Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless review: A great high-end keyboard

At a glance

Expert’s Rating

Pros

Great acousticsSmooth, pre-lubricated switchesCompact 96 percent layoutHigh-quality PBT keycapsHot-swap functionalityFlexible connectivity (Bluetooth, 2.4GHz wireless, USB-C)Impressive battery lifeRemovable palm rest

Cons

Sluggish softwareExpensive

Our Verdict

The Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless is an excellent gaming keyboard that combines traditional gaming with enthusiast features. Its solid construction, smooth switches, and flexible connectivity make it a recommended choice for gamers.

Price When Reviewed

191 €

The Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless combines traditional gaming design with enthusiast features and brings a rather unusual layout with lubricated switches and a hot-swap PCB. Let’s find out how it performs in the everyday life of a gamer.

Further reading: The best wireless gaming keyboards

Asus places the media controls in the top right corner.

Friedrich Stiemer

Design and construction

The Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless is solidly constructed, with a plastic casing and a metal plate on the top. Weighing over 2 pounds, it sits securely on the desk and offers a high level of stability. Its 96 percent layout is an interesting choice, moving the navigation keys to the function row and bringing the number and arrow keys closer to the main keypad.

With the 96 percent layout, you don’t have to do without the numeric keypad.

Friedrich Stiemer

The keycaps are made of textured PBT plastic, which guarantees high durability and resistance to dirt and greasy fingers. There is also a multifunctional button and a roller for media control as well as a comfortable, magnetically attached palm rest.

The padded palm rest can be magnetically attached to the gaming keyboard.

Friedrich Stiemer

How does the ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless perform?

Asus has equipped the ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless with its own NX-Snow switches, which trigger easily and linearly: Only 1.5 ounces are required for actuation. The lubrication makes the switches feel particularly smooth, which also has a positive effect on the acoustics. The hot-swap functionality makes it possible to replace the switches (whether 3- or 5-pin models) at will.

The NX Snow from Asus are linear switches that are greased at the factory.

Friedrich Stiemer

In practice, the keyboard offers a comfortable typing experience with smooth actuation and low resistance. The shorter switching travel of the NX-Snow switches is ideal for gaming in particular, as it enables fast keystrokes.

The hot-swap sockets are suitable for 3- and 5-pin switches.

Friedrich Stiemer

Connectivity and battery life

The Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless offers two wireless connection options, via both Bluetooth 5.1 and the supplied 2.4GHz radio receiver. Switching between the two modes is quite straightforward thanks to a physical switch on the top of the keyboard.

And as usual, the same applies here: If you want as little latency as possible, use the 2.4GHz connection. And if you want more flexibility, activate Bluetooth.

The battery life is impressive: The manufacturer claims up to 1,500 hours with the 2.4GHz receiver when the RGB lighting is switched off. But even with the light switched on, the keyboard lasts between 80 and 90 hours. Alternatively, the gaming keyboard can also be operated or charged with a detachable USB-C cable.

There is a slide switch on the back to switch between the three operating modes.

Friedrich Stiemer

Software

The keyboard lighting is powerful and makes the design shine. However, the Asus ROG Armoury Crate software only offers basic functionality and is slow to respond. It allows you to remap keys and customize the RGB lighting, but there is only one level of functionality. Anyone who needs more will be left out in the cold — but this is only the case for real power users.

The keyboard comes packaged with a tool for removing the keycaps and switches.