The ASUS ROG Falchion is a compact 65% gaming board that you can use wired or wirelessly via its USB receiver. Its latency is incredibly low when used over either connection. It comes with a polycarbonate keyboard case cover to protect the keycaps when traveling, and you can use it as a case while using your board. You can set macros to any key directly from the board itself or by using the Armoury Crate software. It has a programmable touch panel on its left side that you can use to control volume or switch apps, and you can even set macros to it. The board is available with Cherry MX RGB Red, Brown, Blue, or Speed Silver switches. Unfortunately, it doesn't have Bluetooth support, so you can't pair it with devices that don't have a USB port.
Our Verdict
The ASUS Falchion is fantastic for gaming. This very well-built board has incredibly low latency and customizable RGB backlighting. Also, you can set macros to any key, including the touch panel on the left side of the board. The Cherry MX Red switches on our unit feel light and responsive. If you prefer a different switch feel, it's available with a few types of Cherry MX switches. Unfortunately, it doesn't come with a wrist rest.
- Incredibly low latency.
- Customizable RGB backlighting.
- Programmable touch panel on left side.
- All keys are macro-programmable.
- Doesn't include a wrist rest.
The ASUS Falchion isn't suitable for use with mobile devices or tablets. While you can use it wirelessly, it doesn't have Bluetooth support, which isn't ideal for devices without a USB-A port. However, it does come with a cover case to protect the keys when in a bag.
- Comes with a case cover to protect keycaps.
- No Bluetooth support.
- Can't pair with multiple devices at once.
- Taller than most dedicated mobile device/tablet boards.
The ASUS Falchion is good for office use. This very well-built board provides an excellent typing experience, thanks to the quiet Cherry MX Red switches on our unit, which feel light to type on. If you prefer a different feel, there are other switch types available. Unfortunately, it doesn't come with a wrist rest.
- Customizable RGB backlighting.
- Cherry MX Red switches are quiet.
- Programmable touch panel on left side.
- Doesn't include a wrist rest.
The ASUS Falchion is very good for programming. It feels excellently well-built and well-designed, and the Cherry MX Red switches on our unit feel light and help provide an excellent typing experience. If you prefer a different feel, the board is available with other Cherry MX switches. All keys are macro-programmable, including the touch panel on the left side, and it has customizable RGB backlighting. Unfortunately, while you can use it wirelessly, it doesn't have Bluetooth support, so you can't pair it with multiple devices at once. Also, it doesn't come with a wrist rest.
- Customizable RGB backlighting.
- Programmable touch panel on left side.
- All keys are macro-programmable.
- Can't pair with multiple devices at once.
- Doesn't include a wrist rest.
The ASUS Falchion is inadequate for a home theater PC setup. You can use it wirelessly, so you don't need to worry about a cable, but it only works with its USB receiver since it doesn't have Bluetooth support. While it has media hotkeys and a touch panel for easy volume control, it doesn't have a built-in trackpad, so you also need a separate mouse to navigate your computer's interface.
- Customizable RGB backlighting.
- Programmable touch panel on left side.
- No Bluetooth support.
- No built-in trackpad or volume wheel.
Changelog
- Updated Nov 09, 2023: We've added a link to the newly-reviewed ROCCAT Vulcan II Mini Air to the Backlighting Features section of this review.
- Updated Jun 15, 2023: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.2. This update introduces new Backlight Features and Backlight Clarity test boxes. We've also added a new Switches test box, added additional test comparisons to our Hardware Customizability test box that we introduced with our last Test Bench. For an in-depth look at our changes, you can see our full changelog here.
- Updated Jun 12, 2023: We've added a link to the ASUS ROG Azoth in the Wireless Versatility section of this review.
- Updated May 26, 2023: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.1. This update adds several new tests addressing Hardware Customization, Macro Keys And Programming, and Wireless Mobile Compatibility. We've also added new objective evaluations to the Typing Noise test, and we've simplified several tests and removed several others that were no longer relevant. For an in-depth look at all our changes, you can see our full changelog here.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the ASUS Falchion with Cherry MX Red switches, but it's also available with Cherry MX Brown, Blue, and Speed Silver switches. You can see the label of our unit here.
Popular Keyboard Comparisons
The ASUS Falchion is a fantastic gaming keyboard if you want something 65% compact and wireless. It has very low latency next to other wireless gaming keyboards, although there are a few similar models with even lower values, such as the Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed and the Corsair K65 RGB Mini. It offers lots of customization options like many other comparable boards, and it has a touch panel on its left side that you can program to perform a range of different tasks. Unfortunately, it doesn't have Bluetooth support, so it isn't a good choice if you want to pair it with multiple Bluetooth-enabled devices at once.
For other options, see our recommendations for the best wireless keyboards, the best gaming keyboards, and the best mechanical keyboards.
The ASUS ROG Falchion and the ASUS ROG Azoth are wireless compact mechanical gaming keyboards. The Falchion is available in a variety of Cherry MX switches. On the other hand, the Azoth is available in a selection of pre-lubed ROG NX switches. It also has a programmable OLED screen, a much longer advertised battery life, and Bluetooth support, which the Falchion lacks. Additionally, it has a gasket-mounted design and layers of sound-dampening foam that provide a better overall typing experience.
The Razer Huntsman Mini and the ASUS ROG Falchion are compact mechanical gaming keyboards, but the ASUS is slightly bigger and has dedicated navigation keys, including arrow keys. Also, you can use the ASUS wirelessly via a USB receiver, and its wired latency is lower than the Razer's. It has a programmable touch panel on its left side, and it comes with a polycarbonate cover case to protect the keys. The ASUS is available with a variety of Cherry MX switches. On the other hand, the Razer has more incline settings, and it's available with proprietary Razer Optical switches.
The ASUS Rog Falchion and the ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless are wireless gaming keyboards. The Falchion has a smaller compact (65%) form factor. On the other hand, the Strix Scope II 96 Wireless has a compact (96%) form factor. It also has a multi-function button, a multi-function scroll wheel, and an included wrist rest.
The SteelSeries Apex Pro and the ASUS ROG Falchion are both outstanding gaming keyboards. If you prefer a wired and full-size model, the SteelSeries is better. It has a USB passthrough, a volume control wheel, and a programmable OLED screen. It uses proprietary linear OmniPoint switches, which let you adjust the operating force to your preference. The ASUS is better if you prefer a wireless and 65% compact board. It has a much lower wired latency, and it's available with different Cherry MX switches. While the ASUS doesn't have a volume control wheel, it does have a touch panel that can control volume, and you can even reprogram it to perform other tasks.
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