The PC Journal

Buying Guide

The Best Gaming Keyboards

Five keyboards compared, from the G915 X TKL to the ROG Azoth Extreme, with the trade-offs of each named.

By , PC Hardware Editor

12 min read5 products evaluated

A desk setup with a keyboard, mouse and headset beside a monitor
Illustrative image
Jump to
  1. Quick Picks
  2. Our Picks
  3. How We Chose
  4. What to Look For
  5. Comparison
  6. FAQ

Gaming keyboards now range from magnetic-switch boards with rapid trigger to budget mechanical ones. This set runs from the premium end down.

We sorted these picks by layout, switches and connection, working from the makers' own data; if a maker skips switches, the guide says so, and no figure here comes from our own testing.

Quick Picks

Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.

  1. Premium Pick

    ASUS ROG Azoth Extreme

    An aluminum body at the highest price in the group.

    Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the G915 X TKL costs less.

    Check price for ASUS ROG Azoth Extreme on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

  2. Full-size Layout

    Corsair Galleon 100 SD Gaming Keyboard

    A full-size layout.

    Best for: Buyers who want a full-size layout.

    Check price for Corsair Galleon 100 SD Gaming Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

  3. Also Consider

    ASUS ROG Falchion Ace 75 HE

    Analog Hall effect switches.

    Best for: Buyers who want analog Hall effect switches.

    Check price for ASUS ROG Falchion Ace 75 HE on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

  4. Strong Alternative

    ASUS ROG Azoth Wireless

    A silicone gasket mount with three layers of foam.

    Best for: Buyers who want silicone gasket mount with three layers of foam.

    Check price for ASUS ROG Azoth Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

  5. Lowest Price Here

    Logitech G915 X Lightspeed TKL Keyboard

    Undercutting the ROG Azoth on price when we checked.

    Best for: Spending as little as possible, with the ROG Azoth the next step up.

    Check price for Logitech G915 X Lightspeed TKL Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

Our Picks

Premium Pick1 of 5

ASUS ROG Azoth Extreme

The ROG Azoth Extreme is built around an aluminum body, with 8K polling with the Polling Rate Booster on top.

Best for

Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the G915 X TKL costs less.

Skip if

Price-first buyers should look at the G915 X TKL, which cost less when we checked.
Check price on Amazon for ASUS ROG Azoth Extreme (opens in a new tab)
ASUS ROG Azoth Extreme

Why we like it

On the spec sheet, it offers an 8,000Hz polling rate and runs for up to 1600 hours. Like the ROG Falchion Ace 75 HE, it has a 75% TKL layout, while the Galleon 100 SD uses a full-size layout. No other pick in this guide offers PBT keycaps; compare the G915 X TKL, which has double-shot PBT keycaps.

Use the ROG Azoth Extreme's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet. High polling rates use more CPU time; drop to 1,000Hz if an older system stutters. It was the highest-priced of the 5 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the Galleon 100 SD and the rest.

Key specs

Layout
75% TKL
Switches
ROG NX Snow linear
Connection
2.4GHz, Bluetooth (3 devices), wired
Polling rate
8,000Hz
Battery life
1600 hours
Keycaps
PBT

Pros

  • Tenkeyless layout leaves more room for the mouse
  • ROG NX Snow linear switches
  • Dongle, Bluetooth and wired modes
  • 8,000Hz polling

Cons

  • Costs more than the G915 X TKL at the time of writing
Check price on Amazon for ASUS ROG Azoth Extreme (opens in a new tab)

Full-size Layout2 of 5

Corsair Galleon 100 SD Gaming Keyboard

The Galleon 100 SD is an expensive full-size board with Stream Deck keys built in.

Best for

Buyers who want a full-size layout.

Skip if

Worth skipping when full-size board takes more desk width is a problem.
Check price on Amazon for Corsair Galleon 100 SD Gaming Keyboard (opens in a new tab)
Corsair Galleon 100 SD Gaming Keyboard

Why we like it

It only makes sense if you would otherwise buy a separate Stream Deck. No other pick in this guide offers a full-size layout; compare the ROG Azoth, which has a 75% layout. It also offers FlashTap SOCD handling.

The Galleon 100 SD needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. High polling rates use more CPU time; drop to 1,000Hz if an older system stutters. On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper ROG Falchion Ace 75 HE and the pricier ROG Azoth Extreme, at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its battery life; if that figure matters, the ROG Azoth runs for 2000 hours.

Key specs

Layout
Full-size
Connection
Wired
Polling rate
8,000Hz

Pros

  • 8,000Hz polling
  • Built-in Stream Deck keys with a display
  • FlashTap SOCD handling
  • Full-size layout, the only one here

Cons

  • Full-size board takes more desk width
  • Wired only
  • Costs more than the G915 X TKL at the time of writing
Check price on Amazon for Corsair Galleon 100 SD Gaming Keyboard (opens in a new tab)

Also Consider3 of 5

ASUS ROG Falchion Ace 75 HE

The ROG Falchion Ace 75 HE is built around analog Hall effect switches.

Best for

Buyers who want analog Hall effect switches.

Skip if

Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: wired only.
Check price on Amazon for ASUS ROG Falchion Ace 75 HE (opens in a new tab)
ASUS ROG Falchion Ace 75 HE

Why we like it

On the spec sheet, it offers an 8,000Hz polling rate. It shares a 75% TKL layout with the ROG Azoth Extreme; the ROG Azoth goes with a 75% layout. PBT double shot keycaps is unique to it among these picks, while the ROG Azoth Extreme uses PBT keycaps.

The ROG Falchion Ace 75 HE needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. High polling rates use more CPU time; drop to 1,000Hz if an older system stutters. When we checked, only the ROG Azoth and cheaper picks cost less, and the Galleon 100 SD cost more. Polling rate is its weakest area, and the ROG Azoth Extreme covers it better at 8,000Hz.

Key specs

Layout
75% TKL
Switches
ROG HFX V2X magnetic, hot-swappable
Connection
Wired
Polling rate
8,000Hz
Keycaps
PBT double shot

Pros

  • Tenkeyless layout leaves more room for the mouse
  • 8,000Hz polling
  • PBT keycaps resist shine
  • Analog Hall effect switches

Cons

  • Wired only
  • Costs more than the G915 X TKL at the time of writing
Check price on Amazon for ASUS ROG Falchion Ace 75 HE (opens in a new tab)

Strong Alternative4 of 5

ASUS ROG Azoth Wireless

The ROG Azoth is ASUS's enthusiast 75% board: gasket-mounted with three layers of foam, hot-swappable, and wireless over 2.4GHz or Bluetooth.

Best for

Buyers who want silicone gasket mount with three layers of foam.

Skip if

Pass if a published polling rate matters; this one has none.
Check price on Amazon for ASUS ROG Azoth Wireless (opens in a new tab)
ASUS ROG Azoth Wireless

Why we like it

A small OLED display shows settings and battery. A 75% layout is unique to it among these picks, while the ROG Falchion Ace 75 HE uses a 75% TKL layout. It shares double-shot PBT keycaps with the G915 X TKL; the ROG Falchion Ace 75 HE goes with PBT double shot keycaps.

It also comes with a hot-swap PCB with a switch and keycap kit. Use the ROG Azoth's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet. It was priced above the G915 X TKL and below the ROG Falchion Ace 75 HE at the time of writing. There is no published polling rate figure, whereas the ROG Azoth Extreme offers 8,000Hz.

Key specs

Layout
75%
Switches
ROG NX Snow linear or NX Storm clicky
Connection
2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired
Battery life
2000 hours
Keycaps
Double-shot PBT

Pros

  • Compact 75% layout
  • ROG NX Snow linear or NX Storm clicky switches
  • Dongle, Bluetooth and wired modes
  • Up to 2000 hours per charge

Cons

  • No published polling rate
  • Costs more than the G915 X TKL at the time of writing
Check price on Amazon for ASUS ROG Azoth Wireless (opens in a new tab)

Lowest Price Here5 of 5

Logitech G915 X Lightspeed TKL Keyboard

The G915 X TKL adds an aluminum top, a volume roller and media keys to the low-profile layout, at a premium price.

Best for

Spending as little as possible, with the ROG Azoth the next step up.

Skip if

Its polling rate is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
Check price on Amazon for Logitech G915 X Lightspeed TKL Keyboard (opens in a new tab)
Logitech G915 X Lightspeed TKL Keyboard

Why we like it

It switches between LIGHTSPEED wireless, Bluetooth and wired USB-C with a key press. KEYCONTROL lets you assign up to 15 functions per key. Low-profile GL switches with 1.3mm actuation speed up key presses, and LIGHTSYNC RGB syncs with other Logitech G gear.

Like the ROG Azoth, it has double-shot PBT keycaps, while the ROG Azoth Extreme uses PBT keycaps. Use the G915 X TKL's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet. It undercut the ROG Azoth and every other pick on price at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its polling rate; if that figure matters, the ROG Azoth Extreme offers 8,000Hz.

Key specs

Layout
TKL, low-profile
Connection
Lightspeed, Bluetooth, wired
Keycaps
Double-shot PBT

Pros

  • Tenkeyless layout leaves more room for the mouse
  • Dongle, Bluetooth and wired modes
  • PBT keycaps resist shine
  • Aluminum top plate

Cons

  • No published polling rate
Check price on Amazon for Logitech G915 X Lightspeed TKL Keyboard (opens in a new tab)

How We Chose These Gaming Keyboards

Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.

A compact keyboard and mouse in front of an ultrawide monitor
A compact keyboard and mouse in front of an ultrawide monitor
What we compared
We set side by side five keyboards on layout, switches, connection and polling rate from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house, and switches and polling rate are missing for at least one pick.
The shared baseline
All 5, from the ROG Azoth Extreme to the G915 X TKL, state layout and connection.
Where the specs have gaps
The Galleon 100 SD and the G915 X TKL give no switches; the ROG Azoth and the G915 X TKL give no polling rate.
Price range
At our last check the picks ran from the G915 X TKL ($150 to $250) to the ROG Azoth Extreme ($250 to $500).

What to Look for in a Gaming Keyboard

Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.

  1. Battery life across these picks

    The ROG Azoth tops battery life at 2000 hours and the ROG Azoth Extreme sits lowest at 1600 hours. The ROG Azoth is the pick for battery life. The Galleon 100 SD, the ROG Falchion Ace 75 HE and the G915 X TKL give no battery life figure, so 2 of 5 picks are compared here.

  2. What to check at home

    Use the ROG Azoth Extreme's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet. The Galleon 100 SD needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub.

    A close-up of a full-size keyboard with grey keycaps
    A close-up of a full-size keyboard with grey keycaps

  3. Features beyond the spec table

    The ROG Falchion Ace 75 HE: analog Hall effect switches. The ROG Azoth: a small OLED display. The G915 X TKL: dedicated media keys and a volume roller.

  4. Where your budget lands

    $150 to $250 buys the G915 X TKL, the ROG Azoth and the ROG Falchion Ace 75 HE; $250 to $500 buys the Galleon 100 SD and the ROG Azoth Extreme at our last check.

    A grey mechanical keyboard beside a mouse on a wooden desk
    A grey mechanical keyboard beside a mouse on a wooden desk

  5. Match the pick to your priority

    Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the G915 X TKL costs less: the ROG Azoth Extreme. Buyers who want a full-size layout: the Galleon 100 SD. Spending as little as possible, with the ROG Azoth the next step up: the G915 X TKL.

How to Choose a Gaming Keyboard

By priority

PriorityConsiderWhy
Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the G915 X TKL costs lessROG Azoth ExtremeAn aluminum body at the highest price in the group
Buyers who want a full-size layoutGalleon 100 SDA full-size layout
Buyers who want analog Hall effect switchesROG Falchion Ace 75 HEAnalog Hall effect switches
Buyers who want silicone gasket mount with three layers of foamROG AzothA silicone gasket mount with three layers of foam
Spending as little as possible, with the ROG Azoth the next step upG915 X TKLUndercutting the ROG Azoth on price when we checked

Scroll sideways to see every column.

A mechanical keyboard with RGB-lit keycaps
A mechanical keyboard with RGB-lit keycaps

Key specs side by side

The ROG Azoth leads on battery life at 2000 hours, ahead of the ROG Azoth Extreme at 1600 hours. "Not listed" marks switches where the Galleon 100 SD and the G915 X TKL leave the figure out.

KeyboardLayoutSwitchesConnectionPolling rate
ROG Azoth Extreme75% TKLROG NX Snow linear2.4GHz, Bluetooth (3 devices), wired8,000Hz
Galleon 100 SDFull-sizeNot listedWired8,000Hz
ROG Falchion Ace 75 HE75% TKLROG HFX V2X magnetic, hot-swappableWired8,000Hz
ROG Azoth75%ROG NX Snow linear or NX Storm clicky2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wiredNot listed
G915 X TKLTKL, low-profileNot listedLightspeed, Bluetooth, wiredNot listed

Scroll sideways to see every column.

By price at the time of writing

At our last check the cheapest pick, the G915 X TKL, sat in the $150 to $250 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the ROG Azoth Extreme at $250 to $500; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.

Price tierKeyboards
About $150 to $250G915 X TKL, ROG Azoth, ROG Falchion Ace 75 HE
About $250 to $500Galleon 100 SD, ROG Azoth Extreme
A mechanical keyboard with white keycaps in front of an ultrawide monitor
A mechanical keyboard with white keycaps in front of an ultrawide monitor

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has the longest battery life: the ROG Azoth or the ROG Azoth Extreme?

The ROG Azoth tops battery life at 2000 hours; the ROG Azoth Extreme follows at 1600 hours, 25% apart. The Galleon 100 SD, the ROG Falchion Ace 75 HE and the G915 X TKL are left out of this ranking because their battery life isn't stated; 2 of 5 picks are ranked.

What makes the Galleon 100 SD the Full-size Layout?

It earns the label for a full-size layout. The G915 X TKL, the cheapest pick, sat in the $150 to $250 tier against $250 to $500 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It suits anyone who wants a full-size layout.

Do the ROG Azoth Extreme and the ROG Falchion Ace 75 HE differ on keycaps?

The ROG Azoth Extreme uses PBT; the ROG Falchion Ace 75 HE uses PBT double shot; the ROG Azoth and the G915 X TKL use Double-shot PBT. The maker of the Galleon 100 SD doesn't state keycaps, so 4 of 5 picks are covered here.

What should I check before buying the G915 X TKL?

Use the G915 X TKL's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet. In this guide it ranks fifth of 5, as our Lowest Price Here pick.

Beyond the specs, what sets the ROG Azoth Extreme and the Galleon 100 SD apart?

The ROG Azoth Extreme: an aluminum body. The Galleon 100 SD: built-in Stream Deck keys with a display. The ROG Falchion Ace 75 HE: analog Hall effect switches.

Bottom Line

Our first pick is the ROG Azoth Extreme, chosen for an aluminum body at the highest price in the group. Look at the Galleon 100 SD for a full-size layout, the ROG Falchion Ace 75 HE for analog Hall effect switches and the ROG Azoth for a silicone gasket mount with three layers of foam if those matter more to you.

Pick the layout first; switch type second.

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About the author

PC Hardware Editor

Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.

Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility

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