ROG Azoth Extreme review: ASUS high-end gaming keyboard

The ROG Azoth Extreme is a statement piece for anyone who takes gaming or mechanical keyboards seriously. From its striking aluminum build to its powerful components, ASUS has created a (very) premium offering that looks to bridge the gap between high-end gaming keyboards and the niche enthusiast market. With an eye-watering SRP of Ksh 105,254, however, the Azoth Extreme is in an unenviable position where expectations are as high as its price tag.

For its design, the Azoth Extreme adheres to the now-popular 75% layout, which is also my go-to choice as it strikes a balance between compactness and functionality. The first thing you’ll notice when holding it is its full aluminum body. This all-metal construction not only gives the keyboard a very nice heft at almost 2.2kg (including the wrist-rest), easily giving it a sense of durability and premium feel that’s impossible to ignore.

ASUS hasn’t held back on the components used inside either. The carbon fiber switch plate is supported by three layers of sound-dampening material, including Peron foam and a silicone pad under the PCB. This design contributes to a nice acoustic profile while typing and gaming. The sound is refined and muted, and there’s a noticeable absence of the hollow reverberations found in lesser keyboards. ASUS even provides the option to remove the silicone pad for those who prefer a softer typing experience.

Other inclusions include magnetic metal feet, not like the plastic tabs used by some brands, and these not only feel sturdier but also add to the keyboard’s overall aesthetic appeal. ASUS has also included a silicone wrist res, but as comfortable as they are during prolonged sessions they do wear out quite quickly – my review unit already shows some “shine” on parts where my wrists lay often.

But perhaps one of the defining features of the Azoth Extreme is the full color OLED display, which is also a touchscreen that can display animations, system information like CPU temperature and voltage, and even keystrokes per second. These features can be accessed and customized through ASUS’ Armoury Crate software. While useful, it’s fair to wonder how often users will rely on these features in practice. I mean, it’s really a cool feature on the keyboard but also one that I suspect many users might find it more of a novelty after a while.

The adjustable gasket mechanism is another key highlight. With a simple toggle at the bottom of the keyboard, you can switch between softer and firmer typing feels. While the differences are subtle, they become more apparent during prolonged use. Gamers may appreciate the responsive feel of the firmer setting, whereas typists might gravitate towards the softer option for comfort. This feature may not revolutionize your keyboard experience, but it adds an interesting layer of customization that’s rarely seen on mainstream keyboards. It also makes the Azoth Extreme very versatile for all kinds of use.

The inclusion of an 8,000Hz polling rate, enabled via ASUS’ Omni receiver, further amplifies the Azoth Extreme’s gaming creds. This ultra-responsive input rate is almost a must for competitive gamers, even if most users might not notice the difference compared to the more standard 1,000Hz. The Omni receiver also supports Bluetooth connectivity, allowing the keyboard to pair with up to three devices. Getting the keyboard connected wirelessly to my PC and Mac was seamless and fuss-free too, and never once did I face any noticeable lag or dropped connections.

For switches, the Azoth Extreme comes equipped with ASUS’ ROG NX Snow, a linear switch that has been factory-lubricated for smooth operation. The keyboard’s hot-swappable sockets allow users to experiment with other switch types too, though I found the NX Snow switches to be impressive enough to stand on their own. Separately, ASUS also offers NX Storm switches for those who prefer a heavier tactile experience.

Surprisingly (or perhaps not surprisingly), ASUS has opted to go with double-shot PBT keycaps. PBT, as compared to the more common ABS used by most keyboard makers, wears more slowly than the latter and doesn’t “shine” as easily. The ones on the Azoth Extreme feel durable and allow the RGB lighting to shine through vividly. However, while I personally like the textured finish on the keycaps for its grippy feel, some might prefer a smoother finish for a more perceived premium feel. Of course, there’s always the option of swapping the keycaps out of the box but given the price of the keyboard, there’s a small chance this might be a deal breaker for some.

Despite the array of features, battery life remains commendable. ASUS claims the keyboard lasts up to 1,600 hours with the OLED display and RGB lighting turned off, though enabling these features will see a noticeable drop in endurance. In practice, the Azoth Extreme has lasted more than a week of normal usage, with about four to five hours daily on average for me. That’s pretty good, if you ask me.

At Ksh 105,254, the ROG Azoth Extreme ventures into uncharted territory for enthusiasts, or shall I say, serious, gaming keyboards. It’s certainly not a keyboard for everybody despite it being a high-quality product with very innovative features. For instance, enthusiast keyboards with similar build quality and functionality, such as the Keychron Q1 HE or the Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%, are available at significantly lower price points. These alternatives might lack some of the Azoth Extreme’s bells and whistles, but they deliver comparable performance where it truly counts.

Conclusion

But let’s give credit where it’s due. The ROG Azoth Extreme is a remarkable keyboard that pushes the boundaries of what a mechanical gaming keyboard can be. ASUS has truly gone extreme here (pun intended) and I’m not sure how much more souped-up this keyboard can be – it almost feels like the company is showing off its engineering and design prowess here. The Azoth Extreme’s combination of enthusiast-level customization, premium materials, and advanced features like the adjustable gasket and OLED touchscreen makes it almost the complete keyboard you can buy off the shelves – and not going through the hassle of custom building one. Sure, some would say that process is an experience by itself but certainly there are some of us who just want a fantastic ready-made option.

About The Author