ASUS ROG Falchion Ace HFX 65% RGB Wired Gaming Keyboard - Compact, Fast, Customisable Switches

A 65% layout isn't for everyone, but for competitive players who want maximum mouse movement room without sacrificing arrow keys, it hits a practical sweet point. The ROG Falchion Ace HFX sets itself apart from similarly compact boards with its hot-swappable HFX magnetic switches — a mechanism that uses magnetic force rather than physical contact to register keystrokes, which ASUS claims extends lifespan well beyond traditional mechanical alternatives and allows actuation point adjustment via software. That level of tunability is typically reserved for keyboards costing considerably more.

Who Is This For?

This board suits dedicated PC gamers who spend serious hours in fast-paced titles like Valorant or CS2, where low-latency inputs and a clean desk setup genuinely affect performance. The onboard memory and Armoury Crate software also appeal to users who switch between multiple machines without wanting to reconfigure profiles constantly. If you primarily type for long documents, code, or anything requiring a numpad, the compact layout will frustrate rather than serve you — a full-size or tenkeyless board is a more honest choice.

What Buyers Say

Owners consistently praise the build quality — the aluminium top plate feels reassuringly solid for a compact board — and the tactile feedback of the HFX switches draws frequent positive comparison to traditional linears. The RGB implementation through Armoury Crate is genuinely flexible. The most recurring criticism, however, is Armoury Crate itself: the software is considered bloated and occasionally unreliable, requiring reinstallation to resolve sync issues. It's a real frustration that ASUS has been slow to address across its peripheral range.

The Deal

Currently £94.99 against a listed was-price of £189.99, that's a 50% reduction and a saving of £95. This product is newly tracked on our site, so we can't yet validate the historical high with confidence — treat the was-price with mild scepticism. That said, £94.99 for hot-swappable magnetic switches and a premium build sits well within fair market value for this specification tier. If you've been watching this category, explore more options in our best gaming deals UK guide. At this price, it's a credible buy — just go in knowing the software side needs patience.