Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless Gaming Keyboard Review: Is it Worth the Money? 

Gaming enthusiasts are always looking for easy-to-navigate keyboards so they can enjoy their gaming experience. While a wireless gaming keyboard does not sit well with competitive gamers, it is the ultimate choice for casual gamers. 

Wireless keyboards allow gamers to enjoy peripheral-free gaming while on the go and keep the workstation minimal. That’s why budding gamers always look for the best wireless gaming keyboards. 

Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96 is one of the wireless keyboards that has been the talk of the town lately. Therefore, many passionate gamers want to know if this wireless beast is as good as advertised. If you are one of those who want to invest in Scope II, you have come to the right place. In this detailed review, you will explore whether Scope II is worth your money. 

30 Second Review 

Read this review summary if you don’t want to delve into the detailed review of the gaming gear. Asus 96 Wireless is a good gaming keyboard that you can also use for other routine tasks. It has great speed, long battery life, and swappable keys. However, the Armoury Crate software that comes with it is a totally different story. Customization enthusiast or not, you will waste your time while setting up the firmware because of the complicated interface. Also, unlike many other similar gaming gears with two layers of key programming, this one has just one layer that you can access via the Fn key. 

Tech Specs

• Connectivity: 2.4 GHz wireless/Bluetooth/USB-C
• Switch Type: Hot Swappable 
• Backlighting: RGB per key
• Number of keys: 99
• Size: 14.84*5.16*1.57 inches 
• Weight: 2.23 lbs

Pros 

• Excellent build
• Swappable key switches 
• Outstanding battery life 
• keys feel great 

Cons

• RGB lighting is not as bright 
• The software might be difficult to use for some 
• 96% layout might feel narrow to some users 

Design: Small and Sturdy

As the name suggests, Asus Scope II is a 96% layout keyboard, meaning it is a packed version of a full-size keyboard with only a few keys combined to make it smaller. You will find most of the keys where they are supposed to be on a full-size keyboard. If you are just switching from a full-size keyboard, it might take some time to adjust to a smaller pad. However, the idea behind compactness and seamless peripheral-free gaming will urge you to give it a chance. 

The keyboard has a robust build. It has a plastic chassis and a metal upper plate. The keycaps are PBT with per-key RGB lighting. The keys can tolerate the pressure of an intense gaming session without wobbling due to the double-shot keycaps. The lights of this RGB keyboard are not as bright as some gamers would like. However, people who don’t care about key lights or are better off without them will appreciate the dim lights. 

The keyboard weighs 1012g, which is pretty heavy for a wireless compact keyboard. Yet, this bulk gives it the robust frame that most gamers look for. The keys are very comfortable to use, and there is a lubricated stabilizer that enables smooth stocks without any friction. I enjoyed playing games and writing articles alike due to the responsiveness of the keys. However, if you want to change the feel, you can swap the keys with an included combination of keycaps and a switch puller. 

Also, its 90-hour battery life keeps it in the gaming race. While it is not something new in a gaming keyboard, It is a good inclusion. I kept this keyboard on with RGB lighting enabled for almost 60 hours, and I still had half of the battery time left. 

Typing and Gaming Performance

I thoroughly enjoyed my typing experience with Asus. In fact, this is the 10th article I am writing with the keyboard. Another thing that I would like to appreciate is the padded magnetic wrist rest. It is comfortable to use and fits perfectly with the keyboard, so you can work or play for a long time. However, the leatherette cover feels cheap, and it seems like it will start to break down soon. Still, it is a minor issue and wouldn’t keep you from buying this wireless gaming keyboard. 

Now let’s move on to the typing experience. The keycaps are sculpted from above and are mid-height. This works best for regular gamers and also typers because it allows the keys to stabilize and sway less. Furthermore, the typing speed is pretty snappy. I can write 120 words per minute with 98% accuracy. 

However, my gaming experience with Asus was not something to call home about. I am used to full-sized keyboards and have not played games for over a year. Therefore, it took me some time to adjust to the keyboard while playing Armajet. However, as far as the response time is concerned, there was no latency over the 2.4GHz connection. I must say it is pretty rare for a wireless gaming keyboard to provide a smooth gaming experience. 

Armoury Crate: Blessing for some, Curse for others

Asus has advertised the Armoury Crate software as something exceptional; that is not entirely wrong for customization lovers, but it can be a little overwhelming for those who like simpler software. You will need to use Armoury Crate to set up the RGB settings, assign key functions, and download the latest keyboard software updates. You will also need this software to use Omni receiver if you want to pair both gaming keyboard and mouse. 

When I was setting up the Crate for keyboard settings, it was hard not to get frustrated because of all the advertisements and sign-up requests. Therefore, as far as a user-friendly interface is concerned, it is not great software.

However, cool gamers would like to get their hands on plenty of wallpapers, customize key functions, access gaming library, and more. I would only suggest you use the Crate for firmware updates, changing program macros, and RGB lighting. Regardless, if you are someone who loves customizations, it would not hurt to play around with the keyboard settings.

Final Verdict

I would not yet give away the award of best wireless gaming keyboard to Asus ROG Scopre II 96 because it lacks many features that some Razer keyboards offer. Still, it is a great investment for casual gaming, and the wireless capabilities are really excellent. 

FAQs

1. Is a wireless keyboard good for gaming? 

Yes, wireless keyboards are great for gaming as far as it’s about casual play. If you are into high-end competitive play, wired gaming products will work better because they decrease the chances of latency. 

2. What is the number one gaming keyboard? 

Each gaming keyboard has different features and price ranges. Therefore, you can not claim any product to be number one. However, some of the best wireless gaming keyboards that deliver what they promise are Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96, ROG Falchion RX, and Keychron version 2. 

3. Is a 2.4 GHz keyboard better than Bluetooth for gaming?

Yes, a 2.4 GHz keyboard wins over a Bluetooth connection when it comes to gaming keyboards. It provides the fastest key detection and almost no latency while playing games. 

4. Is a 96% keyboard good for gaming? 

Yes, 96% layout is good for gaming. It has all the features of a full-sized keyboard but in a cramped-up space. A relatively smaller keyboard makes room for other accessories on your workstation and provides better portability.