The ASUS ROG Claymore II is a wireless full-size gaming keyboard with a modular numpad. Each side of the board has slots to let you position the numpad on the left or the right, depending on what suits you best. You can also remove it completely to use the board in a TKL size. All of its keys are macro-programmable through the Armoury Crate software, and it has a fast charging port and a USB passthrough. The board feels nice to type on, but the ROG RX Blue Optical Mechanical switches require some force to actuate, so they may feel a bit heavy to type on. However, it's also available with linear ROG RX Red Optical Mechanical Switches. While you can use the board wirelessly, you can only use it with its USB receiver, so you can't connect it to any Bluetooth-only devices.
Our Verdict
The ASUS ROG Claymore II is excellent for gaming. It has low latency, a low pre-travel distance, customizable RGB backlighting, and you can set macros to any key on the board. It feels well built, and it comes with a detachable plushy wrist rest. You can place its modular numpad on the left or right side of the board, and you can even remove it completely to turn the board into a TKL size. Unfortunately, the ROG RX Blue Optical Mechanical switches require some force to actuate, which may cause them to feel heavy.
- Modular numpad.
- Customizable RGB backlighting.
- Low latency.
- All keys are macro-programmable.
- Numpad slots feel flimsy.
- Clicky switches feel fairly heavy.
The ASUS ROG Claymore II is terrible for mobile or tablet use, but it isn't designed for this. While you can use the board wirelessly, you can only use it with its USB receiver, so you can't connect it to any Bluetooth-only devices. Also, even without the numpad, it's too tall and heavy to easily travel with.
- Modular numpad.
- Wireless via USB receiver.
- No Bluetooth support.
- Numpad slots feel flimsy.
- Bulky and heavy compared to dedicated tablet boards.
The ASUS ROG Claymore II is good for office use. This sturdy-feeling board comes with a detachable, plushy wrist rest and one incline setting. You can use it wirelessly via its USB receiver, but since it doesn't support Bluetooth, you can't pair it with more than one device at a time. The board feels nice to type on, but the ROG RX Blue Optical Mechanical switches on our unit require some force to actuate, so they may feel a bit heavy to type on. Also, the switches are likely too loud for an office setting, but the board is also available with linear ROG RX Red Optical Mechanical switches that should be quieter.
- Modular numpad.
- Customizable RGB backlighting.
- Wireless via USB receiver.
- All keys are macro-programmable.
- No Bluetooth support.
- Numpad slots feel flimsy.
- Clicky switches feel fairly heavy.
The ASUS ROG Claymore II is good for programming. It's a sturdy-feeling wireless model that feels nice to type on, but the ROG RX Blue Optical Mechanical switches on our unit require some force to actuate, so they may feel a bit heavy to type on. It comes with a detachable, plushy wrist rest and one incline setting. You can set macros to any key and customize the RGB backlighting. Also, you can choose to have the numpad on the left or right side of the board or remove it completely if you prefer a TKL size. Unfortunately, while you can use it wirelessly via its USB receiver, it doesn't support Bluetooth, so you can't pair it with more than one device at a time.
- Modular numpad.
- Customizable RGB backlighting.
- Wireless via USB receiver.
- All keys are macro-programmable.
- No Bluetooth support.
- Numpad slots feel flimsy.
- Clicky switches feel fairly heavy.
The ASUS ROG Claymore II is inadequate for a home theater PC setup, but it isn't designed for this use. While you can use the board wirelessly, you can only use it with its USB receiver, so you can't connect it to any Bluetooth-only devices.
- Modular numpad.
- Customizable RGB backlighting.
- Wireless via USB receiver.
- No Bluetooth support.
- Numpad slots feel flimsy.
- No built-in trackpad.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the ASUS ROG Claymore II with ROG RX Blue Optical Mechanical switches, but it's also available with ROG RX Red Optical Mechanical switches. It's available in black only. You can see our unit's label here.
Popular Keyboard Comparisons
The ASUS ROG Claymore II is a full-size gaming keyboard with a modular numpad that you can remove or place on either side of the board. It features ASUS' new proprietary optical-mechanical switches, which are available in a clicky or linear feel. Compared to other wireless gaming keyboards, it has a very low wired latency, but its receiver latency is higher than other options. However, along with its modular numpad, it has many interesting features that may please some gamers, like macro-programming, a volume control wheel, USB passthrough, and fast charging.
For other options, see our recommendations for the best mechanical keyboards, the best gaming keyboards, the best wireless keyboards.
The ASUS ROG Claymore II and the Mountain Everest Max are both excellent modular gaming keyboards. They each come with detachable Numpads, meaning you can use them as TKL keyboards, but the wrist rest on the ASUS is full-size, so it sticks out from the side if you use it in TKL mode, but the Mountain comes with a TKL sized wrist rest. The ASUS is available with proprietary linear or clicky optical switches, while the Mountain is more versatile because it's hot-swappable, and it's sold with different Cherry MX switches. You can use the ASUS wirelessly, but only through its USB receiver, and if you use it wired, it has lower latency than the Mountain.
The ASUS ROG Claymore II and the Corsair K100 RGB are both gaming keyboards, but the ASUS is wireless, and the Corsair is wired-only. The ASUS has a modular numpad that you can place on either side of the board or remove completely, and you can use the board wirelessly via its USB receiver. The ASUS is available with linear and clicky ROG RX Optical Mechanical switches. On the other hand, the Corsair has dedicated media keys, a multi-function wheel, and a lower latency. The Corsair is available with linear switches only, and you can choose between Cherry MX Speed and Corsair OPX switches.
The Razer Huntsman V2 Analog and the ASUS ROG Claymore II are both full-size gaming keyboards, but the Razer is wired, and the ASUS is wireless. The ASUS has a modular numpad that you can place on either side of the board or remove it completely for a TKL size. Also, it has a volume control, a USB passthrough, four dedicated macro keys, a plushy wrist rest, and lower latency. You can use it wirelessly via its USB receiver, and it's available with linear and clicky ROG RX Optical Mechanical switches. On the other hand, the Razer has proprietary linear Razer Analog Optical switches, which let you use the keys like an analog joystick, and you can customize the pre-travel distance to your liking.
The ASUS ROG Claymore II and the Logitech G915 LIGHTSPEED are both wireless gaming keyboards. The Logitech has Bluetooth and can pair with two devices at once, while you can only use the ASUS wirelessly with its USB receiver. The Logitech has dedicated media keys, and its latency is lower than the ASUS', especially over a wireless connection. However, it's available with low-profile GL Tactile, Linear, and Clicky switches, which some people may not like. On the other hand, the ASUS has a USB passthrough, a modular numpad, and you can set macros to any key on the board, unlike the Logitech. The ASUS is available with linear and clicky ROG RX Optical Mechanical switches.
Test Results
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