The ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless is a compact (96%) keyboard that continues ASUS' ROG Strix Scope lineup. You can connect this keyboard wirelessly with the included ROG Omni USB receiver or via Bluetooth with up to three devices simultaneously. There's also a programmable multi-function button and scroll wheel that you can customize along with the keyboard's RGB backlighting and other settings using the companion software. You can buy this keyboard with either linear or clicky ROG NX mechanical switch options, and it has a hot-swappable PCB, allowing you to change these stock switches for others of your choice if you prefer. Additionally, the keycaps are made of durable PBT plastic, and sound-dampening switch pads and silicon foam inside the case help keep the typing volume to a minimum.
Our Verdict
The ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 is an excellent keyboard for gaming. It has impressive overall build quality and remarkably low latency performance, making it well-suited for playing games in any genre and at any competitive level. It also has full RGB backlighting that you can customize along with other keyboard settings directly on the keyboard using hotkeys or using the customization software.
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Impressive build quality.
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Remarkably low latency.
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Full RGB backlighting with shine-through keycaps.
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Spacebar rattles somewhat and isn't as stable as other keys.
The ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 is good for office use, though it isn't designed specifically for it. It has impressive build quality and connects wirelessly with its USB receiver or with up to three devices simultaneously via Bluetooth. It also includes sound-dampening material, which makes it fairly quiet to type on. Unfortunately, the spacebar is a bit wobbly and makes more of a rattling noise compared to other stabilized keys.
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Impressive build quality.
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Connects wirelessly with its USB receiver or via Bluetooth with up to three devices simultaneously.
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Spacebar rattles somewhat and isn't as stable as other keys.
The ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 is adequate for tablets and mobile devices, though it isn't designed primarily with this purpose in mind. That said, it has impressive overall build quality and connects wirelessly via Bluetooth with up to three devices simultaneously. It's smaller than a typical full-size keyboard due to its Compact (96%) layout, but it's not very portable as it's still quite bulky and heavy.
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Impressive build quality.
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Connects wirelessly with its USB receiver or via Bluetooth with up to three devices simultaneously.
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Fairly large and heavy; designed to be used at a desktop.
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Spacebar rattles somewhat and isn't as stable as other keys.
The ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 is a great keyboard for programming. It has impressive build quality and supports multi-device pairing via Bluetooth with up to three devices simultaneously. It also has full RGB backlighting and high-quality PBT keycaps with shine-through legends that are easily read in darker rooms. While it has no dedicated macro keys, you can record macros directly on the keyboard using hotkey combinations or with the companion software.
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Impressive build quality.
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Full RGB backlighting with shine-through keycaps.
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Spacebar rattles somewhat and isn't as stable as other keys.
The ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 is okay for an entertainment or home theatre PC setup. It has impressive build quality and full RGB backlighting with shine-through legends that are easily read in darker rooms. Unfortunately, it lacks dedicated media keys. You can use the multi-function button and multi-function scroll wheel or the pre-programmed hotkeys instead.
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Impressive build quality.
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Connects wirelessly with its USB receiver or via Bluetooth with up to three devices simultaneously.
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Full RGB backlighting with shine-through keycaps.
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No dedicated media keys.
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Fairly large and heavy; designed to be used at a desktop.
The ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 offers excellent raw performance with remarkable single-key and excellent multi-key latency. It also supports full N-key rollover and can send multiple keystrokes per USB report using its 1000Hz polling rate, which isn't limited by other latency elements.
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Remarkably low latency.
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1000Hz polling rate that isn't bottlenecked by other latency elements.
- 8.6 Gaming
- 7.9 Office
- 6.7 Mobile/Tablet
- 8.0 Programming
- 6.5 Entertainment / HTPC
- 8.7 Raw Performance
- Updated Mar 27, 2024: We've corrected an error in the Differences Between Sizes and Variants section of this review. We previously identified that both the ASUS ROG Strix Scope II and ASUS ROG Strix Scope II TKL variants have hot-swappable PCBs, but they don't.
- Updated Nov 29, 2023: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.3.1, which adds a new estimated PCB latency test to the Single-Key Latency section and a new Analog test to the Switches section of this review. You can see the full changelog here.
- Updated Nov 22, 2023: Review published.
- Updated Oct 19, 2023: Early access published.
- Updated Oct 12, 2023: Our testers have started testing this product.
- Updated Sep 28, 2023: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
- Updated Sep 18, 2023: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
- Updated Sep 09, 2023: The product has won our suggestion poll, so we'll buy and test it soon.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless is only available in a black colorway and with ROG NX mechanical switch options. We bought and tested this keyboard with linear ROG NX Snow switches. You can see the label of our unit here.
The wider ASUS ROG Strix Scope II lineup has several other size variants of this keyboard available. We expect our tests to also apply very closely to these models. We've included a table comparing these models below.
| Name | Size | Connectivity | ROG NX Mechanical Switch Options | Wrist Rest | Hot-swappable |
| ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless | Compact (96%) | Wireless 2.4Ghz, Bluetooth | ROG NX Snow, ROX NX Storm | Yes | Yes |
| ASUS ROG Strix Scope II | Full-size | Wired | ROG NX Snow, ROX NX Storm | Yes | No |
| ASUS ROG Strix Scope II TKL | TenKeyLess | Wired | ROG NX Snow, ROX NX Storm | Yes | No |
An additional keyboard within the Strix Scope II lineup called the Strix Scope II RX uses ROG RX optical switches rather than ROG NX mechanical switches. We expect the majority of our tests to also apply to this keyboard. However, we expect it to have different performance characteristics, so we expect the Single-Key Latency, Multi-Key Latency, Data Transmission, and Chord Split tests not to apply.
| Name | Size | Connectivity | Switch Options | Wrist Rest | Hot-Swappable |
| ASUS ROG Strix Scope II RX | Full-size | Wired | ROG RX | Yes | N/A |
Compared To Other Keyboards
The ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless is a compact (96%) model in ASUS' wider lineup of Strix Scope gaming keyboards. This is the first wireless model and the first 96%-sized model in the series. This compact form factor provides all of the keys of a standard full-size keyboard but with only minimal space between key clusters, so the entire keyboard takes up less space on your desk. Along with other recent models in this lineup, this keyboard has taken a nod from recent developments in the custom keyboard market with the addition of sound-dampening materials, doubleshot PBT keycaps, and a hot-swappable PCB. It's also available in either clicky or linear switch options that come pre-lubed from the factory.
Ultimately, this keyboard is a great option if you're interested in a hot-swappable wireless gaming keyboard that has a slightly smaller footprint than full-size options like the ASUS ROG Strix Flare II Animate but still offers many more keys than a smaller compact model, like the ASUS ROG Azoth.
For more options, see our recommendations for the best mechanical keyboards, the best gaming keyboards, and the best wireless keyboards.
The ASUS ROG Azoth and the ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless are wireless keyboards with comparable gaming performance. The Azoth has a smaller, compact (75%) form factor and better build quality. It also has a programmable OLED screen. 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 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 ASUS ROG Strix Scope TKL and the ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless are gaming keyboards in the same lineup. The Strix Scope TKL is an older wired-only model with a smaller TenKeyLess form factor. On the other hand, the Strix Scope II 96 Wireless is a newer wireless model with a compact (96%) form factor. It has significantly better latency performance, higher-quality PBT keycaps, and includes a wrist rest, which the Strix Scope TKL lacks.
The ASUS Rog Strix Flare II Animate and the ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless are mechanical gaming keyboards with comparable performance. The Strix Flare II Animate is a full-size wired-only model. It has a scroll wheel, dedicated media keys, a USB passthrough, and a programmable LED screen. On the other hand, the Strix Scope II 96 Wireless has a slightly smaller compact (96%) form factor. It also has a multi-function button and a multi-function wheel.
Test Results
This keyboard has a Compact (96%) form factor. It has nearly all the same keys as a standard full-size keyboard, but there's less space between key clusters, and the keys are arranged so that the entire keyboard has a slightly smaller footprint.
This keyboard is missing dedicated keys for the End, Home, Scroll Lock, and Menu keys, which are often found on full-size models. However, there are hotkey combinations for all these functions.
You can also remove the included wrist rest. You can see an image of the keyboard without the wrist rest attached here.
The ASUS Rog Strix Scope II 96 has impressive build quality overall and only exhibits minor flexibility. The chassis is made of plastic and is topped with a metal plate. The keycaps are made of doubleshot PBT plastic with a slightly textured finish. There's also an included wrist rest that's made of plastic with a leatherette covering. Unfortunately, the padding is quite thin, and the wrist rest feels somewhat cheap, but it provides adequate support while typing.
The switches and stabilizers are pre-lubed from the factory. Most keys are quite stable and have a quiet, 'thocky' sound with minimal rattling in part due to sound-dampening switch pads and silicon foam inside the case. Unfortunately, the spacebar wobbles more noticeably and makes a more distinct rattling sound.
The keyboard stays in place fairly well while typing, but the rubber pads on the bottom of the flip-out feet are smaller at the medium and maximum incline settings, and the board is somewhat prone to sliding forward if you accidentally bump it.
This keyboard has acceptable ergonomics. It has a standard profile, and plastic flip-out feet provide two additional incline angles. It also comes with a wrist rest that provides reasonable support. However, this wrist rest feels a bit cheap and only has minimal padding.
This keyboard offers excellent hardware customizability. It has a hot-swappable PCB, allowing you to change the stock switches for other 3-pin or 5-pin Cherry-style switches without soldering. Just note that if you want to change the stock keycaps, the right-side modifier keys are the slightly less common 1u size as opposed to the standard 1.25u size.
This keyboard has full RGB backlighting with individually-lit keys. You can use the multi-function button or scroll wheel, hotkey combinations, or the customization software to change lighting effects, colors, and brightness.
This keyboard has impressive backlighting clarity. Most legends are clearly visible, but the light is somewhat uneven on some keys, and legends are a bit obscured.
This keyboard comes with a braided USB-A to USB-C charging cable. This cable retains some kinks from its packaging.
ASUS advertises this keyboard has a maximum battery life of up to 1500 hours of continuous use when connected wirelessly with its USB receiver and with all RGB lighting off.
This keyboard doesn't have any dedicated macro keys. However, you can program macros to any key using the customization software or directly on the keyboard using hotkey combinations listed in the user manual. You can see a digital version of the user manual here.
This keyboard offers a range of extra features, including a multi-function button and a multi-function scroll wheel, both in the top right corner of the board. Using these controls, you can adjust volume, navigate media, change the keyboard backlighting, or assign your own custom controls using the companion software.
There is a range of LED indicators that display connectivity information, media playback, and various keyboard locks, including Windows Lock. Additionally, a wide array of hotkey combinations allows you to control media, check battery levels, change Bluetooth connectivity settings, or adjust the backlighting. Also, by default, the F1 through F5 keys are bound to specific controls for Xbox Game Bar.
There's a full list of hotkey combinations you can reference in the digital version of this keyboard's user manual on ASUS' website here.
- ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless
- USB-A ROG Omni receiver
- USB receiver extender
- USB-A to USB-C charging cable
- Wrist rest
- Alternate ABS spacebar
- Keycap/switch puller
- Stickers
- User documentation
This keyboard provides a great typing experience overall. The keycaps are made of high-quality, doubleshot PBT plastic and have a slightly textured feel. There's also an alternate spacebar included with a shine-through pattern. However, this alternate spacebar is made of ABS plastic, which is typically lower quality as it tends to develop a shiny texture over time. That said, ASUS also indicates this spacebar has a UV coating intended to minimize this.
We bought this keyboard with linear ROG NX Snow switches that come pre-lubed from the factory and feel lightweight and smooth without much scratchiness.
Most keys, including modifier keys, feel quite stable, with only minor wobbling. However, the spacebar wobbles somewhat and makes a noticeable rattling sound. An included wrist rest provides support while typing, and sound-dampening switch pads and silicon inside the case help reduce the overall volume and pingingness somewhat.
Typing noise on this keyboard with the ROG NX Snow switches installed is quiet and very unlikely to bother those around you.
You can also buy this keyboard with ROG NX Storm switches, which are clicky switches that we expect are significantly louder with high-pitch clicks.
We bought and tested this keyboard with linear ROG NX Snow mechanical switches. You can also buy this keyboard with clicky ROG NX Storm switches. Both switch options are pre-lubed from the factory.
We bought and tested the ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 with linear ROG NX Snow mechanical switches. These switches are completely smooth on the downstroke without any tactile bump to overcome. They feel very lightweight and sensitive and are pre-lubed from the factory.
You can also buy this keyboard with ROG NX Storm switches, which feel heavier and have a satisfying tactile bump to overcome before actuation. They're also considerably louder, making a characteristic clicking sound on the downstroke.
The ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 has outstanding single-key latency performance. It delivers an extremely responsive-feeling experience for games in any genre and casual or competitive play.
The ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 offers excellent overall multi-key latency. However, the Key Release latency is fairly high compared to other gaming keyboards.
This keyboard has outstanding data transmission performance. It supports full N-key rollover and can send multiple keystrokes per USB report. It also fully uses its 1000Hz polling rate without being bottlenecked by other latency components.
This keyboard has very good 4-chord and 8-chord split delay performance, making it suitable for playing rhythm games that require multiple simultaneous inputs.
The ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 uses Armoury Crate for customization. This software is reasonably straightforward and allows you to customize various expected settings, including key assignments, custom profiles, macros, power settings, and RGB lighting. The software also works with ASUS Aura Sync, allowing for more extensive RGB effects that you can synchronize with other ASUS devices.
Much like with the software options from other major manufacturers, Armoury Crate is the source of criticism from the broader community. While we didn't experience any issues during the testing of this keyboard, many users online criticize this software for being unnecessarily bloated, requiring frequent updates, and taking up disproportionate system resources, among other complaints. This software may be frustrating if you prefer more lightweight software options or no software at all.
This keyboard is fully compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux. However, there isn't any customization software available for Linux or MacOS.
On MacOS, the Scroll Lock and Pause hotkey functions control screen brightness if you have a compatible Apple display.
This keyboard is fully compatible with Android, iOS, and iPadOS. However, the software isn't compatible with these mobile operating systems.
On iOS and iPad devices, the Insert/Scroll Lock hotkey function doesn't work.
all keys work as expected on Android devices.