The PC Journal

Buying Guide

The Best High-Performance Keyboards

From the Falchion Ace HFX to the ROG Azoth Extreme: five keyboards ranked on polling rate and layout, with who should skip each one.

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

High-performance boards use magnetic or optical switches and 8,000Hz polling for the fastest input. Every pick has one of those, from the premium end down.

Our comparison rests on published figures for layout, switches and connection; nothing here was tested in-house, and where a maker leaves out switches, we say so.

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 Falchion Ace HFX 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

    SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Gen 3

    Rapid Trigger and Rapid Tap.

    Best for: Buyers who want Rapid Trigger and Rapid Tap.

    Check price for SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

  4. TKL Layout

    Logitech G PRO X TKL Rapid Keyboard

    A TKL layout.

    Best for: Buyers who want a TKL layout.

    Check price for Logitech G PRO X TKL Rapid Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

  5. Lowest Price Here

    ASUS ROG Falchion Ace HFX

    The cheapest way into this group, below the PRO X TKL Rapid.

    Best for: Getting actuation adjustable from 0.1 to 4.0mm with Rapid Trigger for the least money.

    Check price for ASUS ROG Falchion Ace HFX 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 Falchion Ace HFX costs less.

Skip if

If budget leads, the Falchion Ace HFX was cheaper at our last price check.
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. It is the only pick here with a 75% TKL layout; the Galleon 100 SD has a full-size layout instead. No other pick in this guide offers ROG NX Snow linear switches; compare the PRO X TKL Rapid, which has hall effect magnetic switches.

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 most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the Galleon 100 SD.

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 Falchion Ace HFX 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

Look at the others if this bothers you: full-size board takes more desk width.
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. It is the only pick here with a full-size layout; the ROG Azoth Extreme has a 75% TKL layout instead. It also comes with 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. Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the Falchion Ace HFX at the time of writing. Its price falls between the Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 and the ROG Azoth Extreme, based on our last check.

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 Falchion Ace HFX 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

SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Gen 3

SteelSeries's Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 uses OmniPoint 3.0 Hall effect switches with Rapid Trigger and Rapid Tap.

Best for

Buyers who want Rapid Trigger and Rapid Tap.

Skip if

Worth skipping when no dedicated arrow keys or function row is a problem.
Check price on Amazon for SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 (opens in a new tab)
SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Gen 3

Why we like it

A Protection Mode guards against accidental presses. A 60% layout is unique to it among these picks, while the Galleon 100 SD uses a full-size layout. The Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub.

Small layouts move keys to a function layer, so check the legend for arrows and F-keys. Adjusting actuation needs the maker's software or web tool on Windows. It was priced above the PRO X TKL Rapid and below the Galleon 100 SD at the time of writing. There is no published polling rate figure, whereas the ROG Azoth Extreme offers 8,000Hz.

Key specs

Layout
60%
Switches
OmniPoint 3.0 Hall effect
Connection
Wired

Pros

  • Compact 60% layout
  • Magnetic Hall effect switches
  • Rapid Trigger and Rapid Tap
  • Protection Mode against accidental presses

Cons

  • No dedicated arrow keys or function row
  • Wired only
  • No published polling rate
Check price on Amazon for SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 (opens in a new tab)

TKL Layout4 of 5

Logitech G PRO X TKL Rapid Keyboard

The PRO X TKL Rapid is Logitech's magnetic-switch board.

Best for

Buyers who want a TKL layout.

Skip if

Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: wired only.
Check price on Amazon for Logitech G PRO X TKL Rapid Keyboard (opens in a new tab)
Logitech G PRO X TKL Rapid Keyboard

Why we like it

Rapid trigger and adjustable actuation matter most in shooters where keys reset constantly. No other pick in this guide offers a TKL layout; compare the Apex Pro Mini Gen 3, which has a 60% layout. It is the only pick here with hall effect magnetic switches; the ROG Azoth Extreme has ROG NX Snow linear switches instead.

The PRO X TKL Rapid needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. Adjusting actuation needs the maker's software or web tool on Windows. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper Falchion Ace HFX and the pricier Apex Pro Mini Gen 3, 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
Switches
Hall effect magnetic
Connection
Wired

Pros

  • Tenkeyless layout leaves more room for the mouse
  • Magnetic Hall effect switches
  • Rapid trigger with adjustable actuation
  • A TKL layout

Cons

  • Wired only
  • No published polling rate
  • Costs more than the Falchion Ace HFX at the time of writing
Check price on Amazon for Logitech G PRO X TKL Rapid Keyboard (opens in a new tab)

Lowest Price Here5 of 5

ASUS ROG Falchion Ace HFX

The Falchion Ace HFX uses Hall effect switches with actuation adjustable from 0.1 to 4.0mm and Rapid Trigger, in a 65% layout.

Best for

Getting actuation adjustable from 0.1 to 4.0mm with Rapid Trigger for the least money.

Skip if

Look at the others if this bothers you: wired only.
Check price on Amazon for ASUS ROG Falchion Ace HFX (opens in a new tab)
ASUS ROG Falchion Ace HFX

Why we like it

Two USB-C ports let it switch between two PCs. You get a 65% layout here, which sets it apart from the PRO X TKL Rapid and its a TKL layout. ROG HFX Hall effect magnetic switches is unique to it among these picks, while the PRO X TKL Rapid uses hall effect magnetic switches.

It also offers a protective cover for travel. The Falchion Ace HFX 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.

Adjusting actuation needs the maker's software or web tool on Windows. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the PRO X TKL Rapid was closest.

Key specs

Layout
65%
Switches
ROG HFX Hall effect magnetic
Connection
Wired
Polling rate
8,000Hz
Keycaps
PBT

Pros

  • Compact 65% layout
  • Magnetic Hall effect switches
  • 8,000Hz polling
  • PBT keycaps resist shine

Cons

  • Wired only

The catch

Polling rate is its weakest area, and the ROG Azoth Extreme covers it better at 8,000Hz.

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

How We Chose These High-Performance 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 close-up of a full-size keyboard with grey keycaps
A close-up of a full-size keyboard with grey keycaps
What we compared
We set side by side five keyboards on layout, switches, connection and polling rate as the makers state them. Nothing was tested in-house; 2 of the 5 fields compared are stated for every pick, while switches and polling rate have gaps.
The shared baseline
All 5, from the ROG Azoth Extreme to the Falchion Ace HFX, state layout and connection.
Where the specs have gaps
The Galleon 100 SD gives no switches; the Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 and the PRO X TKL Rapid give no polling rate.
Price range
At our last check the picks ran from the Falchion Ace HFX ($100 to $150) to the ROG Azoth Extreme ($250 to $500).

What to Look for in a High-Performance Keyboard

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

  1. Switches

    The ROG Azoth Extreme lists ROG NX Snow linear; the Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 lists OmniPoint 3.0 Hall effect; the PRO X TKL Rapid lists hall effect magnetic; the Falchion Ace HFX lists ROG HFX Hall effect magnetic.

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

  3. Features beyond the spec table

    The Apex Pro Mini Gen 3: a Protection Mode against accidental presses. The PRO X TKL Rapid: rapid trigger with adjustable actuation. The Falchion Ace HFX: two USB-C ports for switching between two PCs.

  4. Budget

    $100 to $150 buys the Falchion Ace HFX and the PRO X TKL Rapid; $150 to $250 buys the Apex Pro Mini Gen 3; $250 to $500 buys the Galleon 100 SD and the ROG Azoth Extreme at our last check.

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

  5. Match the pick to your priority

    Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Falchion Ace HFX costs less: the ROG Azoth Extreme. Buyers who want a full-size layout: the Galleon 100 SD. Buyers who want a TKL layout: the PRO X TKL Rapid.

How to Choose a High-Performance Keyboard

By priority

PriorityConsiderWhy
Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Falchion Ace HFX 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 Rapid Trigger and Rapid TapApex Pro Mini Gen 3Rapid Trigger and Rapid Tap
Buyers who want a TKL layoutPRO X TKL RapidA TKL layout
Getting actuation adjustable from 0.1 to 4.0mm with Rapid Trigger for the least moneyFalchion Ace HFXThe cheapest way into this group, below the PRO X TKL Rapid

Scroll sideways to see every column.

A mechanical keyboard with white keycaps in front of an ultrawide monitor
A mechanical keyboard with white keycaps in front of an ultrawide monitor

Key specs side by side

The ROG Azoth Extreme, the Galleon 100 SD and the rest, as their makers list them.

KeyboardLayoutSwitchesConnectionPolling rate
ROG Azoth Extreme75% TKLROG NX Snow linear2.4GHz, Bluetooth (3 devices), wired8,000Hz
Galleon 100 SDFull-sizeNot listedWired8,000Hz
Apex Pro Mini Gen 360%OmniPoint 3.0 Hall effectWiredNot listed
PRO X TKL RapidTKLHall effect magneticWiredNot listed
Falchion Ace HFX65%ROG HFX Hall effect magneticWired8,000Hz

Scroll sideways to see every column.

By price at the time of writing

At our last check the cheapest pick, the Falchion Ace HFX, sat in the $100 to $150 tier, 3 tiers in all up to the ROG Azoth Extreme at $250 to $500; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.

Price tierKeyboards
About $100 to $150Falchion Ace HFX, PRO X TKL Rapid
About $150 to $250Apex Pro Mini Gen 3
About $250 to $500Galleon 100 SD, ROG Azoth Extreme
A compact keyboard and mouse in front of an ultrawide monitor
A compact keyboard and mouse in front of an ultrawide monitor

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the PRO X TKL Rapid the TKL Layout?

It carries the badge for a TKL layout. It is aimed at anyone who wants a TKL layout.

Do the ROG Azoth Extreme and the Galleon 100 SD differ on layout?

The ROG Azoth Extreme uses 75% TKL; the Galleon 100 SD uses full-size; the Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 uses 60%; the PRO X TKL Rapid uses TKL; the Falchion Ace HFX uses 65%.

What should I check before buying the Falchion Ace HFX?

The Falchion Ace HFX needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. 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 Apex Pro Mini Gen 3: Rapid Trigger and Rapid Tap.

Who should choose the Galleon 100 SD?

The Galleon 100 SD carries our Full-size Layout label for a full-size layout. It ranks second of 5 here and sat in the $250 to $500 tier at our last price check; it suits anyone who wants a full-size layout.

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 Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 for Rapid Trigger and Rapid Tap and the PRO X TKL Rapid for a TKL layout if those matter more to you.

Enable rapid trigger only in games where it helps.

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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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