection) make it a tough piece to transport.

Swipe to scroll horizontallyAsus ROG Falchion RX Low Profile vs The CompetitionSpecsAsus ROG Falchion RX Low ProfileCherry MX-LP 2.1Endgame Gear KB65HERazer Deathstalker V2 ProPrice$169.99 / £169.99$129.99 / £139.99$139.99 / £139.99$249.99 / £249.99TypeMechanical low profileMechanical low profileMechanicalMechanical low profileConnection2.4GHz / Bluetooth / Wired2.4GHz / Bluetooth / WiredWired2.4GHz / Bluetooth / WiredSize65%65%65%FullSwitchesROG RX Low Profile OpticalCherry MX Low Profile SpeedGateron KS-37B Hall EffectRazer Low-Profile OpticalKeycapsABSABSDucky PBT DoubleshotABSMedia keysDedicated SliderDual-functionDual-functionDedicated Button and RollerWrist restNoNoNoNoUSB passthroughNoNoNoNo

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Asus ROG Falchion RX Low Profile vs The CompetitionSpecsAsus ROG Falchion RX Low ProfileCherry MX-LP 2.1Endgame Gear KB65HERazer Deathstalker V2 ProPrice$169.99 / £169.99$129.99 / £139.99$139.99 / £139.99$249.99 / £249.99TypeMechanical low profileMechanical low profileMechanicalMechanical low profileConnection2.4GHz / Bluetooth / Wired2.4GHz / Bluetooth / WiredWired2.4GHz / Bluetooth / WiredSize65%65%65%FullSwitchesROG RX Low Profile OpticalCherry MX Low Profile SpeedGateron KS-37B Hall EffectRazer Low-Profile OpticalKeycapsABSABSDucky PBT DoubleshotABSMedia keysDedicated SliderDual-functionDual-functionDedicated Button and RollerWrist restNoNoNoNoUSB passthroughNoNoNoNo

Today’s best dealsAsus ROG Falchion RX Low Profile$127.06ViewSee all pricesCherry MX-LP 2.1$129.99ViewSee all pricesEndgame Gear KB65HE$149.99ViewSee all pricesROCCAT Vulcan II Mini Air$81.40ViewSee all pricesRazer DeathStalker V2 Pro Wireless$129.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices

Today’s best deals

Asus ROG Falchion RX Low Profile$127.06ViewSee all pricesCherry MX-LP 2.1$129.99ViewSee all pricesEndgame Gear KB65HE$149.99ViewSee all pricesROCCAT Vulcan II Mini Air$81.40ViewSee all pricesRazer DeathStalker V2 Pro Wireless$129.99ViewSee all prices

Asus ROG Falchion RX Low Profile$127.06ViewSee all prices

ASUS ROG Falchion RX Low…

Asus ROG Falchion RX Low Profile

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$127.06

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Cherry MX-LP 2.1$129.99ViewSee all prices

Cherry MX-LP 2.1

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$129.99

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Endgame Gear KB65HE$149.99ViewSee all prices

Endgame Gear KB65HE

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$149.99

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ROCCAT Vulcan II Mini Air$81.40ViewSee all prices

ROCCAT Vulcan II Mini Air 65%…

ROCCAT Vulcan II Mini Air

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$81.40

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Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro Wireless$129.99ViewSee all prices

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How we tested the Asus ROG Falchion RX Low Profile

I used the Asus ROG Falchion RX Low Profile for three weeks, while also testing against the Cherry MX LP-2.1, Roccat Vulcan II Mini Air, and Endgame Gear KB64HE at the same time. I primarily played across Apex Legends, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, and House Flipper in that time, with some more intensive testing in CS:GO as well. For more information onhow we test gaming keyboards, check out the fullGamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

We’re also rounding up all thebest Razer keyboardson the market, as well as thebest membrane keyboardsand the latestcheap gaming keyboard dealsfor those looking to spend a little less.

Asus ROG Falchion RX Low Profile: Price Comparison

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$127.06View$139.99View$169.99$139.99View$169.99View$201.55ViewLow Stock

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ASUS ROG Falchion RX Low…

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$127.06

$139.99View

ASUS ROG Falchion RX Low…

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$139.99

$169.99$139.99View

ASUS - ROG Falchion RX 65%…

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$169.99$139.99View

$169.99$139.99

$139.99

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ASUS

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GamesRadar+ Verdict

Design

Features

Performance

Should you buy the Asus ROG Falchion RX Low Profile?

How we tested the Asus ROG Falchion RX Low Profile

Contents