ROG Falchion RX Low Profile review: A fantastic keyboard that looks just as good as it works

Note: This review was first published on 18 March 2024.

The Republic of Gamers (ROG) Falchion RX Low Profile is an interesting gaming keyboard. While it is a part of ASUS’ sub-brand ROG gaming line, there are plenty of features that ought to make non-gaming audience consider this small little wonder. Let’s have a closer look.

Unlike many gaming grade gaming keyboards out there that come in black or dark colours, ROG has opted for a silver and white chassis that is refreshing, modern and looks excellent as a centrepiece on your table – especially when its RGB is switched on. There’s also a black version if you prefer a more typical look, but it does not look like ASUS has made this model available in Singapore.

It’s not just the looks that impressed me. I’ve used the keyboard for about three weeks now, using it for both PC gaming and the usual productivity works (including typing this review), and am pleasantly surprised by how sturdy and solid the Falchion RX felt. There’s no noticeable deck flex, which is quite a rarity for a low-profile keyboard of this size – thanks in part to its top metal plate that comes engraved with a “Republic of Gamers” insignia to add a bit of style. This also gives it a bit of weight and heft, which ironically for a portable keyboard may seem undesirable for some, but I thought it gives the Falchion RX a premium touch.

Flipping the keyboard over reveals a ridged underside. It’s similar to last year's excellent customisable ROG Azoth gaming keyboard – there’s now consistency to the ROG’s brand design DNA across most of its latest products. There are also two adjustable dual-level feet that offer ergonomic flexibility for your wrists, catering to those who prefer a raised typing angle to type comfortably if the natural slant doesn’t work out.

In terms of design, I thought the Falchion RX’s 65 percent low profile layout is a good compromise between form and function, especially for those whose desk space is at a premium or those with a hybrid work arrangement and simply just want to use a single, good keyboard. By omitting the function row, most of the navigation cluster, and the number pad, it provides users with essential keys in a compact package.

Perhaps one of the keyboard's most user-centric features, and the one that is most non-gaming, is the dual-printed keycaps to accommodate both Windows and Mac users. I’m not sure if there’s another gaming-grade keyboard like this one, but I like it. There are plenty of Mac users out there, and the Falchion RX is miles ahead of the Apple Magic keyboard. Mac gaming is also on the rise, as I have noted in my Resident Evil Village and Death Stranding for Mac reviews. Perhaps ROG is on to something here.

This inclusivity is rare in the gaming keyboard market, making the ROG Falchion RX Low Profile a standout option for those who navigate between operating systems. It's a small detail, but in a landscape where versatility can be a deciding factor, Asus' decision to include this functionality is a commendable nod to user preferences.

There are other great quality-of-life features too, such as the inclusion of a keyboard cover. It’s a sensible accessory for a portable gaming keyboard, keeping the keycaps from being damaged while in transit but it also doubles up as a cover (protecting the keyboard from dust) and as a non-slip base for the keyboard on your desk. It’s a pretty thoughtful design on ROG’s part, if I might say.

Then there’s also a really cool multi-functional slider on its top edge, a modern solution to traditional knobs or dedicated media keys that take up more real estate on the keyboard. This slider can be customised to adjust volume, change the intensity of the keyboard’s RGB backlighting, and control media playback. Its integration is so seamless and the position where it’s found is so inconspicuous that I didn’t even notice it the first time.

Further exploration reveals other thoughtful details. As a wireless gaming keyboard, the Falchion RX comes fully loaded with a robust suite of connectivity features, spanning from the Omni USB wireless receiver to Bluetooth capabilities. The process of connecting via either route is impressively straightforward, and I could switch between Windows and Mac devices without fuss. This ease of transition is made easier by a physical switch found on the keyboard's rear, which allows for quick toggling between Bluetooth connections and the wireless receiver. The charging of the keyboard is facilitated by its USB-C port, which can also turn the Falchion RX into a wired keyboard, should you not trust a wireless connection for gaming.

The Falchion RX is available in either RX Low Profile Red or Blue switches, and my review unit came with the former. It’s a personal preference, but I’ve always liked low-profile keycaps to be paired with the Red’s linear and lightweight so this combination on my unit works wonderfully for me. The key travel is a mere 2.8mm and with an actuation point at just 1mm and requiring 45g of force (read about it here), these switches are designed for those who appreciate quick and seamless keystrokes.

The RX Low Profile Reds felt great, smooth and unbelievably quiet while typing and even with my gaming sessions in Helldivers 2. There’s a very good reason behind my experience: these switches have lubricated stems, stabilisers, and springs that offer a smoother click feel and eliminate spring bouncing noises. There are also multiple layers of sound-dampening foam inside the Falchion RX to aid in the stealthiness nature of the keyboard.

By now you can tell that I’m truly impressed with the ROG Falchion RX Low Profile keyboard, and I really am. Many keyboard makers are quick to show off the response time or the switches used in their keyboards, but the Falchion RX is the first time in a long while, where I see a thoughtful and well-designed keyboard for the modern user. The keyboard truly stands out in the crowded field of low-profile gaming keyboards, not just for its aesthetics but also for its performance and features.

From having pre-lubricated switches to an innovative multi-functional slider, the keyboard is a rarity in low-profile keyboard innovations. And the RGB implementation is quite possibly one of the most beautiful I’ve seen in any keyboards, popping out nicely against the white and silver surfaces. That said, the smaller form factor while highly portable, can take some getting used to like it did for me.

Then there’s the matter of the $289 pricetag, which isn’t a small sum for any keyboard. But I think the ROG Falchion RX Low Profile keyboard isn’t just any keyboard. It’s a keyboard with plentiful features that looks just as good as it works – albeit in a small and portable form factor – and I can’t recommend it highly enough.

The ROG Falchion RX Low Profile wireless gaming keyboard is available for purchase here.

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