Photo by Bonus Action
Times are tough right now, and if you are like me, affordability is the name of the game. As much as many of us would love to splurge for the best switches, fanciest RGB, or the most premium collaboration for our gaming setups, milk and bills need to come first. However, for those of us gaming regularly, the need for a new keyboard does come up. Instead of going for a box store budget keyboard that will likely die in a year, gamers should consider the new premium budget gaming keyboard from ROG: The Strix Morph 96 Wireless Keyboard.
In the past few years, I have really taken to ROG for their beautiful designs, powerful switch builds, and overall options for all keyboard sizes. Despite that love, the price tag is definitely a problem for most, especially at the higher end of the keyboard line.
The new ROG Strix Morph 96 Wireless Keyboard aims to address this issue, offering everything from the premium line, but at a price that challenges the Razer BlackWidow and blows away more expensive options like the Huntsman V3 Pro. There are a few quirks with the keyboard, but thanks to a highly customizable build, all of those issues were solved with a few personal changes to the design.
Key Details
- Developer: ASUS ROG
- Connection: Bluetooth, Wireless, USB-C
- Size: 96%
- Switch Type: ROC NX Snow V2 Linear
- Style: Mechanical
- RGB: Yes
- Price: $139.99
- Sample Provided: Yes
The Best of ROG Right Out of the Box
The Strix Morph offers a little bit of everything that ROG does best. While the HFX V2 switches are the premium standard for the brand at the moment, the Strix Morph actually uses my personal favorite option one tier back. The NX Snow V2 linear switches are smooth, offer a gentle acoustic snap, and aren’t so sensitive that I accidentally brush buttons while working or gaming. I actually like the Snow over the HFX V2 because I find them more of a middle ground. While the HFX V2 are designed for fast-paced gaming and intense response, the Snow are great for cozy gaming, regular typing use, and day-to-day functionality.
I also love the size of this keyboard. The 96% offers a 10-key, which is lovely for anyone whose gaming keyboard also doubles as a work-from-home accessory. The keys are nicely spaced for long fingers and are perfect for quick typing.
It is also very nice that the keyboard is gasket-mounted. The press and response of the keys have that sleek, ROG feel that I have come to love. Every keystroke is propped up by the design of the keyboard, giving it a sturdy, reliable feel that radiates quality and thoughtful craftsmanship. It’s also nice to have a keyboard that doesn’t feel like it is going to rattle off my desk when I get to typing quickly.
However, there is one glaring issue with the keyboard, and it is to be expected at this price point. One of the things I love about ROG keyboards is the quality keycaps of the premium models. Unfortunately, those keycaps are expensive, and removing PBT for ABS is a great way to cut down the cost. I do not like the ABS keycaps. They feel slippery, have a strange groove that puts them too close to the keyboard, and they don’t sound as nice and snappy as I would like them to.
However, this dislike of the keycaps, while initially off-putting, led me to really understand what makes the Strix Morph such an incredible, budget keyboard.
You Can Customize Literally Everything
The coolest thing about the ROG Strix Morph is that almost every key element of this keyboard is customizable. The switches are hot-swappable, the keycaps are universal on the out-of-the-box switches, and the board itself can be unscrewed at the top cover for better access and customization.
If this weren’t possible, this keyboard would not hit for me. However, ROG has taken care to ensure that the Strix Morph can be properly set up to meet the needs of the person using it.
For me, I switched the ABS keycaps for a set of Glorious Polychroma. This one change, with full compatibility on the entire keyboard, took this accessory to the next level. The slightly higher keycaps offered a different shape and made a huge difference in the tactile feel of the switches. I did choose to keep the transparent keys and the specialized space bar for a unique look, but I am in love with how the customization turned out.
For many, the ABS keycaps won’t be an issue, but the fact that I can change these areas on the keyboard is a critical point of interest. The Strix Morph is wonderful out of the box, but can be switched, changed, or tweaked to really fit someone’s personal needs or desires.
Additionally, the Strix Morph has the stunning, signature RGB backlighting that I have come to really appreciate from ROG, and it looks brilliant under those translucent keycaps.
Because the keyboard isn’t painfully expensive, it’s a lot less daunting to get in and customize with fun keycaps or different compatible switches. It feels like you can continue to invest in a fantastic foundation with additional upgrades of any kind whenever you want to. For me, spreading out costs to get the perfect accessory is much more reasonable right now than dropping $400 on a dream board I’m too afraid to leave out on my desk when not in use.
Final Score – 8/10
The ASUS ROG Strix Morph 96 Wireless Keyboard really feels like the whole package at a reasonable price. The large keyboard layout, customizable design, quality core components, and versatility with RGB and connection points really make it a unique find.
While I wasn’t sold on the ABS keycaps, it is a testament to the build that one tiny tweak that I could make at my leisure transformed it into my perfect keyboard option. I love it just as much as my Azoth, which has been my ride or die for nearly a year now.
I would love to see ROG continue to mix quality builds with affordability in more areas. In a time where accessibility is critical, this move feels pleasantly in touch. The Strix Morph is a wonderful keyboard, and one that will delight any gamer who chooses to pick it up. Especially if they find some quality, clear keycaps to highlight the RGB. It feels like a big jump from the Strix Scope, and I can tell I’ll be using it for years to come.
**Bonus Action was provided with a sample of the ASUS ROG Strix Morph 96 Wireless Keyboard for this review. Keycaps from Glorious were purchased and are not a part of this evaluation.**
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